Significance of mineral chemistry of syenites and associated rocks of Elagiri complex,Southern Granulite Terrane of the Indian shield

The Elagiri complex (12°31′ N: 78°35′ E) represents one of the important silica — oversaturated syenite plutons of the Southern Granulite Terrane of the Indian shield. This article for the first time reports the mineral chemistry of the Elagiri complex and brings out important petrogenetic significance. The litho-members of Elagiri complex are intrusive into high grade country rocks viz. granite gneiss, amphibolite and pyroxene granulite. The country rocks are foliated bearing evidences of multiple folding and deformation. On the other hand, the constituent litho members of the Elagiri complex (syenites, gabbro and later intrusives marked by lamprophyre and carbonatite) show preservation of igneous layering in terms of discernible parallelism of the constituent minerals. The Elagiri complex shows presence of sharp contacts among litho members and marked absence of chilled facies peripheral to the margin. Electron microprobe data have been critically used to systematize the constituent mineral-phases of the different lithomembers of the complex. Geothermobarometric data indicate a temperature of equilibration in the range of ∼700° to 500°C at ∼2.0 to 5.2 kb which corresponds to shallow level (cf. 18.2 km) equilibration-depth of the complex. Field observations and mineral chemistry data suggest that liquid immiscibility plays an important role during the evolution of the Elagiri complex.     

Genesis of apatite-fluorite rock in the Burpala pluton

Burpala is a unique peralkaline pluton known to the world. Alkaline pegmatites of the pluton contain about 70 rare-metal minerals. A new scheme of rock crystallization is offered: shonkinite → nepheline syenite → alkali syenite → quartz syenite → vein rocks: mariupolite, rare-metal pegmatite, apatite-fluorite, and alkali granite. Investigation of fluid inclusions in fluorite from the apatite-fluorite rocks established the high temperatures (520–560°C) of homogenization of multiphase salt inclusions. Fluids from inclusions are dominated by hydrocarbonates and chlorides as anions and sodium and calcium as cations; microelements include strontium, barium, boron, iron, manganese, lithium, rubidium, and cesium, i.e., components characteristic of magmatogenic fluids. These rocks are analogous to foskorites of carbonatite complexes in the high calcium content, but calcite is replaced with fluorite along with other foskorite minerals such as apatite, magnetite, mica, and pyroxene.     

Alkaline basic intrusives of Elchuru,Prakasam District,Andhra Pradesh,India

The igneous alkaline rocks at Elchuru start from a parent ijolite-melteigite association to basic malignite, melalusitanite and shonkinite followed by nepheline syenites and then biotite lamprophyres (as dykes) at the waning phase of the evolutionary course of the complex. The distinct alkalinity of the rocks is manifested by the development of modal nepheline and calcic amphibole (kaersutite). For both the basic rocks,i.e. alkali gabbro and biotite lamprophyre, the percentages of normative nepheline are always higher than modal nepheline, indicating silica deficiency and alkali enrichment of the mafics. It is evident from detailed petrological and geochemical studies that the two basic members are very much akin to each other and there is no major deviation in their bulk chemistry.     

冀北印支期碱性岩浆活动及其地球动力学意义

冀北印支期碱性岩浆活动及其地球动力学意义张招崇（中国地质科学院地质研究所，北京１０００３７）王永强（中国地质科学院西安地质矿产研究所，西安７１００５４）关键词碱性岩浆印支期冀北地球动力学燕山地区是否存在印支期的构造、岩浆活动一直存在着争论。过去多数人...     

Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous Alkaline Ultramafic-Mafic Complex from Jasra, Karbi Anglong, Shillong Plateau, Northeastern India

An early Cretaceous alkaline ultramafic-mafic complex is emplaced within the Proterozoic rocks of Shillong plateau at Jasra, Karbi Anglong district of Assam. It is associated to the fracture system of Barapani-Tyrsad shear zone, Kopali faults, and Um Ngot lineaments and mainly comprises pyroxenite, gabbro and nepheline syenite. Few small mafic dykes, emplaced within pyroxenitic and granitic plutons, are also reported. No such dyke is reported to cut gabbros or nepheline syenites. Nepheline syenites occur either in the form of small dykes in pyroxenites or as differentiated bodies in the gabbros. Mineralogical and chemical composition of pyroxenite and gabbro clearly indicate their affinity to the alkaline magmatism. Syenitic samples show miaskitic character (agpaitic index <1), also indicates affinity with alkaline-carbonatite magmatism. Calcite is encountered in a number of pyroxenite samples. From the presented petrological and geochemical data it is difficult to establish any significant genetic relationship through simple differentiation process between these rocks. These data probably suggest that these rocks are derived from a primary carbonatite magma, generated by the low-degree melting of a metasomatized mantle peridotite. CO₂ released by this process also progressively metasomatizes the lherzolite to an alkaline wehrlite and melts derived from alkaline wehrlite (ultrabasic alkaline silicate magma) may be responsible for crystallization of Jasra alkaline ultramafic-mafic rocks.     

Alkaline rocks of Samchampi-Samteran, District Karbi-Anglong, Assam, India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline igneous complex (SAC) is a near circular, plug-like body approximately 12 km² area and is emplaced into the Precambrian gneissic terrain of the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. The host rocks, which are exposed in immediate vicinity of the intrusion, comprise granite gneiss, migmatite, granodiorite, amphibolite, pegmatite and quartz veins. The SAC is composed of a wide variety of lithologies identified as syenitic fenite, magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock, alkali pyroxenite, ijolite-melteigite, carbonatite, nepheline syenite with leucocratic and mesocratic variants, phonolite, volcanic tuff, phosphatic rock and chert breccia. The magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock was generated as a cumulus phase owing to the partitioning of Ti, Fe at a shallow level magma chamber (not evolved DI = O1). The highly alkaline hydrous fluid activity indicated by the presence of strongly alkalic minerals in carbonatites and associated alkaline rocks suggests that the composition of original melt was more alkalic than those now found and represent a silica undersaturated ultramafic rock of carbonated olivine-poor nephelinite which splits with falling temperature into two immiscible fractions—one ultimately crystallises as alkali pyroxenite/ijolite and the other as carbonatite. The spatial distribution of varied lithotypes of SAC and their genetic relationships suggests that the silicate and carbonate melts, produced through liquid immiscibility, during ascent generated into an array of lithotypes and also reaction with the country rocks by alkali emanations produced fenitic aureoles (nephelinisation process). Isotopic studies (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) on carbonatites of Samchampi have indicated that the δ¹³C of the source magma is related to contamination from recycled carbon.     

Complete preservation of ophiolite suite from south Andaman,India: A mineral-chemical perspective

Field studies supplemented by petrographic analyses clearly reveal complete preservation of ophiolite suite from Port Blair (11°39′N: 92°45′E) to Chiriyatapu (11°30′24″N: 92°42′30″E) stretch of South Andaman. The ophiolite suite reveals serpentinite at the base which is overlain unconformably by cumulate ultramafic-mafic members with discernible cumulus texture and igneous layering. Basaltic dykes are found to cut across the cumulate ultramafic-mafic members. The succession is capped by well exposed pillow basalts interlayered with arkosic sediments. Olivine from the basal serpentinite unit are highly magnesian (Fo_80.1–86.2). All clinopyroxene analyses from cumulate pyroxenite, cumulate gabbro and basaltic dyke are discriminated to be ‘Quad’ and are uniformly restricted to the diopside field. Composition of plagioclase in different lithomembers is systematically varying from calcic to sodic endmembers progressively from cumulate pyroxenite to pillow basalt through cumulate gabbro and basaltic dyke. Plagioclase phenocrysts from basaltic dyke are found to be distinctly zoned (An_60.7-An_35.3) whereas groundmass plagioclase are relatively sodic (An₃₃-An_23.5). Deduced thermobarometric data from different lithomembers clearly correspond to the observed preservation of complete ophiolite suite.     

Mawpyut intrusive complex of Jaintia hills district,Meghalaya, northeastern India: A case study for magmatic differentiation

The petrological details of the ultramafic-mafic-alkaline complex related to Sylhet Trap occurring near to Mawpyut (25°25′N:92°10′E) of Jaintia hills district Meghalaya, northeastern India, are poorly known. Field investigations indicate that the Mawpyut body occurs as a pluton distinctly intrusive into adjacent low grade metasedimentary Shillong Group of rocks. This body reveals development of two broad lithotypes namely ultramafic (olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite and plagioclase bearing ultramafic) and mafic (mostly gabbro, orthopyroxene gabbro, olivine gabbronorite, mela gabbro and mela-gabbro-norite) with minor presence of later syenitic veins. Though, in general, the pluton shows mineralogical variations, the field boundaries among those petrographic types are not discernible. Careful consideration of major and trace element chemistry of the constituent lithomembers clearly suggest progressive insitu fractionation of a common parent magma.     

Geochemistry, mineralogy, and radioactivity of Upper Cretaceous Abu Khruq Ring Complex, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The upper Cretaceous Abu Khruq ring complex (ARC) is located in the South Eastern Desert between latitudes 24°00′10′′ and 24°03′15′′ N, and longitudes 33°54′50′′ and 33°58′ E and has a roughly circular shape with a diameter of 7 km. ARC is built up by major extrusion of alkaline volcanic rocks comprising mainly rhyolite porphyry and alkaline trachyte rocks at the center of the ring complex followed by successive intrusions of alkaline gabbro and syenitic rocks comprising quartz syenite (oversaturated), syenite (saturated), and nepheline syenite (undersaturated). Petrographical and geochemical studies were carried out for the rocks of the forming ARC. For mineralogical and radioactive investigations, samples were collected from the most promising locations representing the hematitized nepheline syenite, nepheline syenite pegmatites, and quartz syenite. The most important minerals comprise: phosphuranylite, zircon, monazite, xenotime, plumbopyrochlore, pyrite, huttonite, apatite, REE mineral, rutile, and atacamite. The hematitized nepheline syenite is the most U- and Th-rich rocks, where eU content in this rock ranges from 375 to 788 ppm with an average 502 ppm and the average eTh content is 2,345 ppm ranging from 1,918 to 3,067 ppm. The pegmatite syenite and quartz syenite contain relatively low concentrations of U and Th, where the average eU content are 11 and 16 ppm and average eTh contents are 27 and 327 ppm, respectively.     

Ore geochemistry,zircon mineralogy,and genesis of the Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit in Kola Peninsula is related to the fissure alkaline intrusion of the same name. The intrusion ∼7 km in extent and 4–5 km² in area of its exposed part is composed of Neoarchean (2.68–2.61 Ma) alkali and nepheline syenites, which cut through the Archean alkali granite and gneissic granodiorite. Mineralization is localized in the nepheline syenite body as linear zones 200–1350 m in extent and 3–30 m in thickness, which strike conformably to primary magmatic banding and trachytoid texture of nepheline syenite. The ore is similar to the host rocks in petrography and chemistry and only differs from them in enrichment in zircon, britholite-(Y), and pyrochlore. Judging from geochemical attributes (high HSFE and some incompatible element contents (1000–5000 ppm Zr, 200–600 ppm Nb, 100–500 ppm Y, 0.1–0.3 wt % REE, 400–900 ppm Rb), REE pattern, Th/U, Y/Nb, and Yb/Ta ratios), nepheline syenite was derived from an enriched mantle source similar to that of contemporary OIB and was formed as an evolved product of long-term fractional crystallization of primary alkali basaltic melt. The ore concentrations are caused by unique composition of nepheline syenite magma (high Zr, Y, REE, Nb contents), which underwent subsequent intrachamber fractionation. Mineralogical features of zircon-the main ore mineral—demonstrate its long multistage crystallization. The inner zones of prismatic crystals with high ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (90, on average) grew during early magmatic stage at a temperature of 900–850°C. The inner zones of dipyramidal crystals with average ZrO₂/HfO₂ = 63 formed during late magmatic stage at a temperature of ∼500°C. The zircon pertaining to the postmagmatic hydrothermal stage is distinguished by the lowest ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (29, on average), porous fabric, abundant inclusions, and crystallization temperature below 500°C. The progressive decrease in ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio was caused by evolution of melt and postmagmatic solution. The metamorphic zircon rims relics of earlier crystals and occurs as individual rhythmically zoned grains with an averaged ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (45, on average) similar to that of the bulk ore composition. The metamorphic zircon is depleted in uranium in comparison with magmatic zircon, owing to selective removal of U by aqueous metamorphic solutions. Zircon from the Sakharjok deposit is characterized by low concentrations of detrimental impurities, in particular, contains only 10–90 ppm U and 10–80 ppm Th, and thus can be used in various fields of application.     

矾山碱性岩体磷铁矿床金的地球化学

河北矾山钾质碱性岩体,由３期侵入岩和脉岩正长岩组成。第１期岩石为层状超镁铁质岩系,具韵律层结构。层状岩系中赋存巨大磁铁磷灰石矿床。碱性岩体全岩２２５个样品平均含金为７．８×１０－９。矾山岩体金的丰度为６．１×１０－９,是地壳金丰度（３．５×１０－９）的１．７４倍。第１期岩石平均金含量为８．８×１０－９,第２期岩石为５．１×１０－９,第３期岩石为７．４×１０－９,正长岩为４．２×１０－９。第１期侵入岩中辉石岩平均金含量为９．３１×１０－９,黑云辉石岩平均为７．７８×１０－９,伟晶正长黑云辉石岩为７．４０×１０－９,间隙状正长辉石岩为８．００×１０－９,磁铁磷灰石岩为１３．７８×１０－９,磷灰石岩和黑云磷灰石岩为１１．８０×１０－９,黑云母岩为１８．６３×１０－９。在垂直层状岩系的剖面上,岩石金含量呈韵律性变化。在东矿区,岩石金含量由西向东趋于降低。在岩浆液相分离过程中,金倾向富集在含铁、镁、钙和磷的熔体相中,而在岩浆结晶分异过程中,金可能富集在流体相中。     

Petrography and mineral chemistry of Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex in Singhbhum Crustal Province,Purulia region,Eastern India

The variant rock types of an Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex (ACC) comprising alkali pyroxenite, nepheline syenite, phoscorite, carbonatite, syenitic fenite and glimmerite along with REE and Nb-mineralization are found at different centres along WNW-ESE trending South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) in parts of Singhbhum Crustal Province. The ACC occurs as intrusions within the Mesoproterozoic Singhbhum Group of rocks. Alkali pyroxenite comprises of aegirine augite, magnesiotaramite, magnesiokatophorite as major constituents. Pyrochlore and eucolite are ubiquitous in nepheline syenite. Phoscorite contains fluorapatite, dahllite, collophane, magnetite, hematite, goethite, phlogopite, calcite, sphene, monazite, pyrochlore, chlorite and quartz. Coarse fluorapatite shows overgrowth of secondary apatite (dahllite). Secondary apatite is derived from primary fluorapatite by solution and reprecipitation. The primary fluorapatite released REE to crystallize monazite grains girdling around primary apatite. Carbonatite is composed dominantly of Srcalcite along with dolomite, tetraferriphlogopite, phlogopitic biotite, aegirine augite, richterite, fluorapatite, altered magnetite, sphene and monazite. The minerals comprising of the carbonatite indicate middle stage of carbonatite development. Fenite is mineralogically syenite. Glimmerite contains 50–60% tetraferriphlogopite. An alkali trend in the evolution of amphiboles (magnesiotaramite-magnesiokatophorite-richterite) and chinopyroxenes (aegirine augite, aegirine) during the crystallization of the suite of rocks is noted. Monazite is the source of REE in phoscorite and carbonatite. Fluorapatite has low contents of REE, PbO, ThO₂ and UO₂. Pyrochlore reflects Nb-mineralization in nepheline syenite and it is enriched in Na₂O, CaO, TiO₂, PbO and UO₂. Pyrochlore containing UO₂ (6.605%) and PbO (0.914%) in nepheline syenite has been chemically dated at 948 ± 24 Ma by EPMA.     

Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite minor intrusion in Mawpyut ultramafic–mafic complex,Jaintia Hills,Meghalaya

Mawpyut igneous suite in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya plateau comprises differentiated suite of ultramafic–mafic rocks. The complex differs from other ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite igneous emplacements of Shillong plateau and Mikir Hills like Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes, by the absence of alkaline–carbonatite rocks as major litho-units. Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, occurs as late phase minor intrusion in Mawpyut igneous complex, posseses alkaline character and shows inubiquitous relation with the host ultramafic–mafic rocks. On the other hand, this alkaline intrusive bodies of the Mawpyut igneous complex shows chemico-mineralogical resemblance with garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, ijolite litho-members of Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes of the region. It is interpreted that melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite intrusion in Mawpyut is contemporaneous with Jesra, Sung, Samchampi ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite complexes and the host rocks of Mawpyut complex is an earlier magmatic activity possibly from a comparatively least enriched source.     

Cooling history of the Puttetti alkali syenite pluton,southern India

The Puttetti alkali syenite pluton in southern India belongs to the suite of felsic magmatic intrusives emplaced during the Late Neoprotrozoic-Cambrian time during the final phase of amalgamation of the Gondwana supercontinent. In this study, we evaluate the cooling history of this pluton based on various isotopic systems. We present whole-rock Pb-Pb data on the syenite which yields an isochron age of 508±25Ma. Three phlogopite separates from the syenite pluton give K-Ar ages of 454.0±9.0, 448.5±8.9 and 445.6±8.8 Ma indicating cooling age at temperatures of ∼415°C. U-Pb analyses of zircons from this syenite yielded an age of 572±2 Ma in a previous study. With U-Pb closure temperatures >800 o C, this age probably indicates the timing of emplacement of the Puttetti pluton. Collectively, we estimate from the isotopic age data and respective closure temperatures that the syenite body cooled at about 3.2 o C/Ma from about 800 o C to about 415 o C. The markedly low cooling rate of the syenite pluton, absence of chilled margin effects, and common occurrence of pyroxene, feldspar, phlogopite and zircons megacrysts in the rock indicate that the host granulites were at high temperatures during the emplacement of the syenite magma. The cooling history of Puttetti syenite estimated in this study is closely comparable with the 3–4 o C/Ma cooling rate estimated for a granite pluton in a previous study from Madagascar. Our study suggests protracted cooling rates for the late Pan-African intrusives emplaced within the Gondwana crust, with a long residence history in a hot crust bore they were exhumed to shallower levels.     

Metamorphism of Proterozoic agpaitic nepheline syenite gneiss from North Singhbhum Mobile Belt, eastern India

Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses of Early Proterozoic North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB), eastern India suffered regional metamorphism under greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies condition. The Agpaitic Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses consist of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline (close to Morozewicz-Buerger composition), aegirine, biotite, epidote, piemontite, sodalite, cancrinite, natrolite and local alkali amphibole. Accessory phases include zircon, hematite, magnetite, rare pyrochlore and occasional eudialyte and manganoan calcic zirconosilicates. Mineral chemistry of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline, aegirine, alkali amphibole, natrolite and zirconium silicate minerals are described. The detailed textural features together with chemical data of some minerals indicate metamorphic overprint of these rocks. A new reaction is given for the genesis of metamorphic epidote. Metamorphic piemontite suggests greenschist facies metamorphism under high fO₂ (Hematite-Magnetite buffer). Up to 15.34 mol% of jadeite component in aegirine suggests that the metamorphic grade of the nepheline syenite gneiss reached at least to greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies or higher. Nepheline geothermometry suggests temperature of metamorphism <500 °C, which is consistent with greenschist facies metamorphism of surrounding chlorite-biotite-garnet phyllite country rock.     

Rb-Sr age of the Sivamalai alkaline complex,Tamil Nadu

The Sivamalai alkaline complex comprises ferro-, pyroxene-hornblende- and nepheline-syenites. Field relations show that the nepheline syenites followed the emplacement of non-feldspathoidal syenites. Mineralogical data on the syenite suite have been reviewed. The Sivamalai alkaline rocks are not strongly enriched in rare-earth elements like most miaskites. Rb-Sr isotopic analyses of a suite of six samples from the various members of the complex define an isochron corresponding to an age of 623 ±21 Ma (2σ) and initial Sr ratio of 0.70376 ±14 (2σ). This is consistent with a model of fractional crystallization of a parent magma derived from an upper mantle source with apparently no isotopic evidence for more than one magma source for the complex. The Sivamalai alkaline complex represents a Pan-African alkaline magmatic event in the southern granulite terrane of Peninsular India.     

云南个旧碱性杂岩体的岩石成因及稀土元素富集机制

云南个旧碱性杂岩体由边缘相碱长正长岩和中心相霞石正长岩组成。全岩地球化学分析表明,该碱性杂岩体具有高碱、富钾、富铁、低镁、高分异的碱性-过碱性岩石特征,晚期更富集碱金属元素; LREE/HREE值为20～59,(La/Sm)N=8～50,(Sm/Yb)N=1.2～5.0,富集轻稀土元素,轻稀土元素较重稀土元素分馏程度高,具Eu负异常,亏损Ti、Nb、P、K、Sr等元素,富集Zr、Hf、Th、La、Ce、Nd、U、Rb等元素,岩浆来源与幔源物质有关;碱长正长岩和霞石正长岩具有相似的微量元素和稀土元素特征,具有同源岩浆分异演化的特点; Rb/Sr、Nb/Ta、Zr/Hf等比值均高于或接近于原始地幔的相应值; CIPW标准矿物计算结果表明边缘相碱长正长岩中出现紫苏辉石、锥辉石、橄榄石,中心相霞石正长岩中出现橄榄石。结合(Th/Nb)N和Nb/La值特征以及前人Sr-Nd同位素研究成果,认为个旧碱性杂岩体的岩浆来源于遭受交代作用的富集地幔部分熔融,同时受有限的地壳混染作用而成,形成于后碰撞的伸展环境。碱性岩浆演化晚期更加富碱、经历了更高程度的结晶分异作用是稀土元素、Nb、Ga和Zr元素超常富集的重要原因。     

Genetic implications of minor-element and Sr-isotope geochemistry of alkaline rock complexes in the Wet Mountains area,Fremont and Custer counties,Colorado

Concentrations of Rb, Sr, and REE (rare earth elements), and Sr-isotopic ratios in rocks of the Cambrian alkaline complexes in the Wet Mountains area, Colorado, show that rocks formed as end-products of a variety of magmas generated from different source materials. The complexes generally contain a bimodal suite of cumulus mafic-ultramafic rocks and younger leucocratic rocks that include nepheline syenite and hornblende-biotite syenite in the McClure Mountain Complex, nepheline syenite pegmatite in the Gem Park Complex, and quartz syenite in the complex at Democrat Creek. The nepheline syenite and hornblende-biotite syenite at McClure Mountain (535±5m.y.) are older than the syenitic rocks at Democrat Creek (511±8m.y.). REE concentrations indicate that the nepheline syenite at McClure Mountain cannot be derived from the hornblende-biotite syenite, which it intrudes, or from the associated mafic-ultramafic rocks. REE also indicate that mafic-ultramafic rocks at McClure Mountain have a source distinct from that of the mafic-ultramafic rocks at Democrat Creek.In the McClure Mountain Complex, initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios for mafic-ultramafic rocks (0.7046±0.0002) are similar to those of hornblende-biotite syenite (0.7045±0.0002), suggesting a similar magmatic source, whereas ratios for carbonatites (0.7038±0.0002) are similar to those of nepheline syenite (0.7038±0.0002). At Democrat Creek, initial ratios of syenitic rocks (0.7032±0.0002) and mafic-ultramafic rocks (0.7028±0.0002) are different from those of corresponding rocks at McClure Mountain.     

ALKALIC PEGMATITES OF THE AFRIKANDA MASSIF

Paragenetic sequences observed in ore-bearing and barren pegmatites associated with alkalic ultramafic rocks are described. The Afrikanda massif is located in the western part of the Kola peninsula and is represented by nepheline pyroxenite. In its central part are ore-bearing pegmatites containing concentrations of titanomagnetite, knopite, schorlomite garnet, nepheline, pyroxene, and phlogopite. Processes of replacement are described and a comparison is made of geochemical features of these pegmatites as compared to granitic pegmatites, nepheline syenite pegmatites, and gabbroic pegmatites. --M. Russell.     

Pyroxenes of the Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula

Seven pyroxene varieties were identified in nepheline syenites and foidolites of the Khibiny pluton: enstatite, ferrosilite, diopside, hedenbergite, augite, aegirine-augite, and aegirine. Enstatite and augite are typical of alkaline and ultramafic rocks of dike series. Ferrosilite was found in country quartzitic hornfels. Diopside is a rock-forming mineral in alkaline and ultramafic rocks, alkali gabbroids, hornfels in xenoliths of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and foyaite, melteigite-urtite that assimilate them, and certain hydrothermal pegmatite veins. Hedenbergite was noted in hornfels from xenoliths of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and in a hydrothermal pegmatite vein at Mount Eveslogchorr. Aegirine-augite is the predominant pyroxene in all types of nepheline syenites, phonolites and tinguaites, foidolites, alkaline and ultramafic rocks of dike series, fenitized wall rocks surrounding the pluton, and xenoliths of Devonian volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Aegirine is an abundant primary or, more often, secondary mineral in nepheline syenites, foidolites, and hydrothermal pegmatite veins. It occurs as separate crystals, outer zones of diopside and aegirine-augite crystals, and homoaxial pseudomorphs after Na-Ca amphiboles. Microprobe analyses of 265 pyroxenes samples allowed us to distinguish ten principal trends of isomorphic replacement and corresponding typomorphic features of pyroxenes. Compositional variations in clinopyroxenes along the sampled 35-km profile from the margin of the Khibiny pluton to its center confirm the symmetric zoning of the foyaite pluton relative to semicircular faults of the Minor Arc and the Main (Central) Ring marked by Devonian volcanic and sedimentary rocks, foidolites, and related metasomatic rocks (rischorrite, albitite, and aegirinite). Changes in the composition of pyroxenes are explained mainly by the redistribution of elements between coexisting minerals of foyaites in the process of their intense differentiation under the effect of foidolite melts that have intruded into the circular fault zones.