Physicochemical Conditions of Crystallization of Rocks from Ultrabasic Massifs of the Siberian Platform

A great volume of original information on the formation of the ultrabasic rocks of the Siberian Platform has been accumulated owing to the study of melt inclusions in Cr-spinels. The inclusions show the general tendencies in the behavior of the magmatic systems during the formation of the ultrabasic massifs of the Siberian Platform, tracing the main evolution trend of decreasing Mg number with SiO₂ increase in the melts with subsequent transition from picrites through picrobasalts to basalts. The compositions of the melt inclusions indicate that the crystallization conditions of the rocks of the concentrically zoned massifs (Konder, Inagli, Chad) sharply differ from those of the Guli massif. Numerical modeling using the PETROLOG and PLUTON softwares and data on the composition of inclusions in Cr-spinels yielded maximum crystallization temperatures of the olivines from the dunites of the Konder (1545–1430°C), Inagli (1530–1430°C), Chad (1460–1420°C), and Guli (1520–1420°C) massifs, and those of Cr-spinels from the Konder (1420–1380°C), Inagli (up to 1430°C), Chad (1430–1330°C), and Guli (1410–1370°C) massifs. Modeling of the Guli massif with the PLUTON software using the compositions of the melt inclusions revealed the possible formation of the alkaline rocks at the final reverse stage of the evolution of the picritic magmas (with decrease of SiO₂ and alkali accumulation) after termination of olivine crystallization with temperature decrease from 1240–1230°C to 1200–1090°C. Modeling with the PLUTON software showed that the dunites of the Guli massif coexisted with Fe-rich (with moderate TiO₂ contents) melts, the crystallization of which led (beginning from 1210°C) to the formation of pyroxenes between cumulate olivine. Further temperature decrease (from 1125°C) with decreasing FeO and TiO₂ contents provided the formation of clinopyroxenes of pyroxenites. For the Konder massif, modeling with the PLUTON software indicates the possible formation of kosvites from picrobasaltic magmas beginning from 1350°C and the formation of clinopyroxenites and olivine–diopside rocks from olivine basaltic melts from 1250°C.     

Dunites of the Inagli massif (Central Aldan), cumulates of lamproitic magma

We consider a hypothesis for the origin of PGE-bearing ultramafic rocks of the Inagli massif (Central Aldan) through fractional crystallization from ultrabasic high-potassium magma. We studied dunites and wehrlites of the Inagli massif and olivine lamproites of the Ryabinovy massif, which is also included into the Central Aldan high-potassium magmatic area. The research is focused on the chemistry of Cr-spinels and the phase composition of Cr-spinel-hosted crystallized melt inclusions and their daughter phases. Mainly two methods were used: SEM-EDS (Tescan Mira-3), to establish different phases and their relationships, and EPMA, to obtain precise chemical data on small (2-100 μm) phases. The obtained results show similarity in chromite composition and its evolutionary trends for the Inagli massif ultramafites and Ryabinovy massif lamproites. The same has been established for phlogopite and diopside from crystallized melt inclusions from the rocks of both objects. Based on the results of the study, the conclusion is drawn that the ultramafic core of the Inagli massif resulted from fractional crystallization of high-potassium melt with corresponding in composition to low-titanium lamproite. This conclusion is consistent with the previous hypotheses suggesting an ultrabasic high-potassium composition of primary melt for the Inagli ultramafites.     

Crystallization conditions of dunites in the Konder platiniferous alkaline-ultramafic massif of the southeastern Aldan Shield

The investigation of melt inclusions in Cr spinels yielded direct information on the physicochemical parameters of the magmatic processes responsible for the formation of the Konder platiniferous alkaline-ultrabasic massif (southeastern Aldan Shield). The comparative analysis of the composition of the chromites containing the inclusions revealed that the Cr spinels from the Konder dunites differ significantly from their counterparts in the ultrabasic complexes of ophiolites and the modern oceanic crust. In terms of their composition and REE distribution, the clinopyroxene microcrystals from the Konder chromites are significantly different from the pyroxenes in the basic-ultrabasic ophiolite complexes of associations and identical to the minerals from the Kytlym platiniferous massif (the Urals). With respect to the distribution of the major components, the high-magnesian inclusions are identical to alkaline biotite-pyroxene picrites, testifying to the active participation of ultrabasic (picritic) alkaline magmatic systems in the formation of the dunites in the Konder Massif. The results of the ion probe investigation of the inclusions indicate a high water content (up to 0.54 wt %) in the melts. The data on the distribution of the rare and rare-earth elements in the inclusions suggest that the dunites of the Konder Massif crystallized with the involvement of water-saturated magmas at minimal temperatures of about 1230°C. Such temperatures are consistent with the earlier estimates for the melt inclusions in the olivine of the Konder Massif.     

Conditions of crystallization of olivine shonkinites in the Inagli massif (Central Aldan)

The olivine shonkinites localized among dunites and alkali gabbroids in the northern part of the alkaline ultrabasic Inagli massif (northwestern part of Central Aldan) have been studied. The obtained data on the chemical and trace-element compositions of the rocks and minerals and the results of melt inclusion study showed that the olivine shonkinites crystallized from alkaline basanite melt enriched in Cl, S, CO2, and trace elements. Clinopyroxene crystallized at 1180-1200 °C from a homogeneous silicate-salt melt, which was probably separated into immiscible silicate and carbonate-salt fractions with temperature decreasing. The composition of the silicate fraction evolved from alkaline basanite to alkaline trachyte. The carbonate-salt fraction had an alkaline carbonate composition and was enriched in S and Cl. The same trend of evolution of clinopyroxene-hosted melts and the igneous rocks of the Inagli massif suggests that the alkali gabbroids, melanocratic alkali syenites, and pulaskites formed from the same magma, which had a near-alkaline basanite composition during its crystallization differentiation. The geochemical studies showed that the olivine shonkinites and glasses of homogenized melt inclusions in clinopyroxene grains have similar contents of trace elements, one or two orders of magnitude higher than those in the primitive mantle. The high contents of LILE (K, Rb, and Sr) and LREE in the olivine shoshonites and homogenized inclusions suggest the enriched mantle source, and the negative anomalies of HFSE and Ti are a specific feature of igneous rocks formed with the participation of crustal material. The slight depletion in HREE relative to LREE and the high (La/Yb)_n ratios in the rocks and inclusion glasses (10.0-11.4 and 4.7-6.2, respectively) suggest the presence of garnet in the mantle source.     

Physicochemical parameters of the melts participating in the formation of chromite ore hosted in the Klyuchevsky ultramafic massif,the Central Urals,Russia

The results of melt inclusion study are reported for chromites of the Klyuchevsky ultramafic massif, which is the most representative of all Ural ultramafic massifs localized beyond the Main Ural Fault Zone. The massif is composed of a dunite-harzburgite complex (tectonized mantle peridotite) and a dunite-wehrlite-clinopyroxenite-gabbro complex (layered portion of the ophiolitic section). The studied Kozlovsky chromite deposit is located in the southeastern part of the Klyuchevsky massif and hosted in serpentinized dunite as a series of lenticular bodies and layers up to 7–8 m thick largely composed of disseminated and locally developed massive ore. Melt inclusions have been detected in chromites of both ore types. The heated and then quenched into glass melt inclusions and host minerals were analyzed on a Camebax-Micro microprobe. The glasses of melt inclusions contain up to 1.06 wt % Na₂O + K₂O and correspond to melts of normal alkalinity. In SiO₂ content (49–56 wt %), they fit basalt and basaltic andesite. The melt inclusions are compared with those from chromites of the Nurali massif in the southern Urals and the Karashat massif in southern Tuva. The physicochemical parameters of magmatic systems related to the formation of disseminated and massive chromite ores of the Klyuchevsky massif are different. The former are characterized by a wider temperature interval (1185–1120°C) in comparison with massive chromite ore (1160–1140°C).     

Genesis of platiniferous massifs in the southeastern Siberian Platform

Data obtained on melt inclusions in Cr-spinel suggest a magmatic genesis of dunite in the Konder and Inagly placer-forming platiniferous massifs in the southeastern Siberian Platform. These data make it possible to evaluate the physicochemical parameters of the magmatic processes that produced these concentrically zoned alkaline-ultrabasic complexes. The comparative analysis of the composition of the Cr-spinel with inclusions highlights remarkable differences between this mineral in the Konder and Inagli massifs, on the one hand, and in ultramafic rocks in ophiolites and the modern oceanic crust, on the other. Minute clinopyroxene crystals included in Cr-spinel from the Konder Massif have a composition and configurations of their REE patterns contrastingly different from those of clinopyroxene in basite-hyperbasite complexes of ophiolite associations but are close to those of clinopyroxene in the Kytlym and Nizhnii Tagil platiniferous massifs in the Urals. The composition of the quenched melt inclusions suggests that the chromite crystallized predominantly from picrite alkaline magmas. The concentrations of most elements in the high-Mg inclusions are close to those in biotite-pyroxene alkaline picrites, a fact testifying to the significant contribution of ultrabasic (picrite) alkaline magmatic systems to the origin of the Konder and Inagli massifs. Ion-probe analyses of the inclusions suggest that the melts were rich in water (up to 0.6 wt %). Data on the distribution of REE and other trace elements in the inclusions provide evidence of the influence of a deep plume. Our simulations with the use of the composition of the melt inclusions suggest that dunite in the Konder and Inagli massifs were produced mainly by water-bearing magmas at temperatures of 1460–1300°C. As the melts evolved to less magnesian ones, olivine continued to crystallize from them until the temperature decreased to 1230°C.     

济南辉长岩岩浆演化过程:来自熔体包裹体的证据

本研究首次报道了早白垩世济南辉长岩中橄榄石斑晶捕获的熔体包裹体的研究结果。济南辉长岩中橄榄石的Fo(60.3~74.6),Mn(2500~3500μg/g),Ni(70~1349μg/g),Fe/Mn比值(61.2~83.5),与源区母岩为纯的橄榄岩形成的熔体结晶出的橄榄石性质不同,可能与源区存在辉石岩的贡献有关。橄榄石中熔体包裹体主量元素具有较大的变化范围。熔体包裹体成分的标准矿物计算(CIPW)表明,MgO10%的熔体包裹体为含有霞石和橄榄石标准矿物分子的硅不饱和熔体,Mg O10%时为含石英标准矿物分子的硅饱和熔体。橄榄石中包裹有辉石和斜长石,说明岩浆演化过程应该处于开放环境。熔体包裹体的(~208Pb/~206Pb)i和(~207Pb/~206Pb)i与MgO具有良好的负相关关系,与SiO_2具有良好的正相关关系,以及熔体包裹体具有较高的SiO_2特征表明岩浆演化过程中可能有下地壳长英质组分的加入。熔体包裹体的Pb同位素落在EMI附近并向EMII延伸,其源区可能有EMI和EMII的贡献,熔体包裹体的主量元素成分说明其源区母岩可能有橄榄岩和辉石岩的贡献。     

Re-Os geochronology,O isotopes and mineral geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Songshugou ultramafic massif in the Qinling Orogenic Belt,China

The Qinling Orogenic Belt was formed by subduction and collision between the North and South China Blocks along the Shangdan suture. The Songshugou ultramafic massif located on the northern side of the Shangdan suture provides essential insights into the mantle origin and evolutionary processes during spreading and subduction of the Shangdan oceanic lithosphere. The ultramafic massif comprises harzburgite, coarse- and fine-grained dunites. The spinels from harzburgite exhibit low Cr# and high Mg# numbers, suggesting a mid-ocean ridge peridotite origin, whereas spinels from both coarse- and fine-grained dunites are indicated as resulted from melt-rock reaction due to their systematic higher Cr# and low Mg# numbers. This melt-rock reaction in the dunites is also indicated by the low TiO₂ (mostly <0.4 wt%) in the spinel and high Fo (90–92) in olivines. Due to its relatively homogeneous nature in the mantle, oxygen isotopic composition is a sensitive indicator for the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of the Songshugou ultramafic rocks. Based on in-situ oxygen isotope analyses of olivines from twenty-six rock samples, most harzburgites from the Songshugou ultramafic massif show low δ¹⁸O values of 4.54–5.30‰, suggesting the olivines are equilibrium with N-MORB magmas and originally formed in a mid-ocean ridge setting. The coarse- and fine-grained dunites exhibit slightly higher olivine δ¹⁸O values of 4.69–6.00‰ and 5.00–6.11‰, respectively, suggesting they may have been modified by subduction-related boninitic melt-rock reaction. The δ¹⁸O values of olivines systematically increasing from the harzburgites, to coarse-grained dunites and fine-grained dunites may suggest enhancing of melt-rock reaction. The decreasing of Os concentration, ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios from harzburgite to dunite suggest an ¹⁸⁷Os-enriched, subduction zone melt was responsible for creating the melt channel for melt-rock reactions. Together with the high-temperature ductile deformation microstructures, these isotopic and mineral geochemical features suggest that the harzburgites represent mantle residues after partial melting at mid-ocean ridge or supra-subduction zone, while the dunites were probably resulted from reactions between boninitic melt and harzburgites in a supra-subduction zone. Re-Os geochronology yields a maximum Re depletion model age (T_RD) of 805 Ma, constraining the minimum formation age of the harzburgites derived from oceanic mantle. Eight samples of whole rock and chromite yield a Re-Os isochron age of 500 ± 120 Ma, constraining the timing of melt-rock reactions. Combined with the regional geology and our previous investigations, the Songshugou ultramafic rocks favors a mantle origin at mid-ocean ridge before 805 Ma, and were modified by boninitic melt percolations in a SSZ setting at ca. 500 Ma. This long-term tectonic process from spreading to subduction might imply a huge Pan-Tethyan ocean between the Laurasia (e.g., North China Block) and Gondwana (e.g., South China Block) and/or a one-side subduction.     

富橄榄石的富Ca,Al组分集合体的矿物岩石学特征及对比研究

富Ca,Al包体、球粒和蠕虫状橄榄石集合体都是早期星云事件的产物。本文探讨了4个富橄榄石的富Ca,Al组分集合体的矿物岩石学特征,并对它们进行了对比。矿物岩石学特征表明含橄榄石边的富尖晶石-辉石型包体和富Ca,Al组分蠕虫状橄榄石集合体都属于星云直接凝聚的产物,而富钙长石-橄榄石型包体(POI)和富Ca,Al组分球粒经历过熔融结晶过程。矿物模式组成表明POI包体和富Ca,Al组分球粒可能是认识典型富Ca,Al包体与球粒之间相互关系的钥匙。蠕虫状橄榄石集合体GRV022459-2C1中尖晶石普遍具有高的FeO含量,表明其蚀变发生于高氧逸度的星云环境。球粒与粗粒富Ca,Al包体可能属于同一热事件的产物,粗粒富Ca,Al包体形成于富Ca,Al矿物富集的区域,Mg,Fe质硅酸盐球粒形成于富Ca,Al矿物缺失的区域,POI包体和富Ca,Al组分球粒可能形成于上述两个区域之间的过渡区域。     

On the nature and origin of isolated olivine grains in carbonaceous chondrites

Many carbonaceous chondrites contain discrete olivine fragments that have been considered to be primitive material, i.e. direct condensates from the solar nebula or pre-solar system material. Olivine occurring in chondrules and as isolated grains in C3(0) chondrites has been characterized chemically and petrographically. Type I chondrules contain homogeneous forsterite grains that exhibit a negative correlation between FeO and CaO. Type II chondrules contain zoned fayalite olivines in which FeO is positively correlated with CaO and MnO. The isolated olivines in C3(0) chondrites form two compositional populations identical to olivines in the two types of porphyritic olivine chondrules in the same meteorites. Isolated olivines contain trapped melt inclusions similar in composition to glassy mesostasis between olivines in chondrules. Such glasses can be produced by fractional crystallization of olivine and minor spinel in the parent chondrule melts if plagioclase does not nucleate. The isolated olivine grains are apparently clastic fragments of chondrules. Some similarities between olivines in C3(0), C2, and Cl chondrites may suggest that olivine grains in all these meteorites crystallized from chondrule melts.     

The Olivinite of the Krestovskaya Intrusion—the Product of Larnite-Normative Alkali Ultramafic Magma: Melt Inclusion Data

Olivinites of the Krestovskaya Intrusion consist of predominant amount of olivine, and minor Ti-magnetite, perovskite, and clinopyroxene (from single grain to a few vol %). Primary crystallized melt inclusions were found and studied in olivine, perovskite, and diopside of the olivinites. Daughter phases in olivine-hosted melt inclusions are monticellite, perovskite, kalsilite, phlogopite, magnetite, apatite, and garnet andradite. Perovskite-hosted melt inclusions contain such daughter phases as kalsilite, pectolite, clinopyroxene, biotite, magnetite, and apatite, while daughter phases in clinopyroxene-hosted melt inclusions are represented by kalsilite, phlogopite, magnetite, and apatite. According to melt inclusion heating experiments, olivine crystallized from above 1230°C to 1180°C. It was followed by perovskite crystallizing at ≥1200°C and clinopyroxene, at 1170°C. According to analysis of quenched glass of the melt inclusions, the chemical composition of melts hosted in the minerals corresponds to the larnite-normative alkali ultramafic (kamafugite) magma significantly enriched in incompatible elements. The high incompatible element concentrations, its distribution, and geochemical indicator ratios evidenced that the magma was derived by the partial melting of garnet-bearing undepleted mantle.     

Structural and magnetic microinhomogeneities in accessory spinel of the system Fe2+(Cr2–xFex3+)O4 from the Kytlym massif (Urals platinum-bearing belt)

The microstructure and magnetic properties of accessory Fe–Cr-spinels from the Kytlym massif of the Urals platinum-bearing belt were studied. Atypical Fe–Cr-spinels in the form of magnetic microareas in grains of primary nonmagnetic Fe–Cr-spinel have been revealed for the first time in the bed dunites of the Kytlym multiphase concentrically zoned massif, North Urals. These spinels are responsible for the magnetic properties of the dunites. It has been established that the microareas are separations in solid solution Fe²⁺(Cr_2–xFe_x³⁺)O₄, which are enriched in Fe^3 + and are probably an intermediate product of the transformation of primary accessory Fe-Cr-spinel during the formation of the dunite massif. These are magnetic microphases with particular chemical composition, cation distribution, and corresponding reversed crystal lattice, which determine the main magnetic properties of the microarea: the magnitude and direction of magnetization vector and Curie temperature. The formation of this earlier unknown type of magnetic Fe–Cr-spinel is probably conjugate with the formation and concentration of PGE mineralization in the bed dunites of the Kytlym platinum-bearing massif. The presence of such magnetization carriers in rocks and ores must be taken into account in geophysical research at the Urals chromite and platinum–chromite deposits.     

Mineralogical,geochemical, and age characteristics of the rocks of the Inagli dunite-clinopyroxenite-shonkinite massif with platinum-chromite and Cr-diopside mineralization (Aldan Shield)

We consider the mineralogical and geochemical features of the rocks of the Inagli dunite-clinopyroxenite-shonkinite massif with platinum-chromite and unique jewelry Cr-diopside mineralization, which is a reference object of concentric zonal complexes. The massif rocks, from dunites to pulaskites, including peridotites, clinopyroxenites, shonkinites, and melanocratic alkali syenites, form a single continuous comagmatic series. This is confirmed by a clear dependence of the compositions of olivine, pyroxene, phlogopites, and Cr-spinels on the MgO content of the rocks and on the behavior of trace elements in them. The similar compositions of pyroxenes and trace-element patterns of clinopyroxenite rocks and Cr-diopsidite veins indicate a genetic similarity of these rocks. The age and mineralogical and geochemical compositions of the rocks and the geologic and morphological features of the intrusion prove that the Inagli massif formed from high-K picritoid melts, which underwent gradual decompression solidification during the ascent and formed a cylindrical diapir-like body at the subsurface level in the Early Cretaceous. The new portions of differentiates supplied from the lower horizons of the magma column determined the complex composition of the massif: It has a concentric zonal structure cut by numerous radial-circular vein bodies of pegmatites and pure anchimonomineral rocks (Cr-diopsidites), in places, of jewelry quality.     

Deep differentiation of alkali ultramafic magmas: Formation of carbonatite melts

The study of melt microinclusions in olivine megacrysts from meimechites and alkali picrites of the Maimecha–Kotui alkali ultramafic and carbonatite province (Polar Siberia) revealed that the melt compositions corrected for loss of olivine due to post-entrapment crystallization of olivine on inclusion walls (differentiates of primary meimechite magma) match well to the composition of nephelinites and olivine melilitites belonging to carbonatite magmatic series. Modeling of fractional crystallization of meimechite magmas results in the high-alkali melt compositions corresponding to the silicate–carbonate liquid immiscibility field. The appearance of volatile-rich melts at the base of magma-generating plume systems at early stages of partial melting can be explained by extraction of incompatible elements including volatiles, by near-solidus melts at low degrees of partial melting, and meimechites are an example of such magmas. Subsequent accumulation of CO₂ in the residual melt results in generation of carbonate magma.     

Genesis of melilitolite from Colle Fabbri: inferences from melt inclusions

Melilite and wollastonite from the Colle Fabbri stock contain silicate melt and silicate-carbonate inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of silicate inclusions are within the magmatic temperature range of mantle ultrabasic melts: about 1,320?±?15 °С. Their composition is melilititic and evolves to the composition of leucite tephrite and phonolite. The composition of silicate-carbonate inclusions are high SiO₂, Ca-rich, enriched in alkalies and are similar to that of inclusions of carbonatite melts in the minerals of melilitolites of other intrusive ultramafic complexes. They are also similar to the compositions of metasomatized travertine covering the melilitolite stock. The presence of primary silicate and silicate-carbonate inclusions evidences that the melilitite magma from which melilitolites of Colle Fabbri crystallized was associated with carbonatite liquid. This liquid was highly fluidized, mobile and aggressive. Actively interacting with overlying travertine, the liquid enriched them with alkalies, aluminosilicates and incompatible elements, which resulted in the equalization of their compositions. Heterogeneous compositional dominions were formed at the contact between melilitolite and wall pelites. In the minerals of these contact facies high-Si melt inclusions of varying composition have been observed. Their occurrence is related to the local assimilation by the high-temperature melilitite magma of pelitic country rocks. The content of incompatible elements in melilitite melts and melilitolites is higher than the mantle norm and they have peculiar indicator ratios, spectra, Eu/Eu^* ratio, which suggest a peculiar mantle source.     

Cr-spinel assemblage from the Upper Triassic gritstones of the northeastern Siberian Platform

An assemblage of Cr-spinels widespread in Carnian (Upper Triassic) diamondiferous deposits in the northeastern Siberian Platform is studied. Analysis of their morphology and chemical composition has revealed two dominant varieties of Cr-spinels and has demonstrated certain regularities in their distribution in the study area. Correlations have been established between the areal distribution of the recognized types of Cr-spinels and diamond varieties typical of kimberlite sources and between the distribution of Cr-spinels and rounded diamond dodecahedrons. The phase and chemical compositions of polyphase inclusions in the Cr-spinels are studied. The spatial arrangement of inclusions along the crystal growth zones indicates their primary genesis and trapping from the melt during crystallization. Compositional features of some minerals in the inclusions—SiO₂ impurity in apatite and high CaO contents (0.2-0.8 wt.%) in olivines—point to a nonkimberlite source of these Cr-spinels. The presence of K- and Na-containing phases and calcite in the inclusions indicates saturation of the initial melt with alkalies, Ca, and CO₂. The data obtained suggest that the numerous Late Vendian diatremes in K-rich alkaline basites of the Olenek Uplift area are the source of the dominant Cr-spinel variety.     

峨眉山大火成岩省平川苦橄岩地幔源区性质——来自橄榄石微量元素的制约

橄榄石是基性岩浆中最早期结晶的硅酸盐矿物之一,其主量、微量元素特征可以反映出岩浆演化环境、岩浆源区岩性和再循环组分性质等重要信息.本次研究通过对峨眉山大火成岩省平川苦橄岩中橄榄石主量和微量元素分析,以及橄榄石内尖晶石包裹体分析,并与大理苦橄岩中橄榄石和尖晶石成分进行对比,来探讨不同苦橄岩母岩浆氧逸度及源区性质的异同.橄...     

Genesis and mechanisms of formation of rare-metal peralkaline granites of the Khaldzan Buregtey massif,Mongolia: Evidence from melt inclusions

Melt inclusions were studied by various methods, including electron and ion microprobe analysis, to determine the compositions of melts and mechanisms of formation of rare-metal peralkaline granites of the Khaldzan Buregtey massif in Mongolia. Primary crystalline and coexisting melt inclusions were found in quartz from the rare-metal granites of intrusive phase V. Among the crystalline inclusions, we identified potassium feldspar, albite, tuhualite, titanite, fluorite, and diverse rare-metal phases, including minerals of zirconium (zircon and gittinsite), niobium (pyrochlore), and rare earth elements (parisite). The observed crystalline inclusions reproduce almost the whole suite of major and accessory minerals of the rare-metal granites, which supports the possibility of their crystallization from a magmatic melt. Melt inclusions in quartz from these rocks are completely crystallized. Their daughter mineral assemblage includes quartz, microcline, aegirine, arfvedsonite, polylithionite, a zirconosilicate, pyrochlore, and a rare-earth fluorocarbonate. The melt inclusions were homogenized in an internally heated gas vessel at a temperature of 850°C and a pressure of 3 kbar. After the experiments, many inclusions were homogeneous and consisted of silicate glass. In addition to silicate glass, some inclusions contained tiny quench zircon crystals confined to the boundary of inclusions, which indicates that the melts were saturated in zircon. In a few inclusions, glass coexisted with a CO₂ phase. This allowed us to estimate the content of CO₂ in the inclusion as 1.5 wt %. The composition of glasses from the homogeneous melt inclusions is similar to the composition of the rare-metal granites, in particular, with respect to SiO₂ (68–74 wt %), TiO₂ (0.5–0.9 wt %), FeO (2.2–4.6 wt %), MgO (0.02 wt %), and Na₂O + K₂O (up to 8.5 wt %). On the other hand, the glasses of melt inclusions appeared to be strongly depleted compared with the rocks in CaO (0.22 and 4 wt %, respectively) and Al₂O₃ (5.5–7.0 and 9.6 wt %, respectively). The agpaitic index is 1.1–1.7. The melts contain up to 3 wt % H₂O and 2–4 wt % F. The trace element analysis of glasses from homogenized melt inclusions in quartz showed that the rare-metal granites were formed from extensively evolved rare-metal alkaline melts with high contents of Zr, Nb, Th, U, Ta, Hf, Rb, Pb, Y, and REE, which reflects the metallogenic signature of the Khaldzan Buregtey deposit. The development of unique rare metal Zr–Nb–REE mineralization in these rocks is related to the prolonged crystallization differentiation of melts and assimilation of enclosing carbonate rocks.     

The pattern of Ni and Co abundances in lunar olivines

Near liquidus experiments on peridotite and other olivine normative compositions from 1.7 to 6 GPa confirm the applicability of exchange-based empirical models of Ni and Co partitioning between olivine and silicate liquids with compositions close to the liquidus of peridotite. Given that most estimates of lunar bulk composition are peridotitic, the partitioning models thus lend themselves to calculation of olivine compositions produced during the early stages of magma ocean crystallization. Calculation of olivine compositions produced by fractional crystallization of a model lunar magma ocean, initially 700 km deep, reveals a prominent maximum in Ni concentration versus fraction crystallized or Mg’ (molar MgO/(MgO + FeO)), but a pattern of monotonically increasing Co concentration. These patterns qualitatively match the puzzling patterns of Ni and Co concentrations observed in lunar rocks in which forsteritic olivines in magnesian suite cumulates have lower Ni and Co abundances than do less magnesian olivines from low-Ti mare basalts, and olivines from the ferroan anorthosite suite (FAS) have lower Ni, but similar Co to mare basalt olivines.The Ni and Co abundances in olivines from the magnesian suite cumulates can be reconciled in terms of fractional crystallization of a deep magma ocean which initially produces a basal dunite comprised of the hottest and most magnesian olivine overlain by an olivine-orthopyroxene (harzburgite) layer that is in turn overlain by an upper zone of plagioclase-bearing cumulates. The ultramafic portion of the cumulate pile overturns sending the denser harzburgite layer, which later becomes a portion of the green glass source region, to the bottom of the cumulate pile with Ni- and Co-rich olivine. Meanwhile, the less dense, but hottest, most magnesian olivines with much lower Ni and Co abundances are transported upward to the base of the plagioclase-bearing cumulates where subsequent heat transfer leads to melting of mixtures of primary dunite, norite, and gabbronorite with KREEP (a K-REE-P enriched component widely believed to be derived from the very latest stage magma ocean liquid). These hybrid melts have Al₂O₃, Ni, and Co abundances and Mg’ appropriate for parent magmas of the magnesian suite. Ni and Co abundances in the FAS are consistent with either direct crystallization from the magma ocean or crystallization of melts of primary dunite-norite mixtures without KREEP.     

Melt inclusions in scoria and associated mantle xenoliths of Puy Beaunit Volcano,Chaîne des Puys,Massif Central,France

In order to characterize the composition of the parental melts of intracontinental alkali-basalts, we have undertaken a study of melt and fluid inclusions in olivine crystals in basaltic scoria and associated upper mantle nodules from Puy Beaunit, a volcano from the Chaîne des Puys volcanic province of the French Massif Central (West-European Rift system). Certain melt inclusions were experimentally homogenised by heating-stage experiments and analysed to obtain major- and trace-element compositions. In basaltic scoria, olivine-hosted melt inclusions occur as primary isolated inclusions formed during growth of the host phase. Some melt inclusions contain both glass and daughter minerals that formed during closed-system crystallisation of the inclusion and consist mainly of clinopyroxene, plagioclase and rhönite crystals. Experimentally rehomogenised and naturally quenched, glassy inclusions have alkali-basalt compositions (with SiO₂ content as low as 42 wt%, MgO>6 wt%, Na₂O+K₂O>5 wt%, Cl~1,000–3,000 ppm and S~400–2,000 ppm), which are consistent with those expected for the parental magmas of the Chaîne des Puys magmatic suites. Their trace-element signature is characterized by high concentration(s) of LILE and high LREE/HREE ratios, implying an enriched source likely to have incorporated small amounts of recycled sediments. In olivine porphyroclasts of the spinel peridotite nodules, silicate melt inclusions are secondary in nature and form trails along fracture planes. They are generally associated with secondary CO₂ fluid inclusions containing coexisting vapour and liquid phases in the same trail. This observation and the existence of multiphase inclusions consisting of silicate glass and CO₂-rich fluid suggest the former existence of a CO₂-rich silicate melt phase. Unheated glass inclusions have silicic major-element compositions, with normative nepheline and olivine components, ~58 wt% SiO₂, ~9 wt% total alkali oxides, <3 wt% FeO and MgO. They also have high chlorine levels (>3,000 ppm) but their sulphur concentrations are low (<200 ppm). Comparison with experimental isobaric trends for peridotite indicates that they represent high-pressure (~1.0 GPa) trapped aliquots of near-solidus partial melts of spinel peridotite. Following this hypothesis, their silica-rich compositions would reflect the effect of alkali oxides on the silica activity coefficient of the melt during the melting process. Indeed, the silica activity coefficient decreases with addition of alkalis around 1.0 GPa. For mantle melts coexisting with an olivine-orthopyroxene-bearing mineral assemblage buffering SiO₂ activity, this decrease is therefore compensated by an increase in the SiO₂ content of the melt. Because of their high viscosity and the low permeability of their matrix, these near-solidus peridotite melts show limited ability to segregate and migrate, which can explain the absence of a chemical relationship between the olivine-hosted melt inclusions in the nodules and in basaltic scoria.