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.     

Mawpyut intrusive complex of Jaintia hills district,Meghalaya, northeastern India: A case study for magmatic differentiation

The petrological details of the ultramafic-mafic-alkaline complex related to Sylhet Trap occurring near to Mawpyut (25°25′N:92°10′E) of Jaintia hills district Meghalaya, northeastern India, are poorly known. Field investigations indicate that the Mawpyut body occurs as a pluton distinctly intrusive into adjacent low grade metasedimentary Shillong Group of rocks. This body reveals development of two broad lithotypes namely ultramafic (olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite and plagioclase bearing ultramafic) and mafic (mostly gabbro, orthopyroxene gabbro, olivine gabbronorite, mela gabbro and mela-gabbro-norite) with minor presence of later syenitic veins. Though, in general, the pluton shows mineralogical variations, the field boundaries among those petrographic types are not discernible. Careful consideration of major and trace element chemistry of the constituent lithomembers clearly suggest progressive insitu fractionation of a common parent magma.     

Geochemistry of bauxites of Belgaum (Karnataka) and Yercaud (Tamil Nadu) areas

The major chemical components of bauxite deposits of Belgaum (76° 24′E : 15° 54′N) and Yercaud (78° 14′E : 11° 48′N) areas have been determined. A chemical continuity between parent rocks (zone I) to bauxites (zone IV) via clay (zone II) and laterites (zone III) clearly indicates that bauxites have been derived byin situ weathering of the respective parent rocks.     

Contact metamorphism of siliceous dolomite and impure limestones from the Werfen formation in the eastern Monzoni contact aureole

Summary ?The intrusive complex of Monzoni in the western central Dolomites (northern Italy) comprises a suite of pyroxenites, monzogabbros and monzodiorites with solidus temperatures in excess of 1000 °C which intruded previously unmetamorphosed Permotriassic sediments at less than 5 km depth. At the eastern intrusive contact an approximately 860 m wide contact aureole is developed in the carbonate country rocks. The prograde sequence of mineral parageneses in a siliceous dolomite of the Cencenighe member and in marly limestones of the Val Badia and Cencenighe members of the Lower Triassic Werfen formation indicate peak metamorphic temperatures in excess of 698 °C at 185 m from the intrusive contact and an outward temperature decrease of approximately 65 °C per 100 m. The high temperatures in the inner aureole caused formation of periclase from the prograde breakdown of dolomite and formation of melilite and esseneite-rich clinopyroxene. Present address: Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut, Universit?t Basel, Switzerland Received April 7, 2001; revised version accepted December 6, 2001     

Variscan amphibolite-facies rocks from the Kurtoğlu metamorphic complex (Gümüşhane area,Eastern Pontides,Turkey)

The Kurtoğlu metamorphic complex, that forms part of the pre-Liassic basement of the Sakarya zone in northern Turkey, consists of at least two tectonic units. Blueschist-facies rocks of unknown metamorphic age in the southern part of the complex are tectonically overlain by Variscan low-pressure high-temperature metamorphic rocks. The latter comprise mica schists and fine-grained gneisses, cut by metaleucogranitic dikes, as well as migmatitic biotite gneisses and subordinate amphibolite intercalations. Structural data indicate that metamorphism and penetrative deformation occurred after dyke intrusion. Peak metamorphic conditions of the mica schists, fine-grained gneisses and metaleucogranites are estimated to ∼650°C and ∼0.4 GPa, based on phase relationships in the system NCKFMASH, Fe–Mg partitioning between garnet and biotite as well as garnet-aluminosilicate-quartz-plagioclase (GASP) and garnet-plagioclase-biotite-quartz (GBPQ) barometry. Peak temperatures of the migmatitic biotite gneisses and amphibolite intercalations are not well constrained but might have been significantly higher (690–740°C), as suggested from hornblende-plagioclase thermometry. ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar incremental dating on muscovite and biotite fractions from the mica schists and fine-grained gneisses yielded plateau ages of ∼323 Ma. Significantly older model ages of ∼329 and ∼337 Ma were obtained on muscovite fractions from two metaleucogranite samples. These fractions contain both relict igneous and newly formed metamorphic muscovite.     

Vanadium bearing titaniferous magnetite ore bodies of Ganjang,Karbi-Anglong District,Northeastern India

A new occurrence of (syenite-hosted) Vanadium bearing titaniferous magnetite ore body has been reported from Ganjang (26°09′35″ N: 93°20′ E), Karbi-Anglong, Northeastern India. The magnetite ore bodies have lumpy and sporadic occurrences within the host syenite pluton intrusive into gneissic country rocks. Ore microscopic studies reveal that magnetite is often associated with haematite and ilmenite depicting different textural patterns. Critical consideration of several elemental patterns suggests magmatic differentiation to be main ore-forming process. The ore body is suggested to have been formed as late stage segregation from a differentiating alkaline magma in a fluid enriched milieu.     

A Study on the Forming Conditions of Basalts in Seamounts of the South China Sea

Volcanic rocks in seamounts of the South China Sea consist mainly of alkali basalt, tholeiitic basalt, trachyandesitic pumice, dacite, etc. Inclusions in the minerals of the volcanic rocks are mainly amorphous melt inclusions, which reflects that the volcanic rocks are characterized by submarine eruption and rapid cooling on the seafloor. Furthermore, fluid-melt inclusions have been discovered for the first time in alkali basalts and mantle-derived xenoliths. indicating a process of differentiation between magma and fluid in the course of mantle partial melting. Alkali basalts and inclusions may have been formed in this nonhomogeneous system. Rock-forming temperatures of four seamounts were estimated as follows: the Zhongnan seamount alkali basalt 1155 ∼ 1185 °C; the Xianbei seamount alkali basalt 960 ∼ 1200 °C; tholeiitic basalt 1040 ∼ 1230 °C; the Daimao seamount tholeiitic basalt 1245 ∼ 1280 °C; and the Jianfeng seamount trachyandestic pumice 880 ∼ 1140 °C. Equilibrium pressures of alkali basalts in the Zhongnan and Xianbei seamounts are 13.57 and 8.8 × 10⁸ Pa, respectively. Pyroxene equilibrium temperatures of mantle xenoliths from the Xianbei seamount were estimated at 1073 ∼ 1121 °C, and pressures at (15.58 ∼ 22.47)×10⁸Pa, suggesting a deep-source (e.g. the asthenosphere) for the alkali basalts. This project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Guangzhou Marine Geology Survey.     

Obtaining equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations from rocks: theory and examples

A generalized approach for retrieving equilibrium isotope fractionations from natural rocks is proposed in which models of prograde reaction histories and retrograde diffusional exchange are used to identify coexisting minerals with similar isotope closure temperatures. Examples using literature data and new analyses from 32 natural amphibolite-facies schists demonstrate both the feasibility and limitations of obtaining equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations from minerals in natural rocks. By screening samples according to the theoretical models, natural data are shown to have highly consistent mineral fractionations (±2σ reproducibilities of ±0.16 to 0.54‰) that within uncertainty reproduce experimental determinations among the minerals quartz, biotite, muscovite, and calcic amphibole. This correspondence indicates that the proposed theoretically-based selection criteria improve the likelihood of measuring equilibrium fractionations. The new data further corroborate the expected progressive enrichment of δ¹⁸O in the orthosilicates with increasing Al+Si relative to Fe+Mg: Δ(Ky-Grt) ∼1.05‰, Δ(St-Grt) ∼0.6‰, and Δ(St-Cld) ∼0.3‰ at 525–575 °C. In contrast, typical samples that fail to satisfy screening criteria exhibit fractionations involving quartz, biotite, and amphibole that are strongly disequilibrium because of exchange during cooling. Theoretical screening of samples prior to isotope analysis allows robust, independent assessment of theoretical and experimental determinations of equilibrium isotope fractionations. Received: 14 January 1997 / Accepted: 9 March 1998     

Physicochemical Conditions during the Formation of Dalingkou Ag—Pb—Zn Deposit,Zhejiang Province

On the basis of mineral paragenesis and the chemistry and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions, the physicochemical parameters were calculated for the formation of the Dalingkou Ag-Pb-Zn deposit in Zhejiang. From the early to the late stage of mineralization the ore-forming temperature venation was found to be 298.5 °C → 267.0 °C → 217.6 °C → 167.3 °C, with a corresponding pH change of 3.0 ∼ 5.8 → 6.1 → 6.7→ 5.0 ∼ 7.3. The pressure changed from 403.8 to 128.5 atm, andlogf S₂-9.9 → -11.2 → < -15; logf o₂< -44→ -45.6 ∼ -42.6 → > -44.2; and logf co₂ around -1.55. In conjunction with geological observations, the deposit is considered to be of meso-epithermal origin, i.e., it was formed after continental volcanic-subvolcanic activity. The major factors affecting ore precipitation are the decreasing temperature and the increasing pH of ore-forming solutions.     

Chemical composition of rock-forming minerals in gold-related granitoid intrusions,southwestern New Brunswick,Canada: implications for crystallization conditions,volatile exsolution,and fluorine-chlorine activity

Chemical composition of rock-forming minerals in Appalachian Siluro-Devonian granitoid intrusions, southwestern New Brunswick, was systematically determined by electron microprobe. The mineral chemical data together with petrographic examination was used to test magmatic equilibration and to constrain crystallization conditions, volatile exsolution, and fluorine-chlorine activity of fluids associated with these intrusions. Mineralogical distinction between Late Silurian to Early Devonian granodioritic to monzogranitic series (GMS) and Late Devonian granitic series (GS) rocks is evident, although both are subsolvus I-type to evolved I-type granitoids. Oxidized to reduced GMS rocks consist of quartz, plagioclase (An>10), K-feldspar, biotite, apatite, titanite, zircon, monazite, ± hornblende, ± pyroxene, ± magnetite, ± ilmenite, and ± sulfide. GS rocks comprise quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase (An<10), mica group minerals, zircon, monazite, apatite, sulfide, ± ilmente, ± magnetite, ± topaz, ± columbite, and ± xenotime. Inter-intrusion and intra-intrusion variations in mineral chemistry are interpreted to reflect petrogenetic processes (e.g., assimilation and fractional crystallization) during granitoid evolution. Although magmatic equilibration among rock-forming minerals are disturbed by subsolidus hydrothermal processes, GMS rocks appear to have higher magmatic temperatures, variable levels of emplacement, a range of (i.e., reduced intrusions 10^−16.7∼10^−13.4 and oxidized intrusions 10^−14.0∼10^−10.5 bars), and relatively low f _HF/f _HCl ratios (10^−3.0∼10^−1.0) in exsolved fluids, compared to GS rocks. Reduced GMS intrusions bear higher gold potential and thus may be prospective targets for intrusion-related gold systems. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

The nature and origin of Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks in the Qareaghaj mafic-ultramafic intrusion, NW Iran

Summary Fe-Ti-P-rich rocks (FTP) are unusual with respect to their mineralogy and bulk composition. Varieties of these rocks are mostly related to Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites and to a lesser extent to the upper parts of mafic-ultramafic intracratonic layered complexes and other igneous rock suites. We present results on the geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of a new occurrence of FTP, associated with mafic rocks in the northwestern part of Iran. The Qareaghaj mafic-ultramafic intrusion (QMUI) is a small igneous body situated between Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks and a Precambrian low grade metamorphic complex. The QMUI is composed mainly of non-mineralized mafic and apatite- and Fe-Ti oxide-rich ultramafic rocks. The mafic rocks, mainly coarse-grained gabbro, microgabbro and amphibolite, have a simple mineral assemblage (plagioclase + clinopyroxene + ilmenite) and based on field observations, mineralogy and chemical composition are comagmatic. The ultramafic rocks with high proportion of olivine (∼40–66 vol.%), apatite (∼0.1–16 vol.%), ilmenite (∼11–19 vol.%) and magnetite (∼2–13 vol.%), have unusual bulk compositions (e.g., SiO₂ ∼ 21–30 wt.%, total iron expressed as Fe₂O₃ ^tot ∼ 26–42 wt.%, TiO₂ ∼ 5–11 wt.%, MgO ∼ 9–20 wt.%, P₂O₅ up to 5.1 wt.%, Cr ∼ 40–160 ppm, Ni ∼ 7–73 ppm). The FTP forms numerous sill-like layers, ranging in thickness from ∼5 cm to few meters. These rocks, totally enclosed in mafic rocks with sharp and concordant contacts, show a magmatic lamination and follow the general NW–SE trend of QMUI. The apatite-rich ultramafic rocks makes up 90–95% of the total ultramafic outcrops and contain Mg-poor olivine (Mg# ∼ 40–58) and low-Mg spinel (Mg# ∼ 30–44) in contrast to apatite-poor ones (∼60–63 and ∼43–46, respectively). Field relationships, mineral compositions and geochemical data suggested that the FTP are not related to the mafic host rocks. On the contrary, they intruded latter into the gabbros during plastic, high temperature deformation in local shear zones. Fractional crystallization of P-rich ferrobasaltic parental magma at depth, probably in an open magmatic system, not far from the QMUI magma chamber, is considered as responsible for the formation of the evolved FTP in QMUI.     

The El Teniente porphyry Cu–Mo deposit from a hydrothermal rutile perspective

Mineralogical, textural, and chemical analyses (EPMA and PIXE) of hydrothermal rutile in the El Teniente porphyry Cu–Mo deposit help to better constrain ore formation processes. Rutile formed from igneous Ti-rich phases (sphene, biotite, Ti-magnetite, and ilmenite) by re-equilibration and/or breakdown under hydrothermal conditions at temperatures ranging between 400°C and 700°C. Most rutile nucleate and grow at the original textural position of its Ti-rich igneous parent mineral phase. The distribution of Mo content in rutile indicates that low-temperature (∼400–550°C), Mo-poor rutile (5.4 ± 1.1 ppm) is dominantly in the Mo-rich mafic wallrocks (high-grade ore), while high-temperature (∼550-700°C), Mo-rich rutile (186 ± 20 ppm) is found in the Mo-poor felsic porphyries (low-grade ore). Rutile from late dacite ring dikes is a notable exception to this distribution pattern. The Sb content in rutile from the high-temperature potassic core of the deposit to its low-temperature propylitic fringe remains relatively constant (35 ± 3 ppm). Temperature and Mo content of the hydrothermal fluids in addition to Mo/Ti ratio, modal abundance and stability of Ti-rich parental phases are key factors constraining Mo content and provenance in high-temperature (≥550°C) rutile. The initial Mo content of parent mineral phases is controlled by melt composition and oxygen fugacity as well as timing and efficiency of fluid–melt separation. Enhanced reduction of SO₂-rich fluids and sulfide deposition in the Fe-rich mafic wallrocks influences the low-temperature (≤550°C) rutile chemistry. The data are consistent with a model of fluid circulation of hot (>550°C), oxidized (ƒO₂ ≥ NNO + 1.3), SO₂-rich and Mo-bearing fluids, likely exsolved from deeper crystallizing parts of the porphyry system and fluxed through the upper dacite porphyries and related structures, with metal deposition dominantly in the Fe-rich mafic wallrocks.     

Complete preservation of ophiolite suite from south Andaman,India: A mineral-chemical perspective

Field studies supplemented by petrographic analyses clearly reveal complete preservation of ophiolite suite from Port Blair (11°39′N: 92°45′E) to Chiriyatapu (11°30′24″N: 92°42′30″E) stretch of South Andaman. The ophiolite suite reveals serpentinite at the base which is overlain unconformably by cumulate ultramafic-mafic members with discernible cumulus texture and igneous layering. Basaltic dykes are found to cut across the cumulate ultramafic-mafic members. The succession is capped by well exposed pillow basalts interlayered with arkosic sediments. Olivine from the basal serpentinite unit are highly magnesian (Fo_80.1–86.2). All clinopyroxene analyses from cumulate pyroxenite, cumulate gabbro and basaltic dyke are discriminated to be ‘Quad’ and are uniformly restricted to the diopside field. Composition of plagioclase in different lithomembers is systematically varying from calcic to sodic endmembers progressively from cumulate pyroxenite to pillow basalt through cumulate gabbro and basaltic dyke. Plagioclase phenocrysts from basaltic dyke are found to be distinctly zoned (An_60.7-An_35.3) whereas groundmass plagioclase are relatively sodic (An₃₃-An_23.5). Deduced thermobarometric data from different lithomembers clearly correspond to the observed preservation of complete ophiolite suite.     

Impact of Berm Breaching on Hyperbenthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in Intermittently Closed Estuaries

Berm breaching of intermittently closed estuaries, either naturally or due to management practices, results in a physicochemical disturbance due to the flushing of water, material and biota into the ocean and the subsequent tidal influx. In 2007 and 2008 comparative and controlled studies were employed in three New Zealand estuaries: Sawmill Creek (46°04′ S 170°12′ E), Otokia Creek (45°57′ S 179°20′ E) and Kaikorai Lagoon (45°56′ S 170°23′ E), to investigate the impact of berm breaching on the hyperbenthic macroinvertebrate community in intermittently closed estuaries. Significant changes in community structure occurred in both the weekly comparative and the controlled studies (ANOSIM P < 0.01). Furthermore, the catch per unit effort of both total and key invertebrate taxa significantly increased after breaching (ANOVA P < 0.01). However, substantial numbers of individuals were expelled into the ocean (5,800 individuals, 20-min sample) while new taxa immigrated into the estuaries. Along with migration-related changes to community structure, berm breaches also resulted in the loss of ∼80% of inundated habitat and the concentration of existing populations. Consequently, the management of intermittent estuary connections to the ocean has implications for the ecology of individual, managed estuaries and also for regional coastal populations of epibenthic invertebrates.     

Composition and age of metaorthopyroxenite xenoliths and host enderbite gneisses in the Pobuzhie granulite complex,Ukrainian Shield

The SIMS U-Pb isotopic age of zircons from enderbite gneisses and their metaorthopyroxenite xenoliths in the Pobuzhie granulite complex, Ukrainian Shield (48°13′57.3″ N and 29°59′21.5″ E, WGS84 system), was determined. The chemical compositions of these rocks and composing minerals were studied. Enderbite gneisses contain quartz, antiperthite plagioclase, K-feldspar, clinoenstatite, diopside, amphibole, and a small amount of biotite; accessory minerals are ilmenite and apatite. The age of zircon from enderbite gneiss is estimated at about 3.15 Ga. Metaorthopyroxenites are composed of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, phlogopite (up to 6% TiO₂), and plagioclase. The age of magmatic zircons from metaorthopyroxenite determined by the upper intercept of the discordia with the concordia is 3485 ± 33 Ma (MSVD = 1.6), and the age of metamorphic zircons is 2742 ± 22 Ma (MSVD = 0.22). Hence, the enderbite gneisses studied pertain to a young group of enderbites in the Pobuzhie granulite complex, while the age of metaorthopyroxenites from xenoliths in these rocks is similar to that of ancient Pobuzhie enderbites and pyroxenites of the Novopavlovsk complex in the Azov Region.     

Preservation of oxygen isotope compositions in granulites from Northwestern Canada and Enderby Land,Antarctica: implications for high-temperature isotopic thermometry

 Preservation of high-temperature mineral isotopic compositions is necessary for successful high-temperature isotopic thermometry. Other requirements include large fractionations between constituent minerals, well-calibrated equilibria, carefully designed sampling strategies and data handling techniques that quantitatively account for retrograde exchange. Here, we apply isotopic thermometry and data handling techniques to calculate and contrast mineral-pair apparent temperature data and observed closure temperature data (T _c-observed) (cf. Farquhar et al. 1993) for the very high temperature (>900°C), dry granulites of the Taltson Magmatic Zone of Northwestern Canada and the Napier Complex of Enderby Land, Antarctica. The isotopic compositions of garnet grains from both terrains reflect high temperature conditions (>950°C) and point to this mineral as an excellent candidate for isotopic thermometry. The isotopic compositions of quartz, pyroxene, ilmenite and magnetite indicate that they equilibrated to lower temperature conditions (<900°C) due to faster rates of oxygen diffusion in these minerals, possibly enhanced by exsolution and ductile deformation, compared with garnet. Our temperature data for garnet and pyroxene are ≈200°C higher than is possible to explain by existing “wet” diffusion data, but is consistent with “dry” diffusion data, suggesting that the extremely dry nature of these rocks may have played a significant role in the preservation of high-temperature isotopic compositions. Both quartz and magnetite exhibit subgrain features, indicative of ductile deformation. Quartz-magnetite temperatures from the Napier complex are similar to those inferred for a late (D3) deformation and are lower than those predicted by “dry” diffusion data. We infer that the quartz-magnetite isotopic fractionations reflect deformation-enhanced exchange that accompanied D3. Garnet in these same samples did not undergo ductile deformation and did not exchange oxygen with coexisiting phases during cooling. This may reflect strain partitioning between less easily deformed, low abundance garnet and more easily deformed matrix quartz and magnetite. The resistance of garnet to ductile deformation in these rocks is a second reason why garnet is suitable for isotopic thermometry. Received: 6 February 1996 / Accepted: 25 April 1996     

Geology and geochemistry of palaeoproterozoic low-grade metabasic volcanic rocks from Salumber area,Aravalli Supergroup,NW India

The Palaeoproterozoic Aravalli Supergroup in Salumber region includes a basal unit of metabasic volcanic rocks (Salumber volcanic rocks) overlain by a volcaniclastic/conglomerate one. Although these volcanic rocks have been metamorphosed to green-schist facies, some primary volcanic features are still preserved. This metabasic volcanic sequence can be further differentiated on the basis of textural variations, and the mineral assemblages are: (a) oligoclase + actinolite + chlorite + epidote; and (b) oligoclase + hornblende+ chlorite + biotite + Fe-Ti oxides. The SiO₂ content ranges from ∼47.7 to 55.8% and MgO from ∼4.2 to 12.8%. Geochemical characteristics allow their subdivision into high Mg and Fe tholeiites. Inverse relationship of MgO with silica, alkalis and Zr is generally consistent with fractionation mechanism, also suggested by a change in colour of the rocks from dark greenish to light greenish towards the upper parts of the sequence. These metabasic volcanic rocks are enriched in incompatible trace elements and LREE (La = 30 − 40 × chondrite, Lu = 2 − 5 × chondrite), and demonstrate affinity mainly with MORB and within plate settings in geochemical tectonic discrimination schemes. The geochemical characteristics suggest a complex evolutionary history envisaging derivation of the melt from an enriched heterogeneous lithospheric source.     

Grain boundary diffusion of oxygen,potassium and calcium in natural and hot-pressed feldspar aggregates

 Grain boundary diffusion rates of oxygen, potassium and calcium in fine-grained feldspar aggregates were determined experimentally. The starting materials were a natural albite rock from the Tanco pegmatite and aggregates hot-pressed from fragments of Amelia albite or Ab, Or and An composition glasses. The technique employed isotopic tracers (¹⁸O, ⁴¹K, ⁴²Ca) either evaporated onto the surface or in an aqueous solution surrounding the sample, and depth profiling using an ion microprobe (SIMS). From the depth profiles, the product of the grain boundary diffusion coefficient (D′) and effective boundary width (δ) was calculated using numerical solutions to the appropriate diffusion equation. The experimental reproducibility of D′δ is a factor of 3. A separate determination of D′ independent of δ yields an effective grain boundary width of ∼3 nm, consistent with high resolution TEM observations of a physical grain boundary width <5 nm. Oxygen (as molecular water) grain boundary diffusion rates were determined in the Ab and Or aggregates at 450°–800° C and 100 MPa (hydrothermal), potassium rates in Or aggregates at 450°–700° C both at 0.1 MPa (in air) and at 100 MPa (hydrothermal), and calcium rates in An aggregates at 700°–1100° C and 0.1 MPa (in air). Oxygen grain boundary diffusion rates are similar in all three of the Ab aggregates and in the Or aggregate. Potassium and oxygen depth profiles measured in the same samples yield different D′δ values, confirming a diffusional transport mechanism. Potassium diffusion in the Or aggregate has a greater activation energy (216 vs 78 kJ/mol) than oxygen, and the Arrhenius relations cross at ∼625° C. Potassium D′δ values in Or aggregates are about a factor of five greater in hydrothermal experiments at 100 MPa than in experiments at 0.1 MPa in air. Calcium grain boundary diffusion rates in An aggregates are 4 to 5 orders of magnitude slower than potassium in Or and have a greater (291 kJ/mol) activation energy. This suggests that differences in formal charge and/or size of diffusing species may play an important role in their relative grain boundary diffusion rates. Received: 24 December 1993 / Accepted: 16 June 1994     

Petrochemical Comparison of 3.5 Ga Old Mafic Amphibolite Inclusions from Eastern Hebei Province with Archean Mafic—ultramafic Supracrustals of Uncertain Antiquity,Southern Jilin Eastern Liaoning Prov

New major element data for coexisting minerals and bulk-rock REE analyses,combined with previously obtained petrologic/geologic information,allow comparison of Archean mafic-ultramafic meta-igneous rocks from adjacent portions of northeastern Sino-Korean shield .Isotope data published by previous workers document an Early Archean age of formation for metabasaltic rocks now occurring as mafic amphibolite inclusions in tonalitic gneisses west of Bohai Bay(area).Mafic-ultramafic mineral assemblages developed in tonalitic gneisses west of Bohai Bay(areaA).Mafic-ultramafic mineral assemblages developed in amphibolite facies Archean supracrustals east of Bohai Bay(areaB)are chemically similar ,but pre-existing phase associations have been overprinted by the effects of several later metamorphic events.Non0peridotitic area B protoliths appear to be more magnesian ,averaging-12wt.%MgO(versus-7wt.%for area A),and are slightly less fractionated in REE concentrations relative to chondrites(La-Lu=30-8X versus 37-14X for area A),thus perhaps being more mantle-like than area A metabasaltic analogues.The basaltic-komatiitic series east of Bohai Bay probably represents the most ancient crust of that region,being invaded by Archean tonalities,which were subsequently converted to orthogneisses.These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that ,similar to area A metabasaltic rocks now found as amphibolitic inclusions in orthogneisses,are B mafic supracrustals were formed during Early of Middle Archean time ,prior to widespread isofacial amphibolite facies metamorphism(600-700℃,5-7kb,low αH2O).     

A comparative fluid inclusion study of the Waterville and Sangerville (Vassalboro) Formations,south-central Maine

 Petrologic and oxygen isotope data indicate that water-rich fluids infiltrated metasedimentary rocks of the Waterville and Sangerville (formally Vassalboro) Formations, south-central Maine, during peak metamorphism, and depleted Sangerville rocks in alkalis but not equivalent Waterville rocks. Fluid inclusion data from two outcrops, ∼1 km apart, one of the Waterville and the other of the Sangerville Formations, suggest a cause for the geochemical difference between the two units. Postulated peak metamorphic inclusions, the texturally earliest of aqueous inclusions in the metasediments, approximate the water-rich compositions of peak fluids predicted by mineral-fluid equilibria, and have average salinity in the Sangerville Formation ∼ three times that of equivalent Waterville inclusions. The higher salinity in the Sangerville fluids could explain the greater alkali depletion in these rocks. Probable pre-peak or prograde inclusions are preserved in metasediments as the texturally earliest carbonic inclusions which contain CO₂, CH₄, N₂±H₂O, as determined by microthermometry and Raman spectrometry. They may have formed by breakdown of organic matter. Probable retrograde inclusions occur as texturally late aqueous inclusions in healed fractures with salinity ranges indistinguishable between the two formations. Synmetamorphic granitic dikes present in the two outcrops were ruled out as a source for fluids in metasediments because composition and density ranges of inclusions in dikes and metasediments are fundamentally different, and because there is no correlation between the abundance or composition of inclusions in a sample and proximity to dikes. Isochores for many of the inclusions in both metasediments and dikes are not consistent with the inferred P−T conditions of their trapping, but intersect at ∼300° to 400° C and 1 to 2 kbar. The intersections probably resulted because inclusion densities continued to equilibrate during uplift and cooling until quartz became rigid. The present densities are those at the last equilibration, not the time of trapping. In contrast, the clear distinctions in inclusion compositions between dikes and between dike and country rock show that the original compositional differences generally have been preserved. Received: 4 February 1994 / Accepted: 22 June 1994