An Early Palaeozoic HP/HT granulite–garnet peridotite association in the south Altyn Tagh, NW China: P–T history and U-Pb geochronology

High‐pressure kyanite‐bearing felsic granulites in the Bashiwake area of the south Altyn Tagh (SAT) subduction–collision complex enclose mafic granulites and garnet peridotite‐hosted sapphirine‐bearing metabasites. The predominant felsic granulites are garnet + quartz + ternary feldspar (now perthite) rocks containing kyanite, plagioclase, biotite, rutile, spinel, corundum, and minor zircon and apatite. The quartz‐bearing mafic granulites contain a peak pressure assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + ternary feldspar (now mesoperthite) + quartz + rutile. The sapphirine‐bearing metabasites occur as mafic layers in garnet peridotite. Petrographical data suggest a peak assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + kyanite + rutile. Early kyanite is inferred from a symplectite of sapphirine + corundum + plagioclase ± spinel, interpreted to have formed during decompression. Garnet peridotite contains an assemblage of garnet + olivine + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene. Thermobarometry indicates that all rock types experienced peak P–T conditions of 18.5–27.3 kbar and 870–1050 °C. A medium–high pressure granulite facies overprint (780–820 °C, 9.5–12 kbar) is defined by the formation of secondary clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene + plagioclase at the expense of garnet and early clinopyroxene in the mafic granulites, as well as by growth of spinel and plagioclase at the expense of garnet and kyanite in the felsic granulite. SHRIMP II zircon U‐Pb geochronology yields ages of 493 ± 7 Ma (mean of 11) from the felsic granulite, 497 ± 11 Ma (mean of 11) from sapphirine‐bearing metabasite and 501 ± 16 Ma (mean of 10) from garnet peridotite. Rounded zircon morphology, cathodoluminescence (CL) sector zoning, and inclusions of peak metamorphic minerals indicate these ages reflect HP/HT metamorphism. Similar ages determined for eclogites from the western segment of the SAT suggest that the same continental subduction/collision event may be responsible for HP metamorphism in both areas.     

东秦岭石界河群中石榴石成分环带所记录的PTt轨迹

位于河南省西峡县北部地区的石界河群榴云片岩中的石榴石发育有很好的结构和成分环带。本文应用微分热力学方法对其环带成分进行计算,确定出一条顺时针方向的PTt轨迹。该轨迹与应用矿物共生组合世代关系确定的PTt轨迹十分吻合。     

Schorlomite: a discussion of the crystal chemistry, formula, and inter-species boundaries

Examination of schorlomite from ijolite at Magnet Cove (USA) and silicocarbonatite at Afrikanda (Russia), using electron-microprobe and hydrogen analyses, X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy, shows the complexity of substitution mechanisms operating in Ti-rich garnets. These substitutions involve incorporation of Na in the eightfold-coordinated X site, Fe²⁺ and Mg in the octahedrally coordinated Y site, and Fe³⁺, Al and Fe²⁺ in the tetrahedrally coordinated Z site. Substitutions Ti⁴⁺Fe³⁺Fe³⁺_–1Si_–1 and Ti⁴⁺Al³⁺Fe³⁺_–1Si_–1 are of major significance to the crystal chemistry of schorlomite, whereas Fe²⁺ enters the Z site in relatively minor quantities (<3% Fe). There is no evidence (either structural or indirect, such as discrepancies between the measured and calculated Fe²⁺ contents) for the presence of ^[6]Ti³⁺ or ^[4]Ti⁴⁺ in schorlomite. The simplified general formula of schorlomite can be written as Ca₃Ti⁴⁺₂[Si_3-x(Fe³⁺,Al,Fe²⁺)_xO₁₂], keeping in mind that the notion of end-member composition is inapplicable to this mineral. In the published analyses of schorlomite with low to moderate Zr contents, x ranges from 0.6 to 1.0, i.e. Ti⁴⁺ in the Y site is <2 and accompanied by appreciable amounts of lower-charged cations (in particular, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺ and Mg). For classification purposes, the mole percentage of schorlomite can be determined as the amount of ^[6]Ti⁴⁺, balanced by substitutions in the Z site, relative to the total occupancy in the Y site: (^[6]Ti⁴⁺–^[6]Fe²⁺–^[6]Mg²⁺– ^[8]Na⁺)/2. In addition to the predominant schorlomite component, the crystals examined in this work contain significant (>15 mol.%) proportions of andradite (Ca₃Fe³⁺₂Si₃O₁₂), morimotoite (Ca₃Fe²⁺TiSi₃O₁₂), and Ca₃MgTiSi₃O₁₂. The importance of accurate quantitative determination and assignment of Fe, Ti and other cations to the crystallographic sites for petrogenetic studies is discussed.

Changes in the local coordination of trace rare-earth elements in garnets by high-energy XAFS: new data on dysprosium

The site location and local geometry of trace amounts (299 ppm) of dysprosium in a natural melanite garnet from a carbonatitic rock have been studied by high-energy fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS). Measurements were done at the Dy K-edge (53789 eV). Data analysis shows that Dy (i.r. = 0.98 Å) is incorporated at the X site, similarly to other REE, namely Nd (i.r. = 1.11 Å) and Ce (i.r. = 1.14 Å). Comparison of the XAFS data obtained for these three REE and for Ca shows that, within a given garnet composition, the difference in the local geometry can be modelled in terms of differences in the ionic radii. On the contrary, the local coordination of the individual cations is different in distinct garnet compositions, in contrast to what was suggested by previous atomistic simulations of the garnet structure. Comparison of the local coordination geometries available in the literature shows that the Young modulus of the X site strongly depends on the major-element composition of all the structural sites. Both these points are important for Earth Sciences, and especially for geochemical modelling of trace-element incorporation and partitioning.     

The Role of Lithospheric Mantle Heterogeneity in the Generation of Plio-Pleistocene Alkali Basaltic Suites from NW Harrat Ash Shaam (Israel)

Plio-Pleistocene volcanism in the Golan and Galilee (northeasternIsrael) shows systematic variability with time and location:alkali basalts were erupted in the south during the Early Pliocene,whereas enriched basanitic lavas erupted in the north duringthe Late Pliocene (Galilee) and Pleistocene (Golan). The basaltsshow positive correlations in plots of ratios of highly to moderatelyincompatible elements versus the concentration of the highlyincompatible element (e.g. Nb/Zr vs Nb, La/Sm vs La) and indiagrams of REE/HFSE (rare earth elements/high field strengthelements) vs REE concentration (e.g. La/Nb vs La). Some of thesecorrelations are not linear but upward convex. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratiosvary between 0·7031 and 0·7034 and correlate negativelywith incompatible element concentrations and positively withRb/Sr ratios. We interpret these observations as an indicationthat the main control on magma composition is binary mixingof melts derived from two end-member mantle source components.Based on the high Sr/Ba ratios and negative Rb anomalies inprimitive mantle normalized trace element diagrams and the moderateslopes of MREE–HREE (middle REE–heavy REE) in chondrite-normalizeddiagrams, we suggest that the source for the alkali basalticend-member was a garnet-bearing amphibole peridotite that hadexperienced partial dehydration. The very high incompatibleelement concentrations, low K content, very low Rb contentsand steep MREE–HREE patterns in the basanites are attributedto derivation from amphibole- and garnet-bearing pyroxeniteveins. It is suggested that the veins were produced via partialmelting of amphibole peridotites, followed by complete solidificationand dehydration that effectively removed Rb and K. The requirementfor the presence of amphibole limits both sources to lithosphericdepths. The spatial geochemical variability of the basalts indicatesthat the lithosphere beneath the region is heterogeneous, composedof vein-rich and vein-poor domains. The relatively uniform ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd(Nd = 4·0–5·2) suggests that the two mantlesources were formed by dehydration and partial melting of anoriginally isotopically uniform reservoir, probably as a resultof a Paleozoic thermal event. KEY WORDS: basanites; lithospheric heterogeneity; magma mixing; amphibole peridotite; pyroxenites     

Formation and alteration of plagiogranites in an ultramafic-hosted detachment fault at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (ODP Leg 209)

We examined small-scale shear zones in drillcore samples of abyssal peridotites from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These shear zones are associated with veins consisting of chlorite + actinolite/tremolite assemblages, with accessory phases zircon and apatite, and they are interpreted as altered plagiogranite melt impregnations, which originate from hydrous partial melting of gabbroic intrusion in an oceanic detachment fault. Ti-in-zircon thermometry yields temperatures around 820°C for the crystallization of the evolved melt. Reaction path modeling indicates that the alteration assemblage includes serpentine of the adjacent altered peridotites. Based on the model results, we propose that formation of chlorite occurred at higher temperatures than serpentinization, thus leading to strain localization around former plagiogranites during alteration. The detachment fault represents a major pathway for fluids through the oceanic crust, as evidenced by extremely low δ¹⁸O of altered plagiogranite veins (+3.0–4.2‰) and adjacent serpentinites (+ 2.6–3.7‰). The uniform oxygen isotope data indicate that fluid flow in the detachment fault system affected veins and adjacent host serpentinites likewise. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Diffusion of divalent cations in garnet: multi-couple experiments

We demonstrate the possibility of studying several diffusion couples in a single run, i.e. under almost similar P–T–t– conditions, allowing direct comparison of the diffusion rates in different diffusion couples. Thus the duration of experimental study and the risk of failure of expensive experimental equipment can be decreased considerably. The diffusion experiments were carried out in piston-cylinder apparatus. Gem-quality garnets of almandine, spessartine and grossular compositions together with inclusion-rich eclogitic garnets were embedded in a powder of natural pyrope and annealed together under dry conditions at P = 1.9–3.2 GPa and T = 1,070–1,400°C. Diffusion profiles were measured by electron microprobe and fitted numerically on the basis of multicomponent diffusion theory. The datasets derived from different diffusion couples yields parameters of the Arrhenius equation for Ca, Mg and Fe in natural eclogitic garnets and Mg, Mn and Fe in gem-quality garnets. We have also studied the effect of grain-boundary diffusion in the sintered pyrope matrix on interdiffusion on the basis of 2D modeling. Under conditions analogous to those of our experimental runs, we show that observed irregularities in some measured diffusion profiles (not applied for the diffusion modeling) can be directly related to the superposition of local grain-boundary diffusion on dominant volume diffusion.     

东海地区高压-超高压变质带中变质橄榄岩及其原岩和成因类型的判别——以PP1孔和PP3孔为例

本文在总结全球地幔橄榄岩岩石学和地球化学特征的基础上,首次提出了一个用于判别HPUHP变质带中变质橄榄岩原岩及其成因类型的判别图解。该图主要由镁铁总量MgO+（%）和一个参数m+f/si比值构成。另用Al2O3和CaO分别与MgO+（%）制成两个辅助图解,以示方辉橄榄岩和二辉橄榄岩之间在Al2O3和CaO含量上的分界。通过原岩判别结果和研究表明,PP3孔和PP1孔两者在变质组合、原岩成因类型、地球化学和变质条件方面存在一系列的重大差异。分别代表来自两种极端的地球化学类型和两种不同大地构造环境的UHP变质体。PP3钻孔以Ol+Gt+Cpx+Opx+Sp为变质矿物共生组合的含石榴石纯橄岩,其原岩系来自地幔残余成因的方辉橄榄岩遭受UHP变质作用的产物,它以成分高度均一,富Mg（Mg’=92）,极端亏损不相容元素REE（∑REE<1×10-6可称为超亏损型）为特征。在变质相中仍保留原岩的残余矿物铬尖晶石（Sp）,其成分显示蛇绿岩地幔橄榄岩的成分趋势。并出现以Gt和Sp共存相为特征的变质相。据实验结果（klemme,2004）表明该共存相的稳定域的PT条件CrSp可达7Gpa,T1400℃,即形成于200km的地幔深度。综合研究显示该孔变质橄榄岩原岩（方辉橄榄岩）具有大洋岩石圈地幔残余成因的某些印记,而不是同深度原生地幔岩相转变的产物。PP1孔变质橄榄岩是由无水矿物相（Ol+Opx+Cpx+Gt）+含水矿物相（Phl±Chu）组成的石榴石橄榄岩杂岩,其原岩来自两种不同成因的超镁铁岩系列：一为具地幔成因的方辉橄榄岩二辉橄榄岩系列（可能相当于地幔楔中的Al型橄榄岩）,另一部分（少数）来自具岩浆成因的超镁铁岩系列（纯橄岩—异剥橄榄岩—辉石岩组合,可能相当于A2型橄榄岩）。该套变质橄榄岩,以成分高度不均一,极端富集REE（∑REE平均>20×10-6可称为超富集型）和大离子亲石元素（K、Ba、Rb）为特征。这种异常现象并不反映其原岩原有的地球化学特征,它可能是由于在俯冲过程中受到陆壳物质的污染,或壳幔相互作用所致。据该孔变质相中缺乏Sp相,而以Gt为标志的变质相的事实,推断其形成的压力条件应>7Gpa, 即形成的深度应大于200km。上述研究表明在苏鲁UHP变质带中,不仅有来自大陆地幔楔中的地幔残余的UHP变质体,而且首次提出有可能来自大陆俯冲前锋具大洋岩石圈地幔性质的（蛇绿岩型地幔残片）变质体存在,这对揭示该区UHP变质带的形成和演化过程提供了新的信息。     

新疆巴楚地区金伯利质角砾橄榄岩物质组成及含矿性研究

本文讨论出露于新疆巴楚瓦吉里塔格地区的一种角砾状超镁铁岩,其结构、成分复杂,由超镁铁岩包体、斑晶（或捕晶）及基质三部分构成。超镁铁岩包体常见单辉辉石岩、纯橄岩,其次有少量橄榄辉石岩。研究表明均属基性岩浆结晶岩,本次研究未见幔源橄榄岩包体;斑晶主要为橄榄石,次为金云母,基质由微晶（10~40μm）单斜辉石、钙铁榴石、钙钛矿、磁铁矿（或含钛磁铁矿）、蛇纹石、碳酸盐及金属硫化物等组成;捕晶包括单斜辉石、褐色角闪石、磷灰石、含钛磁铁矿等。多种地球化学判别图均指示其属金伯利岩类,但低MgO和低Mg#比值、高TFe2O3和CaO等区别于世界典型金伯利岩。与典型金伯利岩有相似之处,该类岩石均具有向右陡倾的REE配分型式,但（La/Yb）n比值略偏低;微量元素蛛网图也与典型金伯利岩基本一致,仅显示更加富集不相容元素,具有更显著K, Ti负异常,且部分样品出现Rb, Zr, P负异常,指示其源区地幔交代程度偏低。鉴于岩石的产状、结构构造、矿物组合和地球化学性质近似于金伯利岩,但缺少高铬铬铁矿、镁铝榴石、镁钛铁矿等金伯利岩指示矿物,故不属典型的金伯利岩,可称之为金伯利质角砾橄榄岩。就少量研究样品所示信息,该类岩石不具有寻找金刚石的潜在远景,但鉴于巴楚及邻区尚有许多角砾状超镁铁岩岩墙和岩脉出露,该区金刚石成矿条件有待更进一步的研究。     

Metamorphic garnet pyroxenite from the 540-600 m main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) project

Compared to other mafic and ultramafic rocks from the CCSD main borehole as well as from the outcrops, rocks from the 540-600 m section is extraordinary in terms of its geophysical as well as geochemical properties. It consists of > 70% hematite-ilmenite garnet pyroxenite (HI-GPX) and < 30% intercalated rutile garnet pyroxenite (R-GPX). Whole-rock geochemical data show that HI-GPXs have: (1) relatively high V with an average of 606 ppm, but lower Nb and Ta; (2) highest TFeO, Fe₂O₃/FeO ratio, and highly variable but strong positive Eu anomalies with Eu/Eu? up to 2.9; (3) anomalously high V/Sc ratios ranging from 8.39 to 43.23, average 15.03; and (4) high amounts of hematite-ilmenite solid solutions with a very fine intergrowth structure down to nanometer scale. V/Sc ratios in the CCSD garnet pyroxenites are correlated negatively with MgO, but positively with Fe₂O₃/FeO ratios. Both suites of pyroxenites have similar rare earth elements and high field strength elements geochemistry. These features demonstrate that these pyroxenites were formed from metamorphism of high-Fe and/or -Ti gabbroic cumulates. This can account not only for low high field strength elements (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE) but also low Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios in these rocks. Seemingly negative correlation between Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf in the CCSD metabasites, not significantly affected by UHP metamorphism, is also consistent with the silicate differentiation trend in a basaltic magma chamber.