Petrogenetic implications of ophiolitic chromite from Rutland Island, Andaman—a boninitic parentage in supra-subduction setting

Chromites occurring in different modes have been characterized from ophiolites of Rutland Island, a part of Burma-Andaman-Java subduction complex in the Bay of Bengal. Chromite mainly occurs as massive chromitite pods in mantle ultramafic tectonite and as thin massive chromitite bands together with minor disseminations in crustal ultramafic cumulate. Other than pods chromite also appears as: (a) anhedral restitic grains, (b) strings occurring as exsolved phases and as (c) symplectitic intergrowth with orthopyroxene in mantle tectonite. The chromites occurring as massive chromitite pods and bands contain high Cr (Cr#—73 to 80). Restitic chromite grains in mantle ultramafics are high-Mg (Mg#—58), high-Al (Al₂O₃—34 wt.%) and intermediate-Cr (Cr#—37) chromites. The bivariant plots of TiO₂ wt.% vs 100Cr#, Mg# vs Cr# and Cr-Al-Fe³⁺ ternary discrimination diagram show that the massive and disseminated chromites fall in the boninitic field. The (Al₂O₃)_melt and (FeO/MgO)_melt values for the massive chromitites are estimated as 10 wt.% to 11 wt.% and 0.67–1.78 respectively, corroborating a boninitic parentage. Massive chromitite on Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ vs Al₂O₃ wt.% and TiO₂ wt.% vs Al₂O₃ wt.% plots occupy mainly the field of supra-subduction zone peridotites. High-Mg olivine (Fo_91?93), high-Mg orthopyroxene (En_～90) and high-Cr chromites of Rutland ophiolite are all supportive of boninitic source at supra-subduction zone setting. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer study of chromite of beach placer shows that chromites occur in partly inverse spinel structure with iron distribution as Fe³⁺(A)Fe²⁺(A)Fe²⁺(B) which might be a result of oxidation. The olivine-spinel geothermometry shows 650–700°C re-equilibration temperature which is much lower than near crystallization temperature (950–1,050°C) derived from orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene assemblage. At supra-subduction setting an oxidizing hydrous fluid derived from subducting slab might have a major influence during the formation of Rutland ophiolite in this part of Burma-Java subduction complex.     

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolite: Mineralogical constraints

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolitic complex occur in three structural contexts, i.e., (1) at the base of the cumulate series, (2) in the top kilometer of the mantle sequence, and (3) in the deeper parts of the mantle. Types 1 and 2 are characterized by the diversity of interstitial silicates where in decreasing order of abundance olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, and amphibole occur, as opposed to type 3 which contains only olivine. They differ however in ore texture. Similar silicates also occur as euhedral inclusions in chromite crystals, but their proportions are reversed. The composition of the interstitial silicates is comparable to that found in early cumulates. Type-1 and type-2 chromite deposits crystallized from a magma similar to that from which the basal cumulates formed (Al₂O₃, 15.1–16.1 wt%; FeO/MgO, 0.55–0.60). The type-3 chromites were derived from a magma of much lower Al₂O₃ content (12.5 wt%). It is considered that they belong to an older episode in the magmatic evolution of the complex.     

Petrogenesis of chromites from the Manipur ophiolite belt,NE India: evidence for a supra-subduction zone setting prior to Indo-Myanmar collision

The Manipur ophiolite belt within the Western Ophiolite Belt of the Indo-Myanmar Ranges (IMR), consists of tectonised to massive serpentinised peridotite, dunite pods, chromitite pods/lenses, cumulates, dykes, volcanic rocks and pelagic sediments. Chromitite pods and lenses hosted in peridotitic mantle rocks show magmatic textures, post magmatic brecciation and ferritchromitisation. Electron microprobe analyses show two types of massive chromitite, with one group having high-Cr (Cr# 75–76), medium-Al (Al₂O₃ 12.2–12.4 wt%) chromites (Sirohi-type) and the other group (Gamnom-type) having a wide range of compositions with generally lower Cr and higher Al (Cr# 65–71, Al₂O₃ 15.7–19 wt%). Accessory chromites in peridotitic mantle rocks have consistently low Cr (Cr# 38–39) and high Al (Al₂O₃ 34–35 wt%), whereas chromites in dunite pods have intermediate compositions (Cr# ~60; Al₂O₃ 20.7–21.2 wt%). The chromite chemistry suggests moderate (20 %) partial melting of the tectonised mantle harzburgite. The estimated Al₂O_3melt, (FeO/MgO)_melt and TiO_2melt for the Sirohi-type chromites indicate boninitic parentage, whereas chromite compositions from the Gamnom area suggest mixed boninitic—island arc tholeiitic magmas. The compositions of magmatic chromites suggest that the Manipur ophiolite was formed in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting.     

Ilmenite, Magnetite and Chromite Beach Placers from South Maharashtra, Central West Coast of India

The heavy mineral placer deposits of the coastal sediments in south Maharashtra stretch for 12.5 km from Pirwadi in the north to Talashil in the south. The area is a sand bar represented by a narrow submergent coastal plain lying between the Achara and Gad Rivers. The sediments in the area are mainly sands which are moderately well sorted to well sorted. The heavy mineral concentration in the surficial sediments ranges between 0.69 and 98.32 wt % (28.73 wt % in average). The heavy mineral concentration shows an increasing trend from north to south. The heavy mineral suite consists predominantly of opaque minerals (ilmenite, magnetite and chromite), garnet, pyroxene, amphibole, zircon, tourmaline, rutile, staurolite, etc. Ilmenite grains are fresh whereas magnetite grains show the effect of weathering and alteration. The chromite grains are rounded to sub-rounded with alteration at the margin of the grains. The surficial textures of the opaque minerals show mechanical breaking that indicates limited distance of transportation. Ilmenite has TiO₂ in the range between 40.04 and 46.6 wt %. Based on ore microscopy studies, the magnetite grains appear to be of two types: pure magnetite and titano-magnetite. Compositionally, the total magnetite fractions have Fe₂O₃ between 32 and 46 wt %, FeO between 19.0 and 25 wt % and TiO₂ between 14.3 and 23.9 wt %. The chromite grains are an admixture of two varieties, ferro-chromite and magnesio-chromite. The chromite grains have 32.06–47.5 wt % of Cr₂O₃ with total iron between 23.86 wt % (4.73% Fe₂O₃ and 19.13% FeO) and 27.89 wt % (4.36% Fe₂O₃ and 23.53% FeO) and MgO between 12 and 40 wt %. The observed variations in the distribution of heavy minerals in the area are due to differences in the sediment supply, their specific gravity and oceanographic processes all of which result in a selective sorting of the sediments. The observed mineral assemblages of transparent heavy minerals (pyroxene, amphibole, tourmaline, kyanite, garnet, zircon and olivine) are suggestive of their derivation from a heterogeneous provenance comprising of igneous rocks, high grade metamorphic rocks and reworked Kaladgi sediments. The chromite grains appear to have been derived from ultrabasic rocks present in the upper reaches of the Gad River. The inferred reserves of ilmenite, magnetite and chromite are 0.175, 0.395 and 0.032 million tons, respectively.     

Geological features and origin of the chromite deposits of sukinda valley,Orissa, India

The chromiferous ultramafic rocks of Sukinda Valley (21°0'–21°5'N:85°43'–86°0'E) of Orissa are intrusive into the Iron-Ore Supergroup (2,950–3,200 Ma) at the eastern periphery of the Indian Precambrian shield. Both laterally and vertically, chromite occurs as persistent layers, lenses or pockets in the serpentinized and silicified dunite-peridotite extending over a strike length of 25 km. The ultramafic rocks and the chromitite layers are cofolded with the Iron-Ore Supergroup into a plunging syncline. Primary layering, ball and pillow structures, cross laminations, graded bedding etc. can also be detected. The different varieties of chromite ore present in the area are massive, banded and spotted, laminated and friable. The grain size of chromite varies between 0.25 and 4 mm, and the fineness of the grain increases from the bottom to the top layers. The cell dimension of chromite (8.23–8.32 Å) decreases with the increase of Al₂O₃.Cr₂O₃ in pure chromite varies between 48 to 61 wt. percent, Al₂O₃ is 7.10–15.09 wt. percent, whereas Fe₂O₃ is very low (0.03–3.20 wt. percent). The amount of RO to R₂O₃ varies within a narrow limit of 0.98–1.13, indicating that the chromite is chemically balanced. The FeO to MgO ratio is intermediate between the stratiform and alpine type. Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ increase with respect to Cr³⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the upper chromitite layers. TiO₂ lacks significant correlation with the major element composition of chromite.It is concluded that the Sukinda Valley chromitites of Orissa are predominantly stratiform in nature and were presumably formed in situ by crystal settling, the layering having been accentuated by the fluctuation of FO₂. The geological features suggest a single magmatic cycle.     

Exsolutions of Diopside and Magnetite in Olivine from Mantle Dunite, Luobusa Ophiolite, Tibet, China

The exsolutious of diopside and magnetite occur as intergrowth and orient within olivine from the mantle dunite, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet. The dunite is very fresh with a mineral assemblage of olivine （〉95%） ＋ chromite （1%-4%） ＋ diopside （〈1%）. Two types of olivine are found in thin sections： one （Fo = 94） is coarse-grained, elongated with development of kink bands, wavy extinction and irregular margins; and the other （Fo = 96） is fine-grained and poly-angied. Some of the olivine grains contain minor Ca, Cr and Ni. Besides the exsolutions in olivine, three micron-size inclusions are also discovered. Analyzed through energy dispersive system （EDS） with unitary analytical method, the average compositions of the inclusions are： Na20, 3.12%-3.84%; MgO, 19.51%-23.79%; Al2O3, 9.33%-11.31%; SiO2, 44.89%-46.29%; CaO, 11.46%-12.90%; Cr2O3, 0.74%-2.29%; FeO, 4.26%- 5.27%, which is quite similar to those of amphibole. Diopside is anhedral f＇dling between olivines, or as micro-inclusions oriented in olivines. Chromite appears euhedral distributed between olivines, sometimes with apparent compositional zone. From core to rim of the chromite, Fe content increases and Cr decreases; and A! and Mg drop greatly on the rim. There is always incomplete magnetite zone around the chromite. Compared with the nodular chromite in the same section, the euhedral chromite has higher Fe3O4 and lower MgCr2O4 and MgAI2O4 end member contents, which means it formed under higher oxygen fugacity environment. With a geothermometer estimation, the equilibrium crystalline temperature is 820℃-960℃ for olivine and nodular chromite, 630℃-770℃ for olivine and euhedral chromite, and 350℃-550℃ for olivine and exsoluted magnetite, showing that the exsolutions occurred late at low temperature. Thus we propose that previously depleted mantle harzburgite reacted with the melt containing Na, Al and Ca, and produced an olivine solid solution added with Na^＋, Al^3＋, Ca^2＋, Fe^3＋, Cr^3＋. With temperature d     

胶东招掖郭家岭型花岗岩锆石SHRIMP年代学研究

采用世界上最先进的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年技术,对招掖地区郭家岭型花岗岩及成矿后花岗斑岩脉进行了年代学研究,精确地测定了郭家岭型花岗岩的年龄为130-126Ma,成矿后花岗斑岩脉的年龄为120±2Ma,金矿化被限定在126-120Ma之间。结合岩体年龄和与金矿化密切的空间关系及地球化学上的亲缘关系,认为郭家岭型花岗岩属造山晚期花岗岩,金矿化主要与郭家岭型花岗岩有关。该花岗岩异常高的Ba、Sr含量可作为太古宙绿岩地体环境下判别与金矿化有关花岗岩的地球化学标志。     

The stability of sapphirine + quartz: calculated phase equilibria in FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2–O

The presence in rocks of coexisting sapphirine + quartz has been widely used to diagnose conditions of ultra‐high‐temperature (UHT) metamorphism (>900 °C), an inference based on the restriction of this assemblage to temperatures >980 °C in the conventionally considered FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ (FMAS) chemical system. With a new thermodynamic model for sapphirine that includes Fe₂O₃, phase equilibra modelling using thermocalc software has been undertaken in the FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–O (FMASO) and FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂– TiO₂–O (FMASTO) chemical systems. Using a variety of calculated phase diagrams for quartz‐saturated systems, the effects of Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ on FMAS phase relations are shown to be considerable. Importantly, the stability field of sapphirine + quartz assemblages extends down temperature to 850 °C in oxidized systems and thus out of the UHT range.     

Origin of zoned spinel by coupled dissolution–precipitation and inter-crystalline diffusion: evidence from serpentinized wehrlite, Bangriposi, Eastern India

Textural and mineral–chemical characteristics in the Bangriposi wehrlites (Eastern India) provide insight into metamorphic processes that morphologically and chemically modified magmatic spinel during serpentinization of wehrlite. Aluminous chromite included in unaltered magmatic olivine is chemically homogenous. In sub-cm to 10s-of-micron-wide veins, magnetite associated with antigorite and clinochlore comprising the serpentine matrix is near-stoichiometric. But Al–Cr–Fe³⁺ spinels in the chlorite–magnetite veins are invariably zoned, e.g., chemically homogenous Al-rich chromite interior successively mantled by ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zone and magnetite continuous with vein magnetite in the serpentine matrix. In aluminous chromite, ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zones are symmetrically disposed adjacent to fracture-controlled magnetite veins that are physically continuous with magnetite rim. The morphology of ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite mimics the morphology of aluminous chromite interior but is incongruous with the exterior margin of magnetite mantle. Micropores are abundant in magnetite veins, but are fewer in and do not appear to be integral to the adjacent ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite zones. Sandwiched between chemically homogenous aluminous chromite interior and magnetite mantle, ferritchromite–Cr-rich magnetite zones show rim-ward decrease in Cr₂O₃, Al₂O₃ and MgO and complementary increase in Fe₂O₃ at constant FeO. In diffusion profiles, Fe₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ crossover coincides with Al₂O₃ decrease to values <0.5 wt% in ferritchromite zone, with Cr₂O₃ continuing to decrease within magnetite mantle. Following fluid-mediated (hydrous) dissolution of magmatic olivine and olivine + Al–chromite aggregates, antigorite + magnetite and chlorite + magnetite were transported in 10s-of-microns to sub-cm-wide veins and precipitated along porosity networks during serpentinization (T: 550–600 °C, f(O₂): ?19 to ?22 log units). These veins acted as conduits for precipitation of magnetite as mantles and veins apophytic in chemically/morphologically modified magmatic Al-rich chromite. Inter-crystalline diffusion induced by chemical gradient at interfaces separating aluminous chromite interiors and magnetite mantles/veins led to the growth of ferritchromite/Cr-rich magnetite zones, mimicking the morphology of chemically modified Al–Cr–Fe–Mg spinel interiors. Inter-crystalline diffusion outlasted fluid-mediated aluminous chromite dissolution, mass transfer and magnetite precipitation.     

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal alteration of basalt in the Kuroko mine area, Japan: implications for the evolution of a Back Arc Basin hydrothermal system

Basalt in the Furutobe District of the Kuroko mine area in Japan is characterized by abundant chlorite and epidote. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that chlorite is formed at lower temperatures (230–250°C) than epidote (250–280°C). The seawater/basalt mass ratio for the early chlorite-rich alteration was high (max. 40), but that for the later alteration was low (0.1–1.8). The CaO, Na₂O and SiO₂ of the bulk rock correlate negatively with MgO, while FeO and Σ Fe correlate positively with MgO. These changes in the characteristic features of hydrothermal alteration from early to late are generally similar to those for a mid-ocean ridge geothermal system accompanying basalt alteration.The MgO/FeO ratios of chlorite and actinolite and the Fe₂O₃ concentration of epidote from the basalt are greater than those of mid-ocean ridge basalt probably owing to the differences in the Fe₂O₃/FeO and MgO/FeO ratios of the parent rocks. The lower CaO concentration and the higher Na₂O concentration of the bulk rock compared with altered mid-ocean ridge basalt can be interpreted in terms of the difference in original bulk rock compositions.The Furutobe basalt, as well as other submarine back arc basalts, contains more vesicles filled with hydrothermal minerals (epidote, calcite, quartz, chlorite, pyrite) than do the mid-ocean ridge basalts. The abundance of vesicles plays an important role in controlling the secondary mineralogy and geochemistry of hydrothermally altered submarine back arc basin basalts.     

The role of silica in the hydrous metamorphism of chromite

Retrograde hydrous metamorphism has produced three types of microstructures in chromite grains from chromitites and enclosing rocks of the Tapo Ultramafic Massif (Central Peruvian Andes). In semi-massive chromitites (60–80 vol% chromite), (i) partly altered chromite with homogeneous cores surrounded by lower Al₂O₃ and MgO but higher Cr₂O₃ and FeO porous chromite with chlorite filling the pores. In serpentinites (ii) zoned chromite with homogeneous cores surrounded by extremely higher Fe₂O₃ non-porous chromite and magnetite rims, and (iii) non-porous chromite grains. The different patterns of zoning in chromite grains are the consequences of the infiltration of reducing and SiO₂-rich fluids and the subsequent heterogeneous interaction with more oxidizing and Fe-bearing fluids. During the first stage of alteration under reduced conditions magmatic chromite is dissolved meanwhile new metamorphogenic porous chromite crystallizes in equilibrium with chlorite. This reaction that involves dissolution and precipitation of minerals is here modeled thermodynamically for the first time. µSiO₂-µMgO pseudosection calculated for unaltered semi-massive chromitites at 2 kbar and 300 °C, the lowest P-T conditions inferred from the Tapo Ultramafic Massif and Marañón Complex, predicts that chromite + chlorite (i.e., partly altered chromite) is stable instead of chromite + chlorite + brucite at progressive higher µSiO₂ but lower µMgO. Our observation is twofold as it reveals that the important role of SiO₂ and MgO and the open-nature of this process. P-T-X diagrams computed using the different P-T pathways estimated for the enclosing Tapo Ultramafic Massif reproduce well the partial equilibrium sequence of mineral assemblages preserved in the chromitites. Nevertheless, it is restricted only to the P-T conditions of the metamorphic peak and that of the latest overprint. Our estimations reveal that a high fluid/rock ratio (1:40 ratio) is required to produce the microstructures and compositional changes observed in the chromitites from the Tapo Ultramafic Massif. The circulation of SiO₂-rich fluids and the mobilization of MgO from the chromitite bodies are linked with the formation of garnet amphibolites and carbonate-silica hydrothermalites (i.e., listwaenites and birbirites) in the ultramafic massif. The origin of these fluids is interpreted as a result of the dissolution of orthopyroxene and/or olivine from the metaharzburgites and metagabbros enclosed in the Tapo Ultramafic Massif.     

Four Natural Chromite Reference Materials for the Determination of the First-Row Transition Elements and Gallium by LA-ICP-MS

Four natural chromite samples (LBS13-04, LBS13-06 and LBS13-13) from the Luobusa ophiolite (China) and 16SW2-6 from the Stillwater Complex (USA) were developed as reference materials for in situ element microanalysis. Approximately 8 g of chromite fragments with grain sizes of 0.5–1.5 mm from each chromite sample were separated under a binocular microscope and analysed by EPMA, XRF, LA-ICP-MS and solution nebulisation ICP-MS techniques for major and trace elements at six laboratories. The results show that the four chromite samples are homogeneous with respect to MgO, Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, FeO, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Ga. These samples are thus suitable to be used as reference materials for in situ microanalysis.     

准噶尔盆地西北部中新生代地层铀矿成矿能力探讨

研究表明,有机质(Cy)、黄铁矿(FeS₂)、氧化镁(MgO)、磷酸盐(P₂O₅)、三氧化二铁(Fe₂O₃)、氧化亚铁(FeO)和Fe3+/Fe2+等参数在可地浸砂岩型铀矿形成演化过程中起到重要作用。本文主要通过准噶尔盆地西北部找矿目的层中原生带砂岩体与邻区伊犁盆地南缘512矿床砂岩层原生带砂体中上述参数对比分析,发现准噶尔盆地西北部原生带砂岩成矿能力存在明显的先天不足。分析表明,沉积相和沉积环境是造成上述参数差异悬殊的原因,进而指出了该区内今后的找矿方向。      

Quantitative P–T–X constraints on orthopyroxene-bearing high-pressure granulites in felsic–metapelitic rocks: evidence from the Huangtuling granulite, Dabieshan Orogen

High‐pressure granulites are generally characterized by the absence of orthopyroxene. However, orthopyroxene is reported in a few high‐pressure, felsic–metapelitic granulites, such as the Huangtuling felsic high‐pressure granulite in the North Dabie metamorphic core complex in east‐central China, which rarely preserves the high‐pressure granulite facies assemblage of garnet + orthopyroxene + biotite + plagioclase + K‐feldspar + quartz. To investigate the effects of bulk‐rock composition on the stability of orthopyroxene‐bearing, high‐pressure granulite facies assemblages in the NCKFMASHTO (Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃) system, a series of P–T–X pseudosections based on the melt‐reintegrated composition of the Huangtuling felsic high‐pressure granulite were constructed. Calculations demonstrate that the orthopyroxene‐bearing, high‐pressure granulite facies assemblages are restricted to low X_Al [Al₂O₃/(Na₂O + CaO + K₂O + FeO + MgO + Al₂O₃) < 0.35, mole proportion] or high X_Mg [MgO/(MgO + FeO) > 0.85] felsic–metapelitic rock types. This study also reveals that the X_Al values in the residual felsic–metapelitic, high‐pressure granulites could be significantly reduced by a high proportion of melt loss. We suggest that orthopyroxene‐bearing, high‐pressure granulites occur in residual overthickened crustal basement under continental subduction–collision zones and arc–continent collision belts.     

内蒙古苏左旗南部早古生代蛇绿混杂岩特征及其构造意义

内蒙古苏左旗南部温都尔庙群由早元古代宝音图群(1910Ma),中、新元古代温都尔庙群(1511Ma,825Ma)和早古生代乌勒图-乌兰呼都格-查干乌拉蛇绿混杂岩(409Ma)组成。出露于乌勒图-乌兰呼都格-查干乌拉地区的乌勒图蛇绿混杂岩是由层位不全的,肢解了的蛇绿岩经构造混杂而成。其基质主要为绢云绿泥石英片岩、变质凝灰质砂岩,局部为绿泥片岩。岩块成分复杂,大小不一,形态各异,杂乱分布,主要岩石类型为白云岩、硅质岩、超基性岩、基性火山岩、灰岩。蛇绿混杂岩岩石化学分析表明,超基性岩MgO/FeO^*比值在8-13,MgO/(MgO+ FeO^*)比值在0.85-0.87 之间,与世界大多数变质橄榄岩相同。基性火山岩具大洋拉斑玄武岩特征,常量元素和稀土元素显示陆间洋盆性质。蛇绿混杂岩被晚泥盆世色日巴彦敖包组地层不整合覆盖,前者所含超基性岩块Sm-Nd 同位素等时线年龄为409Ma,表明其形成于中、晚志留世,于晚泥盆世前发生构造侵位。     

Distribution of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and next-nearest neighbour effects in natural chromites: comparison between results of QSD and Lorentzian doublet analysis

The Mössbauer spectra of one chromite at 298 K and one chromite at 298, 200, 170, 140 and 90 K have been analyzed in this study. A Voigt-based quadrupole splitting distribution (QSD) method was used to analyze the spectra. The tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ and the octahedral site Fe³⁺ quadrupole splitting distributions (QSDs) were obtained from the Mössbauer spectra of chromites, and the multiple tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ Gaussian QSD components and the large widths σ _Δ of the Gaussian QSD components of the tetrahedral site Fe²⁺ QSDs for chromites were attributed to next-nearest neighbor effects. In addition, temperature dependences of the isomer shift and the quadrupole splitting were presented and discussed. Comparisons between the Mössbauer parameters for thickness-corrected folded spectra and raw-folded spectra of chromites were made, and the results show that the two sets of the Mössbauer parameters and ratios of ferric to total iron as well as χ² are very close to each other. This is because of the small absorber thickness of chromites in this study. Comparisons between the Mössbauer parameters of chromites obtained using the Voigt-based QSD method and a Lorentzian doublet method were also made. The results show that there are some differences between the two sets of the Mössbauer parameters and ratios of ferric to total iron, but not significant. However, much larger χ² were obtained when the Lorentzian doublet method was used to fit the spectra of chromites. This indicates that the Voigt-based QSD method is more adequate to analyze the Mössbauer spectra of chromites from the point of view of statistics.     

Chromite compositions in nickel sulphide mineralized intrusions of the Kabanga-Musongati-Kapalagulu Alignment,East Africa: Petrologic and exploration significance

Chromite is a ubiquitous accessory mineral in the olivine-pyroxene cumulate bodies that host massive and disseminated nickel sulphide mineralization in intrusions of the Kabanga-Musongati-Kapalagulu Alignment in East Africa. Its composition is related to the conditions of emplacement and petrologic evolution of its host magma in a spectrum of intrusions ranging from classical lopolithic layered intrusions to groups of smaller, discrete sill-like chonoliths.The Kapalagulu lopolithic intrusion, emplaced into polymetamorphosed Archæan-Palæoproterozoic crust, contains abundant chromite with relatively oxidized compositions, whereas chromites from the highly-mineralized Kabanga chonolith intrusions, emplaced into graphitic and sulphidic schists, are strongly reduced in terms of their Fe³⁺/Fe^total ratio. Ni in chromite correlates with Ni in olivine: Ni in both is depleted in the more strongly sulphide-mineralized intrusions. The Musongati intrusion, also emplaced through graphitic schists, but much larger and less-well mineralized in sulphides than Kabanga, has chromites intermediate in character. The compositions of the chromites can be used to determine the petrologic history of the intrusions, and may prove to be a useful exploration tool in such mineralized belts.     

Chloritization and its bearing on uranium mineralization in Madyalabodu area,Cuddapah district,Andhra Pradesh

Uranium mineralization in Madyalabodu area, Cuddapah district, Andhra Pradesh, is spatially related to chloritized and brecciated quartzite of the Gulcheru Formation in the immediate vicinity of E-W to ESE-WNW trending basic dyke. Chloritization transgresses the lithological boundaries. Whole-rock geochemical data indicate enrichment of MgO and Al₂O₃ coupled with depletion of SiO₂, Na₂O, K₂O, CaO and TiO₂ in the chlorite-rich zone. Fe₂O₃ and FeO do not vary significantly in the altered and the unaltered zones. Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) data reveal that the chlorites in contact with uranium minerals are enriched in MgO and depleted in FeO than in the others. Considering the petrological evidence, geochemical signature and structural constraints, it appears that chlorite acted more as an adsorbent rather than as a reductant in facilitating uranium mineralization. Uraninite crystallized later from the uranium originally adsorbed on chlorites. Chloritization might also have facilitated mineralization through the generation of nascent hydrogen, H₂S and lowering pH of uranium-bearing solution.     

Origin and differentiation of Triassic dolerite magmas,North Carolina,USA

Ten dolerite dikes intruded into Triassic fault troughs in the Piedmont area of North Carolina have been analyzed for the contents of major elements plus selected trace elements. The average composition of the initial magma, as indicated by four chill margins for major elements and three for trace elements, is: SiO₂, 48.6%; Al₂O₃, 16.9%; TiO₂, 0.57%; Fe₂O₃, 3.30%; FeO, 6.72%; MgO, 10.59; CaO, 10.42%; Na₂O, 2.03%; K₂O, 0.20%; MnO, 0.20%; Rb, 2.6 ppm; Sr, 133 ppm; Zr, 46 ppm; Th, 0.4 ppm; and U, below detection limit of approximately 0.1 ppm. One large dike (BP) exhibits a Palisades-type of differentiation by crystal settling of olivine, and the comparatively thick JY dike shows development of micropegmatite toward the center; the smaller dikes, however, are relatively homogeneous across their width. Study of the relationship between SiO₂ content and the ratio FeO+Fe₂O₃/MgO+ FeO+Fe₂O₃ indicates that most dikes crystallize under conditions of decreasing oxygen pressure, but the differentiation trend of the JY, RD, and RS dikes indicates either constant or increasing oxygen pressure during their evolution.Statistical comparison of the composition of the initial dolerite magmas with a variety of basalt types around the world suggests that the North Carolina dolerites are far more similar to oceanic or oceanic margin tholeiites than to continental tholeiites. The North Carolina rocks are distinctly different from plateau basalts but are similar to the chill zones of the Precambrian Bushveld and Stillwater lopoliths. The comparatively low contents of Th, U, and Sr, plus the relatively high K/Rb ratio all support the possibility that the magmas for the North Carolina dolerites evolved in a dominantly oceanic environment. It seems distinctly possible that continental-type crust and mantle did not exist in the Appalachian Piedmont area in Triassic time, even after major orogeny and the concurrent formation of granitic intrusions.     

Dielectric loss in ore-forming chromium spinel at temperatures from 20 to 800 °C

Physical, physicochemical, and mineralogical-petrographic methods have been applied to samples of ophiolite-hosted chromite ore from different deposits and occurrences in the Urals. Temperature dependences of dielectric loss obtained for nine chromite ore samples consisting of 95–98% Cr spinel show prominent peaks indicating a relaxation origin of the loss. The analyzed samples have the loss peaks at different temperatures depending mainly on H = (FeO/Fe₂O₃)^? : (FeO/Fe₂O₃)^??, where (FeO/Fe₂O₃)^? and (FeO/Fe₂O₃)^?? are, respectively, the ferrous/ferric oxide ratios in the samples before and after heating to 800 °C, and H is thus the heating-induced relative change in the FeO/Fe₂O₃ ratio. These peak temperatures vary from 550 °C (sample 1, high-Cr chromium spinel with more than 52% Cr₂O₃) to 750 °C (sample 2, aluminous and magnesian spinel with less than 30% Cr₂O₃), and H ranges correspondingly from 1.61 to 5.49. The temperature of the loss peaks is related with H as H = 34.30 ? 11.52N + 1.20N², with an error of σ = 0.19 (N = T · 10^?2, T is temperature in °C).