Kankan diamonds (Guinea) II: lower mantle inclusion parageneses

Frequent inclusions of ferropericlase, some coexisting with phases of MgSiO₃, CaSiO₃ and SiO₂ composition, suggest that a large proportion of diamonds from Guinea are derived from the lower mantle. Low aluminium contents in MgSiO₃ inclusions indicate derivation from the uppermost lower mantle, where Al solubility in perovskite is low. Trace element analyses (SIMS) of CaSiO₃ inclusions reveal extreme degrees of LREE (200–2000 times chondritic) and Sr enrichment (70–1000 times chondritic) together with negative and positive Eu anomalies. This implies a highly enriched lower mantle source, possibly a product of a subducted oceanic slab. A number of phases that are only stable in the upper mantle are found to coexist with lower mantle phases and thereby indicate retrograde equilibration during slow exhumation within a rising plume or convection cell. In one case, however, an inclusion paragenesis of ferropericlase and olivine can be shown to have formed within the upper mantle, indicating that the occurrence of ferropericlase inclusions alone is an unreliable indicator of lower mantle origin. Received: 26 January 2000 / Accepted: 18 May 2000     

An alternative interpretation of lower mantle mineral associations in diamonds

Diamonds containing ferropericlase (Mg,Fe)O and other silicate (enstatite [(Mg,Fe)SiO₃], in particular) assemblages are generally believed to be derived from the Earth's lower mantle. On the basis of the observed ratio between ferropericlase and enstatite inclusions and the FeO content of these ferropericlases, it is concluded that most of these minerals entrapped in diamonds may not represent the lithology of the lower mantle itself as has been suggested by many investigators. Instead, ferropericlases in these diamonds represent most likely the disproportionate product of ferromagnesite [(Mg,Fe)CO₃], which underwent a decarbonation reaction to form both diamond and ferropericlase simultaneously in the lower mantle. The wide variation in the Mg# of ferropericlase inclusions in diamonds is attributed to the decarbonation "loop" of the MgCO₃-FeCO₃ solid solutions. Some of the enstatite inclusions coexisting with these ferropericlases in the same diamond may represent the most abundant mineral species of (Mg,Fe)SiO₃-perovskite in the lower mantle. The latter mineral phase experienced a retrogressive transition into enstatite during the transport of diamonds to the Earth's surface.     

Fluid inclusions in mantle xenoliths

Fluid inclusions in olivine and pyroxene in mantle-derived ultramafic xenoliths in volcanic rocks contain abundant CO₂-rich fluid inclusions, as well as inclusions of silicate glass, solidified metal sulphide melt and carbonates. Such inclusions represent accidentally trapped samples of fluid- and melt phases present in the upper mantle, and are as such of unique importance for the understanding of mineral–fluid–melt interaction processes in the mantle. Minor volatile species in CO₂-rich fluid inclusions include N₂, CO, SO₂, H₂O and noble gases. In some xenoliths sampled from hydrated mantle-wedges above active subduction zones, water may actually be a dominant fluid species. The distribution of minor volatile species in inclusion fluids can provide information on the oxidation state of the upper mantle, on mantle degassing processes and on recycling of subducted material to the mantle. Melt inclusions in ultramafic xenoliths give information on silicate–sulphide–carbonatite immiscibility relationships within the upper mantle. Recent melt-inclusion studies have indicated that highly silicic melts can coexist with mantle peridotite mineral assemblages. Although trapping-pressures up to 1.4 GPa can be derived from fluid inclusion data, few CO₂-rich fluid inclusions preserve a density representing their initial trapping in the upper mantle, because of leakage or stretching during transport to the surface. However, the distribution of fluid density in populations of modified inclusions may preserve information on volcanic plumbing systems not easily available from their host minerals. As fluid and melt inclusions are integral parts of the phase assemblages of their host xenoliths, and thus of the upper mantle itself, the authors of this review strongly recommend that their study is included in any research project relating to mantle xenoliths.     

地幔中水的存在形式和含水量

水以含水变质矿物、无水硅酸盐矿物(橄榄石、辉石等)及其高压结构相(β橄榄石、γ橄榄石、钙钛矿相、方镁铁矿等)、高密度含水镁硅酸盐和熔体的形式存在于地幔各层圈中。根据各类玄武岩水含量推断出的上地幔源区的水含量,和由地幔岩主要矿物———橄榄石的水含量估算出的上地幔水含量(质量分数)很接近,在0.02%左右。以橄榄石和辉石高压相的水含量为依据,进行了过渡带和下地幔水含量的估算,其结果是:过渡带和下地幔上部的水含量(质量分数)为1.48%,下地幔下部水含量(质量分数)为0.21%。据此,计算出的地幔各层圈的总水量表明,地幔水的74%以上存在于过渡带和下地幔上部。将地幔总水量和现代海洋总水量之和作为地球总水量,计算出现代海洋总水量约占全球总水量(质量分数)的6.6%,这个结果与笔者根据地球的球粒陨石成分模型计算出的总水量(6%)十分接近。     

Genesis of diamonds in the lower mantle

The “forbidden” assemblage (ferropericlase + enstatite) as inclusions in diamonds has been taken as evidence to imply that these inclusions and their host diamonds formed initially in the lower mantle. Magnesite is probably the only stable carbonate at depths greater than ∼220 km. Like dehydration reactions, the reaction boundary for the decarbonation of magnesite has a positive dT/dP slope at lower pressures, which becomes negative at higher pressures, if no other phase intervenes. This reaction boundary probably intersects the geotherm between ∼900 and ∼1100 km, below which magnesite decomposes into an assemblage periclase + diamond + oxygen. Thus, ferropericlase is the most likely inclusion in diamond formed in the lower mantle. The high frequency of sole occurrence of ferropericlase in diamonds from Sao Luiz, Brazil seems to substantiate the present speculation. Received: 8 June 1998 / Accepted: 28 September 1998     

俯冲物质深地幔循环——地球动力学研究的一个新方向

地球上发生的各种地壳运动,大规模的火山喷发,不同深度不同规模的地震活动,规模宏大的山脉和高原的形成,以及地球历史上发生的大陆漂移运动,都被认为与板块构造活动密切相关.但这些运动的动力源究竟来自何方?如何去发现和证明它们的存在以及从理论上去认识和解释,是当今地球科学面临的巨大挑战,也是今后很长一段时间内地球科学的前沿和热...     

Inclusions in diamonds from the K14 and K10 kimberlites, Buffalo Hills, Alberta, Canada: diamond growth in a plume?

Analyses of mineral inclusions, carbon isotopes, nitrogen contents and nitrogen aggregation states in 29 diamonds from two Buffalo Hills kimberlites in northern Alberta, Canada were conducted. From 25 inclusion bearing diamonds, the following paragenetic abundances were found: peridotitic (48%), eclogitic (32%), eclogitic/websteritic (8%), websteritic (4%), ultradeep? (4%) and unknown (4%). Diamonds containing mineral inclusions of ferropericlase, and mixed eclogitic-asthenospheric-websteritic and eclogitic-websteritic mineral associations suggests the possibility of diamond growth over a range of depths and in a variety of mantle environments (lithosphere, asthenosphere and possibly lower mantle).

Eclogitic diamonds have a broad range of C-isotopic composition (δ¹³C=−21‰ to −5‰). Peridotitic, websteritic and ultradeep diamonds have typical mantle C-isotope values (δ¹³C=−4.9‰ av.), except for two ¹³C-depleted peridotitic (δ¹³C=−11.8‰, −14.6‰) and one ¹³C-depleted websteritic diamond (δ¹³C=−11.9‰). Infrared spectra from 29 diamonds identified two diamond groups: 75% are nitrogen-free (Type II) or have fully aggregated nitrogen defects (Type IaB) with platelet degradation and low to moderate nitrogen contents (av. 330 ppm-N); 25% have lower nitrogen aggregation states and higher nitrogen contents (30% IaB; <1600 ppm-N).

The combined evidence suggests two generations of diamond growth. Type II and Type IaB diamonds with ultradeep, peridotitic, eclogitic and websteritic inclusions crystallised from eclogitic and peridotitic rocks while moving in a dynamic environment from the asthenosphere and possibly the lower mantle to the base of the lithosphere. Mechanisms for diamond movement through the mantle could be by mantle convection, or an ascending plume. The interaction of partial melts with eclogitic and peridotitic lithologies may have produced the intermediate websteritic inclusion compositions, and can explain diamonds of mixed parageneses, and the overlap in C-isotope values between parageneses. Strong deformation and extremely high nitrogen aggregation states in some diamonds may indicate high mantle storage temperatures and strain in the diamond growth environment. A second diamond group, with Type IaA–IaB nitrogen aggregation and peridotitic inclusions, crystallised at the base of the cratonic lithosphere. All diamonds were subsequently sampled by kimberlites and transported to the Earth's surface.     

Diamonds and their mineral inclusions from the A154 South pipe, Diavik Diamond Mine, Northwest territories, Canada

Mineral inclusions recovered from 100 diamonds from the A154 South kimberlite (Diavik Diamond Mines, Central Slave Craton, Canada) indicate largely peridotitic diamond sources (83%), with a minor (12%) eclogitic component. Inclusions of ferropericlase (4%) and diamond in diamond (1%) represent “undetermined” parageneses.

Compared to inclusions in diamonds from the Kaapvaal Craton, overall higher CaO contents (2.6 to 6.0 wt.%) of harzburgitic garnets and lower Mg-numbers (90.6 to 93.6) of olivines indicate diamond formation in a chemically less depleted environment. Peridotitic diamonds at A154 South formed in an exceptionally Zn-rich environment, with olivine inclusions containing more than twice the value (of  52 ppm) established for normal mantle olivine. Harzburgitic garnet inclusions generally have sinusoidal rare earth element (REE_N) patterns, enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE. A single analyzed lherzolitic garnet is re-enriched in middle to heavy REE resulting in a “normal” REE_N pattern. Two of the harzburgitic garnets have “transitional” REE_N patterns, broadly similar to that of the lherzolitic garnet. Eclogitic garnet inclusions have normal REE_N patterns similar to eclogitic garnets worldwide but at lower REE concentrations.

Carbon isotopic values (δ¹³C) range from − 10.5‰ to + 0.7‰, with 94% of diamonds falling between − 6.3‰ and − 4.0‰. Nitrogen concentrations range from below detection (< 10 ppm) to 3800 ppm and aggregation states cover the entire spectrum from poorly aggregated (Type IaA) to fully aggregated (Type IaB). Diamonds without evidence of previous plastic deformation (which may have accelerated nitrogen aggregation) typically have < 25% of their nitrogen in the fully aggregated B-centres. Assuming diamond formation beneath the Central Slave to have occurred in the Archean [Westerlund, K.J., Shirey, S.B., Richardson, S.H., Gurney, J.J., Harris, J.W., 2003b. Re–Os systematics of diamond inclusion sulfides from the Panda kimberlite, Slave craton. VIIIth International Kimberlite Conference, Victoria, Canada, Extended Abstracts, 5p.], such low aggregation states indicate mantle residence at fairly low temperatures (< 1100 °C). Geothermometry based on non-touching inclusion pairs, however, indicates diamond formation at temperatures around 1200 °C. To reconcile inclusion and nitrogen based temperature estimates, cooling by about 100–200 °C shortly after diamond formation is required.     

Recent Advance and Prospects in the Structure and Thermal Elastic Properties of Lower Mantle Minerals

Lower mantle, ranging from 660 km to 2 890 km depth, occupies 49.2% of the Earth by mass and is at extremely high pressure and temperature conditions. Experimental studies on the physical properties of the lower mantle minerals, particular the structure, density, and sound velocity, etc., are important to understand the structure, composition, and dynamic behavior of the region. Here we summarize the recent experimental results on the structure and thermal equation of states of the lower mantle minerals, including bridgmanite, ferropericlase, CaSiO₃-perovskite, and silicate post-perovskite, and discuss the effect of pressure, temperature, composition, and Fe-spin transition on the density and bulk sound velocity of those minerals. This review aims to provide new insights into the lower-mantle structure and chemistry and help to understand the observed velocity anomalies in the lower mantle.     

Kimberlite AT-56: a mantle sample from the north central Superior craton, Canada

Kimberlite AT-56, discovered in February 2001, represents the most recent addition to the Attawapiskat kimberlite cluster, located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario, Canada. AT-56 is a small kimberlite body with a surface diameter of approximately 40 m and a steep southeastern plunge. It consists of a medium to coarse-grained matrix supported kimberlite with abundant olivine, clinopyroxene, garnet, ilmenite and mica macrocrysts in a green-black to orange-black matrix. The kimberlite is classified as a hypabyssal facies sparsely macrocrystic calcite kimberlite. Heavy mineral concentrates from two representative samples of AT-56 have been analyzed to characterize the mantle sampled by the kimberlite. Both samples yielded large heavy mineral concentrates comprised of roughly equal proportions of Mg-ilmenite, Cr-diopside, high-Cr garnet and low-Cr garnet. Mg-chromite is also present in quantities an order of magnitude less than the other constituents.

The high-Cr peridotitic garnet macrocrysts are only slightly more abundant than the low-Cr varieties, the population being dominated by G9 (lherzolitic) types with only a few (less than 10%) weakly sub-calcic G10 (probable harzburgitic) garnets present. Ni thermometry results for a representative selection of G9 and G10 garnets indicate that the majority equilibrated at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1250 °C. A significant proportion of the low-Cr garnet population derived from AT-56 is characterized by relatively low-Ti (0.2 to 0.4 wt.% TiO₂) and elevated Na (0.07 to 0.13 wt.% Na₂O) contents characteristic of Group 1, diamond inclusion type eclogite garnets. These sodic garnets have elevated Cr₂O₃ contents (typically 1 to 2 wt.% Cr₂O₃), suggesting they may be websteritic in origin rather than eclogitic. Comparison of AT-56 garnet compositions with published data available for other Attawapiskat kimberlites suggests websteritic mantle has also been sampled by kimberlite bodies elsewhere in the Attawapiskat cluster and it may be an important diamond reservoir in this area.     

Lower mantle diamonds from Rio Soriso (Juina area,Mato Grosso,Brazil)

The morphology, colour, fluorescence, cathodoluminescence, nitrogen content and aggregation state, internal structure and mineral inclusions have been studied for 69 alluvial diamonds from the Rio Soriso (Juina area, Mato Grosso State, Brazil). Nitrogen in most diamonds (53%) is fully aggregated as B centres, but there is also a large proportion of N-free stones (38%). A strong positive correlation between nitrogen and IR-active hydrogen concentrations is observed. The diamonds contain (in order of decreasing abundance) ferropericlase, CaSi-perovskite, magnetite, MgSi-perovskite, pyrrhotite, olivine, SiO₂, perovskite, tetragonal almandine-pyrope phase and some other minerals represented by single grains. The Rio Soriso diamond suite is subdivided into several subpopulations that originated in upper and lower mantle of ultramafic and mafic compositions, with the largest subgroup forming in the ultramafic lower mantle. Analysed ferropericlase grains are enriched in Fe (Mg#=0.43–0.89), which is ascribed to their origin in the lowermost mantle. The Juina kimberlites may be unique in sampling the material from depths below 1,700 km that ascended in a plume formed at the core–mantle boundary.Electronic Supplementary Material  Supplementary material is available for this article at

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Isotopic constraints on time scales and mechanisms of slab material transport in the mantle wedge: evidence from the Simcoe mantle xenoliths, Washington, USA

Spinel harzburgite and websterite mantle xenoliths from Simcoe volcano in southern Washington represent fragments of mantle lithosphere from the back-arc side of the Cascade arc front. Previous studies have shown that metasomatism by either silica-rich fluids or hydrous melts crystallized phlogopite, imparted high oxygen fugacities (0.3 to 1.4 log units above QFM), and more radiogenic Os isotopic compositions on these peridotites. These features are consistent with part or all of the metasomatic agent being derived from the Juan de Fuca slab. New Re–Os, Sm–Nd, Sr, and U–Th–Pb isotopic data shed further light on the origin and composition of the metasomatic agent. The clinopyroxenes from the xenoliths have correlated Pb isotopic compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.63–19.55, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.56–15.63, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.22–38.87). The most radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions extend beyond the most radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions for the Cascade arc lavas and display a shallower trend. Mixtures between Juan de Fuca basalts and pelagic or terrigenous sediments would result in Pb isotopic compositions that are not radiogenic enough in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb at the high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb end of this array. Therefore, models for rapid transfer of components from the slab to the mantle lithosphere are not viable in this case. Instead, a multi-stage model is preferred. In the first stage, the slab component is transferred via fluid or melt into, and reacts with the hanging wall mantle. This results in a residual slab depleted in Pb relative to U and Th, and consequent high U/Pb and Th/Pb. Additional dehydration or melting of the slab imparts this chemical signature to the peridotite in the hanging wall. In the second stage, the hybridized hanging wall peridotite evolves for tens of million years until corner flow drags it down to deeper levels in the mantle wedge where melting occurs in response to higher temperatures. In the third stage, this melt migrates upward where it metasomatizes the mantle lithosphere represented by the Simcoe xenoliths. Trace element compositions of the clinopyroxenes, and the presence of high alkali glasses in the xenoliths, are consistent with the metasomatic agent derived from the hybridized hanging wall being alkali-rich, and possibly similar to potassic-rich lavas found in arc and back-arc settings. These data therefore demonstrate the importance of the hybridized hanging wall mantle above slabs as a source for melts which can be metasomatic agents in the upper mantle, and as a site for storage of material derived from the slab for periods of at least tens of million years.     

Crystalline inclusions and C isotope ratios in diamonds from the Snap Lake/King Lake kimberlite dyke system: evidence of ultradeep and enriched lithospheric mantle

U-type paragenesis inclusions predominate (94.7%) among the crystalline inclusion suite of 115 diamonds (−4+2 mm) obtained from the recently discovered Snap Lake/King Lake (SKL) kimberlite dyke system, Southern Slave, Canada. The most common inclusions are olivine (90) and enstatite (22). Sulfide, Cr-pyrope, chromite and Cr-diopside inclusion are less abundant (15, 10, 5 and 1, respectively). Results of the inclusion composition study demonstrate the following. (a) The relatively enriched character of the mantle parent rocks of the U-type diamonds. The average Mg# of olivine inclusions is 92.1, and of enstatite inclusions average 93.3. CaO content in Cr-pyrope inclusions is relatively high (3.73–5.75 wt.%). (b) Four of ten U-type Cr-rich pyrope inclusions contain a majoritic component up to 16.8 mol.% which requires pressures of 110 kbar. Carbon isotopes compositions for 34 diamonds with U-type inclusions have a δ¹³C range from −3.2‰ to −9‰ with a strong peak around −3.5‰. This is much heavier than the ratios of U-type diamonds from Siberia and South Africa (4.5‰). Diamonds with olivine inclusions can be divided into two groups based on their δ¹³C values as well as the Mg# and Ni/Fe ratio in the olivines. Most show a narrow range of δ¹³C values from −3.2‰ to −4.8‰ (average −3.72‰) and have olivine inclusions with Mg# less than 92.3 and relatively high Fe/Ni ratios. A second group is characterized by a much wider variation of C isotope composition (δ¹³C varies from −3.8‰ to −9.0‰, average −5.97‰), and the olivine inclusions having a higher Mg# (up to 93.6) and relatively low Fe/Ni ratios. This difference in the C isotope composition may have several explanations: (a) peculiarities of asthenosphere degassing coupled with an abnormal thickness of lithosphere; (b) the abnormal thickness and enriched character of lithospheric mantle; (c) involvement of subducted C of crustal origin in the processes of the diamond formation. The presence of subcalcic Cr-rich majorite (up to 17 mol.%) pyropes of low-Ca harzburgite paragenesis among the crystalline inclusion suite of SKL diamonds is strong evidence for the existence of diamondiferous depleted peridotite in lithospheric mantle at depth near 300 km beneath Southern Slave area and is postulated to be one of the main reasons for the much heavier C isotope composition of SKL U-type diamonds in comparison with those from Siberian and South African kimberlites.     

特提斯洋对流上地幔Os同位素组成估算的新方法及初步运用

对流上地幔Os同位素组成的准确估算是运用Re-Os同位素体系探讨地幔演化的基础。前人研究主要是以地幔橄榄岩为研究对象,由于地幔橄榄岩Os同位素存在明显的不均一性,因而直接影响估算值的准确性。对流上地幔中包含的不同亏损程度的难熔组分在部分熔融过程中难以熔融,对形成的熔体相的Os同位素组成贡献很少或者没有。因此,与对流上地幔具有相同的Os同位素组成初始值的早期分离结晶岩石(如堆晶岩),结合堆晶岩中锆石的准确定年,可以用来估算对流上地幔Os同位素组成。本文根据这一方法测试了那曲地区弧后盆地堆晶岩的Os同位素组成和锆石U-Pb年龄,推测那曲地区新特提斯洋对流上地幔Os同位素组成为碳质球粒陨石型的。根据这一模型,对比了罗布莎和东巧铬铁矿岩、含矿围岩以及不含矿围岩的Os同位素特征,揭示出矿石及围岩均具有古老大陆岩石圈地幔信息,而不含矿围岩(泽当岩体)的Os同位素组成为碳质球粒陨石型的,无古老大陆岩石圈地幔信息。     

地幔转换带中的水及其地球动力学意义

综述了近20年国际上地幔转换带中水的研究进展。前人研究表明,地球深部的水主要以OH-(hy-droxyl)形式存储在名义上无水矿物(NAMs)中。高温高压实验研究表明,地幔转换带中的主要矿物均具有较高的储水能力,且在转换带的温压条件下,其储水能力随着温度的升高而降低,其中瓦兹利石(β-Ol)和林伍德石(γ-Ol)的储水能力为2%～3%,超硅石榴子石(Mj)的储水能力为0.1%左右,据此估算地幔转换带的储水能力约为1.2%～1.91%,是地表水总量的3.9～6.2倍;而转换带除外的上地幔和下地幔主要矿物的含水量或储水能力均小于0.1%,因此与上、下地幔相比,地幔转换带可能是地幔的主要储水库。尽管地幔转换带具有较强的储水能力,但对地幔转换带的实际含水量还存在干、湿两方面的地质和地球物理证据和争议。地幔转换带中的水会对转换带中一系列的过程产生重要影响,当水含量增加时,橄榄石(Ol)向β-Ol、γ-Ol分解以及超硅石榴石的分解反应分别向低压、高压和低压方向迁移,从而由橄榄石向β-Ol和γ-Ol分解两个相变反应界定的转换带宽度也会增加;水还会使地幔深部的部分熔融温度降低,熔体的密度降低;同时,水的加入可以很好地解释地幔岩"pyrolite"模型在410km不连续面处产生的与地震波测量不相符突变,也可以解决全地幔对流模式所不能解释的地幔成分分层问题。因此,深入研究和探讨转换带中的水对地球深部动力学过程的影响,包括中国东部地区受太平洋板块深俯冲作用的影响,均具有重要的约束和研究意义。     

Vertical velocity of mantle flow of East Asia and adjacent areas

Based on the high-resolution body wave tomographic image and relevant geophysical data, we calculated the form and the vertical and tangential velocities of mantle flow. We obtained the pattern of mantle convection for East Asia and the West Pacific. Some important results and understandings are gained from the images of the vertical velocity of mantle flow for East Asia and the West Pacific. There is an upwelling plume beneath East Asia and West Pacific, which is the earth’s deep origin for the huge rift valley there. We have especially outlined the tectonic features of the South China Sea, which is of the “工” type in the upper mantle shield type in the middle and divergent in the lower; the Siberian clod downwelling dives from the surface to near Core and mantle bounary (CMB), which is convergent in the upper mantle and divergent in the lower mantle; the Tethyan subduction region, centered in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, is visible from 300 to 2 000 km, which is also convergent in the upper mantle and divergent in the lower mantle. The three regions of mantle convection beneath East Asia and the West Pacific are in accordance with the West Pacific, Ancient Asia and the Tethyan structure regions. The mantle upwelling originates from the core-mantle boundary and mostly occurs in the middle mantle and the lower part of the upper mantle. The velocities of the vertical mantle flow are about 1–4 cm per year and the tangential velocities are 1–10 cm per year. The mantle flow has an effect on controlling the movement of plates and the distributions of ocean ridges, subduction zones and collision zones. The mantle upwelling regions are clearly related with the locations of hotspots on the earth’s surface. Translated from Geology in China, 2006, 33(4): 896–905 [译自: 中国地质]     

上地幔顶部电导率异常的起因

地球物理深部探测研究表明,上地幔顶部个别地区具有显著的电导率异常,表现为高电导率和各向异性。造成上地幔顶部电导率异常的机理,一直以来是地球科学中极具争议的问题之一。目前比较流行的解释是由部分熔融产生的熔体和橄榄石中耦合的结构水所致,其它的解释包括由颗粒边界的石墨或硫化物以及其它一些导电性强的矿物所致。这些不同的模型,对于认识上地幔的结构、组成和性质有直接的影响。综合评述了近年来基于岩石学、地球化学、地球物理学、数值模拟和高温高压实验研究等方面的进展,对已有模型伴随的各种问题进行了探讨。局部地区的电导率异常可能主要由固态导电机制造成,但其主要载体可能不是构成地幔主体的橄榄岩,而很可能与上地幔岩石学组成上的宏观不均一性有关。不同地区上地幔顶部的电导率异常,可能由不同的因素造成,可能并不存在所谓的"单一"导电机制。     

Oxygen potential of diamond formation in the lower mantle

Thermodynamic calculations have shown that when a metallic phase arising due to ferroan ion disproportionation is contained in lower-mantle rocks, carbon occurs as iron carbide and the oxygen fugacity corresponds to the equilibrium of ferropericlase with Fe-Ni alloy. The typical values of oxygen fugacity in zones of diamond formation in the lower mantle lie between the iron-wüstite buffer and six logarithmic units above this level. The processes that proceed in the lower mantle give rise to variation of $f_{O_2 }$ within several orders of magnitude above the elevated $f_{O_2 }$ values, which are necessary for the formation of diamond, as compared with a common level typical of the lower mantle. The mechanisms responsible for redox differentiation in the lower mantle comprise the subduction of oxidized crustal material, mechanical separation of metallic phase and silicate-oxide mineral assemblage enriched in ferric ions, as well as transfer of fused silicate material presumably enriched in Fe³⁺ through the mantle.     

西藏泽当地幔橄榄岩中的异常矿物及其指示意义

雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带内多个地幔橄榄岩体产有金刚石、碳硅石等异常矿物组合,为了进一步探讨这些异常矿物形成的物理化学条件,在前人已有的研究基础上,对泽当地幔岩体中526 kg的方辉橄榄岩样品开展人工重砂矿物学研究工作。研究表明,同雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带内的其他岩体相似,泽当地幔橄榄岩也选出了包含金刚石、碳硅石、锆石等30余种矿物。异常矿物组合指示泽当地幔橄榄岩中存在局部的超高压、极还原环境,可能经历了复杂的演化过程:即古老地壳物质通过深俯冲或者折沉作用,进入地幔甚至是地幔过渡带(410~660 km),随后经历了超高压、极还原环境的改造,在后续的地幔柱或地幔对流作用中从洋中脊上升至浅部环境并返回到地壳中。该过程中地幔橄榄岩中的异常矿物组合记录了岩石的演化信息,因此开展地幔橄榄岩中异常矿物组合的精细矿物学研究,对认识壳-幔物质交换以及深部地幔动力学过程都有重要的研究意义。     

地幔氧逸度的时空变化

地幔氧逸度是反映地幔氧化还原程度的参量,由温度、压力、岩石化学成分、矿物结构等共同作用控制.目前对上地幔氧逸度的研究主要针对镁橄榄石-磁铁矿-石英体系、含角闪石的橄榄岩体系和玄武岩(熔体)体系,通过实验岩石学方法进行.地幔氧逸度在垂直深度上随深度增加而减小受到普遍认可.天然样品和理论研究认为,岩石圈地幔底部的软流圈氧逸...