Iron partitioning and hydrogen generation during serpentinization of abyssal peridotites from 15°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Aqueous dihydrogen (H₂,aq) is produced in copious amounts when seawater interacts with peridotite and H₂O oxidizes ferrous iron in olivine to ferric iron in secondary magnetite and serpentine. Poorly understood in this process is the partitioning of iron and its oxidation state in serpentine, although both impose an important control on dihydrogen production. We present results of detailed petrographic, mineral chemical, magnetic and Mößbauer analyses of partially to fully serpentinized peridotites from the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 209, Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) 15°N area. These results are used to constrain the fate of iron during serpentinization and are compared with phase equilibria considerations and peridotite-seawater reaction path models. In samples from Hole 1274A, mesh-rims reveal a distinct in-to-out zoning from brucite at the interface with primary olivine, followed by a zone of serpentine + brucite ± magnetite and finally serpentine + magnetite in the outermost mesh-rim. The compositions of coexisting serpentine (Mg# 95) and brucite (Mg# 80) vary little throughout the core. About 30-50% of the iron in serpentine/brucite mesh-rims is trivalent, irrespective of subbasement depth and protolith (harzburgite versus dunite). Model calculations suggest that both partitioning and oxidation state of iron are very sensitive to temperature and water-to-rock ratio during serpentinization. At temperatures above 330 °C the dissolution of olivine and coeval formation of serpentine, magnetite and dihydrogen depends on the availability of an external silica source. At these temperatures the extent of olivine serpentinization is insufficient to produce much hydrogen, hence conditions are not reducing enough to form awaruite. At T < 330 °C, hydrogen generation is facilitated by the formation of brucite, as dissolution of olivine to form serpentine, magnetite and brucite requires no addition of silica. The model calculations suggest that the iron distribution observed in serpentine and brucite is consistent with formation temperatures ranging from <150 to 250 °C and bulk water-to-rock ratios between 0.1 and 5. These conditions coincide with peak hydrogen fugacities during serpentinization and are conducive to awaruite formation during main stage serpentinization. The development of the common brucite rims around olivine is either due to an arrested reaction olivine → brucite → serpentine + brucite, or reflects metastable olivine-brucite equilibria developing in the strong gradient in silica activity between orthopyroxene (talc-serpentine) and olivine (serpentine-brucite).     

On Silica Activity and Serpentinization

Serpentinites have the lowest silica activity of common crustalrocks. At the serpentinization front, where olivine, serpentine,and brucite are present, silica activities (relative to quartz)are of the order of 10^–2·5 to 10^–5, dependingon the temperature. Here we argue that this low silica activityis the critical property that produces the unusual geochemicalenvironments characteristic of serpentinization. The formationof magnetite is driven by the extraction of silica from theFe₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄ component of serpentine, producing extremely reducingconditions as evinced by the rare iron alloys that partiallyserpentinized peridotites contain. The incongruent dissolutionof diopside to form Ca²⁺, serpentine, and silica becomes increasinglyfavored at lower T, producing the alkalic fluids characteristicof serpentinites. The interaction of these fluids with adjacentrocks produces rodingites, and we argue that desilication isalso part of the rodingite-forming process. The low silica activityalso explains the occurrence of low-silica minerals such ashydrogrossular, andradite, jadeite, diaspore, and corundum inserpentinites or rocks adjacent to serpentinites. The tendencyfor silica activity to decrease with decreasing temperaturemeans that the presence of certain minerals in serpentinitescan be used as indicators of the temperature of serpentinization.These include, with decreasing temperature, diopside, andraditeand diaspore. Because the assemblage serpentine + brucite marksthe lowest silica activity reached in most serpentinites, thepresence and distribution of brucite, which commonly is a crypticphase in serpentinites, is critical to interpreting the processesthat lead to the hydration of any given serpentinite. KEY WORDS: serpentinization; serpentinites; silica activity; oxygen fugacity; rodingites; magnetization of serpentinites     

青海茫崖石棉矿区变质超基性岩的蚀变演化序列：岩石化学及矿物学证据

青海茫崖石棉矿区超基性岩体是由原岩以纯橄岩、辉橄岩和橄辉岩为主体组成的富镁质超基性岩体,经历自变质和后期多期热液的叠加变质蚀变作用,经蛇纹石化后形成蚀变完全的蛇纹岩岩体,其中部分蛇纹岩又进一步发生滑石化及碳酸盐化蚀变为滑石菱镁片岩、菱镁滑石片岩、滑石片岩和菱镁岩等。本文在野外地质调查基础上,在室内通过镜下岩矿综合鉴定、全岩化学成分分析以及电子探针成分分析等手段进行了岩石化学特征、矿物学特征及其蚀变演化过程研究。结果表明,该变质超基性岩体蛇纹岩主要特征组合矿物为蛇纹石(利蛇纹石、叶蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石)、磁铁矿、菱镁矿、滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿,变余矿物有斜方辉石、单斜辉石和铬铁矿,滑石菱镁片岩类主要组成矿物为菱镁矿、滑石、蛇纹石及磁铁矿,局部可见石英脉。该地区变质超基性岩体较完整地记录了橄榄岩水化、滑石化及碳酸盐化作用过程的各个阶段,超基性岩蚀变演化过程主要有两个作用阶段:(Ⅰ)橄榄石、辉石类矿物的蛇纹石化作用及蛇纹石绿泥石化作用;(Ⅱ)富Ca、CO2流体交代蛇纹石、滑石及水镁石的碳酸盐化作用。蛇纹石化等变质蚀变作用促进了Si、Mg及Fe元素化学活动性,使元素发生富集与迁移,对于次生矿物的形成与演化起到了一定的催化作用。多期不同组成流体热液的交代作用过程,清晰地展示了利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石的演化序列,以及滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿和磁铁矿的形成过程及标形特征。     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area,central Eastern Desert,Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.     

Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The studied serpentinites occur as isolated masses, imbricate slices of variable thicknesses and as small blocks or lenses incorporated in the sedimentary matrix of the mélange. They are thrusted over the associated island arc calc-alkaline metavolcanics and replaced by talc-carbonates along shear zones. Lack of thermal effect of the serpentinites upon the enveloping country rocks, as well as their association with thrust faults indicates their tectonic emplacement as solid bodies. Petrographically, they are composed essentially of antigorite, chrysotile and lizardite with subordinate amounts of carbonates, chromite, magnetite, magnesite, talc, tremolite and chlorite. Chrysotile occurs as cross-fiber veinlets traversing the antigorite matrix, which indicate a late crystallization under static conditions. The predominance of antigorite over other serpentine minerals indicates that the serpentinites have undergone prograde metamorphism or the parent ultramafic rocks were serpentinized under higher pressure. The parent rocks of the studied serpentinites are mainly harzburgite and less commonly dunite and wehrlite due to the prevalence of mesh and bastite textures. The serpentinites have suffered regional metamorphism up to the greenschist facies, which occurred during the collisional stage or back-arc basin closure, followed by thrusting over a continental margin. The microprobe analyses of the serpentine minerals show wide variation in SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, FeO and Cr₂O₃ due to different generations of serpentinization. The clinopyroxene relicts, from the partly serpentinized peridotite, are augite and similar to clinopyroxene in mantle-derived peridotites. The chromitite lenses associated with the serpentinites show common textures and structures typical of magmatic crystallization and podiform chromitites. The present data suggest that the serpentinites and associated chromitite lenses represent an ophiolitic mantle sequence from a supra-subduction zone, which were thrust over the continental margins during the collisional stage of back-arc basin.     

The production of iron oxide during peridotite serpentinization: Influence of pyroxene

Serpentinization produces molecular hydrogen(H2)that can support communities of microorganisms in hydrothermal fields;H2 results from the oxidation of ferrous iron in olivine and pyroxene into ferric iron,and consequently iron oxide(magnetite or hematite)forms.However,the mechanisms that control H2 and iron oxide formation are poorly constrained.In this study,we performed serpentinization experiments at 311℃ and 3.0 kbar on olivine(with 5% pyroxene),orthopyroxene,and peridotite.The results show that serpentine and iron oxide formed when olivine and orthopyroxene individually reacted with a saline starting solution.Olivine-derived serpentine had a significantly lower FeO content(6.57±1.30 wt.%)than primary olivine(9.86 wt.%),whereas orthopyroxene-derived serpentine had a comparable FeO content(6.26±0.58 wt.%)to that of primary orthopyroxene(6.24 wt.%).In experiments on peridotite,olivine was replaced by serpentine and iron oxide.However,pyroxene transformed solely to serpentine.After 20 days,olivine-derived serpentine had a FeO content of 8.18±1.56 wt.%,which was significantly higher than that of serpentine produced in olivine-only experiments.By contrast,serpentine after orthopyroxene had a slightly higher FeO content(6.53±1.01 wt.%)than primary orthopyroxene.Clinopyroxene-derived serpentine contained a significantly higher FeO content than its parent mineral.After 120 days,the FeO content of olivine-derived serpentine decreased significantly(5.71±0.35 wt.%),whereas the FeO content of orthopyroxene-derived serpentine increased(6.85±0.63 wt.%)over the same period.This suggests that iron oxide preferentially formed after olivine serpentinization.Pyroxene in peridotite gained some Fe from olivine during the serpentinization process,which may have led to a decrease in iron oxide production.The correlation between FeO content and SiO_2 or AI_2 O_3 content in olivine-and orthopyroxene-derived serpentine indicates that aluminum and silica greatly control the production of iron oxide.Based on our results and data from natural serpentinites reported by other workers,we propose that aluminum may be more influential at the early stages of peridotite serpentinization when the production of iron oxide is very low,whereas silica may have a greater control on iron oxide production during the late stages instead.     

Coexisting serpentine and quartz from carbonate-bearing serpentinized peridotite in the Samail Ophiolite, Oman

Tectonically exposed mantle peridotite in the Oman Ophiolite is variably serpentinized and carbonated. Networks of young carbonate veins are prevalent in highly serpentinized peridotite, particularly near low-temperature alkaline springs emanating from the peridotite. An unusual feature in some samples is the coexistence of serpentine and quartz, which is not commonly observed in serpentinites. This assemblage is unstable with respect to serpentine?+?talc or talc?+?quartz under most conditions. Serpentine in the carbonated serpentinites in this study is more iron rich than in most serpentinites reported in previous studies, and samples with co-existing quartz contain the most iron-rich serpentines. Calculations of thermodynamic equilibria in the MgO–SiO₂–H₂O–CO₂ system suggest that serpentine?+?quartz may be a stable assemblage at low temperatures (e.g., <~15–50?°C) and is stabilized to higher temperatures by preferential cation substitutions in serpentine over talc. Based on these calculations, serpentine?+?quartz assemblages could result from serpentinization at near-surface temperatures. Clumped isotope thermometry of carbonate veins yields temperatures within error of the observed temperatures in Oman groundwater for all samples analyzed, while the δ¹⁸O of water calculated to be in equilibrium with carbonate precipitated at those temperatures is within error of the observed isotopic composition of Oman groundwater for the majority of samples analyzed. As groundwater geochemistry suggests that carbonate precipitation and serpentinization occur concomitantly, this indicates that both hydration and carbonation of peridotite are able to produce extensive alteration at the relatively low temperatures of the near-surface weathering environment.     

A Chemical Study of Serpentinization--Burro Mountain, California

Serpentinized dunites and harzburgites from the Burro Mountainperidotite show no change in the ratio of iron and magnesiato silica when compared with the same ratio for the unserpentinizedequivalents. The mineral assemblage resulting from serpentinizationconsists of lizardite-chrysotile, brucite, and magnetite andis determined by the original bulk composition of the peridotite.The chemical and mineralogical data indicate that serpentinizationproceeded under isochemical conditions except for the introductionof water into the peridotite. Expansion accompanies serpentinizationbecause the serpentine products occupy a greater volume thanthe peridotite protolith. Tectonic emplacement of the BurroMountain peridotite was facilitated by serpentinization andthe attendant expansion.     

Serpentinization: a review

The common alteration assemblage produced by serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is: lizardite, chrysotile, magnetite±brucite±antigorite. Lizardite-chrysotile serpentinites are more common than antigorite; the presence of antigorite indicates that the serpentinite has undergone prograde metamorphism or that the periootite was serpentinized in a higher P,T regime than lizardite and chrysotile. The iron subsitution into serpentine minerals and brucite is a function of temperature at low f_O2, with increased temperature enhancing magnetite formation. The presence of awaruite and native Fe are strong evidence for a locally very reducing environment. Isotopic studies have shown a wide variety of origins for the fluids involved in serpentinization. The increased boron content of serpentinized rocks when compared to boron contents of the parent ultramafic body indicates a possible sea water origin for the fluids. Serpentinization takes place under both constant volume and constant chemical composition conditions. The factors in evaluating the importance of the two processes for an individual serpentinite are: (1) determination of the mineral assemblage and its paragenesis, (2) the structural and tectonic relationship of the ultramafic body to its country rock, (3) fluid access to the rock in duration and amount, and (4) timing of serpentinization - before, during or after emplacement into the crust.     

On the Occurrence of Silician Magnetites

Abstract: About 120 specimens of magnetite from various localities are examined by an electron microprobe analyzer. Magnetites containing more than one weight percent of silica but lack of any other components than ferrous and ferric iron, called silician magnetites in the present paper, are recognized in 23 skarn, one vein and one thermally metamorphosed massive sulfide deposits. Thus it is confirmed that this mineral occurs in nature much more frequently than so far expected. Besides silician magnetites, magnetites with appreciable amounts of Al₂O₃, CaO, MgO and other components along with silica, are also recognized in some skarn deposits. Magnetites with such unusual compositions are found only in hydrothermal environments, and it is suggested that precipitation mechanisms seem to be responsible for their formation.
In silician magnetites, excess electric charge brought by the replacement of ferric iron in tetrahedral site by silicon, could be compensated by the replacement of ferric iron in octahedral site by ferrous iron, known as γ–Fe₂SiO₄ component. The natural occurrence of silician magnetites, however, gives no positive support to the existence of this component at crustal pressures. Instead a preliminary Mössbauer experiment demonstrates that one silician magnetite has a maghemite –like structure by the omission of ferrous iron from octahedral site.     

丹东绿玉石的宝玉石学特征研究

通过偏光显微镜、电子探针、X射线粉末衍射、傅里叶变换红外光谱、X射线荧光光谱、微量元素测试等对丹东绿玉石样品进行了常规矿物学、谱学特征研究。结果表明,丹东绿玉石是以蛇纹石为主要矿物,镁橄榄石、白云石、水镁石、绿泥石、伊利石为次要矿物的蛇纹石化镁橄榄石矽卡岩。     

Abyssal and hydrated mantle wedge serpentinised peridotites: a comparison of the 15$$^\circ$$20$$'$$′N fracture zone and New Caledonia serpentinites

Subduction of serpentinised mantle transfers oxidised and hydrated mantle lithosphere into the Earth, with consequences for the oxidation state of sub-arc mantle and the genesis of arc-related ore deposits. The role of subducted serpentinised mantle lithosphere in earth system processes is uncertain because subduction fluxes are poorly constrained. Most subducted serpentinised mantle is serpentinised on the ocean floor settings. Yet this material is poorly represented in the literature because it is difficult to access. Large volumes of accessible serpentinite are available in ophiolite complexes, and most interpretations of subduction fluxes associated with ultramafic rocks are based on ophiolite studies. Seafloor and ophiolite serpentinisation can occur under different conditions, so it is necessary to assess if ophiolite serpentinites are a good proxy for seafloor serpentinites. Serpentinites sampled during ODP cruise 209 were compared with serpentinites from New Caledonia. The ODP209 serpentinites were serpentinised by modified seawater in a shallow hydrothermal seafloor setting. The New Caledonia serpentinites were serpentinised in a mantle wedge setting by slab-derived fluids, with possible contributions from oceanic serpentinisation and post-obduction serpentinisation. Petrological, whole rock and mineralogical analyses were combined to compare the two sample sets. Petrologically, the evolution of serpentinisation was close to identical in the two environments. However, more oxidised iron, Cl, S and C is present in serpentine from the ODP209 serpentinites relative to the New Caledonia serpentinites. Given these observations, the use of serpentinites from different geodynamic settings as a proxy for abyssal serpentinites from spreading settings must be undertaken with caution.     

Temperatures of serpentinization of ultramafic rocks based on O18/O16 fractionation between coexisting serpentine and magnetite

Five lizardite-chrysotile type serpentinites from California, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic show oxygen isotope fractionations of 15.1 to 12.9 per mil between coexisting serpentine and magnetite (O¹⁸ magnetite=–7.6 to –4.6 per mil relative to SMOW). Nine antigorites (mainly from Vermont and S. E. Pennsylvania) show distinctly smaller fractionations of 8.7 to 4.8 per mil (O¹⁸ magnetite=–2.6 to +1.7 per mil). Two lizardite and chrysotile serpentinites dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge exhibit fractionations of 10.0 and 12.4 per mil (O¹⁸ magnetite=–6.8 and –7.9 per mil, respectively), whereas an oceanic antigorite shows a value of 8.2 per mil (O¹⁸ magnetite=–6.2). These data all clearly indicate that the antigorites formed at higher temperatures than the chrysotilelizardites. Electron microprobe analyses of magnetites from the above samples show that they are chemically homogeneous and essentially pure Fe₃O₂. However, some magnetites from certain other samples that show a wide variation of Cr content also give very erratic oxygen isotopic results, suggesting non-equilibrium. An approximate serpentine-magnetite geothermometer curve was constructed by (1) extrapolation of observed O¹⁸ fractionations between coexisting chlorites and Fe-Ti oxides in low-grade pelitic schists whose isotopic temperatures are known from the quartz-muscovite O¹⁸ geothermometer, and (2) estimates of the O¹⁸ fractionation factor between chlorite and serpentine (assumed to be equal to unity). This serpentine-magnetite geothermometer suggests approximate equilibrium temperatures as follows: continental lizardite-chrysotile, 85° to 115° C; oceanic lizardite and chrysotile, 130° C and 185° C, respectively; oceanic antigorite, 235° C; and continental antigorites, 220° to 460° C.Contribution No. 2029 of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109.     

河北武安玉石洼铁矿中磁铁矿特征及其对铁矿床成因指示意义

夕卡岩铁矿床的成因一直以来备受争议,主要有接触交代和矿浆成因等模型。河北武安玉石洼铁矿是邯邢地区主要的夕卡岩铁矿之一,对矿区尖山剖面中的三类磁铁矿成分进行详细研究有助于解决此问题。产于剖面下部玉石洼铁矿主矿体中的磁铁矿以高Ti为特征,而在上部结晶灰岩中矿脉状中磁铁矿以高Si(w(SiO2)>1%)为特点,赋存于中部二长岩矿脉中的磁铁矿具有过渡的成分特征。通过对此三类磁铁矿中主量元素、微量元素研究发现,从下部玉石洼主矿体向上部结晶灰岩中的磁铁矿脉,磁铁矿具有Ti含量逐渐减少而Si、Mg含量逐渐增加的特征。高硅磁铁矿呈自形晶,与方解石平衡共生,其形成与流体有关,很可能是流体晶矿物。磁铁矿FeV/Ti判别图解显示下部玉石洼主矿体中部分磁铁矿具有岩浆成因,二长岩和结晶灰岩中的脉状矿石中磁铁矿具有热液成因,磁铁矿由下部到上部具有岩浆成因过渡为热液成因的连续过程。根据玉石洼矿区磁铁矿的这些特征,我们认为铁矿浆中含有大量流体,应该为“含铁熔体流体”,由于流体超压使“含铁熔体流体流”在岩浆通道中快速上升,至地壳浅部空间就位,在空间上由下部形成高温高Ti磁铁矿过渡为上部形成具有流体晶特征的高Si磁铁矿的岩浆通道成矿系统模型。     

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.     

Serpentinization of mantle formations in the Mauritanides Belt: regions of Agane and Gouérarate (middle-western Mauritania)

Regions of Agane and Gouérarate represent an ancient fragment of ophiolitic suture localized in the axial area of the Mauritanides Belt. These two regions are characterized by the abundance of completely serpentinized formations. In this study, we present the first use of Raman spectroscopy for identifying the species of serpentine present in the Mauritanides Belt. Serpentinites of Agane are derived from refractory peridotites composed of dunites–harzburgites; however, there are also rare serpentinites derived from ultramafic cumulates. Antigorite represents the dominant species in the serpentinite. Furthermore, chrysotile is found as post-antigorite veins. These veins are post-obduction and mark the final phase of serpentinization. The abundance of antigorite and the absence of lizardite confirm that subduction was the environment of serpentinization in these two regions, and that “the oceanic opening” responsible for the formation of ophiolitic sutures in the Mauritanides Belt was limited. The term “serpentinite” is no longer applicable to the formations of Gouérarate. As a result, these formations correspond to old serpentinites transformed to birbirites which are in phase of transformation into laterites.     

Neoproterozoic ophiolitic peridotites along the Allaqi-Heiani suture, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Wadi Allaqi ophiolite along the Egyptian-Sudanese border defines the southernmost ophiolitic assemblage and suture zone in the Eastern Desert. Ophiolite assemblages comprise nappes composed mainly of mafic and ultramafic rocks that were tectonically emplaced and replaced by serpentine and carbonates along shear zones probably due to CO₂-metasomatism. Serpentinites, altered slices of the upper mantle, represent a distinctive lithology of dismembered ophiolites of the western YOSHGAH suture. Microscopically, they are composed of more than 90 % serpentine minerals with minor opaque minerals, carbonate, brucite and talc. The mineral chemistry and whole-rock chemical data reported here indicate that the serpentinized peridotites formed as highly-depleted mantle residues. They show compositions consistent with formation in a suprasubduction zone environment. They are depleted in Al₂O₃ and CaO similar to those in fore-arc peridotites. Also, high Cr# (Cr/ (Cr+Al)) in the relict chrome spinels (average ~0.72) indicates that these are residual after extensive partial melting, similar to spinels in modern fore-arc peridotites. Therefore, the studied serpentinites represent fragments of an oceanic lithosphere that formed in a fore-arc environment, which belongs to an ophiolitic mantle sequence formed in a suprasubduction zone.     

Partage du nickel entre serpentine et brucite au cours de la serpentinisation du péridot

When nickeliferous peridot is submitted to a serpentinisation reaction with formation of brucite, the peridotic nickel is partitioned between the two minerals (serpentine and brucite) with a distribution coefficient K=[(Ni/Mg) brucite]/[(Ni/Mg)] serpentine=1,63 (at 350°C and 1 kbar), in favour of brucite.     

In situ characterization of serpentinites from forearc mantle wedges: Timing of serpentinization and behavior of fluid-mobile elements in subduction zones

The Tso Morari serpentinites in the Ladakh area, northwest Himalaya, originated from the forearc mantle overlying the northward subducting Neo-Tethys lithosphere and the margin of the Indian continent. The serpentinites are characterized by high concentration of fluid-mobile elements (FME: As, Sb, B, Li, and U) compared to ophiolitic or abyssal serpentinites. The Pb isotopic compositions of serpentinites show influence of the subducted Indian continental lithosphere. Trace element concentrations of antigorite determined in situ with Laser Ablation High Resolution Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometer (LA-HR-ICP-MS) show high contents of FME including Pb, in contrast to the spatially associated iron oxides. Rare earth elements (REE) and compatible elements, such as Sc and Co, remained immobile during the hydration, allowing the identification of the primary minerals (olivine or orthopyroxene) from which serpentine formed. Serpentinized olivine displays higher Sb and As concentrations (up to 1000 × PM) than serpentinized orthopyroxenes that are enriched in Pb, Cs and Li (2 to up to 10 × PM).We propose that the observed FME distribution in two types of serpentine reflect the differential incorporation of FME during the downward movement of the serpentinite along the subduction plane. At temperature lower than 400 °C, at shallow depths, olivine is preferentially serpentinized and incorporates elements that are fluid soluble at low temperatures, such as Sb and As. Above 400 °C, orthopyroxene is hydrated and incorporates Pb, Cs, Li and possibly Ba. Boron and U are incorporated in both types of serpentine suggesting that they are released from slabs at temperatures around 300–400 °C. The serpentine acts as a sink for water, but also for FME and transports them to deeper and hotter levels in the mantle, down to the isotherm 600–650 °C where dehydration occurs.     

新疆北山小常山铁矿矿物电子探针分析及矿床成因探讨

小常山铁矿位于新疆北山裂谷带西段,矿体赋存于辉长岩、辉长岩和大理岩接触带中,部分赋存于花岗闪长岩和大理岩接触带。前人研究辉长岩年龄为276±1.2Ma,与坡北铜镍硫化物岩浆矿床形成年龄一致,同属早二叠世。小常山铁矿中可见有明显的岩浆贯入现象。矿体主要呈透镜状、块状、脉状、薄层状。金属矿物主要为磁铁矿,含极少量的褐铁矿和黄铁矿;近矿围岩蚀变较弱,主要有石榴子石化、绿帘石化、大理岩化。电子探针研究表明,磁铁矿FeOT含量范围较大,主要分布在85%范围以上,Al_2O_3含量相对较高,TiO_2-Al_2O_3-(MgO+MnO)图解、TiO_2-Al_2O_3-MgO图解均显示热液接触交代成因特点,表明小常山铁矿的形成和岩浆热液的交代作用有关。石榴子石属于钙铝榴石-钙铁榴石系列,与典型矽卡岩矿床的石榴子石端员组分组成有一定差别。结合小常山铁矿体地质特征以及电子探针分析测试等研究,认为小常山铁矿是多成因的复合型矿床,具有岩浆成因和热液成因特征,但后者是主要成因。