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.     

Phase Relationships of Hydrous Alkalic Magmas at High Pressures: Production of Nepheline Hawaiitic to Mugearitic Liquids by Amphibole-Dominated Fractional Crystallization Within the Lithospheric Mantle

Experimental melting studies were conducted on a nepheline mugearitecomposition to pressures of 31 kbar in the presence of 0–30%added water. A temperature maximum in the near-liquidus stabilityof amphibole (with olivine) was found for a water content of3·5 wt % at a pressure of 14 kbar. This is interpretedto have petrogenetic significance for the derivation of nephelinemugearite magmas from nepheline hawaiite by amphibole-dominatedfractional crystallization at depth within the lithosphericmantle. Synthetic liquids at progressively lower temperaturesrange to nepheline benmoreite compositions very similar to thoseof natural xenolith-bearing high-pressure lavas elsewhere, andsupport the hypothesis that continued fractional crystallizationcould lead to high-pressure phonolite liquids. Independent experimentaldata for a basanite composition modeled on a lava from the sameigneous province (the Newer Basalts of Victoria) permit theinference that primary asthenospheric basanite magmas undergopolybaric fractional crystallization during ascent, and mayevolve to liquids ranging from nepheline hawaiite to phonoliteupon encountering cooler lithospheric mantle at depths of 42–50km. Such a model is consistent with the presence in some evolvedalkalic lavas of both lithospheric peridotite xenoliths indicativeof similar depths and of megacryst suites that probably representdisrupted pegmatitic segregations precipitated from precursoralkalic magmas in conduit systems within lithospheric mantle. KEY WORDS: experiment; high pressure; alkalic magmas; amphibole; nepheline mugearite; basanite; lithosphere     

Jadeite, albite and nepheline as inclusions in spinel of chromitite from Hess Deep, equatorial Pacific: their genesis and implications for serpentinite diapir formation

Polymineralic inclusions which consist of a few grains of diopside, enstatite, jadeite, nepheline, albite, pargasite, phlogopites and olivine were found in chromian spinel in a chromitite pod and in troctolite from Hess Deep, equatorial Pacific. The inclusion mineral suite in chromitite is characterized by Na-Al silicates, such as jadeite, nepheline and albite. Jadeite and nepheline commonly coexist with enstatite, and tend to occur as interstitial grains between subhedral enstatite (or other minerals) and host spinel. Albite, diopside and enstatite occur as equant inclusions. The mafic minerals in the inclusions have similar chemistry to those found in the troctolite and dunite. The modes of occurrence and mineral chemistry of the inclusions are controlled by magmatic precipitation, and subsequent reequilibration due to decrease of temperature in the uppermost mantle. The mafic minerals in spinel inclusions were crystallized from a melt enriched in Cr and some incompatible components formed by melt-mantle interaction process mixed to various extent with subsequently supplied more primary melt. Albite and nepheline could also be formed at the magmatic stage. Jadeite was formed by a subsolidus reaction of albite and nepheline at low temperatures (250–300 °C) at slightly less than 3 kbar. This requires a remarkable temperature decrease, at least locally, of the uppermost mantle and crust. The Hess Deep rocks were formed in the uppermost mantle beneath a spreading-ridge axis at more than 1000 °C, and were transposed outwards from the axis by corner flow. At the off-ridge conditions, the rocks were cooled and serpentinized by circulation of sea water at the mantle depth to form jadeite in chromitite. The serpentinized portion could have risen as a kind of serpentinite diapir through the thin crust up to the ocean floor. Received: 24 January 1997 / Accepted: 6 November 1997     

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

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

Magmatic replacement of carbonate bodies involving formation of nepheline syenites and other alkalic rocks,with example of Dezhnev massif

In a nepheline syenite massif produced by an infiltrational replacement of limestones by a magmatic granitizing solution, the four recognizable nearly concentric zones (from granite up to and including nepheline syenite), as well as the type and the sequence of the general and the zonal parageneses of minerals, are functionally related to the progressively rising chemical potentials of the alkalies, from the core to the periphery of the massif, in a demonstrable harmony with the phase rule and with the Korzhinskiy's principle of the acid-base interactions. — V.P. Sokoloff     

Igneous nepheline-bearing rocks of the Haliburton-Bancroft province of Ontario

Assemblages of magmatic origin—hypersolvus nepheline syenites,theralites, and theralitic canadites—developed in a beltof nepheline rocks extending through Monmouth and Glamorgantownships of Haliburton County, Ontario, are described and theirsignificance in the problems of origin of the Haliburton–Bancroftalkali province briefly disocussed.     

ALKALIC PEGMATITES OF THE AFRIKANDA MASSIF

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

Fractional Crystallization and Liquid Immiscibility Processes in the Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex of Juqui (So Paulo, Brazil)

The Juqui circular intrusion, which is Cretaceous in age (130–135Ma), crops out in the Precambrian gneissic basement in Brazilover an area of 14 km2. It consists of olivine clinopyroxen-itecumulates (with minor olivine gabbros) in the northeastern sector(74 vol.%), whereas ijolites-melteigites-urtites (4%) and nephelinesyenites with minor essexites and syenodiorites (21%) outlinesubannular concentric patterns with an Mg-carbonatite core (1%), in the southwestern part of the complex. Petrographical, bulk rock, and mineral compositional trendsindicate that the origin of the complex can be largely accountedfor by shallow-level fractional crystallization of a carbonatedbasanitic parental magma. Such a magma was generated deep inthe subcontinental lithosphere by low-degree partial meltingof a garnet-phlogopite peridotite source. Mass-balance calculations in agreement with field volume estimatespermit definition of several fractionation stages of the magmaticevolution under nearly closed-system conditions, with inwarddevelopment of zonally arranged side-wall cumulates. These stagesinvolved: (1) fractionation from basanite to essexite magma(liquid fraction F = 33–5%) by crystallization of olivineclinopyroxenite plus minor olivine alkali gabbro cumulates;(2) derivation of the least differentiated mafic nepheline syenite(F = 5–5 %) from essexitic magma by subtraction of a syenodioriteassemblage; (3) exsolution of a carbonatite liquid (5%) froma CO₂-enriched mafic nepheline syenite magma, which also underwentcontinuous fractionation giving rise to ijolite-melteigite-urtitecumulates. The proportion of cumulus clinopyroxene and biotiteand intercumulus nepheline and alkali feldspar in these lastrocks, as well as the absence of alkalis in carbonatite, maybe attributed, at least in part, to loss of alkali-rich hydrousfluids released during and after the unmixing formation of thetwo conjugate liquids. The KD values determined for Mg-carbonatite/nepheline syeniteare lower (1–4–2–9) for light rare earth elements(LREE) than for REE from Eu to Yb (4–6–7–8),in contrast to recent experimental results (Hamilton et al.,1989). A possible explanation is that Juquia Mg-carbonatiterepresents an alreadydifferentiated magma, which underwent extensivefractionation of LREE-enriched calcite. In this way, the highvariability of K₀ REE patterns observed in several alkaline-carbonatitecomplexes can also be accounted for. The remarkably constant initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (mostly between0–7052 and 0–7057) support the interpretation ofthe intrusion as having been generated by fractrional crystallizationand liquid immiscibility from a common parental magma. Iligherisotopic ratios (0–7060–0–7078), found mainlyin dykes and in the border facies of the intrusion, may be dueto contamination by the gecissic basement.     

Experimental and thermodynamic study of heterogeneous and homogeneous equilibria in the system NaAlSiO4-SiO2

Internally consistent thermodynamic datasets available at present call for a further improvement of the data for nepheline (Holland and Powell 1988; Berman 1991). Because nepheline is a common rock-forming mineral, an attempt has been made to improve on the present state of knowledge of its thermodynamic properties. To achieve that goal, two heterogeneous reactions involving nepheline, albite, jadeite and a-quartz in the system NaAlSiO₄-SiO₂ have been reversed bylong duration runs in the range 460 ≤ T(°C) ≤ 960 and 10 ≤ P(kbar) ≤ 22. Given sufficiently long run times, thealbite run products approach internal equilibrium with respect to their Al,Si order-disorder states. Using appropriate thermochemical, thermophysical, and volumetric data, Landau expansion for albite, and the relevant reaction reversals, a refined thermodynamic dataset (Δ_fH_i⁰ and S_i⁰) has been derived for nepheline, jadeite, a-quartz, albite, and monalbite. Our refined data agree very well with theircalorimetric counterparts, but have smaller uncertainties. The refined dataset for Δ_fH_i⁰ and S_i⁰, including their uncertainties and correlation, help generate the NaAlSiO₄-SiO₂ phase diagram including 2a confidence interval for eachP-T curve (Fig. 5). Editorial responsibility: W. Schreyer     

Behoite and mimetite from the Saharjok alkaline intrusion,Kola Peninsula

The detailed study of the mineral composition of the nepheline syenite pegmatite from the Saharjok Intrusion has resulted in the finding of behoite and mimetite, a mineral species identified in the Kola region for the first time. The pegmatite body at the contact between nepheline syenite and essexite is unusual in textural and structural features and combination of mineral assemblages including unique beryllium mineralization. Behoite Be(OH)₂ is an extremely rare beryllium mineral. It occurs as powderlike aggregates in the leaching cavities between euhedral pyroxene crystals. Behoite was identified by comparison of X-ray powder diffraction data of the studied mineral phase and behoite from the Be-bearing tuff in the type locality of this mineral (Utah, United States). Mimetite was found in the same pegmatite of the Saharjok intrusion. It forms unusual parallel-fibrous aggregates with individual fibers as long as ∼1 mm and only ∼1 μm across. X-ray powder diffraction data and the chemical composition characterize the mineral as hexagonal phase Pb₅[AsO₄]₃Cl. Both behoite and mimetite are the products of late hydrothermal alteration of primary minerals (meliphanite, galena, arsenopyrite, and loellingite). The secondary phases freely crystallized in the cavities remaining after the leached nepheline.     

Heat capacity and entropy of rutile (TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) and nepheline (NaAlSiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)

 From heat capacities measured adiabatically at low temperatures, the standard entropies at 298.15 K of synthetic rutile (TiO₂) and nepheline (NaAlSiO₄) have been determined to be 50.0 ± 0.1 and 122.8 ± 0.3 J mol⁻¹ K, respectively. These values agree with previous measurements and in particular confirm the higher entropy of nepheline with respect to that of the less dense NaAlSiO₄ polymorph carnegieite. Received: 23 July 2001 / Accepted: 12 October 2001     

Petrochemistry of peridotites from North China: Significance for lithospheric mantle evolution

A petrochemical analysis was undertaken of peridotitic xenoliths in volcanic rocks that erupted from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic within the eastern part of the North China craton, and the peridotites as tectonic intrusion in the Early Mesozoic from the Sulu orogen. The results show that the cratonic mantle, which was refractory and existed when the kimberlites intruded in the Paleozoic, had almost been replaced by the newly accreted fertile lithospheric mantle during the Mesozoic-Cenozoic. The erosion, metasomatism, and intermingling caused by the accreted asthenospheric material acting on the craton mantle along the weak zone and deep fault (such as the Tanlu fault) in the existing lithosphere resulted in the lithospheric thinning at a larger scale 100 Ma ago (but later than 178 Ma). The largest thinning would be in the Eogene. The upwelling asthenospheric material transformed into accreted lithospheric mantle due to the asthenospheric temperature falling in the Neogene (leading to relatively slight lithospheric incrassation), and finally accomplished mantle replacement. The peridotitic body in the Sulu orogen represents the products spreading from the modified cratonic lithospheric mantle. Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2006, 31(1): 49–56 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]     

Kalsilite in the lavas of Mt. Nyiragongo (Belgian Congo)

A considerable part of the nephelinite lavas of the volcanoMt. Nyiragongo in the eastern Belgian Congo contains kalsiliteas one of the main constituents. The mineral never occurs asthe only feldspathoid of the rock but is accompanied by nepheline,abundant melilite, and, sometimes, by small to moderate amountsof leucite. Other important constituents of these kalsilite-bearingrocks are clinopyroxene, olivine, perovskite, titanomagnetite,sodalite, &c. The feldspars are lacking. Kalsilite occurs both as complex nepheline-kalsilite phenocrystsin which these phases are strictly co-axial and in the fine-grainedgroundmass as grains separate from those of nepheline. The complex nepheline-kalsilite phenocrysts exhibit a continuousseries of progressing exsolution schematically presented inFig. 5. The series begins with a perthite-like nepheline-kalsilitecore surrounded by a drop-like development of nepheline in themargin of the crystal and ends up with a homogeneous kalsilitecore surrounded by a nepheline margin. The complex phenocrysts occur mostly as aggregates causing atypically glomeroporphyritic texture. Evidence is presentedindicating that, in the very first stages of crystallization,some of the Nyiragongo lavas are able to precipitate small amountsof phenocrysts of approximate composition K₃NaAl₄Si₄O₁₆. Throughcrystal-rise under turbulent currents in the molten lava massthese phenocrysts have been accumulated into aggregates andthus have been preserved until extrusion. Granted sufficientlyslow cooling under static conditions, the phenocrysts wouldhave reacted with the molten lava. The roles of the crystal-riseand of the turbulent currents in lava are illustrated by theoccurrence of the ‘giant’ leucite aggregates foundin the inner walls of the crater and by observations on thelava lake of the mountain. The occurrence of kalsilite in the groundmass is explained bythe existence of a two-phase area in the sub-solidus range inthe nepheline-kalsilite system. The Nepheline Aggregate lavas represent the last extrusionsemitted by the Nyiragongo main crater. The nepheline phenocrystscharacteristic of these lavas range considerably higher in potassiumcontent than the nephelines found in other Nyiragongo flows.The crystals are slightly zoned with a large potassium-richcore coated by a narrow margin with gradually decreasing potassiumcontent. The zoning may be detected only by using special methods.The history of crystallization of the nepheline phenocrystsis considered analogous to that of the complex nepheline-kalsilitephenocrysts with the only difference that the nepheline phenocrystsof the Nepheline Aggregate lavas are less rich in potassiumand, consequently, have not been subjected to exsolution.     

High-potassium intrusives from southeastern Papua

This paper presents petrographic, major element, and trace element data from high-potassium ‘shoshonitic’ rocks of Miocene age which intrude Eocene submarine basalts in southeastern Papua. The intrusives fall into two distinct but overlapping groups, a ‘near-saturated’ group ranging from gabbro to syenite with regular petrographic and chemical variations, which is either slightly nepheline normative or quartz normative, and a nepheline normative ‘undersaturated’ group which shows wide variations in texture, modal mineralogy, and chemistry. Biotite-bearing pyroxenites are associated with the intrusives but their genetic relationship to the intrusives is unknown. The intrusion of shoshonitic rocks at the beginning of a period of major tectonic activity in southeastern Papua shows that high-potassium magmas can be generated in areas of active tectonism and may form part of the island arc ‘magmatic’ association.     

Erratum: Geochronology of Late Cenozoic volcanism in the area of Lake Van,Turkey: An example of developmental dynamics for magmatic processes [Doklady earth sciences, 433(2), pp. 1031–1037]

An isotope-geochronological study has been performed to examine the products of Late Cenozoic collision volcanism on the northern coast of Lake Van, Turkey. We obtained 45 new K—Ar dates, based on which the principal time characteristics of volcanic activity in the region have been determined. Volcanic activity in the northern coast of Lake Van has lasted ∼15 myr; it has had an expressed discrete nature, when periods of intense volcanic activity alternated with long-lasting pose periods. Four stages of Neogene—Quaternary volcanism have been identified: Middle Miocene (15.0—13.5 Ma), Late Miocene (10—9 Ma), Pliocene (5.8—3.7 Ma), and Quaternary (1.0—0.4 Ma). The average duration of the stages was 1—2 myr; the stages were separated from each other with periods of inactivity of approximately equal lengths (∼3 myr). For each of the Pliocene and Quaternary stages, three additional phases of volcanism have been identified, which were separated from each other with short time intervals (a few hundred thousand years). The last burst of volcanic activity in the study area occurred ∼400 ka; similar to Quaternary volcanism in general, it was not characterized by a high intensity. An important result of the studies performed was to confirm the existence of a separate Middle Miocene stage of collision volcanism for the Caucasian—Anatolian Segment of the Alpine Fold Belt. New geochronological data generated presented in this paper indicate that Neogene—Quaternary volcanism in this portion of the belt started much earlier (∼15 Ma) than assumed by the majority of the previous researchers.     

Carbonatite and Alkaline Magmatism in Taourirt (Morocco): Petrological, Geochemical and Sr-Nd Isotope Characteristics

Alkaline lamprophyre dykes from Taourirt (North Morocco) containnumerous xenoliths, ranging from alkaline pyroxenites, kaersutitites,gabbros and nepheline syenites to a calcite carbonatite. Thesilicate xenoliths and the host rocks consist of Al- and Ti-richdiopside–salite, mica or kaersutitite, ± nepheline,± plagioclase and K-feldspar, and ubiquitous apatite.Both the xenoliths and the lamprophyres are enriched in incompatibleelements. The chemical composition of the lamprophyres cannotbe accounted for by fractional crystallization alone. Moreover,the clinopyroxenes exhibit complex zoning, which requires repeatedmixing of pulses of more or less fractionated melts. The carbonatiteis a sövite cumulate with Sr-rich calcite, pyrochlore,fluorapatite, and rare salite. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositionsof the Taourirt rocks indicate a depleted mantle source, thecarbonatite having the most depleted composition, and definea linear trend similar to that of the East African carbonatites.The different rocks thus represent unrelated magmas, and thetrend is interpreted as mixing between two components with HIMUand EM1 mantle end-member signatures. An EM2 mantle componentcould also be involved for a few samples; it may correspondto hydrous metasomatized mantle of the PP–PKP (phlogopiteand phlogopite K-richterite peridotite) and MARID (mica, amphibole,rutile, ilmenite and diopside) type. KEY WORDS: alkaline magmatism; carbonatite; Morocco; REE; Sr–Nd isotopes     

The mineralogy of Ba- and Zr-rich alkaline pegmatites from Gordon Butte,Crazy Mountains (Montana,USA): comparisons between potassic and sodic agpaitic pegmatites

At Gordon Butte (Crazy Mountains, Montana), agpaitic nepheline-syenite pegmatites intrude potassic alkaline rocks (principally, malignites and nepheline microsyenites). All pegmatite veins are composed predominantly of potassium feldspar, nepheline, prismatic aegirine, barytolamprophyllite, wadeite, eudialyte, loparite-(Ce) and altered rinkite ("vudyavrite") embedded in spherulitic and fibrous aegirine. Well-differentiated veins contain "pockets" filled with calcite, fluorapatite, mangan-neptunite, Mn-Ti-enriched prismatic aegirine, calcium catapleiite, and an unidentified Ca-Ti silicate. The potassium feldspar corresponds to Ba-rich sanidine with relatively low Na contents. The nepheline contains low levels of SiO₂ and elevated Fe contents. The compositions of nepheline cluster in the lower portion of the Morozewicz-Buerger convergence field, indicating low-temperature crystallization and/or chemical re-equilibration of this mineral. The association of sanidine with nearly stoichiometric nepheline is unusual for agpaitic rocks and probably reflects inhibition of Al/Si ordering in the feldspar by Ba. At least four types of clinopyroxene can be distinguished on the basis of their morphology and composition. All these types correspond to Al- and Ca-poor aegirine (typically <0.6 and 2.6 wt% Al₂O₃ and CaO, respectively). The overall evolutionary trend of clinopyroxene in the Gordon Butte rocks is from Fe-poor diopside to aegirine-augite in the malignites and nepheline microsyenites, and culminates with the pegmatitic aegirine. This trend is characteristic for potassic alkaline complexes and results from preferential partitioning of Fe²⁺ into biotite during the magmatic crystallization. Barytolamprophyllite in the pegmatites is primary (as opposed to deuteric); only a few crystals contain a core composed of lamprophyllite. The evolutionary history of the Gordon Butte pegmatites can be subdivided into primary, agpaitic, and deuteric stages. The earliest paragenesis to crystallize included accessory zircon and thorite. Sr-rich loparite also precipitated relatively early serving as a major repository for Sr, REE, and Nb. During the agpaitic stage, diverse titano- and zircono-silicates (barytolamprophyllite, eudialyte, wadeite, and rinkite, among others) consumed most of the Ba, Sr, Ti, Zr, and Nb still remaining in the melt. The final stage in the evolution of the pegmatites involved interaction of the earlier-formed mineral assemblages with deuteric fluids. In common with the Rocky Boy pegmatites, Sr-REE-Na-rich fluorapatite, Ba-Fe titanates and REE-bearing carbonates (ancylite, calcio-ancylite, and bastnäsite-parisite series) are chief products of the deuteric stage. The alteration of the primary mineral assemblages by deuteric fluids also produced muscovite-zeolite pseudomorphs after nepheline, replacement of wadeite and eudialyte by catapleiite-group minerals, re-deposition of Ba in the form of hyalophane, baotite, and benitoite, and cation leaching from rinkite, eudialyte, and loparite. The mineralogy of the pegmatites from Gordon Butte, other potassic complexes, and sodic agpaitic occurrences is compared in detail.     

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.     

Indirect crustal contamination: evidence from isotopic and chemical disequilibria in minerals from alkali basalts and nephelinites from northern Tanzania

 Alkali basalts and nephelinites from the volcanic province of northern Tanzania contain pyroxene and nepheline that show evidence for chemical and/or isotopic disequilibria with their host magmas. Olivine, pyroxene, nepheline and plagioclase all appear to be partially xenocrystic in origin. Five whole rock/mineral separate pairs have been analyzed for Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are distinct by as much as 20.94 (whole rock) vs. 19.10 (clinopyroxene separate). The Sr and Nd isotopic disequilibria vary from insignificant in the case of nepheline, to Δ ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.0002 and Δɛ_Nd of 0.7 in the case of clinopyroxene. The mineral chemistry of 25 samples indicates the ubiquitous presence of minerals that did not crystallize from a liquid represented by the host rock. The northern Tanzanian magmas are peralkaline and exhibit none of the xenocrystic phases expected from crustal assimilation. The disequilibria cannot be the result of mantle source variations. Rather the xenocrystic phases present appear to have been derived from earlier alkali basaltic rocks or magmas that were contaminated by the crust. Material from this earlier magma was then mixed with batches of magma that subsequently erupted on the surface. Disequilibrium in volcanic rocks has potentially serious consequences for the use of whole rock data to identify source reservoirs. However, mass balance calculations reveal that the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotopic compositions of the erupted lavas were changed by less than 0.25% as a result of this indirect crustal contamination. Received: 15 February 1995 / Accepted: 4 May 1996     

Experimental Study of the Composition Join NaAlSiO4-CaCO3-H2O and the Genesis of Alkalic Rock--Carbonatite Complexes

Phase equilibrium studies have been carried out on the compositionjoin NaAlSiO₄-CaCO₃-H₂O with 25 wt per cent H₂O at 1 kb pressurein the temperature range 600–960 °C. Liquid, in equilibriumwith crystalline phases and a sodic, aqueous vapor phase persistsacross the join down to temperatures of about 600 °C. Fractionalcrystallization of a carbonated nepheline-rich liquid in equilibriumwith vapor is capable of generating successively the crystallineassemblages (1) nepheline, (2) melilite+nepheline, (3) hydroxyhaüyne+melilite,(4) cancrinite+melilite, and (5) calcite+cancrinite+melilite.Late-stage liquid fractions are rich in CaCO₃, whereas the vaporphase is enriched in Na. The experimental assemblages are strikinglysimilar to rocks in alkalic rock-carbonatite complexes in generaland in the Oka, Quebec, complex in particular. The successionof assemblages at Oka and at other melilite rock-bearing complexesmay be interpreted as the products of fractionation of a carbonatednephelinite magma by analogy with the experimental results.The sodium-bearing vapor phase of the experiments may be analogousto the fenitizing agent of some carbonatite complexes.