Rare-earth abundances in kimberlites from Greenland and Zambia

Ten rare-earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Tm, Yb and Lu) and Ta, Th and Hf contents in eight kimberlites and inclusions from Greenland and Zambia have been determined by instrumental neutron activation. All the samples have highly fractionated rare-earth (REE) distribution patterns. La/Yb ratios in the Greenland kimberlites (hypabyssal facies) vary from 111.8 to 188.4, and the total rare-earth contents range from 204.8 to 380.3 ppm. No europium anomaly is present. The Zambian kimberlites (diatreme facies) are altered and carbonated. Rare-earth patterns in these are also light REE-enriched. A significant difference is shown to exist between the diatreme and hypabyssal facies of kimberlites.     

Isotopic composition of strontium in Indian kimberlites

Strontium isotopic studies on twenty three whole rock kimberlites from two petrographic provinces in India show variation of initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios from 0.7027 to 0.7102. The variation is unrelated to the degree of alteration. Between the micaceous and basaltic varieties there is some overlap in the Sr isotopic ratios. Leaching experiments on whole rock samples showed more highly radiogenic Sr in leaches compared to the bulk samples.In two diatremes, the initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios show a positive correlation with $\text{Rb}\text{Sr}$ which is believed to reflect a source event earlier than the formation of the kimberlites. The observed Sr isotopic data can be caused by (i) melting of a heterogeneous source or (ii) disequilibrium partial melting in the source region. In the former case, variable isotopic composition would be a necessary consequence of melting in small subsystems.     

Insights into the petrogenesis of the West Kimberley lamproites from trace elements in olivine

The Miocene lamproites of the West Kimberley region, Western Australia include olivine-leucite lamproites (≤10 wt% MgO) containing olivine and leucite microphenocrysts, and diamondiferous olivine lamproites (20–30 wt% MgO) containing olivine phenocrysts and larger (1–10 mm) olivine as mantle xenocrysts and dunite micro-xenoliths. Olivine phenocrysts and thin (<100 μm) magmatic rims define trends of decreasing Cr and Ni, and increasing Ca and Mn, with decreasing olivine Mg#, consistent with fractional crystallisation of olivine (and minor chromite). Many phenocrysts are zoned, and those with cores of similar Mg# and trace element abundances to the mantle xenocrysts may be xenocrysts overgrown by later olivine crystallised from the lamproite magma. Magmatic olivines Mg#_91–92 are estimated to have been in equilibrium with olivine lamproite magma(s) containing ~22–24 wt% MgO. The xenocrystic mantle olivines Mg_90–92.5 in the olivine lamproites are inferred from trace element abundances to be mostly derived from garnet peridotite with equilibration temperatures estimated from the Al-in-olivine thermometer (Bussweiler et al. 2017) to be ~1000–1270 °C at depths of 115–190 km. Olivines from the deeper lithosphere are less depleted (lower Mg#, higher Na, Al, P, Ti, Zr etc) than those at shallower depths, a feature suggested to reflect the combined effects of metasomatic re-enrichment of the craton roots (Ti, Fe, Zr etc) and increasing temperature with depth of origin (Na, Al, Ca). The West Kimberley lamproite olivines are not enriched in Li, as might be expected if their source regions contained continental sedimentary material as has been previously inferred from lamproite large-ion-lithophile trace elements, and Sr and Pb isotopes.

     

Constraints on diamond genesis from the study of the dependence of diamond properties on the composition of kimberlites and lamproites

It was shown that the crystal morphology, content, and size of diamonds depend on the concentrations of silica, magnesium, calcium, and carbon dioxide in the host kimberlites and lamproites. The character of this dependence suggests that the viscosity of the initial melts of these rocks was the main control of the morphology and properties of diamond crystals and indicates a magmatic genesis for this mineral. Two genetic varieties of diamond crystals were distinguished: larger residual grains coeval with the formation of the sources of kimberlite and lamproite magmas during the slow high-pressure fractionation of the near-bottom peridotite layer of the global magma ocean and smaller early magmatic grains, which crystallized during the decompression-friction transformation of kimberlite and lamproite protoliths into magmas.     

Late Quaternary glacial history of the central west coast of Jameson Land, East Greenland

The Late Quaternary ( c . 130,000–10,000 BP) glacial history of the central west coast of Jameson Land, East Greenland, is reconstructed through glacial stratigraphical studies. Seven major sedimentary units are described and defined. They represent two interglacial events (where one is the Holocene). one interstadial event and two glacial events. The older interglacial event comprises marine and fluvial sediments, and is correlated to the Langelandselv interglacial, corresponding to oxygen isotope sub-stage 5e. It is followed by an Early Weichselian major glaciation during the Aucellaelv stade, and subsequently by an Early Weichselian interstadial marine and deltaic event (the Hugin Sø interstade). Sediments relating to the Middle Weichselian have not been recognized in the area. The Hugin Sø interstade deposits have been overrun by a Late Weichselian ice advance, during the Flakkerhuk stade, when the glacier, which probably was a thin, low gradient fjord glacier in Scoresby Sund, draped older sediments and landforms with a thin till. Subsequent to the final deglaciation, some time before 10,000BP, the sea reached the marine limit around 70 m a.s.l., and early Holocene marine, fluvial and littoral sediments were deposited in the coastal areas.     

The petrogenesis of the Kangerdlugssuaq alkaline intrusion,east Greenland

Evidence of layering and physical conditions of emplacement are discussed for this saucer-shaped, differentiated syenite mass. The intrusion is thought to derive from a magma of quartz trachytic composition,rather than from partial melting of the basement gneiss. The derivation of an undersaturated residual liquid, necessary to produce the pulaskite and the foyaite, is discussed, together with the mechanism whereby the ‘thermal barrier’ is crossed. Possible explanations considered are the depression of the thermal barrier through increased vapour pressure; the formation of iron-bearing feldspar; escape of silica and some potassium with volatile constituents; and crystal ? liquid equilibrium control.     

The petrogenesis of group 2 ultrapotassic kimberlites from Finsch Mine, South Africa

Major, trace element and radiogenic isotope results are presented for a suite of hypabyssal kimberlites from a single pipe, at the Finsch Mine, South Africa. These are Group 2 kimberlites characterised by abundant phlogopite ± serpentine ± diopside; they are ultrabasic (SiO₂ < 42 wt.%%) and ultrapotassic (K₂O/Na₂O > 6.9) igneous rocks, they exhibit a wide range in major element chemistry with SiO₂ = 27.6−41.9 wt. % and MgO = 10.4−33.4 wt. %. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i=0.7089 to 0.7106, ε_{Nd is} −6.2 to −9.7 and they have unradiogenic (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i contents which ensure that they plot below the Pb-ore growth curve. They have high incompatible and compatible element contents, a striking positive array between Y and Nb which indicates that garnet was not involved in the within suite differentiation processes, and a negative trend between K/Nb and Nb contents which suggests that phlogopite was involved. In addition, some elements exhibit an unexpected order of relative incompatibility for different trace elements which suggests that the intra-kimberlite variations are not primarily due to variations in the degree of partial melting. The effects of fractional crystallization are difficult to establish because for the most part they have been masked by the entrainment of 50–60% mantle peridotite. Thus, the Finsch kimberlites are interpreted as mixtures of a melt component and entrained garnet peridotite, with no evidence for significant contamination with crustal material. The melt component was characterised by high incompatible element contents, which require both very small degrees of partial melting, and source regions with higher incompatible element contents than depleted or primitive mantle. Since the melt component was the principal source of incompatible elements in the kimberlite magma, the enriched Nd, Sr and Pb isotope ratios of the kimberlite are characteristic of the melt source region. The melt fractions were therefore derived from ancient, trace elements enriched portions of the upper mantle, most probably situated within the sub-continental mantle lithosphere, and different from the low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr garnet peridotite xenoliths found at Finsch. Within the sub-continental mantle lithosphere old, incompatible element enriched source regions for the kimberlite melt fraction are inferred to have been overlain by depleted mantle material which became entrained in the kimberlite magma.     

黔东南钾镁煌斑岩地球化学特征及指示意义

因在黔东南镇远马坪地区钾镁煌斑岩中发现我国第1个原生金刚石岩体,黔东南钾镁煌斑岩受到广泛关注.本文通过对近年来新发现的黔东南施秉大坪、镇远马坪及麻江石板寨地区钾镁煌斑岩地球化学主微量元素特征分析,对本地区地幔源区性质、构造演化特征及大陆动力学特征进行探讨.结果 表明,主量元素特征显示其SiO2、Al2O3、CaO、Na2O、K2O和P2O5含量均归属典型钾镁煌斑岩;微量元素地球化学特征显示,各岩体强烈富集高场强元素(Th、Nb、Ta和U),并明显亏损大离子亲石元素(Rb、K、Sr)和Ti;稀土元素地球化学特征表明,稀土总量相对较高(∑REE=797×106～1488×106),且具有明显轻稀土元素富集和重稀土元素亏损特征((La/Yb)N=112～254).微量元素及稀土元素对比值显示,岩石在形成过程主要经历母岩浆的分离结晶作用,岩浆在上升过程未受到明显地壳混染作用影响,岩浆源区为大于100km的石榴子石二辉橄榄岩地幔.地球动力学分析显示,黔东南钾镁煌斑岩产于稳定的克拉通非造山的大陆动力学背景下,受到扬子板块与华夏板块在奥陶纪末—志留纪发生板内造山作用,再在中二叠世一晚二叠世,经历东吴运动的影响,再经历燕山运动期江南造山带之燕山期板内造山亚带和特提斯域地质构造演化的共同影响.本区具备金刚石稳定生长的条件:1)有稳定的构造单元(扬子古陆与华夏古陆);2)钾镁煌斑岩成岩深度达到了金刚石稳定深度;3)区域上有深切岩石圈地幔的大断裂作为岩浆上升的通道.但有利区可能遭受剥蚀,后期找矿过程中重点关注剥蚀程度较小的断裂的下降盘或未经抬升的加里东期的古地面等区域.     

粤西大金山花岗岩体地球化学特征及岩石成因探讨

大金山花岗岩体是一个与广东省大金山钨锡多金属矿床有关的隐伏岩体,岩性主要由中细粒黑云母花岗岩和似斑状黑云母花岗岩组成。大金山花岗岩体具有高硅、富碱、贫镁钙、准铝质的特点,属于高钾钙碱性系列;微量元素以富集Rb、Th、U而亏损Nb、Eu、Ti为特征;稀土元素含量较高,中细粒黑云母花岗岩和似斑状黑云母花岗岩稀土元素含量分别为203.36×10-6-248.42×10-6、243.76×10-6-255.08×10-6,似斑状黑云母花岗岩稀土元素含量略高,中细粒黑云母花岗岩略富集重稀土而似斑状黑云母花岗岩则富集轻稀土;两者均具有强烈的Eu负异常,δEu值分别为0.004-0.009、0.059-0.13。中细粒黑云母花岗岩和似斑状黑云母花岗岩的εHf(t)值分别为-2.05--8.64、-0.92--6.57;两阶段Hf模式年龄(tDM2)分别为1 277-1 692 Ma和1 204-1 556 Ma。综合区域地质背景和大金山花岗岩体的地球化学特征,认为大金山花岗岩体形成于地壳拉张-伸展的构造背景下,是中元古代地壳部分熔融的产物。     

Constraints on source-forming processes of West Greenland kimberlites inferred from Hf-Nd isotope systematics

Kimberlites from West Greenland have Hf-Nd isotope as well as major and trace element compositions that are similar to other Group I kimberlites, but that are distinctive in the spectrum of magmas sampled at Earth’s surface. The West Greenland kimberlites have ε_Ndi that ranges from +1.6 to +3.1 and ε_Hfi that ranges from −4.3 to +4.9. The samples exhibit ubiquitous negative Δε_Hfi (deviation from the ocean island basalt ε_Hf-ε_Nd reference line), ranging from −1.8 to −11.2. The kimberlites are characterized by steep heavy rare earth element patterns, positive Ta-Nb anomalies and negative Hf-Zr anomalies. These chemical signals are consistent with the presence of ancient, subducted oceanic crust in the kimberlite source region. In the model we present, dewatering and possibly partial melting of rutile-bearing oceanic crust during subduction results in characteristic trace element patterns in the residual crust. During aging, the Hf-Nd isotopic composition of this dewatered/partially melted EMORB-type crust evolves to negative Δε_Hfi values. Metasomatic fluids derived from this ancient subducted oceanic crust infiltrate and impart their trace element and isotopic signal on proximal peridotitic mantle. Melting of this metasomatized mantle peridotite results in kimberlite magmas.     

粤西连阳复式岩体的地球化学特征及其成因研究

粤西连阳复式岩体由燕山早期连阳花岗岩岩体(锆石 U-Pb 年龄为144.3±0.8Ma)和燕山晚期白浆花岗岩岩体(锆石 U-Pb 年龄为106.4±0.7Ma)组成。这两个岩体在岩石化学上均富硅,属准铝质,并相对富钾。在微量元素组成上,连阳岩体和白浆岩体都强烈亏损 Ba、Sr 和 Ti,轻微亏损 Nb 和 Ta。两岩体的稀土元素特征类似,总量比较高,分别为187.6～300.6×10~(-6)和185.5～294.3×10~(-6),轻稀土富集,LREE/HREE 分别为4.17～9.28和4.13～7.08,(La/Yb)_N 分别为3.66～9.03和3.29～5.16,Eu 明显亏损,δEu 值分别为0.04～0.53和0.04～0.16。连阳岩体的ε_(Nd)(t)为-9.1～-7.6,白浆岩体的ε_(Nd)(t)为-9.8～-7.8,两者具有相似的 Nd 同位素组成。钕模式年龄分别为1.56～1.68Ga 和1.54～1.71Ga。研究表明,连阳复式岩体燕山期花岗岩形成于地壳剪切-拉张的构造背景下,是中元古地壳部分熔融的产物。     

大兴安岭中段五岔沟地区早白垩世花岗质岩地球化学特征及其成因

对大兴安岭中段五岔沟地区晚中生代花岗质岩石进行了锆石U-Pb年代学、Lu-Hf同位素和全岩地球化学研究。锆石U-Pb测年结果显示,该区晚中生代花岗质岩石形成于134~127 Ma,为早白垩世岩浆活动的产物。在地球化学特征上,这些花岗质岩石普遍具有高硅(SiO_2=65.21%~78.43%)、富碱(K_2O+Na_2O=6.77%~9.66%)、贫CaO(0.10%~2.55%)和MgO(0.07%~1.30%)的特征,富集Rb、Th、U等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Ti、P等高场强元素,属于高钾钙碱性I型花岗质岩石。锆石ε_(Hf)(t)=+4.9~+8.4,t_(DM2)=654~874Ma,表明其源于新元古代期间新增生的地壳物质的部分熔融,结合区域研究资料,认为兴安岭中段五岔沟地区早白垩世花岗质岩的形成与古太平洋板块的俯冲作用关系密切。     

The Isotopic Composition of Strontium in the Skaergaard Intrusion, East Greenland

The isotopic composition of strontium in the different partsof the differentiated Skaergaard intrusion has been determined.The average Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio for the basic rocks was found tobe 0?7065?0?002. Higher values, between 0?7101 and 0?7303, wererestricted to the late-stage acid granophyres. The Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ratios for the basic Skaergaard rocks are similar to those foundby previous workers. The enrichment in Sr⁸⁷ expressed in theSr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio is taken to indicate contamination of the acidgranophyres by a source enriched in Sr⁸⁷. From considerationsbased upon circumstantial evidence the average country rock,composed of old Precambrian acid to intermediate gneiss, isnot sufficiently enriched in.Sr⁸⁷ to account for the Sr⁸⁷ enrichmentobserved in the acid granophyres by a simple assimilation process.At the present stage of the investigation the enrichment ofthe acid granophyres in Sr⁸⁷ is unexplained.     

Petrogeochemical characteristics of the kimberlites from the Middle Markha region with application to the problem of the geochemical heterogeneity of kimberlites

A comparative geochemical investigation of kimberlites from the Middle Markha region and traditional diamond-bearing areas of Yakutia supported the division of kimberlites into two geochemical types. One of them includes kimberlites from the traditional diamond-bearing areas of Yakutia, and the other is represented by the kimberlites of the Middle Markha region and the rocks of the Zolotitsa field and V. Grib pipe of the Arkhangelsk province. The obtained representative parameters of the two kimberlite types indicate a sharp geochemical contrast between them, and the individual features of correlation relationships between the elements in the rocks of the two types suggest that these differences are related to fundamental genetic factors, which concern primarily the group of highly charged incompatible trace and radioactive elements. The presence of geochemically contrasting rocks within a rather uniform petrochemical association and the geochemically specialized occurrences of kimberlites and related rocks are consequences of repeated metasomatic transformations of mantle rocks under the influence of deep-derived fluids or volatiles released during the recycling of subneous source and subsequent derivation of geochemically specialized types of deep magmas showing signatures of individual mantle sources.     

The origin of a calcareous amphibolite from the Nagssugtoqidian, west Greenland

On the basis of chemical charactiristics (major elements) it is concluded that the investigated amphibolite was formed as a result of high-grade regional metamorphism of a calcareous sediment mixed with basic igneous material, probably in the form of tuff. In view of the many recent publications on the origin of amphibolites it seems justified to propose a new definition of the term ‘para-amphibolite‘.     

Isotopic age and metamorphic history of the banded gneiss at Danmarkshavn,East Greenland

Along the northern part of the East Greenland coast the Caledonian structures are superimposed on an older fold system called the Carolinidian. Traces of this Carolinidian belt are preserved in a few isolated fragments within the Caledonian fold belt. According to Haller (1970) one of these fragments exhibiting the typical Carolinidian NNW to NW-trending infrastructural folds is the peninsula of Germania Land which is accessible near the Danish weather station Danmarkshavn. The rock sampled there is a banded gneiss of granodioritic composition with steeply inclined, NNW-trending layers. Isotopic age determinations yielded essentially two groups of ages: 1) 3,000±150 m.y. (zircon suite and Rb/Sr whole rock analyses of layers) and 2) 320–380 m.y. (Rb/Sr mineral isochrons, U-Th-Pb on sphene, K/Ar on hornblende and biotite). The egg-shaped zircons support a sedimentary origin of the banded gneiss and in conjunction with the Rb/Sr whole rock ages determine the age of formation of the banded gneiss (or its last high grade metamorphism) some 3,000 m.y. ago. No other Precambrian metamorphism or orogeny is recorded in the rock. The ages between 320–380 m.y. date a thermal event of lower amphibolite facies grade related to a late Caledonian spasm.The new isotopic data reveal the existence of very old rocks in the hinterland — away from the direction of thrusting—of the East Greenland Caledonian belt. With respect to the age of the Carolinidian fold system three geological interpretations are compatible with the results of this study:

Strontium and oxygen isotope evidence relating to the petrogenesis of the Kangerdlugssuaq alkaline instrusion,East Greenland

The Kangerdlugssuaq intrusion, East Greenland, consists of quartzsyenites, syenites, pulaskites and foyaites. The age and petrogenesis of the intrusion has been investigated by strontium and oxygen isotope analyses of the major rock types (and some separated minerals) and the surrounding country rocks. Crystallization and rapid cooling of the intrusion close to 50 m.y. ago is indicated by concordance of an Rb-Sr mineral isochron (49.9±1.0 m.y.) and an Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron (50.0±1.9 m.y.) with previously published mineral dates. The feldspathoid-bearing rocks of the intrusion, which were the last to crystallize, have uniformly depleted oxygen (¹⁸O = +3.9, SMOW) and homogeneous initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70450±7). This is ascribed to equilibration of the magma prior to the crystallization of these rocks with about 10% by weight of meteoric ground water. The concommittant increase of to about 1 Kb (the lithostatic load pressure) would depress the liquidus surfaces in the system Ne-Ks-Qz by about 200 ° C, allowing the magma to evolve continuously down temperature from oversatuated to undersaturated compositions. The chemical mechanism responsible for this trend has not been uniquely identified, but probably involved reduction of SiO₂ content in an open system. The outer, quartz-normative, rocks of the intrusion have ¹⁸O values ranging up to +5.5 and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging up to 0.7095. This is due to interaction of the solid rocks, down to temperatures approaching 500 ° C, with ground water which had been enriched in ¹⁸O and ⁸⁷Sr by previous exchange with the Precambrian country rocks. Minimum water/rock ratios are lower than in certain other known cases of interaction in the North Atlantic Tertiary Igneous Province.