The evolution of fluorine-rich felsic magmas: source dichotomy, magmatic convergence and the origins of topaz granite

Topaz granite is alkali-feldspar granite that contains essential albite, quartz, K-feldspar, lithium-mica, and topaz. As a group topaz granites are characterized by their extreme enrichment in F (up to 3 wt%) and a wide variety of lithophile elements. They can be subdivided into a 'low-P₂O₅ subtype' (P₂O₅ < 0.1 wt%, Al₂O₃ < 14.5 wt%, SiO₂ > 73 wt%) and a 'high-P₂O₅ subtype' (P₂O₅ > 0.4 wt%, Al₂O₃ > 14.5 wt%, SiO₂ < 73 wt%), the δ¹⁸O values of which indicate a dichotomy of source rock: the low-P₂O₅ subtype (δ¹⁸O < 10‰) having a meta-igneous protolith and the high-P₂O₅ subtype (δ¹⁸O > 10 ‰) a source with a significant component of pelitic material. The unusually high F contents enhance the efficacy of melt segregation and crystal-melt fractionation and so facilitate extreme differentiation in topaz granite magmas. Very low melt volumes restrict the bulk composition of the partial melts regardless of the nature of the source; and extreme fractionation forces them along a path of magmatic convergence, to produce a group of granitic rocks with near-minimum compositions so enriched in a variety of lithophile elements (Li, Nb, Ta, Sn) that economic mineralization often results.     

Decompressional coronas and symplectites in granulites of the Musgrave Complex, central Australia

Abstract In granulite facies metapelitic rocks in the Musgrave Complex, central Australia, reaction between S1 garnet and sillimanite involves the development in S2 of both garnet + cordierite + hercynitic spinel + biotite and hercynitic spinel + cordierite + sillimanite + biotite. The S2 assemblages occur either in coronas and symplectites, mainly around garnet, or, in rocks in which S2 is more strongly developed, as recrystallized assemblages. Ignoring the presence of biotite and ilmenite, the mineral textures can be accounted for qualitatively by a consideration of the model system FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (FMAS); the textural relationships accord with decompression accompanying the change from S1 to S2. However, since biotite and ilmenite are involved in the assemblages, the parageneses are better accounted for in terms of equilibria in the expanded model system K₂O-FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂-TiO₂-Fe₂O₃ (KFMASHTO), i.e. AFM + TiO₂+ Fe₂O₃. The coronas reflect the tectonic unroofing of at least part of the Musgrave Complex from peak S1 conditions of about 8 kbar to S2 conditions of about 4 kbar.     

Trend Surface Modelling of Karlapat Bauxite Deposit, Eastern Ghat Group, Orissa, India

Abstract: The Karlapat bauxite deposit occurs in the Eastern Ghat Group of rocks in Orissa and has developed in the khondalites. Mineralogical and physical observations on bore hole samples reflect the presence of a maximum of six weathered zones from top to bottom. These zones are termed as topsoil, siliceous laterite, ferruginous laterite, bauxite, lithomarge and altered khondalite. Four-dimensional trend surface models are developed for the data of 45 and 36 bore holes from north and south blocks, respectively, on Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ to delineate the zones of metallurgical grade bauxite (SiO₂5 % and Al₂O₃40 %). The results indicate about 15 m thickness of bauxite in the north block while it could be up to 20 m thick in the south block, leaving about 10 m of lat-erites at the top of each block. High grade bauxite (>47 % Al₂O₃) is also encountered at specific locations.     

Ijolite versus carbonatite as sources of fenitization

Ijolite-carbonatite complexes are ubiquitously surrounded of an aureole of metasomatically altered rocks. The process of alteration is termed fenitization and is generally caused by peralkaline fluids emanating from cooling alkaline, i.e. ijolite and carbonatite magmas. Ijolites and carbonatites normally occur together and attempts to determine the source of the fenitizing fluids may therefore lead to controversial, if not erroneous, conclusions.
Mineralogical and chemical data of fenites from Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania), Fen (Norway), and Alnö (Sweden) are reviewed in the present paper in order to reveal the main factors controlling the fenitization around ijolite and carbonatite. Despite the overall alkaline nature of the process, variables such as XCO₂ of the fluid, activity gradients of SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and CaO, FeO/MgO ratio, f O₂ and temperature gradients may differ, producing distinctive patterns of fenitization around the two magmatic sources. The ijolitic-type fluid has low XCO₂, high activities of alkalies, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, and low activity of CaO. The f O₂ evolves along the hm-mt buffer conditions and the temperature falls gradually with distance from the magmatic source. The carbonatitic-type fluid has high XCO₂, high activities of alkalies and CaO, and low activities of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃. Temperatures and f O₂ are initially high, but decrease sharply with distance from the source. Moreover, the CO₂-rich fluid may complex and transport the REE.     

TEM observations of several spinel-garnet assemblies: toward the rheology of the transition zone

In order to better identify the mineral phase which controls the rheology of the transition zone (between 410 and 660 km depth) transmission electron microscopy observations were made on several coexisting spinel-garnet assemblies: alkremite xenolith; pyrope-rich – MgO:1.1Al₂O₃ spinel assembly deformed at 1173K, 800 MPa in a Griggs apparatus; (Mg,Fe)₃(Al,Mg,Si)₂Si₃O₁₂ majorite – (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ spinel assembly synthesized in a laser heated diamond anvil cell. It was found that garnet crystals systematically remain undeformed while spinel crystals are plastically deformed. These results are in accord with the assumption that the rheology of majorite is stronger than the rheology of spinel, in the conditions of the transition zone.     

Major Element Data (1966–1978) for The Six "Nimroc" Reference Samples

The results are given for all the determinations made by the co-operating laboratories of major elements in the six NIMROC rock samples (granite, syenite, lujavrite, norite, pyroxenite and dunite) prepared by the National Institute for Metallurgy in 1966. Relevant statistical data are given for the sets of results for each major constituent, and recommended values for all constituents except Al₂0₃, Na₂0, K₂0and CO₂ in dunite, Fe₂O₃, MgO and CO₂ in the granite, Fe₂₃ and CO₂ in the norite and CO₂ in the pyroxenite.
This report and that on the trace and minor elements issued in 1978 complete the revision of the recommended values. It is suggested that analysts should concentrate rather on those constituents for which the results have shown such a wide scatter that they can be of no usc for reference purposes, than on those for which the ualues are fairly well established.     

Improved Results for the Monazite Sample, IGS 36

Updated analytical data on rare-earth oxides, ThO₂ and U₃O₈ are presented for the Monazite reference sample IGS 36.     

Vanadiferous minerals from the Nereus Deep, Red Sea

The chemical analysis by EMPEDS of 140 samples in cores from six Red Sea troughs and basins has led to the discovery in the Nereus Deep of high vanadium concentrations (up to 1.3% V₂O₃) in several bulk samples, and to the isolation of a major magnetite phase. This vanado-magnetite, remarkable for its high content of vanadium (mean = 1.45% V₂O₃) and its lack of titanium, is frequently zoned, the V-content decreasing toward the outer zones. Oxides with up to 42% V₂O₃, have also been found. Since the origin of the magnetite is clearly authigenic, its high vanadium and low titanium concentrations are traced back to the differential hydrothermal leaching of Fe—Ti-oxides which occur profusely in basic eruptive rock clasts, actually present in some of the overlying seams.     

Heavy Mineral Placer Deposits of Ekakula Beach, Gahiramatha Coast, Orissa, India

Abstract: Ilmenite, hematite, garnet, monazite, zircon, rutile, magnetite, sillimanite, pyroxene and amphibole from the beach sands of Ekakula, Gahiramatha coast, Orissa, India are reported here for the first time. Their total concentration varies from 26. 4 to 100%. Ilmenite, monazite and zircon are between 100 and 300 um in size and are well rounded in shape. Ilmenite-hematite intergrowth is common. Ilmenite has 50. 02–54. 73% TiO₂, 42. 42–46. 90% FeO (total Fe) and small amounts of Al, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ba, Si, V, Cr, and Zn. The bulk samples contain 10. 63–41. 42 % TiO₂, 6. 15–26. 07 % FeO, 5. 86–16. 75 % Fe₂O₃, 7. 41–61. 74 % SiO₂, 1. 39–12. 83% A1₂O₃, 0. 32–4. 97% CaO, 0. 53–4. 24% P₂O₅, 0. 17–3. 27% MgO, 0. 15–2. 97% Na₂O, 0. 07–2. 34% K₂O, and 0. 05–0. 71% V₂O₅ together with appreciable amounts of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Y, U, Th, Zr, and trace amounts of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, and Cr. Khondalite, charnockite, calc-silicate granulite, leptynite, migmatite, gneiss, basic granulite and pegmatite of the Eastern Ghats appear to be the major source for the above heavy mineral assemblages. The samples are amenable to gravity and magnetic methods of beneficiation.     

A Study on the Formation of Smectite in Silica Scales Precipitated from Geothermal Water: The Effect of Magnesium

Abstract. Silica scales containing large amounts of smectite were recently found in the pipelines for geothermal water at a geothermal power plant. To elucidate the mechanism of smectite formation, seven silica scale samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis and ²⁷A1 MAS NMR. Smectite was present in samples with MgO levels above 10 wt% and Al₂O₃ levels below 10 wt%. In ²⁷A1 MAS NMR spectra, peaks assigned to both tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated aluminum (Al(4) and Al(6)) were observed for Mg-rich samples, whereas a peak due to Al(4) alone appeared in Mg-poor samples. From these observation and comparison between ²⁷A1 MAS NMR spectra for synthesized precipitates of Al₂O₃-SiO₂ containing MgO and not containing MgO, it is concluded that magnesium plays an important role in the stabilization of Al(6), and results in the formation of smectite     

A ternary solid solution model for omphacite and its application to geothermobarometry of eclogites from the Middle Adula nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland)

A ternary solid solution model for omphacite with the end-members jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆), diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) and hedenbergite (CaFeSi₂O₆) was derived from experimental data from the literature. The subregular solution model, fitted by linear programming, is best suited to omphacites with very little aegirine component in common eclogites. Applying this solution model to the calculation of equilibrium phase diagrams of eclogites from the Adula nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland) results in large stability fields for common eclogite assemblages (garnet+omphacite+quartz+H₂O±kyanite). Within this field the compositions of garnet and omphacite show very little variation. A precise determination of the peak-pressure and temperature is not possible. The occurrence of amphibole, overgrowing the peak-pressure assemblage in fresh eclogite, suggests retrograde re-equilibration, still under eclogite facies conditions. The computation of isopleths for garnet and pyroxene end-members allows the estimation of the pressure and temperature conditions of this re-equilibration event (19–21  kbar, c .  700 °C).     

Low-pressure granulite facies metapelitic assemblages and corona textures from MacRobertson Land, east Antarctica: the importance of Fe2O3 and TiO2 in accounting for spinel-bearing assemblages

Low-pressure granulite facies metasedimentary gneisses exposed in MacRobertson Land, east Antarctica, include hercynitic spinel-bearing metapelitic gneisses. Peak metamorphic mineral assemblages include spinel + rutile + ilmenite + sillimanite + garnet, spinel + ilmenite + sillimanite + garnet + cordierite, ortho-pyroxene + magnetite + ilmenite + garnet, spinel + cordierite + biotite + ilmenite and orthopyroxene + cordierite + biotite, each with quartz, K-feldspar and melt. The presence of garnet + biotite- and cordierite + orthopyroxene-bearing assemblages implies crossing tie-lines in AFM projection for the K₂O-FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O (KFMASH) system. This apparent contradiction, and the presence of spinel, rutile and ilmenite in the assemblages, is acounted for by using the KFMASH-TiO₂-O₂ system, i.e. AFM + TiO₂+ Fe₂O₃. We derive a petrogenetic grid for this system, applicable to low-pressure granulite facies metamorphic conditions. Retrograde assemblages are interpreted from corona textures on hercynitic spinel and Fe-Ti oxides. The relative positions of the peak and retrograde metamorphic assemblages on the petrogenetic grid suggest that corona development occurred during essentially isobaric cooling.     

Alkali feldspars as a main phosphorus reservoirs in rare-metal granites: three examples from the Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic)

Phosphorus-rich alkali feldspars were found in three peraluminous highly differentiated albite-topaz-Li-mica granites in the W and S parts of the Bohemian Massif. The average contents of P₂O₅ in K-feldspars (Křížovy kámen 0.57 wt%, Homolka 0.77 wt%, and Podlesí 0.83 wt%) are higher than the average contents of P₂O₅ in albites (Křížovy kámen 0.23 wt%, Homolka 0.23 wt%, and Podlesí 0.39 wt%). The analyses of feldspars indicate that partition coefficient of phosphorus between K-feldspar and albite range from 1.5 to 2.5. Measured data in K-feldspars suggest a statistically significant difference from the Al³⁺+P⁵⁺=2 Si⁴⁺ substitution mechanism for higher phosphorus concentration. The P-content in K-feldspars from the Podlesí-granite represent the highest P-content in natural feldspar known to date (up to 2.5 wt% of P₂O₅)- It is suggested that all studied granites retained nearly all phosphorus of granitic melts and that their alkali feldspars represent major reservoirs of phosphorus.     

Implications of Analcime Hydrothermally Formed from Na-alumino-borosilicate Glasses Containing Cs and Sr for the Stability of High-level Radioactive Waste Form

Abstract. In order to know the behaviors of radioactive elements such as cesium and strontium during a hydrothermal alteration of borosilicate glass of radioactive waste, some alumino-borosilicate glasses belonging to the systems Na₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-SrO, Na₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-Cs₂O and Na₂O-Al₂-O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂-SrO-Cs₂O have been treated hydrothermally at 200C under a vapor pressure of 1.54 MPa. The result shows that all glasses are changed into crystalline phases with running time up to 60 days, and that analcime-type zeolite is formed as a major product. The formed zeolite is shown to contain cesium and/or strontium. Considering the fact that natural zeolite occurs in wide physicochemical conditions including hydrothermal one, the analcime-type zeolite is expected to fix stably the radioactive elements in the disposal site. Since aluminum is necessary for the formation of the analcime-type zeolite, the waste glass should have aluminum as one of major components.     

NEW SET OF LOW CONCENTRATION STANDARDS FOR LA, CE, SM, YB, LU, Y, SC, V, NB AND TA IN SILICATES

We have developed a set of four synthetic standards for the rare earth and high field strength elements designed for use in the determination of those elements in silicates. The base material is a glass nominally at the eutectic of the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ ternary system. The nominal doping level was 2 wt% of the elements as oxides. To avoid problems associated with peak interference, the elements were doped in four separate glasses.     

A second natural occurrence of yoderite

A second example of yoderite has been discovered in whiteschists from the Southern Chewore Hills of northern Zimbabwe. The mineral is pale green in colour and occurs in an equilibrium assemblage with talc+chlorite+kyanite+dravite+hematite. There is no quartz present. Recalculated microprobe analyses give a structural formula of Mg₂Al_5.7Fe_0.3Si₄O₁₈(OH)₂, similar to that obtained for the type locality at Mautia Hill, Tanzania, i.e. Mg₂Al_5.6Fe_0.4Si₄O₁₈(OH)₂. Textural relationships and relative proportions of minerals suggest that the yoderite was formed by reaction between talc, chlorite, kyanite and hematite. Experimental evidence suggests high-water-pressure metamorphic conditions at temperatures exceeding a reaction curve that extends between 13  kbar at 590  °C and 21  kbar at 650  °C. The yoderite-bearing whiteschist is associated with a 1.4  Ga dismembered ophiolite. It is proposed that this yoderite occurrence is associated with a relict subduction/suture zone.     

Chromium Augite - A New Microprobe Reference Sample

A microprobe reference sample was made from a portion of a large and homogeneous single crystal of augite which contains 0.85% of Cr₂O₃. The relatively high chromium content of this augite increases its usefulness as a microprobe reference sample.     

A new thermodynamic model for clino- and orthoamphiboles in the system Na2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–O

A recent thermodynamic model for the Na–Ca clinoamphiboles in the system Na₂O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–O (NCFMASHO), is improved, and extended to include cummingtonite–grunerite and the orthoamphiboles, anthophyllite and gedrite. The clinoamphibole model in NCMASH is adopted, but the extension into the FeO- and Fe₂O₃-bearing systems is revised to provide thermodynamic consistency and better agreement with natural assemblage data. The new model involves order–disorder of Fe–Mg between the M2, M13 and M4 sites in the amphibole structure, calibrated using the experimental data on site distributions in cummingtonite–grunerite. In the independent set of end-members used to represent the thermodynamics, grunerite (rather than ferroactinolite) is used for FeO, with two ordered Fe–Mg end-members, and magnesioriebeckite (rather than ferritschermakite) is used for Fe₂O₃. Natural assemblage data for coexisting clinoamphiboles are used to constrain the interaction energies between the various amphibole end-members. For orthamphibole, the assumption is made that the site distributions and the non-ideal formulation is the same as for clinoamphibole. The data set end-members anthophyllite, ferroanthophyllite and gedrite, are used; for the others, they are based on the clinoamphibole end-members, with the necessary adjustments to their enthalpies constrained by natural assemblage data for coexisting clino- and orthoamphiboles. The efficacy of the models is illustrated with P – T grids and various pseudosections, with a particular emphasis on the prediction of mineral assemblages in ferric-bearing systems.     

The occurrence of deerite in highly oxidizing conditions within the 'schistes lustrés'of eastern Corsica

Abstract A deerite-bearing rock occurs at the boundary between quartzite and metabasites within the 'schistes lustrés'of eastern Corsica. It contains the typomorphic assemblage pyroxene, blue amphibole, hematite and magnetite. Pyroxene shows homogeneous composition close to the aegirine end-member and blue amphibole is zoned from crossite core to riebeckite rim. The bulk chemical analysis of the rock is remarkable by its very high iron content and the presence of an unusually large amount of Zn which is concentrated in both deerite and amphibole. Electron microprobe analyses of the Corsican deerite are compared with those published in the literature; as shown by deerite from the Fransciscan iron formation, the principal substitution for Fe²⁺ is Mn whereas the amount of substitution for Fe³⁺ is low. In the system SiO₂-FeO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-Na₂O-MgO-H₂O the typomorphic paragenesis can be described by an univariant reaction interpreted as the result of a pressure decrease. P-T conditions of metamorphism, previously estimated to be 8 kbar and 300°C, are in good agreement with present knowledge of the deerite stability field. The occurrence of hematite and magnetite in equilibrium permits an estimation of the oxygen fugacity (log f o₂= -29.41 bar). Oxidation conditions are higher than those previously mentioned in the literature for similar assemblages.     

Two-stage decompression in orthopyroxene–sillimanite granulites from Forefinger Point, Enderby Land, Antarctica: implications for the evolution of the Archaean Napier Complex

Magnesian metapelites of probable Archaean age from Forefinger Point, SW Enderby Land, East Antarctica, contain very-high-temperature granulite facies mineral assemblages, which include orthopyroxene (8–9.5 wt% Al₂O₃)–sillimanite ± garnet ± quartz ± K-feldspar, that formed at 10 ± 1.5 kbar and 950 ± 50°C. These assemblages are overprinted by symplectite and corona reaction textures involving sapphirine, orthopyroxene (6–7 wt% Al₂O₃), cordierite and sometimes spinel at the expense of porphyroblastic garnet or earlier orthopyroxene–sillimanite. These textures mainly pre-date the development of coarse biotite at the expense of initial mesoperthite, and the subsequent formation of orthopyroxene (4–6 wt% Al₂O₃)–cordierite–plagioclase rinds on late biotite.
The early reaction textures indicate a period of near-isothermal decompression at temperatures above 900°C. Decompression from 10 ± 1.5 kbar to 7–8 kbar was succeeded by biotite formation at significantly lower temperatures (800–850°C) and further decompression to 4.5 ± 1 kbar at 700–800°C.
The later parts of this P–T evolution can be ascribed to the overprinting and reworking of the Forefinger Point granulites by the Late-Proterozoic ( c . 1000 Ma) Rayner Complex metamorphism, but the age and timing of the early high-temperature decompression is not known. It is speculated that this initial decompression is of Archaean age and therefore records thinning of the crust of the Napier Complex following crustal thickening by tectonic or magmatic mechanisms and preceding the generally wellpreserved post-deformational near-isobaric cooling history of this terrain.