Base metal mineral segregation and Fe-Mg exchange inducing extreme compositions of olivine and chromite from the Xiadong Alaskan-type complex in the southern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Xiadong Alaskan-type complex shares much in common with typical Alaskan-type complexes worldwide, while showing some unique features in terms of mineral compositions. Olivine from the Xiadong dunites is characterized by extremely high Fo component of 91.7–96.7 and anomalously negative correlation of Fo with NiO, while chromite is featured by high 100 × Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Cr + Al) (>70), high 100 × Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Mg) (>70), high 100 × Cr/(Cr + Al) (>90), low MnO (<0.6 wt%) and TiO₂ contents (<0.5 wt%). To investigate these particular features, we conducted petrographic observation and mineral composition analyses for the Xiadong dunite. A number of Fe and/or Ni sulfides and alloys occurring as inclusions in olivine and chromite indicate that base metal mineral segregation took place prior to crystallization of olivine and chromite and probably induced Fe and Ni depletions in olivine. The FeO and MgO variations in profile analyses from chromite to adjacent olivine are compatible with Fe-Mg exchange. The diffusion mechanism of Fe from olivine to chromite and Mg from chromite to olivine may have elevated both Fo of olivine and 100 × Fe²⁺/(Mg + Fe²⁺) ratio of chromite and further enhanced the decoupling of Fo and NiO in olivine. We thus suggest that base metal mineral segregation and Fe-Mg exchange play important roles in the extreme compositions of the Xiadong dunite. The Ni depletion of olivine and degree of Fe-Mg exchange between olivine and chromite may be used as indicators of mineralization in mafic-ultramafic intrusions.     

Cumulates of arc magmas incorporated into the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt,eastern China

ABSTRACT

The Hujialin ultramafic complex in the central region of the Sulu ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt consists of discontinuous lenses of garnet-bearing clinopyroxenite and dunite surrounded by marginal serpentinite. The clinopyroxenite shows relatively low concentrations of compatible elements, such as Cr (≤1670 ppm) and Ni (≤514 ppm) and Ir-group platinum group elements (IPGE; Ir, Os, and Ru; ≤4.8 ppb in total). They show varying ratios (0.02–2.50) of IPGE to Pd-group PGE (PPGE). Their chondrite-normalized rare earth elements (REE) patterns are convex and the total REE concentrations range from 18 to 63 times that of Cl chondrite. The bulk rocks show a ‘subduction-related’ geochemical signature, with high concentrations of fluid-mobile elements (i.e. Sr, Ba) relative to high-field strength elements (i.e. Nb, Y, Zr). Clinopyroxene is diopside and contains low Al₂O₃ (<2.76 wt.%) and high SiO₂ (54.6–56.9 wt.%). Olivine grains enclosed by clinopyroxene and in the matrix show relatively low Fo (76.6–80.7) and NiO contents (0.18–0.29 wt.%). The bulk rock compositions and mineral chemistry of olivine and clinopyroxene suggest that the unit was a cumulate of a subduction-related melt. On the other hand, dunite and its hydration product, serpentinite, have a different origin. The bulk rock and mineral chemistry suggest that dunite represents a mantle wedge peridotite in a spinel-stable field. Both clinopyroxenite and spinel-bearing dunite were once located in the mantle wedge below the southern margin of the North China craton (NCC), and were dragged by a mantle flow into the continental subduction channel along the interface between the subducting Yangtze craton (YZC) and the overlying NCC. Although clinopyroxenite and dunite are dense (2.8–3.2 g/cm³), the buoyancy-driven exhumation of voluminous granitic rocks of the YZC likely brought clinopyroxenite and dunite to shallow crustal depths. The lack of the evidence for high pressure to ultra-high pressure (HP-UHP) metamorphism in spinel-bearing dunite may be explained by overall low Al and Ca in the bulk rocks. Alternatively, dunite was not subducted to deep levels, but exhumed together with the deeply subducted clinopyroxenites and granite during their exhumation.     

阿拉斯加型岩体的基本特征、成岩过程及成矿作用

阿拉斯加型岩体是一类具有独特的岩性环带状结构的镁铁-超镁铁质侵入体,常呈链状分布于汇聚板块边缘。其形成时代跨度较大,从元古代到新生代均有分布,以中生代最为发育。大部分阿拉斯加型岩体规模较小,出露面积约12～14 km²或更小,平面上呈近似同心环状结构,垂直剖面上呈管道状。岩体中心为纯橄岩,向外依次包括异剥橄榄岩、橄榄单斜辉石岩、单斜辉石岩、角闪单斜辉石岩、角闪石岩和辉长岩。造岩矿物为橄榄石、单斜辉石、角闪石等,副矿物为铬铁矿、磁铁矿、钛铁矿等,超镁铁质岩石中少或无斜方辉石,斜长石仅出现在边缘的辉长质岩石中。磁铁矿在单斜辉石岩和角闪石岩中为常见矿物,含量最高达15%～20%。阿拉斯加型岩体的主量元素成分揭示所有岩石均为与拉斑玄武质岩浆分异有关的亚碱性堆晶岩。微量元素成分上显示平坦的稀土元素配分型式和较低的微量元素含量,且富集大离子亲石元素,亏损高场强元素。矿物化学特征上,橄榄石富镁且Fo值变化较大;单斜辉石主要为富Ca的透辉石,其成分变化具有弧堆晶趋势;角闪石主要是镁角闪石和韭角闪石;铬铁矿富集Fe-Al,贫Cr。这些特征揭示,该类岩体成因明显不同于层状岩体和阿尔卑...     

苏鲁超高压变质带胡家林超镁铁质岩成因及构造意义

胡家林超镁铁质杂岩体产于苏鲁超高压变质带中部,纯橄岩和(石榴)单斜辉石岩呈不连续透镜体产于蛇纹石化橄榄岩中。纯橄岩遭受了部分蛇纹石化(烧失量=6.6%～13.2%),全岩富集强相容元素(Ni、Cr、Co)和Ir族PGE(IPGE;Ir、Os、Ru)及高IPGE/PPGE值,亏损Al、Ti、V,具高Mg~#橄榄石(Fo=91.7～92.4)和高Cr~#(0.68～0.76)尖晶石。纯橄岩高耐熔地球化学及矿物化学特征和古老的大陆岩石圈地幔相一致,表明其原岩来源于弧前地幔,代表了华北克拉通古老的大陆岩石圈地幔残留。(石榴)单斜辉石岩全岩呈相对低含量的强相容元素(Cr、Ni、Co)和IPGE,高含量的Al、Ti、V和流体迁移元素(Sr、Pb和Ba),球粒陨石标准化REE配分图呈明显"上凸"型,具低Mg~#橄榄石(Fo=76.6～76.8)和低Al_2O_3(2.76%)和高SiO_2(54.56%～56.87%)的单斜辉石。全岩组成和矿物化学表明其原岩为俯冲带内超镁铁质火成堆晶岩,最初岩浆由地幔岩高程度部分熔融的熔体和俯冲带中富H_2O流体和/或熔体构成。(石榴)单斜辉石岩原岩曾被地幔流带入扬子大陆俯冲板片和上覆地幔楔之间的俯冲通道,经历了超高压变质作用和生成大量石榴石。(石榴)单斜辉石岩在折返过程中,与大陆岩石圈地幔楔剥离的蛇纹石化橄榄岩及纯橄岩相结合,形成超镁铁质杂岩体,整体被低密度的俯冲板片(主要由花岗质片麻岩和变质沉积岩组成)裹挟,折返至地壳浅部。     

Petrology,geochemistry and geochronology of the magmatic suite from the Jianzha Complex,central China: Petrogenesis and geodynamic implications

The intermediate–mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Jianzha Complex (JZC) at the northern margin of the West Qinling Orogenic Belt have been interpreted to be a part of an ophiolite suite. In this study, we present new geochronological, petrological, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data and provide a different interpretation. The JZC is composed of dunite, wehrlite, olivine clinopyroxenite, olivine gabbro, gabbro, and pyroxene diorite. The suite shows characteristics of Alaskan-type complexes, including (1) the low CaO concentrations in olivine; (2) evidence of crystal accumulation; (3) high calcic composition of clinopyroxene; and (4) negative correlation between FeO^tot and Cr₂O₃ of spinels. Hornblende and phlogopite are ubiquitous in the wehrlites, but minor orthopyroxene is also present. Hornblende and biotite are abundant late crystallized phases in the gabbros and diorites. The two pyroxene-bearing diorite samples from JZC yield zircon U–Pb ages of 245.7 ± 1.3 Ma and 241.8 ± 1.3 Ma. The mafic and ultramafic rocks display slightly enriched LREE patterns. The wehrlites display moderate to weak negative Eu anomalies (0.74–0.94), whereas the olivine gabbros and gabbros have pronounced positive Eu anomalies. Diorites show slight LREE enrichment, with (La/Yb)_N ratios ranging from 4.42 to 7.79, and moderate to weak negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu¹ = 0.64–0.86). The mafic and ultramafic rocks from this suite are characterized by negative Nb–Ta–Zr anomalies as well as positive Pb anomalies. Diorites show pronounced negative Ba, Nb–Ta and Ti spikes, and typical Th–U, K and Pb peaks. Combined with petrographic observations and chemical variations, we suggest that the magmatism was dominantly controlled by fractional crystallization and crystal accumulation, with limited crustal contamination. The arc-affinity signature and weekly negative to moderately positive ε_Nd(t) values (−2.3 to 1.2) suggest that these rocks may have been generated by partial melting of the juvenile sub-continental lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized previously by slab-derived fluids. The lithologies in the JZC are related in space and time and originated from a common parental magma. Geochemical modeling suggests that their primitive parental magma had a basaltic composition. The ultramafic rocks were generated through olivine accumulation, and variable degrees of fractional crystallization with minor crustal contamination produced the diorites. The data presented here suggest that the subduction in West Qinling did not cease before the early stage of the Middle Triassic (∼242 Ma), a back-arc developed in the northern part of West Qinling during this period, and the JZC formed within the incipient back-arc.     

Origin of the early Permian Wajilitag igneous complex and associated Fe–Ti oxide mineralization in the Tarim large igneous province,NW China

The Wajilitag igneous complex is part of the early Permian Tarim large igneous province in NW China, and is composed of a layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion and associated syenitic plutons. In order to better constrain its origin, and the conditions of associated Fe–Ti oxide mineralization, we carried out an integrated study of mineralogical, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic analyses on selected samples. The Wajilitag igneous rocks have an OIB-like compositional affinity, similar to the coeval mafic dykes in the Bachu region. The layered intrusion consists of olivine clinopyroxenite, coarse-grained clinopyroxenite, fine-grained clinopyroxenite and gabbro from the base upwards. Fe–Ti oxide ores are mainly hosted in fine-grained clinopyroxenite. Forsterite contents in olivines from the olivine clinopyroxenite range from 71 to 76 mol%, indicating crystallization from an evolved magma. Reconstructed composition of the parental magma of the layered intrusion is Fe–Ti-rich, similar to that of the Bachu mafic dykes. Syenite and quartz syenite plutons have ε_Nd(t) values ranging from +1.4 to +2.9, identical to that for the layered intrusion. They may have formed by differentiation of underplated magmas at depth and subsequent fractional crystallization. Magnetites enclosed in olivines and clinopyroxenes have Cr₂O₃ contents higher than those interstitial to silicates in the layered intrusion. This suggests that the Cr-rich magnetite is an early crystallized phase, whereas interstitial magnetite may have accumulated from evolved Fe–Ti-rich melts that percolated through a crystal mush. Low V content in Cr-poor magnetite (<6600 ppm) is consistent with an estimate of oxygen fugacity of FMQ + 1.1 to FMQ + 3.5. We propose that accumulation of Fe–Ti oxides during the late stage of magmatic differentiation may have followed crystallization of Fe–Ti-melt under high fO₂ and a volatile-rich condition.     

The Wenquan Ultramafic Rocks in North Terrane,East Kunlun Mountains,NW China – Arc Cumulates of the Paleo‐Tethys

The Wenquan ultramafic rocks, located in the East Kunlun Orogenic belt in the northeastern part of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, consist of dunite, wehrlite, olivine‐clinopyroxenite and clinopyroxenite, and exhibit cumulate textures. Olivine from dunite has high Fo (forsterite, 90–92) and NiO (0.15–0.42 wt%) contents. Cr‐spinels from all of the rocks in this suite are characterized by high Cr^# (100×[Cr/(Cr+Al)], 67–91), low Mg^# (100×[Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)], 17–35) and low TiO₂ contents (mostly < 0.5 wt%). Clinopyroxenes display high Mg# (92–98) and low TiO² contents (0.002–0.099 wt%), similar to those in ophiolitic cumulates. Geochemically, the Wenquan ultramafic rocks show enrichment of LILE, Sr, and Ba, and depletion of Nb and Th. Mineral chemistry and geochemistry indicate that the Wenquan cumulates were generated from a depleted mantle and likely evolved from high‐Mg basaltic magmas (Mg^#=78) that underwent fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. Zircons from clinopyroxenites yield a U–Pb weighted mean age of 331 ± 2 Ma, which is nearly coeval with the formation age of the Buqingshan and A'nyemaqen Carboniferous ophiolites. The Wenquan Carboniferous ophiolites are confirmed to exist in the Central East Kunlun Fault zone, whereas previous studies have considered them to be the Proterozoic ophiolites. The Wenquan ultramafic rocks might be an arc cumulates of the Paleo‐Tethyan ocean, indicating that there were two cycles of oceanic–continental evolution along the Central East Kunlun Fault zone. Keywords Ultramafic rock, Cumulate, Ophiolite, East Kunlun Orogenic belt.     

Magmatic unmixing in spinel from late Precambrian concentrically-zoned mafic–ultramafic intrusions, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Spinel is widespread in the ultramafic core rocks of zoned late Precambrian mafic–ultramafic complexes from the Eastern Desert of Egypt. These complexes; Gabbro Akarem, Genina Gharbia and Abu Hamamid are Precambrian analogues of Alaskan-type complexes, they are not metamorphosed although weakly altered. Each intrusion is composed of a predotite core enveloped by pyroxenites and gabbros at the margin. Silicate mineralogy and chemistry suggest formation by crystal fractionation from a hydrous magma. Relatively high Cr₂O₃ contents are recorded in pyroxenes (up to 1.1 wt.%) and amphiboles (up to 1.4 wt.%) from the three plutons. The chrome spinel crystallized at different stages of melt evolution; as early cumulus inclusions in olivine, inclusions in pyroxenes and amphiboles and late-magmatic intercumulus phase. The intercumulus chrome spinel is homogenous with narrow-range of chemical composition, mainly Fe³⁺-rich spinel. Spinel inclusions in clinopyroxene and amphibole reveal a wide range of Al (27–44 wt.% Al₂O₃) and Mg (6–13 wt.% MgO) contents and are commonly zoned. The different chemistries of those spinels reflect various stages of melt evolution and re-equilibration with the host minerals. The early cumulus chrome spinel reveals a complex unmixing structures and compositions. Three types of unmixed spinels are recognized; crystallographically oriented, irregular and complete separation. Unmixing products are Al-rich (Type I) and Fe³⁺-rich (Type II) spinels with an extensive solid solution between the two end members. The compositions of the unmixed spinels define a miscibility gap with respect to Cr–Al–Fe³⁺, extending from the Fe³⁺–Al join towards the Cr corner. Spinel unmixing occurs in response to cooling and the increase in oxidation state. The chemistry and grain size of the initial spinel and the cooling rate control the type of unmixing and the chemistry of the final products. Causes of spinel unmixing during late-magmatic stage are analogous to those in metamorphosed complexes. The chemistry of the unmixed spinels is completely different from the initial spinel composition and is not useful in petrogenetic interpretations. Spinels from oxidized magmas are likely to re-equilibrate during cooling and are not good tools for genetic considerations.     

Devonian rodingite from the northern margin of the North China Craton: mantle wedge metasomatism during ocean–continent convergence

The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) was an active convergent margin during Palaeozoic and preserves important imprints of magmatic and metasomatic processes associated with oceanic plate subduction. Here, we investigate the mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Xiahabaqin–Sandaogou complexes from the northern NCC including pyroxenite, hornblendites, hornblende gabbro, and their rodingitized counterparts within a serpentinite domain. We present petrological, zircon U–Pb geochronological, and geochemical data to constrain the nature and timing of the magmatic and metasomatic processes in the subduction zone mantle wedge. The rock suites investigated in this study are characterized by low contents of SiO₂, Na₂O, and K₂O, with high CaO, FeO, Fe₂O₃, and MgO. The rodingitized rocks show markedly high CaO and lower MgO compared to their ultramafic protolith, suggesting extensive post-magmatic infiltration of Ca-rich, Si-poor fluids derived by serpentinization of mantle peridotite. The enrichment of large ion lithophile and light rare earth elements such as Ba, Sr, K, La, and Ce with relative depletion of high field strength elements like Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf in the ultramafic rocks collectively suggest metasomatism of a fore-arc mantle wedge by fluids released through dehydration of subducted oceanic slab and subduction-derived sediments. Dehydration and decarbonation leading to metasomatic fluid influx and serpentinization of mantle wedge peridotite account for the enriched geochemical signatures for the rodingitized rocks. The zircon grains in these rocks show textures indicating magmatic crystallization followed by fluid-controlled dissolution–precipitation. Magmatic zircons from altered pyroxenite, hornblendite, and rodingitized pyroxenite in Xiahabaqin yield protolith crystallization ages peaks at 396 Ma and 392 Ma and metasomatic grains show ages of 386 Ma, 378 Ma, and 348 Ma. The zircons from hornblendite and basaltic trachyandesite indicate protolith emplacement during 402–388 Ma. Metasomatic zircon grains from rodingitized hornblende gabbro in Sandaogou complex show a wide range of ages as 412 Ma, 398 Ma, 383 Ma, and 380 Ma. The common magmatic zircon ages peaks at 398–388 Ma in most of the rocks suggest a similar time for magma crystallization in the Xiahabaqin and Baiqi during Middle Devonian. Subsequently, repeated pulses fluids and melts resulted in metasomatic reactions in mantle wedge until early Permian. The Lu–Hf analysis of the zircon grains from these rocks display markedly negative εHf(t) values ranging from ?22.4 to ?7.7, suggesting magma derivation from an enriched, hydrated lithospheric mantle through fluid–rock interaction and mantle wedge metasomatism. Rodingitization processes are associated with exhumation of ultramafic mantle wedge rocks within a serpentinized subduction channel close to the subducted slab in response to slab roll back in a long-lasting subduction regime. This study offers insights into magmatic and metasomatic processes of ultramafic rocks in the fore-arc mantle wedge which were exhumed and accreted to an active continental margin during the southward subduction of the Palaeo-Asian oceanic lithosphere beneath the NCC.     

Exsolution Lamellae in Olivine Grains of Dunite Units from Different Types of Mafic‐Ultramafic Complexes

Exsolution microstructures in olivine grains from dunite units in a few selected tectonic environments are reported here. They include lamellae of clinopyroxene and clinopyroxene-magnetite intergrowth in the Gaositai and Yellow Hill Alaskan-type complexes, clinopyroxene-magnetite intergrowth in the K?z?lda? ophiolite, and chromite lamellae in the Hongshishan mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex. These lamellae commonly occur as needle-or rod-like features and are oriented in olivine grains. The host olivine grains have Fo contents of 92.5–92.6 in the Gaositai complex, 86.5–90.1 in the Yellow Hill complex, 93.2–93.4 in the K?z?lda? ophiolite and 86.9–88.3 in the Hongshishan complex. Clinopyroxene in the rod-like intergrowth exsolved in olivine grains in the Gaositai and Yellow Hill is diopside with similar major element compositions of Ca O(23.6–24.3 wt%), SiO_2(52.2–54.0 wt%), Al_2O_3(0.67–2.15 wt%), Cr_2O_3(0.10–0.42 wt%) and Na_2O(0.14–0.26 wt%). It falls into the compositional field of hydrothermal clinopyroxene and its origin is thus probably related to reaction between dunite and fluids. The enrichment of the fluids in Ca~(2+), Fe~(3+), Cr~(3+) and Na+, resulted in elevated concentrations of these cations in olivine solid solutions via the reaction. With decreasing temperature, the olivine solid solutions altered to an intergrowth of magnetite and clinopyroxene. The Fe~(3+) and Cr~(3+) preferentially partitioned into magnetite, while Ca~(2+) and Na+ entered clinopyroxene. Since the studied Alaskan-type complexes and ophiolite formed in a subduction environment, the fluids were probably released from the subducted slab. In contrast, the exsolved chromite in olivine grains from the Hongshishan complex that formed in post-orogenic extension setting can be related to olivine equilibrated with Cr-bearing liquid. Similarly, these lamellae have all been observed in serpentine surrounding olivine grains, indicating genetic relations with serpentinization.     

Geochemistry of an Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex in Eastern Desert,Egypt:New insights and constraints on the Neoproterozoic island arc magmatism

Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_melt(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.     

PGE Mineralization of Massive Chromitites of the Iov Dunite Body (Northern Urals)

This work presents the results of the first comprehensive study of PGE mineralization from massive chromitites of the Iov dunite body (Northern Urals). The chromitites are composed of chromespinelides with a higher content of Cr₂O₃ with respect to those from other zonal clinopyroxenite–dunite massifs of the Urals. However, the composition of chromespinelides fits the trend that is characteristic of the dunite–clinopyroxenite–gabbro formation. PGE minerals, in particular Pt–Fe solid solutions, were identified in chromitites and in chromespinelides in the form of crystals and aggregates of a complex non-crystallographic habit and less often of an idiomorphic cubic habit. In terms of stoichiometry, Pt–Fe minerals correspond to ferroplatinum (Pt₂Fe) and isoferroplatinum (Pt₃Fe). The minerals of the isomorphic tetraferroplatinum–tulameenite–nickelferroplatinum series are widely distributed. Thus, the PGE mineralization of the Iov dunite body has features that are characteristic of clinopyroxenite–dunite massifs of the Urals.     

Experimental and major element constraints on the evolution of lavas from Lihir Island,Papua New Guinea

The major element chemistry of SiO₂-undersaturated arc lavas from Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, and 1 atmosphere experiments on an alkali basalt from this island show complex polybaric fractionation affected this suite of lavas. Low Ni and MgO are typical of these arc lavas and result from olivine fractionation, probably at high pressure. Fractionation at low pressure (<5 kb) produces two evolutionary trends. Separation of clinopyroxene, plagioclase and minor olivine from the primitive lavas results in increasing normative nepheline contents and major element trends similar to those of the experiments. In contrast, addition of magnetite and amphibole to the fractionating assemblage in the evolved lavas results in decreasing normative nepheline and major element trends which are markedly different from those of the experiments. The composition of experimental glasses and 1 atmosphere liquid lines of descent, derived from anhydrous melting experiments run at the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer and at higher oxygen fugacities, are displaced from the lavas on oxide-oxide plots. HighfO₂ produces high Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and the early crystallization of abundant magnetite, and high H₂O contents are responsible for crystallization of amphibole. Crystal fractionation of these phases and the high Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ are responsible for the displacement of the lavas and experimental glasses in mineral projection schemes from the 1 atmosphere olivine-clinopyroxene-plagioclase saturation boundary of Sack et al. (1987).     

Geochemistry and Os–Nd–Sr isotopes of the Gaositai Alaskan-type ultramafic complex from the northern North China craton: implications for mantle–crust interaction

We report petrological, chemical and Os–Nd–Sr isotopic data for the Gaositai ultramafic complex from northern North China craton (NCC) to reveal its petrogenesis. The complex shows features of Alaskan-type intrusions, including (1) the concentric zoning from dunite core, to clinopyroxenite and hornblendite in the rim, and the common cumulative textures; (2) the abundance of olivine, clinopyroxene and hornblende, and the scarcity of orthopyroxene and plagioclase, and (3) the systematic decrease in Mg# of ferromagnesian phases from core to rim, accompanied by the Fe-enrichment trend of accessory spinel. The different rock types show highly varied, radiogenic Os isotopic ratios (0.129–5.2), and unradiogenic Nd isotopic composition (ε_Nd(t) = −8 to −15), but are homogeneous in I_Sr ratios (0.7054–0.7066). The (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os)_i ratios are found to be anti-correlated with ε_Nd(t) values and whole-rock Mg# as well. These data suggest significant crustal contamination during magma evolution. The crustal contaminants are dominantly Archean mafic rocks in the lower crust, and subordinate TTG gneisses at shallower crustal levels. The parental magma was hydrous picritic in composition, derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source above a subduction zone. The zoned pattern of the complex formed probably through “flow differentiation” of a rapidly rising crystal mush along a fracture zone that was developed as a result of lithospheric extension in a back-arc setting in the northern margin of the NCC at ca. 280 Ma.     

雅鲁藏布江缝合带西段普兰蛇绿岩中地幔橄榄岩的岩石学研究

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带西段普兰蛇绿岩以出现面积约600余平方千米的特大型地幔橄榄岩体而引人注目.该地幔橄榄岩以方辉橄榄岩为主体,含有少量的二辉橄榄岩和纯橄榄岩,岩体中另有一些橄榄单斜辉石岩、辉长岩和辉绿岩等侵入体.地幔橄榄岩的主要造岩矿物橄榄石的Fo 90～93,其中呈包裹体的橄榄石的Fo略高,斜方辉石为顽火辉石(En 88～90),单斜辉石主要为顽透辉石和透辉石,以低铝(0.48％～3.96％)和高Mg#(91～96)为特征,铬尖晶石的Cr#值为18～69,其中方辉橄榄岩和二辉橄榄岩中的铬尖晶石属富铝型尖晶石,而纯橄岩中为富铬型尖晶石.橄榄单斜辉石岩的橄榄石Fo值一致较低,平均为88.4,斜方辉石En平均87,单斜辉石以透辉石为主,铬尖晶石的Cr#值为45～69.普兰地幔橄榄岩及橄榄单斜辉石岩都具有相似的稀土元素和微量元素配分模式,表现为LREE相对富集,Eu亏损不明显,微量元素中大离子亲石元素含量较低,部分样品高场强元素亏损,另一些则相对富集,显示地幔橄榄岩具有亏损地幔源区特征,但也具有俯冲带流体的交代特征,表明普兰岩体可能经历了MOR和SSZ两种构造环境,该特征与雅鲁藏布江缝合带东段的罗布莎地幔橄榄岩的特征可以对比.     

Reduction of buried oxidized oceanic crust during subduction

The relationship among subducted oxidized oceanic crust and oxidation state of the subarc mantle, and arc magmas is one of the important aspects to evaluate convergent margin tectonics. However details of the oxidized mass transferred from buried oceanic crust to the overlying subarc mantle wedge remain obscure. Here we investigate the Songduo eclogites from south Tibet formed by the subduction of the paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust, and identify an abrupt decrease in pyrope and increase in almandine contents from the mantle to rim of garnet grains. This is coupled with a decrease in the Fe^3 + content of epidote and Fe^3 +/(Fe^2 ++ Fe^3 +) ratios from garnet core to rim domains, as well as speciation of calcite, a new mineral phase, in the rock matrix. Minor sulfates occur only as inclusions in garnet core domains, whereas sulfides are confined to the matrix as an accessory mineral phase. Aegirine augite occurs as relics or inclusions in garnet and omphacite. These features clearly suggest that oxidized components, Fe^3 + and S^6 +, were reduced as Fe^2 + and S^2 −, respectively, at the subduction zone. Thermodynamic modeling in the P–T-log₁₀f_O2 space using updated Perplex_X programs further revealed that the Songduo eclogites experienced oxygen fugacity variation of up to 8 log₁₀ units, with decreasing pressure. Petrological observations further suggest that the strong redox processes took place, after breaking of garnet, during the initial exhumation of the eclogites. CO₂ and minor sulfur are subsequently transferred from the cold oceanic subduction zone to the overlying mantle wedge, partially released by arc volcanoes to atmosphere. Our study presents a case of C and S recycling between the Earth's exterior and interior.     

Mineral chemistry and genesis of the Permian Cihai and Cinan magnetite deposits,Beishan, NW China

Cihai and Cinan are Permian magnetite deposits related to mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Beishan region, Xinjiang, NW China. The Cihai mafic intrusion is dominantly composed of dolerite, gabbro and fine-grained massive magnetite ore, while gabbro, pyrrhotite + pyrite-bearing clinopyroxenite and magnetite ore comprise the major units in Cinan. Clinopyroxene occurs in both deposits as 0.1–2 mm in diameter subhedral to anhedral grains in dolerite, gabbro and clinopyroxenite. High FeO contents (11.7–28.9 wt%), low SiO₂ (43.6–54.3 wt%) and Al₂O₃ contents (0.15–6.08 wt%), and low total REE and trace element contents of clinopyroxene in the Cinan clinopyroxenite imply crystallization early, at high pressure. This clinopyroxene is FeO-rich and Si and Ti-poor, consistent with the clinopyroxene component of large-scale Cu-Ni sulfide deposits in the Eastern Tianshan and Panxi ares, as well as Tarim mafic intrusion and basalt, implying the Cinan mafic intrusion and sulfide is related to tectonic activity in the Tarim LIP. The similar mineral chemistry of clinopyroxene, apatite and magnetite in the Cihai and Cinan gabbros (e.g., depleted LREE, negative Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta anomalies in clinopyroxene, lack of Eu anomaly in apatite and similarity of oxygen fugacity as indicated by V in magnetite), indicate similar parental magmatic characteristics. Mineral compositions suggest a crystallization sequence of clinopyroxenite/with a small amount of sulfide – gabbro – magnetite ore in the Cinan deposit, and magnetite ore – gabbro – dolerite in Cihai. The basaltic magma was emplaced at depth, with magnetite segregation (and formation of the Cinan magnetite ores) occurring in relatively low fO₂ conditions, after clinopyroxenite and gabbro fractional crystallization. The evolved Fe-rich basaltic magma rapidly rose to intermediate or shallow depths, forming an immiscible Fe-Ti oxide magma as fO₂ increased and leaving a Fe-poor residual magma in the chamber. The residual magmas was emplaced at different levels in the crust, forming the Cihai gabbro and dolerite, respectively. Finally, the immiscible Fe-Ti oxide magma was emplaced into the earlier formed dolerite because of late magma pulse uplift, resulting in a distinct boundary between the magnetite ores and dolerite.     

Geochronologic-petrochemical studies of the Hongshishan mafic–ultramafic intrusion,Beishan area,Xinjiang (NW China): petrogenesis and tectonic implications

The Hongshishan mafic–ultramafic intrusion (SIMS zircon U–Pb age 286.4 ± 2.8 Ma) consists of dunite, clinopyroxene peridotite, troctolite, and gabbro. Major elements display systematic correlations. Trace elements have identical distribution patterns, including flat rare-earth element (REE) patterns with positive Eu anomalies and enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) but depletions in Nb and Ta, indicating fractional crystallization as a key factor in magmatic evolution. Petrologic and geochemical variations in drill core samples demonstrate that minor assimilation and progressive magma injections were closely associated with Ni–Cu mineralization. Mass balance estimates and Sr–Nd isotopes reveal that the Hongshishan parental magmas were high-Mg and low-Ti tholeiitic basalts and were derived from a lithospheric mantle source that had been modified by subducted slab metasomatism before partial melting.

Southward subduction of the Palaeo-Tianshan–Junggar Ocean is further constrained by a compilation of inferred, subduction-induced modifications of mantle sources in mafic–ultramafic intrusions distributed in the eastern Tianshan–Beishan area. Integrating the regional positive ?_Nd(t) granites, high-Mg and low-Ti basaltic magmas (mafic–ultramafic intrusions), and slightly later high-Ti basalts in NW China suggests that their petrogenesis could be attributed to Permian mantle plume activities.     

应用电子探针技术研究北京密云放马峪铬铁矿床成因——来自含铬尖晶石矿物化学的证据

似层状铬铁矿床长期以来被认为是岩浆分异成因,但近年来有学者提出其中个别产在蛇绿岩中。本文选择北京放马峪似层状铬铁矿床中纯橄岩、辉橄岩和辉石岩中不同类型的含铬尖晶石进行了电子探针分析。研究表明,岩浆早期的纯橄岩和辉橄岩中的铬尖晶石富铬(Cr2O3平均43.32%),而岩浆晚期辉石的结晶消耗了大量Cr3+,由于氧逸度的升高,在辉石岩的单斜辉石中出溶贫铬的铬磁铁矿(Cr2O3平均10.32%)和富铝尖晶石(Cr2O3平均15.77%)。与世界上不同类型铬尖晶石的矿物化学特征进行对比,可以认为放马峪铬铁矿床是产在阿拉斯加型岩体中的早期岩浆矿床,而与蛇绿岩无关。本文对放马峪铬铁矿床成因和成矿专属性的限定,为这类镁铁-超镁铁岩体的铬、铜镍、铂族元素的找矿勘查提供了依据。     

塔里木盆地东南缘安南坝地区镁铁质麻粒岩的成因——来自地球化学及Sr-Nd-Pb同位素的制约

甘肃阿克塞县安南坝地区镁铁质麻粒岩呈脉状、透镜状赋存于新太古代米兰岩群和TTG片麻岩中。岩石主要由斜长石(Pl)+斜方辉石(Opx)+单斜辉石(Cpx)+角闪石(Amp)+磁铁矿(Mt)等组成。安南坝镁铁质麻粒岩中Ti、P、Nb、Ta、Th、Hf、Sr及REE等元素与Zr相关性较好,表明其在变质作用过程中保持基本稳定。地球化学数据显示其原岩属于拉斑玄武质岩系列,Si O_2、Ti O_2、Al_2O_3、P_2O_5含量相对较低,Ca O、Mg O含量相对较高。Mg~#值为41.52~43.09,低于原生玄武质岩石的Mg~#值,Fe_2O_3~T、Mg O、Ca O与Si O_2含量呈负相关性,指示原岩岩浆演化过程中可能发生了辉石、角闪石等镁铁质矿物的分异结晶作用。镁铁质麻粒岩∑REE较低,稀土元素配分模式为轻稀土元素弱富集、重稀土元素相对平坦的右倾型,Eu异常不明显(Eu/Eu~*=0.91~1.01)。岩石富集Rb、Ba、Sr等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Zr、Ti等高场强元素,具有显生宙典型岛弧玄武质岩石的地球化学特征。Sr、Nd、Pb同位素组成显示镁铁质麻粒岩原岩源自富集地幔,并受到一定程度的地壳物质混染。构造环境分析表明安南坝镁铁质麻粒岩原岩形成于与俯冲有关的岛弧环境。在俯冲作用机制下,俯冲板片流体交代使地幔楔发生富集,形成富集地幔,随着(弧后)伸展作用的加强,进一步诱发富集地幔的部分熔融形成镁铁质岩浆,最终岩浆就位形成辉长岩或辉绿岩脉,后期在麻粒岩相变质作用条件下变质为镁铁质麻粒岩。