Chemical Variations in Peridotite Xenoliths from Vitim, Siberia: Inferences for REE and Hf Behaviour in the Garnet-Facies Upper Mantle

Peridotite xenoliths in a Miocene picrite tuff from the Vitimvolcanic province east of Lake Baikal, Siberia, are samplesof the off-craton lithospheric mantle that span a depth rangefrom the spinel to garnet facies in a mainly fertile domain.Their major and trace element compositions show some scatter(unrelated to sampling or analytical problems), which is notconsistent with different degrees of partial melting or metasomatism.Some spinel peridotites and, to a lesser degree, garnet-bearingperidotites are depleted in heavy rare earth elements (HREE)relative to middle REE (MREE), whereas some garnet peridotitesare enriched in HREE relative to MREE, with Lu abundances muchhigher than in primitive mantle estimates. Clinopyroxenes fromseveral spinel peridotites have HREE-depleted patterns, whichare normally seen only in clinopyroxenes coexisting with garnet.Garnets in peridotites with similar modal and major elementcompositions have a broad range of Lu and Yb abundances. Overall,HREE are decoupled from MREE and Hf and are poorly correlatedwith partial melting indices. It appears that elements withhigh affinity to garnet were partially redistributed in theVitim peridotite series following partial melting, with feweffects for other elements. The Lu–Hf decoupling may disturbHf-isotope depletion ages and their correlations with meltingindices. KEY WORDS: garnet peridotite; lithospheric mantle; Lu–Hf isotope system; Siberia; trace elements     

Constraints on the Trace Element Composition of the Archean Mantle Root beneath Somerset Island, Arctic Canada

Peridotites that sample Archean mantle roots are frequentlyincompatible trace element enriched despite their refractorymajor element compositions. To constrain the trace element budgetof the lithosphere beneath the Canadian craton, trace elementand rare earth element (REE) abundances were determined fora suite of garnet peridotites and garnet pyroxenites from theNikos kimberlite pipe on Somerset Island, Canadian Arctic, theirconstituent garnet and clinopyroxene, and the host kimberlite.These refractory mantle xenoliths are depleted in fusible majorelements, but enriched in incompatible trace elements, suchas large ion lithophile elements (LILE), Th, U and light rareearth elements (LREE). Mass balance calculations based on modalabundances of clinopyroxene and garnet and their respectiveREE contents yield discrepancies between calculated and analyzedREE contents for the Nikos bulk rocks that amount to LREE deficienciesof 70–99%, suggesting the presence of small amounts ofinterstitial kimberlite liquid (0·4–2 wt %) toaccount for the excess LREE abundances. These results indicatethat the peridotites had in fact depleted or flat LREE patternsbefore contamination by their host kimberlite. LREE and Sr enrichmentin clinopyroxene and low Zr and Sr abundances in garnet in low-temperatureperidotites (800–1100°C) compared with high-temperatureperidotites (1200–1400°C) suggest that the shallowlithosphere is geochemically distinct from the deep lithospherebeneath the northern margin of the Canadian craton. The Somersetmantle root appears to be characterized by a depth zonationthat may date from the time of its stabilization in the Archean. KEY WORDS: Canada; mantle; metasomatism; peridotite; trace elements     

Geochemistry of peridotites from the Yap Trench,Western Pacific: implications for subduction zone mantle evolution

ABSTRACT

This study examines the major and trace elements of peridotites from the Yap Trench in the western Pacific to investigate mantle evolution beneath a subduction zone. Major element results show that the peridotites are low in Al₂O₃ (0.31–0.65 wt.%) and CaO (0.04–0.07 wt.%) contents and high in Mg# (Mg/(Mg+Fe)) (0.91–0.92) and have spinels with Cr# (Cr/(Cr+Al)) higher than 0.6 (0.61–0.73). Trace element results show that the peridotites have extremely low heavy rare earth element (HREE) contents compared with abyssal peridotites but have U-shaped chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns. The degree of mantle melting estimated based on the major elements, HREEs, and spinel Cr# range from 19% to 25%, indicating that the Yap Trench peridotites may be residues of melting associated with the presence of water in the mantle source. In addition to light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment, the peridotites are characterized by high contents of highly incompatible elements, positive U and Sr anomalies, negative Ti anomalies, and high Zr/Hf ratios. The correlations between these elements and both the degree of serpentinization and high field strength element (HFSE) contents suggest that fluid alteration alone cannot account for the enrichment of the peridotites and that at least the enrichment of LREEs was likely caused by melt–mantle interaction. Comparison between the peridotites and the depletion trend defined by the primitive mantle (PM) and the depleted mantle (DM) suggests that the Yap Trench mantle was modified by subduction-related melt characterized by high contents of incompatible elements, high Zr/Hf ratios, and low HFSE contents. Hydrous melting may have been enhanced by tectonic erosion of the subducting Caroline Plate with complex tectonic morphostructures at the earliest stages of subduction initiation.     

The Origin and Evolution of the Kaapvaal Cratonic Lithospheric Mantle

A detailed petrological and geochemical study of low-temperatureperidotite xenoliths from Kimberley and northern Lesotho ispresented to constrain the processes that led to the magmaphileelement depletion of the Kaapvaal cratonic lithospheric mantleand its subsequent re-enrichment in Si and incompatible traceelements. Whole-rocks and minerals have been characterized forRe–Os isotope compositions, and major and trace elementconcentrations, and garnet and clinopyroxene for Lu–Hfand Sm–Nd isotope compositions. Most samples are characterizedby Archaean Os model ages, low Al, Fe and Ca contents, highMg/Fe, low Re/Os, very low (< 0·1 x chondrite) heavyrare earth element (HREE) concentrations and a decoupling betweenNd and Hf isotope ratios. These features are most consistentwith initial melting at 3·2 Ga followed by metasomatismby hydrous fluids, which may have also caused additional meltingto produce a harzburgitic residue. The low HREE abundances ofthe peridotites require that extensive melting occurred in thespinel stability field, possibly preceded by some melting inthe presence of garnet. Fractional melting models suggest that30% melting in the spinel field or 20% melting in the garnetfield followed by 20% spinel-facies melting are required toexplain the most melt-depleted samples. Garnet Nd–Hf isotopecharacteristics indicate metasomatic trace element enrichmentduring the Archaean. We therefore suggest a model includingshallow ridge melting, followed by metasomatism of the Kaapvaalupper mantle in subduction zones surrounding cratonic nuclei,probably during amalgamation of smaller pre-existing terranesin the Late Archaean (2·9 Ga). The fluid-metasomatizedresidua have subsequently undergone localized silicate meltinfiltration that led to clinopyroxene ± garnet enrichment.Calculated equilibrium liquids for clinopyroxene and their Hf–Ndisotope compositions suggest that most diopside in the xenolithscrystallized from an infiltrating kimberlite-like melt, eitherduring Group II kimberlite magmatism at 200–110 Ma (Kimberley),or shortly prior to eruption of the host kimberlite around 90Ma (northern Lesotho). KEY WORDS: Kaapvaal craton; lithospheric mantle; metasomatism; Nd–Hf isotopes; Re–Os isotopes     

The Rare Earth Elements and Uranium in Garnets from the Beinn an Dubhaich Aureole, Skye, Scotland, UK: Constraints on Processes in a Dynamic Hydrothermal System

Garnets from skarns in the Beinn an Dubhaich granite aureole,Isle of Skye, Scotland, have a large range of concentrationsof uranium (0·2–358 ppm) and the rare earth elements(REE) (23–4724 ppm). Variations in these concentrationscorrelate with major element zonation within the garnets, andwith changes in the shape of REE patterns. Typical patternsin most garnets display light REE (LREE) enrichment, flat heavyREE (HREE) distribution and a negative Eu anomaly. These patternsare interpreted to represent equilibrium trace element exchangebetween pre-existing pyroxene, hydrothermal fluid and calcicgarnets. Iron-rich zones are characterized by positive Eu anomaliesand an increase in the abundance of the LREE relative to theHREE. These patterns are interpreted as resulting from changesin REE speciation related to the introduction of externallybuffered fluid to the skarn system. Relatively Fe-poor zonesshow strongly HREE-enriched patterns with negative Eu anomaliesand in some instances depletions in Y relative to Ho and Dy,which are interpreted as resulting from surface sorption ofthe REE during rapid, disequilibrium garnet growth. Strong correlationsbetween U abundance and the REE patterns indicate that the sameprocesses have affected U distribution. Both types of patterncan be modified by the effects of closed-system crystallizationon REE abundance in the fluid, and changes in fluid major elementchemistry. KEY WORDS: fractionation; garnet; hydrothermal; rare earth elements; skarn     

The Ronda high temperature peridotite: Geochemistry and petrogenesis

The Ronda peridotite in southern Spain is a large (~300 km²) exposure of upper mantle which provides direct information about mantle processes on a scale much larger than that provided by mantle xenoliths in basalt. Ronda peridotites range from harzburgite to lherzolite, and vary considerably in major element content, e.g., Al₂O₃ from 0.9 to 4.8%, and trace element abundances, e.g., Sr, Zr and La abundances vary by factors of 20 to 40. These compositional variations are systematic and correlate with (pyroxene + garnet)/olivine ratios and olivine compositions. The data are consistent with formation of residual peridotites by variable degrees of melting (~0 to 30%) of a compositionally homogeneous peridotite. None of the peridotites have geochemical characteristics of residues formed by extensive (?5%) fractional melting and the data can be explained by equilibrium (batch) melting, possibly with incomplete melt segregation in some samples. Based on compositional differences between Ronda peridotites, the segregated melts were picritic (12–22% MgO) with relative rare earth element abundances similar to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). Prior to the melting event the Ronda peridotite body was a suitable source for MORB. The compositional characteristics of Ronda peridotites are consistent with diapiric rise of a fertile mantle peridotite with relatively small degrees of melting near the diapir-wall rock interface yielding residues of garnet iherzolite, and larger degrees of melting in the diapir interior yielding residues of garnet-free peridotite. Subsequently these residual rocks were recrystallized at sub-solidus conditions (Obata, 1980), and emplaced in the crust by thrusting (Lundeen, 1978).     

Transformation of Archaean Lithospheric Mantle by Refertilization: Evidence from Exposed Peridotites in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway

Orogenic peridotites occur enclosed in Proterozoic gneissesat several localities in the Western Gneiss Region (WGR) ofwestern Norway; garnet peridotites typically occur as discretezones within larger bodies of garnet-free, chromite-bearingdunite and are commonly closely associated with pyroxenitesand eclogites. The dunites of the large Almklovdalen peridotitebody have extremely depleted compositions (Mg-number 92–93·6);the garnet peridotites have lower Mg-number (90·6–91·7)and higher whole-rock Ca and Al contents. Post-depletion metasomatismof both rock types is indicated by variable enrichment in thelight rare earth elements, Th, Ba and Sr. The dunites can bemodelled as residues after very high degrees (>60%) of meltextraction at high pressure (5–7 GPa), inconsistent withthe preservation of lower degrees of melting in the garnet peridotites.The garnet peridotites are, therefore, interpreted as zonesof melt percolation, which resulted in refertilization of thedunites by a silicate melt rich in Fe, Ca, Al and Na, but notTi. Previous Re–Os dating gives Archaean model ages forthe dunites, but mixed Archaean and Proterozoic ages for thegarnet peridotites, suggesting that refertilization occurredin Proterozoic time. At least some Proterozoic lithosphere mayrepresent reworked and transformed Archaean lithospheric mantle. KEY WORDS: Archaean mantle; Proterozoic mantle; Western Gneiss Region, Norway; mantle metasomatism; garnet peridotite     

海南岛陆缘扩张带形成及新生代岩石圈动力学机制:来自幔源包体的地球化学证据

海南岛陆缘扩张带蓬莱地区新生代玄武岩中捕获大量尖晶石二辉橄榄岩和方辉橄榄岩幔源包体。激光剥蚀等离子体质谱(LA-ICP-MS)分析结果表明,蓬莱地幔橄榄岩含有三种不同地球化学特征的单斜辉石(Cpx):(1)a类单斜辉石Mg~#=92.3~93.4,来自富集Cpx的二辉橄榄岩,具有极低的LREE和不相容元素含量,HREE平坦,Th、U、La、Sr正异常,经历了7%~10%的尖晶石相部分熔融,仅受到极低程度强不相容元素(Th、U、La、Sr)初期富集交代作用;(2)b类单斜辉石Mg~#=89.9~90.3,来自较富集Cpx的二辉橄榄岩,具有中等的LREE和LILE含量,HREE平坦,微量元素蛛网图上显示Th、U正异常,Rb、Ba、Nb、Ta、Sr、Ti负异常,经历4%~5%的尖晶石相部分熔融,可能受到了含LREE和Th、U等不相容元素的硅酸盐熔体交代;(3)c类单斜辉石Mg~#=91.4~92.8,来自贫Cpx的二辉橄榄岩和方辉橄榄岩,具有富集的LREE和LILE含量,HREE弱分异,微量元素蛛网图上显示Th、U正异常及强烈的Nb、Ta、Ti负异常,经历了8%~20%的尖晶石相部分熔融,其交代熔体可能是来自源区有石榴子石残留的碳酸盐熔体。全岩主、微量元素及模拟计算结果表明,这些幔源包体的主量元素主要受部分熔融程度影响,并且方辉橄榄岩经历的部分熔融程度大于二辉橄榄岩。地幔橄榄岩的Sr-Nd同位素组成表明该区具有MORB-OIB型亏损地幔特征。此外,蓬莱部分地幔橄榄岩包体显示正斜率的HREE分异特征((Gd/Yb)_N=0.4~0.7),暗示该区地幔经历了源自石榴子石稳定区的变压熔融,总体熔融程度为18%以上,指示了较高的地幔潜能温度。综合前人对海南岛新生代玄武岩最新研究成果,我们认为海南地幔柱可能为该区软流圈地幔置换古老岩石圈地幔提供了热源,导致了区域岩石圈地幔的破坏,从而引起包括地幔柱本身、软流圈和富集岩石圈的熔融。岩石圈地幔性质的改变和不均一性可能是海南岛陆缘扩张带新生代岩石圈减薄的主要动力学机制。     

Genesis of Young Lithospheric Mantle in Southeastern China: an LAM-ICPMS Trace Element Study

Geological and geophysical evidence indicates that at least100 km of Archaean to Proterozoic lithospheric mantle has beenremoved from beneath large areas of eastern and southeasternChina during late Mesozoic to Cenozoic time. Mantle-derivedxenoliths in Tertiary basalts from several localities acrossthis region have been studied by X-ray fluorescence, electronmicroprobe and laser ablation microprobe–inductively coupledplasma-mass spectrometry to characterize this thinner lithosphere.Trace element patterns of clinopyroxenes in the peridotitesfrom southeastern China can be divided into four groups: fertilegarnet lherzolites, fertile spinel (± garnet) lherzolites,and depleted and enriched peridotites. The addition of Nb, Sr,light rare earth elements, but not of Ti and Zr, suggests ametasomatizing agent containing both H₂O and CO₂. This studyalso demonstrates that the negative Ti anomaly commonly observedin clinopyroxene from mantle peridotites cannot be balancedby the Ti in coexisting orthopyroxene, but can be explainedby small degrees of partial melting, using appropriate distributioncoefficients. Most of the peridotites from southeastern China,whether spinel or garnet facies, are highly fertile in termsof Al₂O₃ and CaO contents and mg-number; many resemble commonlyused primitive mantle compositions. Modelling of trace elementpatterns in clinopyroxene indicates that most spinel and garnetperidotites from the Nushan, Mingxi and Niutoushan localitiesexperienced less than 5%, and many less than 2%, partial melting.A few depleted spinel peridotites from Nushan, and all spinelperidotites from Mingxi, require 10–25% fractional partialmelting; almost all spinel peridotites from the Qilin localityshow evidence of higher degrees (6–25%) of fractionalpartial melting. At both Nushan and Mingxi, the more depletedcompositions occur in the upper part of the lithospheric mantle,which now is     

The trace element composition of silicate inclusions in diamonds: a review

On a global scale, peridotitic garnet inclusions in diamonds from the subcratonic lithosphere indicate an evolution from strongly sinusoidal REE_N, typical for harzburgitic garnets, to mildly sinusoidal or “normal” patterns (positive slope from LREE_N to MREE_N, fairly flat MREE_N–HREE_N), typical for lherzolitic garnets. Using the Cr-number of garnet as a proxy for the bulk rock major element composition it becomes apparent that strong LREE enrichment in garnet is restricted to highly depleted lithologies, whereas flat or positive LREE–MREE slopes are limited to less depleted rocks. For lherzolitic garnet inclusions, there is a positive relation between equilibration temperature, enrichment in MREE, HREE and other HFSE (Ti, Zr, Y), and decreasing depletion in major elements. For harzburgitic garnets, relations are not linear, but it appears that lherzolite style enrichment in MREE–HREE only occurs at temperatures above 1150–1200 °C, whereas strong enrichment in Sr is absent at these high temperatures. These observations suggest a transition from melt metasomatism (typical for the lherzolitic sources) characterized by fairly unfractionated trace and major element compositions to metasomatism by CHO fluids carrying primarily incompatible trace elements. Melt and fluid metasomatism are viewed as a compositional continuum, with residual CHO fluids resulting from primary silicate or carbonate melts in the course of fractional crystallization and equilibration with lithospheric host rocks.

Eclogitic garnet inclusions show “normal” REE_N patterns, with LREE at about 1× and HREE at about 30× chondritic abundance. Clinopyroxenes approximately mirror the garnet patterns, being enriched in LREE and having chondritic HREE abundances. Positive and negative Eu anomalies are observed for both garnet and clinopyroxene inclusions. Such anomalies are strong evidence for crustal precursors for the eclogitic diamond sources. The trace element composition of an “average eclogitic diamond source” based on garnet and clinopyroxene inclusions is consistent with derivation from former oceanic crust that lost about 10% of a partial melt in the garnet stability field and that subsequently experienced only minor reenrichment in the most incompatible trace elements. Based on individual diamonds, this simplistic picture becomes more complex, with evidence for both strong enrichment and depletion in LREE.

Trace element data for sublithospheric inclusions in diamonds are less abundant. REE in majoritic garnets indicate source compositions that range from being similar to lithospheric eclogitic sources to strongly LREE enriched. Lower mantle sources, assessed based on CaSi–perovskite as the principal host for REE, are not primitive in composition but show moderate to strong LREE enrichment. The bulk rock LREE_N–HREE_N slope cannot be determined from CaSi–perovskites alone, as garnet may be present in these shallow lower mantle sources and then would act as an important host for HREE. Positive and negative Eu anomalies are widespread in CaSi–perovskites and negative anomalies have also been observed for a majoritic garnet and a coexisting clinopyroxene inclusion. This suggests that sublithospheric diamond sources may be linked to old oceanic slabs, possibly because only former crustal rocks can provide the redox gradients necessary for diamond precipitation in an otherwise reduced sublithospheric mantle.     

Discontinuous Melt Extraction and Weak Refertilization of Mantle Peridotites at the Vema Lithospheric Section (Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Melting processes beneath the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were studiedin residual mantle peridotites sampled from a lithospheric sectionexposed near the Vema Fracture Zone at 11°N along the Mid-AtlanticRidge. Fractional and dynamic melting models were tested basedon clinopyroxene rare earth element and high field strengthelement data. Pure fractional melting (non-modal) cannot accountfor the observed trends, whereas dynamic melting with criticalmass porosity <0·01 fits better the measured values.Observed microtextures suggest weak refertilization with 0·1–1%quasi-instantaneous or partially aggregated melts trapped duringpercolation. The composition of the melts is evaluated, togetherwith their provenance, with respect to the garnet–spineltransition. Partial melts appear to be aggregated over shortbut variable intervals of the melting column. Deep melts (generatedwithin the garnet stability field at the base of the meltingcolumn) escape detection, being separated from the residuesby transport inside conduits or fractures. The temporal evolutionof the melting process along the exposed section shows a steadyincrease of mantle temperature from 20 Ma to present. KEY WORDS: mantle partial melting; abyssal peridotite; trace element; refertilization; Vema Fracture Zone     

Experimental Melting of Carbonated Peridotite at 6-10 GPa

Partial melting of magnesite-bearing peridotites was studiedat 6–10 GPa and 1300–1700°C. Experiments wereperformed in a multianvil apparatus using natural mineral mixesas starting material placed into olivine containers and sealedin Pt capsules. Partial melts originated within the peridotitelayer, migrated outside the olivine container and formed poolsof quenched melts along the wall of the Pt capsule. This allowedthe analysis of even small melt fractions. Iron loss was nota problem, because the platinum near the olivine container becamesaturated in Fe as a result of the reaction Fe₂SiO₄^Ol = Fe^Fe–Ptalloy + FeSiO₃^Opx + O₂. This reaction led to a gradual increasein oxygen fugacity within the capsules as expressed, for example,in high Fe³⁺ in garnet. Carbonatitic to kimberlite-like meltswere obtained that coexist with olivine + orthopyroxene + garnet± clinopyroxene ± magnesite depending on P–Tconditions. Kinetic experiments and a comparison of the chemistryof phases occasionally grown within the melt pools with thosein the residual peridotite allowed us to conclude that the meltshad approached equilibrium with peridotite. Melts in equilibriumwith a magnesite-bearing garnet lherzolite are rich in CaO (20–25wt %) at all pressures and show rather low MgO and SiO₂ contents(20 and 10 wt %, respectively). Melts in equilibrium with amagnesite-bearing garnet harzburgite are richer in SiO₂ andMgO. The contents of these oxides increase with temperature,whereas the CaO content becomes lower. Melts from magnesite-freeexperiments are richer in SiO₂, but remain silicocarbonatitic.Partitioning of trace elements between melt and garnet was studiedin several experiments at 6 and 10 GPa. The melts are very richin incompatible elements, including large ion lithophile elements(LILE), Nb, Ta and light rare earth elements. Relative to theresidual peridotite, the melts show no significant depletionin high field strength elements over LILE. We conclude fromthe major and trace element characteristics of our experimentalmelts that primitive kimberlites cannot be a direct productof single-stage melting of an asthenospheric mantle. They rathermust be derived from a previously depleted and re-enriched mantleperidotite. KEY WORDS: multianvil; carbonatite melt; peridotite; kimberlite; element partitioning     

石榴石微量元素地球化学及其在沉积物源分析中的应用

石榴石是沉积物中常见的重矿物,其可来源于多种岩石,而且不同类型母岩中石榴石具有多样的地球化学组成,因此碎屑石榴石的地球化学分析在沉积物源研究中应用广泛。通过电子探针分析可以容易地获得单颗粒碎屑石榴石的主量元素地球化学组成,可借此探讨其母岩类型,但也存在一定的局限性,比如中酸性火成岩和部分变沉积岩来源的石榴石通常都具有高Fe、Mn的特征,不易于区分。本文系统地收集了不同岩石类型的石榴石微量元素数据,尝试利用微量元素地球化学的差异性对碎屑石榴石物源分析进行补充。最终得出以下结论:(1)石榴石的稀土元素(REE)组成与钇(Y)元素指标可区分中酸性火成岩和变沉积岩来源的碎屑石榴石;(2)基性岩(橄榄岩、辉石岩)及所对应的变基性岩石(榴辉岩)中石榴石的微量元素地球化学组成相近,但部分橄榄岩来源的石榴石在镨/钬(Pr_N/Ho_N)值和重稀土总量(ΣHREE含量)上与辉石岩和榴辉岩的有显著差别,这一特点可运用于以基性岩母岩为主的碎屑沉积物源研究中;(3)夕卡岩中的石榴石在主量元素地球化学组成上表现为高度一致的高Ca特征,而稀土元素组成具有两种典型的分配模式,岩浆型(指示富铁、氧化环境)与热液型(指示富铝、还原环境)。综上所述,石榴石微量元素地球化学可以有效地运用于沉积物源分析研究中,是其主量元素物源分析方法的重要补充。     

The origin of garnet and clinopyroxene in “depleted” Kaapvaal peridotites

A detailed petrographic, major and trace element and isotope (Re–Os) study is presented on 18 xenoliths from Northern Lesotho kimberlites. The samples represent typical coarse, low-temperature garnet and spinel peridotites and span a P–T range from 60 to 150 km depth. With the exception of one sample (that belongs to the ilmenite–rutile–phlogopite–sulphide suite (IRPS) suite first described by [B. Harte, P.A. Winterburn, J.J. Gurney, Metasomatic and enrichment phenomena in garnet peridotite facies mantle xenoliths from the Matsoku kimberlite pipe, Lesotho. In: Menzies, M. (Ed.), Mantle metsasomatism. Academic Press, London 1987, 145–220.]), all samples considered here have high Mg# and show strong depletion in CaO and Al₂O₃. They have bulk rock Re depletion ages (T_RD) >2.5 Ga and are therefore interpreted as residua from large volume melting in the Archaean. A characteristic of Kaapvaal xenoliths, however, is their high SiO₂ concentrations, and hence, modal orthopyroxene contents that are inconsistent with a simple residual origin of these samples. Moreover, trace element signatures show strong overall incompatible element enrichment and REE disequilibrium between garnet and clinopyroxene. Textural and subtle major element disequilibria were also observed. We therefore conclude that garnet and clinopyroxene are not co-genetic and suggest that (most) clinopyroxene in the Archaean Kaapvaal peridotite xenoliths is of metasomatic origin and crystallized relatively recently, possibly from a melt precursory to the kimberlite.

Possible explanations for the origin of garnet are exsolution from a high-temperature, Al- and Ca-rich orthopyroxene (indicating primary melt extraction at shallow levels) or a majorite phase (primary melting at >6 GPa). Mass balance calculations, however, show that not all garnet observed in the samples today is of a simple exsolution origin. The extreme LREE enrichment (sigmoidal REE pattern in all garnet cores) is also inconsistent with exsolution from a residual orthopyroxene. Therefore, extensive metasomatism and probably re-crystallization of the lithosphere after melt-depletion and garnet exsolution is required to obtain the present textural and compositional features of the xenoliths. The metasomatic agent that modified or perhaps even precipitated garnet was a highly fractionated melt or fluid that might have been derived from the asthenosphere or from recycled oceanic crust. Since, to date, partitioning of trace elements between orthopyroxene and garnet/clinopyroxene is poorly constrained, it was impossible to assess if orthopyroxene is in chemical equilibrium with garnet or clinopyroxene. Therefore, further trace element and isotopic studies are required to constrain the timing of garnet introduction/modification and its possible link with the SiO₂ enrichment of the Kaapvaal lithosphere.     

Subduction zone geochemistry

Crustal recycling at convergent plate boundaries is essential to mantle heterogeneity.However,crustal signatures in the mantle source of basaltic rocks above subduction zones were primarily incorporated in the form of liquid rather than solid phases.The physicochemical property of liquid phases is determined by the dehydration behavior of crustal rocks at the slab-mantle interface in subduction channels.Because of the significant fractionation in incompatible trace elements but the full inheritance in radiogenic isotopes relative to their crustal sources,the production of liquid phases is crucial to the geochemical transfer from the subducting crust into the mantle.In this process,the stability of specific minerals in subducting crustal rocks exerts a primary control on the enrichment of given trace elements in the liquid phases.For this reason,geochemically enriched oceanic basalts can be categorized into two types in terms of their trace element distribution patterns in the primitive mantle-normalized diagram.One is island arc basalts(IAB),showing enrichment in LILE,Pb and LREE but depletion in HFSE such as Nb and Ta relative to HREE,The other is ocean island basalts(OIB),exhibiting enrichment in LILE and LREE,enrichment or non-depletion in HFSE but depletion in Pb relative to HREE.In either types,these basalts show the enhanced enrichment of LILE and LREE with increasing their incompatibility relative to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts(MORB).The thermal regime of subduction zones can be categorized into two stages in both time and space,The first stage is characterized by compressional tectonism at low thermal gradients.As a consequence,metamorphic dehydration of the subducting crust prevails at forearc to subarc depths due to the breakdown of hydrous minerals such as mica and amphibole in the stability field of garnet and rutile,resulting in the liberation of aqueous solutions with the trace element composition that is considerably enriched in LILE,Pb and LREE but depleted in HFSE and HREE relative to normal MORB.This provides the crustal signature for the mantle sources of IAB.The second stage is indicated by extensional tectonism at high thermal gradients,leading to the partial melting of metamorphically dehydrated crustal rocks at subarc to postarc depths.This involves not only the breakdown of hydrous minerals such as amphibole,phengite and allanite in the stability field of garnet but also the dissolution of rutile into hydrous melts.As such,the hydrous melts can acquire the trace element composition that is significantly enriched in LILE,HFSE and LREE but depleted in Pb and HREE relative to normal MORB,providing the crustal signature for the mantle sources of OIB.In either case,these liquid phases would metasomatize the overlying mantle wedge peridotite at different depths,generating ultramafic metasomatites such as serpentinized and chloritized peridotites,and olivine-poor pyroxenites and hornblendites.As a consequence,the crustal signatures are transferred by the liquid phases from the subducting slab into the mantle.     

Geochemical variation in peridotite xenoliths and their constituent clinopyroxenes from Ray Pic (French Massif Central): implications for the composition of the shallow lithospheric mantle

Anhydrous mantle peridotite xenoliths from a single volcanic vent in the French Massif Central are compositionally varied, ranging from relatively fertile lherzolites to refractory harzburgites. Fertile lherzolites closely resemble previous estimates of undepleted mantle compositions but the average of the Ray Pic xenoliths is much less enriched in LILE and LREE than McDonough's (1990) average mantle [McDonough, W.F., 1990. Constraints on the composition of the continental lithospheric mantle. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 101, 1–18]. The wide geochemical variation in the bulk rocks reflects significant heterogeneities that can be attributed to two major processes within the shallow lithospheric mantle. The first process is depletion, related to variable degrees of partial melting and melt extraction from an originally near-chondritic mantle. This process has largely controlled the major elements and much of the trace element variation between fertile lherzolites and refractory peridotites. LREE-depleted compositions are also produced by this process. During partial melting, HREE behaved coherently with the major oxides and the moderately incompatible trace elements (Y, V and Sc). A subsequent process of enrichment is indicated by high concentrations of incompatible trace elements in many of the xenoliths. Sr, Ba, K, Th, U, Nb and LREE abundance are independent of major oxide variations and reflect enrichment related to infiltration by alkaline silicate melts/fluids. Both fertile and refractory mantle were enriched but harzburgites were particularly affected. Modal metasomatism occurred only rarely and is indicated by Cr-diopside-rich veins and patches in a few samples. Their chemistry suggests that they were also formed by migration of similar magmas/fluids from the asthenospheric mantle, although the presence of wehrlitic patches may indicate interaction with carbonate melts. In both depleted and enriched xenoliths, trace element patterns for separated clinopyroxenes closely reflect those of the bulk rock, except for Rb, Ba and Nb, which are probably hosted by other phases.     

1.5GPa、950℃下块状斜长角闪岩部分熔融微量元素的分配特征

在1.5GPa,950℃,恒温101h条件下对华北北缘太古宙地体中的斜长角闪岩块状样品进行了脱水部分熔融实验,实验产物组合为Hb+Cpx+Gt+Gl,获得的熔体为花岗闪长质成分。利用LA-ICP-MS测试了矿物和熔体的微量元素,获得该体系内各矿物/熔体的微量元素分配系数。角闪石、单斜辉石和石榴石的分配系数与前人在类似条件下的实验结果基本一致。这说明无论实验的初始物质是粉末状还是块状,对元素的分配没有太大的影响。各矿物的REE分配系数对离子半径的拟合曲线很好地符合晶格应变弹性模型。整体特征上,角闪石、单斜辉石和石榴石的LILE,LREE分配系数较低,而HREE的分配系数较高,石榴石具有强烈富集HREE的特征。由此,造成实验熔体表现出LILE、LREE富集而HREE亏损的特征。残留相中无金红石,使得熔体中没有明显的Nb、Ta负异常。熔体的主-微量元素特征符合华北北缘中生代埃达克质岩石的基本特征,进一步支持了该类岩石"可能起源于古老下地壳的部分熔融"的成因模式。     

Tholeiitic and alkali basalts from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 43 ° N

Tholeiitic basalts dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) axis at 43 ° N are enriched in incompatible trace elements compared to the ‘ normal’ incompatible element depleted tholeiites found from 49 ° N to 59 ° N and south of 33 ° N on the MAR. The most primitive 43 ° N glasses have MgO/FeO*= 1.2 and coexist with olivine (Fo_90–91) and chrome-rich spinel. The tholeiitic basalts from the MAR 43 ° N are distinct from the strongly incompatible trace element depleted tholeiities found elsewhere in the Atlantic, and have trace element features typical of island tholeiities and MAR axis tholeiites from 45 ° N. Petrographic, major, and compatible trace element trends of the axial valley tholeiites at 43 ° N are consistent with shallow-level fractionation; in particular, evolution from primitive liquids with forsteritic olivine plus chrome spinel as liquidus phases to fractionated liquids with plagioclase plus clinopyroxene as major crystallizing phases. However, each dredge haul has distinctive incompatible trace element abundances. These trace element characteristics require a hetrogeneous mantle or complex processes such as open system fractional crystallization and magma mixing. Alkali basalts (～5% normative nepheline) were dredged from a prominent fracture zone at 43 ° N. Typical of alkali basalts they are strongly enriched (compared to tholeiites) in incompatible elements. Their highly fractionated rare-earth element (REE) abundances require residual garnet during partial melting. The 43 ° N tholeiites and alkali basalts could be derived from a garnet peridotite source with REE contents equal to 2 × chondrites by ～5% and 1% melting, respectively. Alternatively, they could be derived from a moderately light REE enriched source by ～25% and 9.5% melting, respectively.     

Experimental determination of partition coefficients for rare earth and high-field-strength elements between clinopyroxene,garnet, and basaltic melt at high pressures

Clinopyroxene/melt and garnet/melt partition coefficients have been determined for Ti, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Hf, and rare earth elements from 19 doped experiments on 1921 Kilauea basalt. The experiments were carried out from 2.0 to 3.0 GPa and 1310° to 1470 °C. The purpose was to derive a set of partition coefficients for high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE) in a systematic, linked set of experiments at P and T conditions relevant to basalt petrogenesis. These data are used in melting models to understand the development of negative HFSE anomalies observed in many abyssal peridotite clinopyroxenes. It is shown that melting can account for the observed trace element patterns in some residual peridotites, but that other processes may also be needed to account for most residual mantle compositions in mid-ocean ridge systems. It is also shown that REE are more strongly fractionated by garnet at these P-T conditions than previously thought. Received: 1 July 1997 / Accepted: 11 May 1998