Elpasolite from hyperalkaline pegmatite of the Khibiny pluton, Kola Peninsula. Symmetry of elpasolite

Elpasolite, K₂NaAlF₆, has been found for the first time in a pegmatite related to peralkaline foid syenite at Mt. Koashva, Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia, as pale pink octahedral crystals up to 2 mm in size within cavities in the natrolite core of pegmatite in association with amicite, sodalite, aegirine, pectolite, catapleiite, sitinakite, lemmleinite-K, and vinogradovite. The chemical composition determined with an electron microprobe is as follows, wt %: 31.53 K; 9.22 Na; 11.20 Al; 47.21 F; total is 99.16. The empirical formula is K_1.96Na_0.98Al_1.01F_6.05. The infrared spectrum is given. The crystal structure has been refined to R = 0.030, space group Fm $ \bar 3 Elpasolite, K₂NaAlF₆, has been found for the first time in a pegmatite related to peralkaline foid syenite at Mt. Koashva, Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia, as pale pink octahedral crystals up to 2 mm in size within cavities in the natrolite core of pegmatite in association with amicite, sodalite, aegirine, pectolite, catapleiite, sitinakite, lemmleinite-K, and vinogradovite. The chemical composition determined with an electron microprobe is as follows, wt %: 31.53 K; 9.22 Na; 11.20 Al; 47.21 F; total is 99.16. The empirical formula is K_1.96Na_0.98Al_1.01F_6.05. The infrared spectrum is given. The crystal structure has been refined to R = 0.030, space group Fm m, a = 8.092 ?. The result of a special X-ray powder diffraction study confirmed the suggestion made by Morss (1974) that reflections violating space group Fm m in some published X-ray powder patterns of natural elpasolite are Kβ-lines. Original Russian Text ? I.V. Pekov, N.V. Chukanov, N.N. Kononkova, N.V. Zubkova, M.Kh. Rabadanov, D.Yu. Pushcharovsky, 2007, published in Zapiski Rossiiskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva, 2007, No. 6, pp. 76–84.     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of phase chemistry and petrochemical aspects of Samchampi-Samteran differentiated alkaline complex of Mikir Hills,northeastern India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline complex occurs as a plug-like pluton within the Precambrian granite gneisses of Mikir Hills, Assam, northeastern India and it is genetically related to Sylhet Traps. The intrusive complex is marked by dominant development of syenite within which ijolitemelteigite suite of rocks is emplaced with an arcuate outcrop pattern. Inliers of alkali pyroxenite and alkali gabbro occur within this ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks. The pluton is also traversed by younger intrusives of nepheline syenite and carbonatite. Development of sporadic, lumpy magnetite ore bodies is also recorded within the pluton. Petrographic details of the constituent lithomembers of the pluton have been presented following standard nomenclatorial rules. Overall pyroxene compositions range from diopside to aegirine augite while alkali feldspars are typically orthoclase and plagioclase in syenite corresponds to oligoclase species. Phase chemistry of nepheline is suggestive of Na-rich alkaline character of the complex. Biotite compositions are typically restricted to a uniform compositional range and they belong to ‘biotite’ field in the relevant classification scheme. Garnets (developed in syenite and melteigite) typically tend to be Ti-rich andradite, which on a closer scan can be further designated as melanites. Opaque minerals mostly correspond to magnetite. Use of Lindsley’s pyroxene thermometric method suggests an equilibration temperature from ∼450°–600°C for melteigite/alkali gabbro and ∼400°C for syenite. Critical assessment of other thermometric methods reveals a temperature of equilibration of ∼700°–1350°C for ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks in contrast to a relatively lower equilibration temperature of ∼600°C for syenite. Geobarometric data based on pyroxene chemistry yield an equilibration pressure of 5.32–7.72 kb for ijolite, melteigite, alkali pyroxenite, alkali gabbro and nepheline syenite. The dominant syenite member of the intrusive plug records a much higher (∼11 kb) equilibration pressure indicating a deeper level of intrusion. Major oxide variations of constituent lithomembers with respect to differentiation index (D.I.) corroborate a normal magmatic differentiation. A prominent role of liquid immiscibility is envisaged from field geological, petrographic and petrochemical evidences. Tectonic discrimination diagrams involving clinopyroxene chemistry strongly suggest within plate alkaline affinity for the parental magma which is in conformity with the regional plume tectonics.     

一种罕见的铍矿物—红磷锰铍石

红磷锰铍石是一种很罕见的铍磷酸盐矿物,在国外,目前仅知发现于芬兰等几个国家,其量也极少。我国是1984年首次发现于福建南平花岗伟晶岩田中的白云母—钠长石—锂辉石型伟晶岩中,沿粗粒原生绿柱石中的微裂隙分布,是伟晶岩形成晚期热液蚀变作用的产物。本文较系统地研究了南平伟晶岩中红磷锰铍石的矿物学特征,包括产状及共生组合、物性及光性、化学成分、X射线衍射特征和红外吸收光谱分析等,最后概述了该矿物的鉴定特征。     

Investigation of phase relations in the (Na,K)AlGeO4 system

The phase relations in the (Na,K)AlGeO₄ system have been investigated at atmospheric pressure over the temperature range 700–1100° C by X-ray powder diffraction and electron diffraction/microscopy. Four distinct structure-types occur in this system including the beryllonite, nepheline, kalsilite and KAlGeO₄ types in order of increasing KAlGeO₄ content. In contrast to the (Na,K)Al-SiO₄ system, the nepheline structure is only stable over a narrow composition range around 25 percent K at temperatures above approximately 800° C and transforms reconstructively into the beryllonite structure at lower temperatures. The formation of domain microstructures in some K-rich phases has been directly observed by high-resolution electron microscopy and can be associated with the presence of diffuse scattering in their diffraction patterns. The structural trend observed across the (Na,K)AlGeO₄ series as a function of composition can be rationalized to a large extent in terms of the dependence of the framework topology of these tridymite-derivative structures on the size of the alkali atoms.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis> and fluid evolution of barren and lithium pegmatites from Vlastějovice,Bohemian Massif,Czech Republic

Fluid inclusions, mineral thermometry and stable isotope data from two types of mineralogically and texturally contrasting pegmatites, barren ones and lithium ones, from the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif were studied in order to constrain P–T conditions of their emplacement, subsolidus hydrothermal evolution and to estimate composition of the early exsolved fluid and that of the parental melt. Despite the fact that the lithium pegmatites are abundant throughout the crystalline units of the Bohemian Massif, data similar to this paper have not been published yet. The studied pegmatites are hosted by iron-rich calcic skarn bodies. This specific setting allowed scavenging of calcium, fluorine and some other elements from the host rocks into the pegmatitic melts and post-magmatic fluids. Such contamination process was important namely in the case of barren pegmatites, as can be deduced from the variation in anorthite contents in plagioclase and from the presence of fluorite, hornblende (with F content) or garnet in the contact zones of pegmatite dykes. Fluid inclusions were studied mostly in quartz, but also in fluorite, titanite and apatite. Early aqueous–carbonic and late aqueous fluids were identified in both pegmatite types. The P–T conditions of crystallization as well as the detailed composition of exsolved magmatic fluid, however, particularly differ. The magmatic fluids associated with barren pegmatites correspond to H₂O–CO₂ low salinity fluids, composition of which evolved from 20 to 23 to <5 mol% CO₂, and from 2 to 4–6 mol% NaCl eq. Sudden decrease in the CO₂ content of the post-magmatic fluids (<5 mol% CO₂) seems to coincide with the enrichment of the fluid in calcium (from the contamination process) and resulted in precipitation of calcites (frequently found as trapped solid phases in fluid inclusions). The fluids associated with lithium pegmatites are more complex (H₂O–CO₂/N₂–H₃BO₃–NaCl). The CO₂ content of early exsolved fluid is 26–20 mol% CO₂ and remains the same in the next fluid generation. The main difference between the magmatic and the first post-magmatic fluids is the presence of 7–9 wt% of H₃BO₃ (identified as daughter mineral sassolite) in the former. The second post-magmatic fluids are again CO₂-poor (∼4 mol%) and more saline (∼4 mol% NaCl eq.). The composition of exsolved fluid was further used to constrain volatile composition and content of the parental melts. Finally, P–T conditions of pegmatite crystallization are constrained: 600–640°C and 420–580 MPa for the barren pegmatites and 500–570°C and 310–430 MPa for the lithium pegmatite. While the emplacement of the former occurred in thermal equilibrium with the Moldanubian host rock environment, the emplacement of the later suggests substantial thermal disequilibrium.     

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.     

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.     

Typochemistry of rinkite and products of its alteration in the Khibiny Alkaline pluton,Kola Peninsula

The occurrence, morphology, and composition of rinkite are considered against the background of zoning in the Khibiny pluton. Accessory rinkite is mostly characteristic of foyaite in the outer part of pluton, occurs somewhat less frequently in foyaite and rischorrite in the central part of pluton, even more sparsely in foidolites and apatite–nepheline rocks, and sporadically in fenitized xenoliths of the Lovozero Formation. The largest, up to economic, accumulations of rinkite are related to the pegmatite and hydrothermal veins, which occur in nepheline syenite on both sides of the Main foidolite ring. The composition of rinkite varies throughout the pluton. The Ca, Na, and F contents in accessory rinkite and amorphous products of its alteration progressively increase from foyaite and fenitized basalt of the Lovozero Formation to foidolite, rischorrite, apatite–nepheline rocks, and pegmatite–hydrothermal veins.     

Chemical composition and species attribution of tourmalines from a rare-metal pegmatite vein with scapolite, Sangilen Upland, Tuva

A detailed study of the chemical composition and substitutions in calcium tourmalines from a scapolite-bearing rare-metal pegmatite vein from the Sol’bel’der River basin has shown that their species attribution is determined by occupancy of octahedral site Y. The composition of the yellow tourmaline most abundant in the central part of the pegmatite bodyis rather constant and characterized by the ideal formula Ca(Mg₂Li)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)₃F. Variations in the chemical composition of zonal tourmaline crystals from the contact part of the pegmatite are controlled by abrupt change in the chemical medium during their formation. The yellow cores of these crystals are close in composition to tourmaline from the central part of the pegmatite vein. The Mg content abruptly decreases toward the crystal margin: Mg²⁺ → Fe²⁺, 2Mg²⁺ → Li⁺ + Al³⁺, and Mg²⁺ + OH → Al³⁺ + O²⁻. The composition of dark green marginal zones in tourmaline is characterized by the ideal formula Ca(Al_1.5Li_1.5)Al₆(Si₆O₁₈)(BO₃)₃ (OH₂O)(F). The results indicate specific formation conditions of pegmatite. The crystallochemical formulas of the studied tourmalines allow us to regard them as new mineral species in the tourmaline group.     

The nature and origin of Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks in the Qareaghaj mafic-ultramafic intrusion, NW Iran

Summary Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks (FTP) are unusual with respect to their mineralogy and bulk composition. Varieties of these rocks are mostly related to Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites and to a lesser extent to the upper parts of mafic-ultramafic intracratonic layered complexes and other igneous rock suites. We present results on the geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of a new occurrence of FTP, associated with mafic rocks in the northwestern part of Iran. The Qareaghaj mafic-ultramafic intrusion (QMUI) is a small igneous body situated between Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks and a Precambrian low grade metamorphic complex. The QMUI is composed mainly of non-mineralized mafic and apatite- and Fe-Ti oxide-rich ultramafic rocks. The mafic rocks, mainly coarse-grained gabbro, microgabbro and amphibolite, have a simple mineral assemblage (plagioclase + clinopyroxene + ilmenite) and based on field observations, mineralogy and chemical composition are comagmatic. The ultramafic rocks with high proportion of olivine (∼40–66 vol.%), apatite (∼0.1–16 vol.%), ilmenite (∼11–19 vol.%) and magnetite (∼2–13 vol.%), have unusual bulk compositions (e.g., SiO₂ ∼ 21–30 wt.%, total iron expressed as Fe₂O₃ ^tot ∼ 26–42 wt.%, TiO₂ ∼ 5–11 wt.%, MgO ∼ 9–20 wt.%, P₂O₅ up to 5.1 wt.%, Cr ∼ 40–160 ppm, Ni ∼ 7–73 ppm). The FTP forms numerous sill-like layers, ranging in thickness from ∼5 cm to few meters. These rocks, totally enclosed in mafic rocks with sharp and concordant contacts, show a magmatic lamination and follow the general NW–SE trend of QMUI. The apatite-rich ultramafic rocks makes up 90–95% of the total ultramafic outcrops and contain Mg-poor olivine (Mg# ∼ 40–58) and low-Mg spinel (Mg# ∼ 30–44) in contrast to apatite-poor ones (∼60–63 and ∼43–46, respectively). Field relationships, mineral compositions and geochemical data suggested that the FTP are not related to the mafic host rocks. On the contrary, they intruded latter into the gabbros during plastic, high temperature deformation in local shear zones. Fractional crystallization of P-rich ferrobasaltic parental magma at depth, probably in an open magmatic system, not far from the QMUI magma chamber, is considered as responsible for the formation of the evolved FTP in QMUI.     

Burovaite-Ca, (Na,K)4Ca2(Ti,Nb)8[Si4O12]4(OH,O)8·12H2O, a new labuntsovite-group mineral species and its place in low-temperature mineral formation in pegmatites of the Khibiny pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia

This paper presents data on burovaite-Ca, the first Ti-dominant member of the labuntsovite group with a calcium D-octahedron. The idealized formula of burovaite-Ca is (K,Na)₄Ca₂(Ti,Nb)₈[Si₄O₁₂]₄(OH,O)₈ · 12H₂O. The mineral has been found in the hydrothermal zone of aegirine-microcline pegmatite located in khibinite at Mt. Khibinpakhkchorr, the Khibiny pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia. Radiaxial intergrowths of burovaite-Ca and labuntsovite-Mn associated with lemmleynite-Ba, analcime, and apophyllite have been identified in caverns within microcline. The mean composition of the mineral is as follows, wt %: 3.72 Na₂O, 2.76 K₂O, 4.22 CaO, 0.47 SrO, 0.23 BaO, 0.01 MnO, 0.30 Fe₂O₃, 0.14 Al₂O₃, 42.02 SiO₂, 17.30 TiO₂, 15.21 Nb₂O₅, 12.60 H₂O (measured); the total is 98.98. Its empirical formula has been calculated on the basis of [(Si,Al)₁₆O₄₈]: {(Na_3.10K_1.07Ca_0.37Sr_0.04Ba_0.04)_4.62}(Ca_1.28Zn_0.01)_1.29(Ti_4.97Nb_2.56Fe_0.08Ta_0.02)_7.63(Si_15.93Al_0.07)₁₆O₄₈(OH_6.70O_0.93)_7.63 · 12H₂O. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern of burovaite-Ca (I-d ?] are as follows: 70–7.08, 40–6.39, 40–4.97, 30–3.92, 40–3.57, 100–3.25, 70–3.11, 50–2.61, 70–2.49, 40–2.15, 50–2.05, 70–1.712, 70–1.577, and 70–1.444. The structure of burovaite-Ca was solved by A.A. Zolotarev, Jr. The mineral is monoclinic, space group C2/m. The unit-cell dimensions are a = 14.529(3), b = 14.203(3), c = 7.899(1), β = 117.37(1)°, V = 1447.57 ?₃. Burovaite-Ca is an isostructural Ti-dominant analogue of karupm?llerite-Ca and gjerdingenite-Ca. Two stages of mineral formation—pegmatite proper and hydrothermal—have been recognized in the host pegmatite. The hydrothermal stage included K-Ba-Na, Na-K-Ca, and Na-Sr substages. Burovaite-Ca is related to the intermediate Na-K-Ca substage. At the first substage, labuntsovite-Mn and lemmleynite-Ba were formed, and tsepinite-Na, paratsepinite-Nd, and tsepinite-Sr were formed at the final substage. Thus, the sequence of crystallization of labuntsovite-group minerals is characterized by the replacement of the potassium regime by the sodium regime of alkaline solutions in the evolved host pegmatite.     

Schüllerite, Ba2Na(Mn,Ca)(Fe3+,Mg,Fe2+)2Ti2(Si2O7)2(O,F)4, a new mineral species from the Eifel volcanic district, Germany

A new heterophyllosilicate mineral schüllerite was found in the L?hley basalt quarry in the Eifel volcanic region, Germany, as a member of the late mineral assemblage comprising nepheline, leucite, augite, phlogopite, magnetite, titanite, fresnoite, barytolamprophyllite, fluorapatite, perovskite, and pyrochlore. Flattened brown crystals of schüllerite up to 0.5 × 1 × 2 mm in size and their aggregates occur in miarolic cavities of alkali basalt. The mineral is brittle, with a Mohs hardness 3–4 and perfect cleavage parallel to (001). D _calc = 3.974 g/cm³. Its IR spectrum is individual and does not contain bands of OH⁻, CO₃²⁻ or H₂O. Schüllerite is biaxial (−), α = 1.756(3), β = 1.773(4), γ = 1.780(4), 2V _meas = 40(20)°. Dispersion is weak, r < ν. Pleochroism is medium X > Y > Z, brown to dark brown. Chemical composition (electron microprobe, mean of five-point analyses, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio determined by the X-ray emission spectroscopic data, wt %): 3.55 Na₂O, 0.55 K₂O, 3.89 MgO, 2.62 CaO, 1.99 ArO, 28.09 BaO, 3.43 FeO, 8.89 Fe₂O₃, 1.33 Al₂O₃, 11.17 TiO₂, 2.45 Nb₂O₅, 26.12 SiO₂, 2.12 F, −0.89 -O=F₂, 98.98 in total. The empirical formula is (Ba_1.68Sr_0.18K_0.11Na_1.05Ca_0.43Mn_0.47Mg_0.88Fe_0.44²⁺Fe_1.02³⁺Ti_1.28Nb_0.17Al_0.24)_Σ7.95Si_3.98O_16.98F_1.02. The crystal structure was refined on a single crystal. Schüllerite is triclinic, space group P1, unit cell parameters: a = 5.4027(1), b = 7.066(4), c = 10.2178(1)?, α = 99.816(1), β = 99.624(1), γ = 90.084(1)°, V = 378.75(2) ?³, Z = 1. The strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d, ?, (I, %)]: 9.96(29), 3.308(45), 3.203(29), 2.867(29), 2.791(100), 2.664(46), 2.609(36), 2.144(52). The mineral was named in honor of Willi Schüller (born 1953), an enthusiastic, prominent amateur mineral collector, and a specialist in the mineralogy of Eifel. Type specimens have been deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, registration no. 3995/1,2.     

Neoproterozoic alkaline magmatism at Sivamalai, southern India

The Sivamalai alkaline complex lies at the southern margin of the Cauvery Shear System that separates the Archaean and Proterozoic domains of the Southern Granulite Terrain in India. U–Pb TIMS dating of zircon from a pegmatitic syenite sample in the complex yields a concordant age of 590.2 ± 1.3 (2σ) Ma which is interpreted to date the intrusion of the alkaline rocks. A lower concordia intercept at 168 ± 210 Ma defined by two grains with high common lead may indicate post-magmatic disturbances due to recrystallisation which is also evident in the CL images of the zircons. EPMA dating of monazite from a post-kinematic pegmatite which intrudes the crystalline basement hosting the alkaline rocks yields an age of 478 ± 29 (2σ) Ma and provides a lower bracket for the main phase of tectonism in this part of the Southern Granulite Terrain. The Pan-African high-grade metamorphism and ductile deformation has thus most likely affected the alkaline rocks. This is supported by the presence of a metamorphic foliation and extensive recrystallisation textures seen in the rocks. The major and trace element concentrations measured on selected samples reveals the presence of both enriched and depleted rock types. The enriched group includes ferrosyenite and nepheline syenite while the depleted group has only nepheline syenites. The trace element depletion of some nepheline syenites is interpreted to be a result of fractional crystallization involving the removal of accessory phases like zircon, titanite, apatite and allanite.     

Application of Glauconite Sedimentary Geochronology

Glauconite is widely distributed in space and time.In China glauconite-bearing strata are extensive occurrence ranging from Late Cretaceous to Middle Proterozoic in age.X-ray powder analysis,X-ray diffracition analysis and differential thermal analysis revealed that glauconite has a mica-type structure between dioctahedron and trioctahedron.Its chemical composition is:Al2O310.6%,SiO249.23%,MgO3.24%,Fe2O317.40%,FeO1.8%,and K2O7.92%,Its crystal form and thermal properties are very similar to those of mica-like clay minerls.According to isotopic age determinations of glauconite in modern oceans (including the East China Sea,the South China Sea and the Yellow Sea),we consider that in the extreme case glauconite is an authigenic mineral.It is generally formed in sedimentary rocks.Is has further proved that glauconite can be used to determine the ages of sedimentary rocks.     

Determination of the phase boundary between ilmenite and perovskite in MgSiO3 by in situ X-ray diffraction and quench experiments

Determination of the phase boundary between ilmenite and perovskite structures in MgSiO₃ has been made at pressures between 18 and 24 GPa and temperatures up to 2000 °C by in situ X-ray diffraction measurements using synchrotron radiation and quench experiments. It was difficult to precisely define the phase boundary by the present in situ X-ray observations, because the grain growth of ilmenite hindered the estimation of relative abundances of these phases. Moreover, the slow reaction kinetics between these two phases made it difficult to determine the phase boundary by changing pressure and temperature conditions during in situ X-ray diffraction measurements. Nevertheless, the phase boundary was well constrained by quench method with a pressure calibration based on the spinel-postspinel boundary of Mg₂SiO₄ determined by in situ X-ray experiments. This yielded the ilmenite-perovskite phase boundary of P (GPa) = 25.0 (±0.2) – 0.003 T (°C) for a temperature range of 1200–1800 °C, which is generally consistent with the results of the present in situ X-ray diffraction measurements within the uncertainty of ∼±0.5 GPa. The phase boundary thus determined between ilmenite and perovskite phases in MgSiO₃ is slightly (∼0.5 GPa) lower than that of the spinel-postspinel transformation in Mg₂SiO₄. Received: 19 May 1999 / Accepted: 21 March 2000     

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.     

Isotopic geochemical characterization of selected nepheline syenites and phonolites from the Poços de Caldas alkaline complex, Minas Gerais, Brazil

This paper presents and discusses the isotopic data from the hydrothermal studies of the Poços de Caldas Natural Analogue Project. The purpose of these studies was to elucidate the mass transport of relevant elements and isotopes associated with hydrothermal mineralization and alteration at the Osamu Utsumi uranium mine, as applicable to high-temperature radwaste isolation (particularly in the U.S. nuclear waste program). Research efforts were focused on studying the thermal, chemical and hydrologic nature of the palaeohydrothermal regime associated with a breccia pipe at the Osamu Utsumi mine, and related to the geochemical, geochronological and petrological characterization studies of unaltered regional nepheline syenite and phonolite.The regional rocks studies have a vertically elongated δD, δ¹⁸O pattern, which possibly indicates meteoric water/rock interaction. Regression of Rb---Sr whole-rock isotopic data for the regional nepheline syenite and phonolite samples did not produce isochrons. An internal, mineral-separate isochron regression from a nepheline syenite sample, considered representative of unaltered nepheline syenite of the Poços de Caldas plateau, yields an age of 78 Ma, and an initial ratio of approximately 0.7051. The initial ratios of the regional nepheline syenites are possibly indicative of a mantle source for the alkaline magmatism, with some incorporation of old, high Rb/Sr crustal material. The greater-than-mantle values of δ¹⁸O, if not due solely to surficial processes, also appear to require some assimilation of crustal material. Sm---Nd isotopic data for the regional rocks do not define any isochrons, although the nepheline syenite samples conform very well to a calculated reference isochron for 78 Ma and a fixed initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.512359. The regional phonolite samples lie markedly off this isochron. This is probably due to the phonolite samples having different initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values. All regional samples lie within the “Mantle Array” trend. Their location within _Nd–_Sr space indicates as asthenospheric Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB)-type source magma also contaminated by continental igneous and metamorphic rocks (e.g. the Precambrian gneiss surrounding the Poços de Caldas plateau).The rocks studied at the Osamu Utsumi mine from the F4 drillcore have experienced varying degrees of hydrothermal mineralization and metasomatism, and deep weathering. The hydrothermally altered rocks have a quite pronounced δD shift, with only a slight δ¹⁸O shift. The δD-δ¹⁸O trend of the hydrothermally altered F4 samples most likely reflects the variability of temperature, hydrologic flow, mineralogical alteration and, therefore, water/rock interaction and isotopic exchange in the palaeohydrothermal regime.Regression of Rb---Sr whole-rock isotopic data for subsamples from a nepheline syenite xenolith sample yields an age of 76 Ma and an initial ratio of approximately 0.7053. Due to the marked hydrothermal alteration and metasomatism of this sample, the Rb---Sr isotopic system is interpreted as being re-equilibrated and thus the regressed age is the age of the hydrothermal event. Using a versus 1/Sr mixing diagram, distinct trends are seen for hydrothermal alteration, mineralization and weathering. Again, the F4 nepheline syenite samples do not define an Sm---Nd isochron, but conform very well to a calculated model isochron for 78 Ma and an initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.512365. The Sm---Nd isotopic data also exhibit a possible disturbance by the hydrothermal, metasomatic alteration. A lamproite dyke which crosscuts the hydrothermal alteration in the Osamu Utsumi mine gives an age of 76 Ma, which is essentially the same as the Rb---Sr age of the hydrothermally altered nepheline syenite subsamples.     

Fractionation and Assimilation Processes in the Alkaline Augite Syenite Unit of the Ilimaussaq Intrusion, South Greenland, as Deduced from Phase Equilibria

The early augite syenite unit in the 1·13-Ga-old Ilímaussaqintrusive complex, South Greenland, consists of a magmatic assemblageof ternary alkali feldspar + fayalitic olivine + augite + titanomagnetite+ apatite + baddeleyite ± nepheline ± quartz ±ilmenite ± zircon. Feldspar, nepheline and QUILF thermometryyield T = 1000–700°C, at P = 1 kbar, which is derivedfrom fluid inclusion data from other parts of the complex. Ternaryfeldspar was the first major liquidus phase. It crystallizedat temperatures between 950 and 1000°C from a homogeneousmagma with a_SiO2 = 0·8 and f_O2 about 1·5–2log units below the fayalite–magnetite–quartz (FMQ)buffer. Later, closed system fractionation produced nepheline-bearingassemblages with a_SiO2 = 0·4 and log f_O2 = FMQ –3 to FMQ – 5. Assimilation of wall rocks produced localvariations of melt composition. Four traverses through the unitwere sampled parallel to the assumed direction of crystallization.They exhibit significant differences in their mineral assemblagesand compositions. The chemical zoning and calculated intensiveparameters of four sample suites reflect both closed systemfractional crystallization and local assimilation of wall rocks. KEY WORDS: alkaline magmatism; assimilation; fractionation; redox equilibria; QUILF