苏鲁超高压变质带岗上超镁铁质岩铬尖晶石形成过程——铬成矿新机制

岗上超镁铁质岩主要由纯橄岩和石榴橄榄岩组成,主要组成矿物有橄榄石、铬尖晶石、石榴子石、单斜辉石和斜方辉石等。铬尖晶石的Cr#[Cr/(Cr+Mg)×100]从51到89变化,铬尖晶石矿物表现为4期次演化的特点,反映了从岩浆期向榴辉岩相、角闪岩相和绿片岩相演化特征。随着超镁铁质岩的演化,铬尖晶石中Cr#不断增大(51增大到89),而铬尖晶石Mg#[Mg×100/(Mg+Fe2+)]不断减少,氧逸度不断增加。在绿片岩相—绿片角闪岩相退变质过程中,铬尖晶石中Cr、Mg和Al减少,Fe相对增加,产生富Cr尖晶石变质作用样式。晚期剪切变形等次生变化有利于富铬铬尖晶石矿物的形成和铬尖晶石的富集。同时,角闪岩相和绿片岩相变质作用使铬尖晶石富集呈现容易开采的条带状,降低了铬尖晶石与其他硅酸盐矿物的结合强度,降低了开采强度和成本,使原本不易于开采的铬铁矿矿体变得可以开采。这些意味着铬铁矿矿体展布要结合后期变质作用进行综合分析。     

Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy as combined methods for studying zoning in minerals: The case of spinels from Archean komatiites

Several types of both magmatic and metamorphic spinels have been found in Archean komatiites of the Sovdozero and Kostomuksha greenstone belts in the eastern part of the Fennoscandian Shield. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed relics of cores of primary magmatic chrome-spinels with high Cr and Al contents. In the Sovdozero structure, the relics are better retained than those in the Kostomuksha structure, which is caused by a different degree of metamorphic transformation. The comparable 100 · Cr/(Al + Cr) values of spinel cores from Sovdozero and Kostomuksha reflect similar conditions of partitional melting in the mantle. These data agree with the fact that both komatiite complexes belong to the Al-undepleted petrogenic type. Wide variations in the Cr and Al contents in primary chrome-spinel cores together with a constant Mg/(Fe²⁺ + Mg) ratio correspond to low oxygen fugacity during magma crystallization. In general, the composition of these primary chrome-spinels is similar to that of accessory phases in peridotites from suprasubduction zones and agrees with hypothesis of komatiite complex formation in back-arc basins.     

Origin of chromite compositional variation in the Panton Sill,Western Australia

The compositional variation of chromite and associated olivine in chromite-rich and chromitepoor cumulus layers of the Panton Sill is described and a diffusion-controlled crystallization mechanism is proposed to explain this variation. By this mechanism, chromite initially precipitates with a fairly uniform composition, irrespective of the relative proportions of coprecipitating olivine and chromite, and is modified by continued growth during the postcumulus stage. The effect of postcumulus overgrowth of chromite, K _d =(Mg/Fe²⁺)liquid/(Mg/Fe²⁺) chromite6, is to deplete the surrounding magma in chromium and decrease Fe²⁺ relative to Mg such that a chemical gradient exists between the overlying magma, through which the cumulus grains settled, and the magma in contact with settled chromite grains near the magma/crystal pile interface. Postcumulus equilibration of olivine and chromite with the surrounding magma results in higher Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) ratios of both olivine and chromite and higher Al content of chromite. The extent of this postcumulus modification is directly related to the proportion of chromite to olivine in a particular layer. This model can be extended to stratiform intrusions elsewhere in which chromite coprecipitates with olivine, orthopyroxene or plagioclase and displays similar compositional trends.     

Some petrological aspects of the Prairie Creek diamond-bearing kimberlite diatreme,Arkansas

Based on modal and chemical composition, the rocks of the Prairie Creek diatreme situated 4 km SSE of Murfreesboro, Pike County, Arkansas, are classified as micaceous kimberlite. The K-Ar isotopic analysis of phlogopite from this diatreme yielded an age of 106 ± 3 m.y. (Albian) which is in agreement with stratigraphic relations. Electron beam probe data on minerals from kimberlite breccia, one of the three textural types, are presented. The breccia is considered as the potential source of the diamonds that have been mined at the diatreme. It contains phenocrysts of olivine (Fo_90–92) and serpentine pseudomorphs after olivine embedded in a groundmass of serpentine, minor calcite, chrome-diopside, phlogopite (Mg/Mg+Fe = 84.15%), perovskite, spinels, and pentlandite. Xenoliths of shales, sandstones, and mantle-derived ultramafic material are also present. Spinels are rich in Cr, Ti, and Fe and generally low in Al. Zoned spinels show enrichments in Ti and Fe towards their rims. A positive correlation between 100(Fe³⁺+Ti)/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺+Ti) and 100 Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) ratios exists in these spinels and probably reflects an oxygen fugacity increase during magma crystallization. Occluded gases in diamonds and kimberlites corroborate the hypothesis that the parent magma of the Prairie Creek kimberlite was derived by partial melting of upper-mantle garnet lherzolite under volatile-rich conditions, primarily enriched in H₂O and CO₂.     

Reaction relationships of chrome-spinels in igneous rocks — further evidence from the layered intrusions of Rhum and Mull,Inner Hebrides,Scotland

Compositions of chrome-spinels in peridotites from the layered igneous rocks of Rhum and of the Ben Buie intrusion, Mull, show evidence of post-depositional reaction relationships with the cumulus olivine and/or the intercumulus liquid. Some seam-forming spinels in the Ben Buie intrusion are highly aluminous, more so than those in the Rhum intrusion. Occasional zoned spinels, in both intrusions, show enrichment in Al towards their rims. The evidence suggests that the spinel reaction trend involving Cr-Al exchange proceeds in the direction of Al-enrichment. Equilibrium between chrome-spinel and cumulus olivine appears to have been attained rarely, thus limiting the application of the olivine-spinel geothermometer.     

Postcumulus modification of magnetite grains in the upper zone of the Bushveld Complex,South Africa

A detailed electron microprobe study has been made of magnetite grains from magnetitite layer 1 of the upper zone of the Bushveld Complex, in order to establish if there is any evidence for postcumulus processes having affected magnetite compositions. Representative composition profiles obtained from detailed step traverses are presented for touching magnetite grains and where magnetite is in contact with either ilmenite or plagioclase.Magnetite grains in all textural settings are compositionally heterogeneous. Touching magnetite grains display systematic compositional zonations: the rims of grains show a marked decrease in Al and Mg towards the grain boundary; the cores are characterised by a distinctive peak and trough pattern for these elements. These variations can be related to the positions of exsolved phases. Exsolutions in the cores are either pleonaste or an Fe³⁺ bearing AlMg spinel, whereas those at the grain boundaries are generally more Al-rich and include corundum. Similar exsolution related compositional variations for Mg and Al were found in magnetites in contact with ilmenite and plagioclase.A model has been developed which illustrates the possible sequence of postcumulus events during the interval between accumulation of the magnetite and the cessation of subsolidus reactions. The essential feature of the model is the delicate interplay between depletion of the host magnetite by corundum, pleonaste and the Fe³⁺ bearing AlMg spinel exsolutions, and diffusion of Al and Mg into the depleted areas from the surrounding magnetite.Data for Cr contents in magnetites show that although this particular trace element is apparently resistant to redistribution by exsolution processes, it is affected by subsolidus re-equilibration between magnetite and ilmenite, or magnetite and intercumulus liquid.     

The nature and origin of the chrome-spinel of the Rhum layered intrusion

The textural features and mineralogy of chrome-spinel bearing rocks from the layered ultrabasic intrusion of Rhum indicate that in situ reaction of chromite with olivine, plagioclase and interstitial liquid has taken place. The compositions of the chrome-spinels vary throughout parts of the intrusion and also in a systematic way across a thin picotite rich seam at a feldspar cumulate — olivine cumulate junction. The origin of the chrome-spinel is discussed in relation to other occurrences of chromite in layered ultrabasic rocks.     

Chrome-spinels in serpentinites and talc carbonates of the El Ideid-El Sodmein District, central Eastern Desert, Egypt: their metamorphism and petrogenetic implications

Serpentinites and talc-carbonate rocks of El Ideid-El Sodmein District (ISD), central Eastern Desert, Egypt, contain variably altered chrome-spinels. Back-scattered electron images and electron microprobe analyses of chrome-spinels and associated silicates are made to evaluate their textural and compositional variations with metamorphism. In most cases the chrome-spinel crystals are concentrically zoned with unaltered cores through transitional zone of ferritchromit to Cr-magnetite toward the rims. In talc-carbonate rocks chrome-spinels are extensively altered to Cr-magnetite. Compared to cores, the metamorphic rims are enriched in Cr# (0.83–1.0 vs. 0.58–0.63 for rims and cores, respectively) and impoverished in Mg# (0.05–0.29 vs. 0.57–0.63), due to Mg–Fe and Al(Cr)–Fe³⁺ exchange with the surrounding silicates during regional metamorphism rather than serpentinization process. Textural and compositional features of the chrome-spinels suggest transitional greenschist-amphibolite up to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism (at 500–600 °C), which is isofacial with the country rocks. The common preservation of unaltered chrome-spinel cores in the serpentinites, contrary to talc-carbonate rocks, implies that full equilibration has not been attained due to small metamorphic fluid–rock ratio. Microprobe analyses profile across a concentrically zoned grain confirms the presence of two compositional (miscibility?) gaps; one between chrome-spinel core and ferritchromit zone; and another one between ferritchromit zone and Cr-magnetite outer rim.Chrome-spinel cores do not appear to have re-equilibrated completely with the metamorphic spinel rims and surrounding silicates, indicating relic magmatic composition not affected by metamorphism. Core compositions suggest an ophiolitic origin and derivation by high degrees of melting of reduced, depleted harzburgite to dunite mantle peridotites in an oceanic supra-subduction zone (marginal-basin) tectonic environment.     

Solid inclusions in chrome-spinels and platinum group element concentrations from the hochgrössen and kraubath ultramafic massifs (Austria)

A great variety of platinum group mineral, sulfide and silicate inclusions in chrome spinel from Hochgrössen and Kraubath ultramafic massifs, and platinum group element contents of three different rock types have been investigated. Both ultramafic massifs are tectonically isolated bodies, variably serpentinized and metamorphosed (greenschist to lower amphibolite facies), and show ophiolitic geochemical affinities. The chromite from massive chromitites and disseminated in serpentinized dunites and serpentinites, exhibits compositional zonation as the result of alteration during serpentinization and metamorphism. Three distinctive alteration stages are indicated in the chrome-spinels from the Hochgrössen, whereas alteration is less significant in chromites from Kraubath: The core of chrome spinel represents the least altered part, surrounded by an inner rim characterized by slight compositional differences in Cr, Mn, Fe²⁺ and Al with respect to the core. The outer rim is formed by ferritchromite with a sharp boundary to the inner rim and shows a significant decrease of Al, Mg, Cr and increase of Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ni compared to the core. Two different groups of inclusions in chrome-spinel are present: the first group occurs within the chromite core, and comprises olivine, orthopyroxene, amphibole, sulfides and platinum-group minerals, i.e. dominated by Ru-Os-Ir-sulfides. The second group is formed by chlorite, serpentine, galena, pyrite, arsenopyrite, Pt-Pd-Rh-dominated sulfarsenides and sperrylite. In particular the abundance of Pt-Pd-Rh-sulfarsenides and arsenides is typical of both ultramafic massifs and is very unusual for chromitites from ophiolites. Morphology, paragenesis and chemical composition indicate a different origin for these two groups of inclusions. The first group is intimately related to the crystallisation of the chromite host. The second group of inclusions clearly displays a secondary formation during serpentinization and metamorphism, closely related to the alteration of chrome-spinel and the development of ferritchromite. The distribution patterns of the platinum group elements from massive chromitites, disseminated chrome-spinel bearing serpentinites and serpentinites exhibit variable enrichment of Rh, Pt and Pd, Rh, Pt for the Hochgrössen and Kraubath massifs, respectively. These results are in accordance with the occurrence and distribution of platinum-group mineral phases. A remobilisation of Pt, Pd, and Rh, together with Ni, Cu and possibly Fe as bisulfide and/or hydroxide complexes and deposition of metals by the reaction of the metal bearing hydrothermal fluid with chromite is proposed.     

The Asama igneous complex, central Japan: An ultramafic-mafic layered intrusion in the Mikabu greenstone belt, Sambagawa metamorphic terrain

The Asama igneous complex comprises layered mafic and ultramafic plutonic rocks exposed over about 500×6000 m in the Mikabu greenstone belt, Sambagawa metamorphic terrain of Mie Prefecture; its margins terminate by faults, and there is no trace of chilled rocks. The exposed layered sequence is about 460 m thick, and includes dunite, plagioclase wehrlite, olivine gabbro and two-pyroxene gabbro. The crystallization sequence of essential cumulus minerals is olivine, followed by plagioclase and clinopyroxene together, and finally the appearance of orthopyroxene. Olivine systematically varies in composition from Fo₈₉ to Fo₇₈ with stratigraphic height in the lower to middle portion of the layered sequence. The composition of clinopyroxene changes from Ca₄₉Mg₄₆Fe₅ to Ca₄₀Mg₄₇Fe₁₃ upward in the layered sequence; cumulus orthopyroxene, which occurs at the top of the exposed layered sequence, has a composition of Ca₂Mg₇₄Fe₂₄. Cumulus chromite occurs as disseminated grains in peridotitic rocks, and tends to increase its Fe³⁺/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺) ratio with stratigraphic height. The most aluminous chromite [Cr/(Cr+Al) = 0.48] occurs in dunite that crystallized shortly before plagioclase began to separate as an essential phase. The Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio of the most aluminous chromite, coupled with the crystallization order of essential minerals, suggests that the Asama parental magma was moderately enriched in plagioclase and clinopyroxene components in the normative mineral diagram plagioclase-clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene. It was similar to a Hawaiian tholeiite and different from the Bushveld and Great “Dyke” parental magmas that were more enriched in orthopyroxene component; it also differed from mid-oceanic ridge basalts that are more depleted in the orthopyroxene component. The Asama clinopyroxene and chromite show characteristically high TiO₂ contents and are also similar to those in Hawaiian tholeiites. The Asama igneous complex probably resulted from the crystallization of a magma of a Hawaiian (oceanic-island) tholeiite composition and formed in an oceanic island regime.     

Spinels in Harzburgite and Lherzolite inclusions from the San Giovanni Ilarione Quarry,Lessini Mountains,Veneto Region,Italy

Summary Chrome-bearing spinels in 21 ultramafic nodules contained in a basanite from San Giovanni Ilarione (SGI), Veneto Region, Italy, have been grouped from a textural and chemical standpoint into five types: (1) Interstitial, surrounded by silicates, homogeneous, with a Cr/(Cr + Al) ratio averaging 0.11; (2) Within alteration pods and veinlets, in contact with either silicates or alteration products, showing zonation with Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺), Cr, and Ti increasing and Al decreasing from core to rim; (3) In contact with the basalt or surrounded by basalt but distinct from ground-mass grains. The former are strongly zoned while the latter, referred to as xenocrysts, are relatively homogeneous. Both belong to a trend distinct from that of (2); (4) Symplectic, intergrown with pyroxenes and homogeneous, or in contact with plagioclase and/or reaction products and showing more variable composition than the former. Both are generally richer in Cr than all other spinet types and define a trend parallel to and with higher Cr/(Cr + Al) and Cr values than that of (3); and (5) groundmass grains within the host basalt, showing lower Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) and Cr/(Cr + Al), and higher Fe values than for all other, types.Group 1 spinels and the cores of group 2 and group 3 spinets display very similar compositions, suggesting a common origin, modified by later events such as partial melting, solid-liquid reactions, and subsolidus reactions which occurred prior to, during, and subsequent to interaction with the host basalt. Group 2 and 3 spinels define trends diverging from a common composition—i.e., the same origin. Group 4 spinels are probably due to exsolution which occurred after formation of the original spinels, while group 5 spinels are not directly related to types 1–4.

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Spinelle in Harzbugit- und Lherzolitheinschlüssen vom Steinbruch San Giovanni Ilarione, Lessini-Berge, Region Veneto, Italien

Zusammenfassung Chromhaltige Spinelle 21 ultramafischer Knollen aus einem Basanit von San Giovanni Ilarione (SGI), Region Veneto, Italien, wurden nach texturellen und chemischen Gesichtspunkten in fünf Gruppen eingeteilt: 1. Interstitiell, von Silikaten umgeben, mit einem durchschnittlichen Cr/(Cr + Al)-Verhältnis von 0,11.2. In Umwandlungstaschen und -gängchen, in Kontakt entweder mit Silikaten oder mit Umwandlungsprodukten, zoniert mit Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺), Cr und Ti vom Kern zum Rand zunehmend, Al aber abnehmend. 3. Im Kontakt zum Basalt oder vom Basalt umgeben, aber von den Körnern der Grundmasse verschieden. Die ersteren sind stark zonar, während die Letzteren, die als Xenokrysten angesehen werden, relativ homogen sind. Beide gehören zu einem Trend, welcher von jenem der Gruppe 2 verschieden ist. 4. Simplektitisch, mit Pyroxenen verwachen und homogen, oder im Kontakt zu Plagioklas und/oder Reaktionsprodukten und von variablerer Zusammensetzung ab die ersteren. Beide sind allgemein reicher an Cr als alle anderen Spinelltypen und sie definieren einen Trend parallel zu und mit höheren Cr/(Cr + Al)- und Cr- Werten als jene von Gruppe 3. 5. Körner der Grundmasse des Wirtsbasaltes, die niedrigere Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺)- und Cr/(Cr + Al)- Werte und höhere Fe-Werte zeigen als alle anderen Typen.Die Spinelle der Gruppe 1 und die Kerne der Spinelle der Gruppen 2 und 3 zeigen sehr ähnliche Zusammensetzungen, die auf einen gemeinsamen Ursprung hinweisen, der später modifiziert wurde durch Ereignisse wie partielles Schmelzen, fest-flüssig-Reaktionen und subsolidus-Reaktionen, die vor, wärend und nach der Wechselwirkung mit dem Wirtsbasalt stattfanden. Die Spinelle der Gruppen 2 und 3 definieren Trends, die von einer gemeinsamen Zusammensetzung und damit von einem gemeinsamen Ursprung her auseinanderlaufen Spinelle der Gruppe 4 entstanden wahrscheinlich durch Entmischung, die nach Bildung der Ursprungsspinele eintrat, während die Spinelle der Gruppe 5 zu denen der Gruppen 1 bis 4 in keiner direkten Beziehung stehen.

     

新疆东天山黄山东岩体橄榄石成因意义探讨

黄山东岩体位于新疆东天山造山带中段,由四次岩浆侵入形成:第一次侵入形成了岩体上部的橄榄辉长岩、角闪辉长岩和闪长岩,构成岩体的主体;第二次侵入形成辉长苏长岩,呈岩墙状分布于岩体西端和西北部;第三次侵入岩石为斜长二辉橄榄岩,位于岩体下部,为主要的赋矿岩石;第四次侵入岩石为底部角闪辉长岩。橄榄石为第三次侵入的斜长二辉橄榄岩和第一次侵入的橄榄辉长岩主要造岩矿物之一,橄榄石的镁橄榄石牌号(Fo)值介于68.5～82.5之间。其中含硫化物斜长二辉橄榄岩中的橄榄石具有较高的Fo值(79.7～82.5);斜长二辉橄榄岩中橄榄石的Fo值为78.3～79.9;而基性程度较低的橄榄辉长岩中橄榄石具有较低的Fo值(68.5～72.2)。利用橄榄石矿物成分计算得出黄山东岩体母岩浆Mg#(Mg2+/(Mg2++Fe2+))为0.59,为原生玄武质岩浆经历结晶分异作用形成。模拟计算结果显示黄山东岩体不含矿岩石中橄榄石是母岩浆经过2%的橄榄石结晶分异且硫达到饱和后,在硫化物熔离的同时岩浆发生橄榄石结晶而形成,并且橄榄石︰硫化物≈50︰1,部分橄榄石成分投点在橄榄石结晶和硫化物熔离的模拟曲线右下侧,指示它们可能受到晶间硅酸盐熔浆作用的影响。含硫化物斜长二辉橄榄岩中Fo值与Ni含量呈负相关关系,说明橄榄石与硫化物熔体之间发生了Fe-Ni交换反应。     

Field setting,mineralogy, chemistry,and genesis of arc picrites,New Georgia,Solomon Islands

The field setting, petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry of a suite of picrite basalts and related magnesian olivine tholeiites (New Georgia arc picrites) from the New Georgia Volcanics, Kolo caldera in the active ensimatic Solomon Islands arc are presented. These lavas, with an areal extent in the order of 100² km and almost 1 km thick in places, are located close to the intersection of the Woodlark spreading zone with the Pacific plate margin. They contain abundant olivine (Fo_94-75) and diopside (Cr₂O₃ 1.1-0.4%, Al₂O₃ 1–3%), and spinels characterised by a large range in Cr/(Cr+Al) (0.85–0.46) and Mg/(Mg+ Fe⁺⁺) (0.65–0.1). The spinels are Fe⁺⁺⁺ rich, with Fe⁺⁺⁺/ (Fe⁺⁺⁺+Cr+Al) varying from 0.06 to 1.0. A discrete group of spinels with the highest Cr/(Cr+Al) (0.83–0.86) and lowest Fe⁺⁺⁺ contents are included in the most Mg-rich olivine (Fo_91–94) and both may be xenocrystal in origin.The lavas, which range between 10–28% MgO, define linear trends on oxide (element) — MgO diagrams and these trends are interpreted as olivine (0.9) clinopyroxene (0.1) control lines. For the reconstructed parent magma composition of these arc picrites, ratios involving CaO, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Zr, V and Sc are very close to chondritic. REE patterns are slightly LREE — enriched ((La/Sm)^N 1.3–1.43) and HREE are flat. All lavas show marked enrichments in K, Rb, Sr, Ba, and LREE relative to MORB with similar MgO contents, but the TiO₂ content of the proposed parent magma is close to those of postulated primary MORB liquids. It is proposed that the arc parent magma was produced by partial melting of sub-oceanic upper mantle induced by the introduction of LILE — enriched hydrous fluids derived by dehydration and/or partial melting of subducted ocean crust and possibly minor sediments.     

Crystallization trends of pyroxenes from alkaline subvolcanites of Punta delle Pietre Nere (Gargano,Southern Italy)

Summary The results of microprobe analyses of clinopyroxenes from alkaline melasyenites and layered melagabbros, produced by intra-plate magmatism of Paleocene age at Punta delle Pietre Nere, are here given and discussed.The analysed pyroxenes range from diopsidic to acmite-rich compositions.The first crystallized pyroxenes (diopside) show Al^VI contents suggesting shallow depths of crystallization. In addition pyroxenes from melasyenite and those from melagabbro display different Cr contents, Al/Ti and Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺) ratios confirming their crystallization from melts produced by different parental liquids.Diopsides and salites show an overall trend towards high Al, Ti and Fe³⁺, suggesting that the crystallization occurred under decreasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios and under relatively highpH₂O–pO₂ conditions.Pyroxenes from the Pietre Nere melasyenite show a progressive variation towards acmite rich compositions at Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺) lower than 0.5; those from the layered melagabbro, instead, show a continuous enrichment in Ca Fe³⁺ AlSiO₆. This different behaviour is due to the co-crystallization, with the latest pyroxenes, of phases with different K/Na and Si/Al ratios.

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Kristallisations-Tendenzen der Pyroxene aus Alkali-Subvulkaniten auf Punta delle Pietre Nere (Gargano, Süditalien)

Zusammenfassung Es werden die Ergebnisse der Mikrosonden-Untersuchungen von Klinopyroxenen aus Alkali-Melasyeniten und schichtigen Alkali-Melagabbros, die durch Intra-plate-Magmatismus paläozenen Alters auf Punta delle Pietre Nere entstanden sind, beschrieben und erörtert.Die untersuchten Pyroxene reichen von diopsidischen bis zu Akmit-reichen Zusammensetzungen.Die zuerst kristallisierten Pyroxene (Diopsid) zeigen Al^VI-Gehalte, die auf geringe Tiefe des Kristallisationsvorganges hinweisen. Dazu zeigen die Pyroxene aus dem Melasyenit und aus dem Melagabbro unterschiedliche Cr-Gehalte; die Al/Ti- und Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺)-Verhältnisse bestätigen deren Kristallisation aus Schmelzen, die aus unterschiedlichen Ursprungsmagmen stammen.Die Diopside und Salite zeigen eine einheitliche Tendenz zu hohem Al-, Ti- und Fe³⁺-Gehalt; dies deutet darauf hin, daß die Kristallisation unter abnehmenden SiO₂/Al₂O₃-Verhältnissen und unter relativ hohenpH₂O–pO₂-Bedingungen stattfand.Die Pyroxene aus dem Punta delle Pietre Nere-Melasyenit zeigen eine zunehmende Änderung zu Akmit-reichen Zusammensetzungen bei weniger als 0,5 Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺+Fe³⁺); die Pyroxene aus dem schichtig differenzierten Melagabbro zeigen dagegen eine allmähliche Zunahme von CaFe³⁺AlSiO₆. Dieses unterschiedliche Verhalten rührt daher, daß Mineralphasen mit unterschiedlichen K/Na- und Si/Al-Verhältnissen zugleich mit den zuletzt gebildeten Pyroxenen kristallisierten.

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With 6 Figures     

The Effect of Postcumulus Reactions on Composition of Chrome-spinels from the Jimberlana Intrusion

Chromites in olivine adcumulates, mesocumulates and orthocumulatesfrom drill core of the Jimberlana intrusion have been analysedand related to the cumulate type and to the nature of the surroundingsilicate mineral. Chromites in adcumulates and mesocumulatesshow a restricted range of composition and are high in Mg, Aland Cr. The orthocumulate chromites vary in composition fromthat found in adcumulates to chromites which are much higherin Fe and Ti and with a higher Fe^3?: Fe^2? ratio. The chromitesin orthocumulates vary in composition depending upon the natureof the enclosing silicate mineral. This is believed to reflectthe ability of the enclosing mineral to protect the originalcumulus chromite from reaction with the intercumulus liquid.Thus chromite within early bronzite oikocrysts was protectedfrom reaction whereas that in plagioclase and phlogopite wasprotected at a much later stage and has a higher Fe and Ti contentChromite within olivine appears to have been able to equilibratewith intercumulus liquid until late in the magmatic historyexcept where the olivine enclosing chromite has itself beensurrounded by bronzite. It is suggested that chromite can exchangeelements with intercumulus liquid through the olivine. Thereare two possibilities; either elements such as Cr, Al, Ti andFe^{3 ?} were able to diffuse through the olivine structure orthe apparently enclosed chromite crystals were able to maintaindirect contact with the melt along fine fractures produced bythe differential thermal contraction of olivine and chromite. The average diameters of chromite crystals within orthocumulatebronzite and olivine are 28 and 20 microns respectively whereaschromites in plagioclase and phlogopite have average diametersof 48 and 56 microns. There is no obvious correlation betweenthe size of the chromite and their composition for grains foundwithin a particular silicate. Chromites of every size have beenable to equilibrate with the liquid unless they were protectedfrom reaction. Nucleation of reaction products played an important role indetermining the final composition of any particular chromitecrystal. The significance of reaction and nucleation on a localscale of millimetres is considered with respect to the majorsilicates and to the location of the last liquid. It is suggestedthat the last liquid tended to concentrate in pockets of reactantcrystals, where product crystals failed to nucleate until latein the magmatic history. It is estimated that in rocks withan orthocumulate texture, the intercumulus liquid crystallizedover a temperature range as large as 300 ?C and that it becamesignificantly more oxidizing near the solidus temperature.     

Origin of ultramafic xenoliths containing exsolved pyroxenes from Hualalai Volcano,Hawaii

Hualalai Volcano, Hawaii, is best known for the abundant and varied xenoliths included in the historic 1800 Kaupulehu alkalic basalt flow. Xenoliths, which range in composition from dunite to anorthosite, are concentrated at 915-m elevation in the flow. Rare cumulate ultramafic xenoliths, which include websterite, olivine websterite, wehrlite, and clinopyroxenite, display complex pyroxene exsolution textures that indicate slow cooling. Websterite, olivine websterite, and one wehrlite are spinel-bearing orthopyroxene +olivine cumulates with intercumulus clinopyroxene +plagioclase. Two wehrlite samples and clinopyroxenite are spinel-bearing olivine cumulates with intercumulus clinopyroxene+orthopyroxene + plagioclase. Two-pyroxene geothermometry calculations, based on reconstructed pyroxene compositions, indicate that crystallization temperatures range from 1225° to 1350° C. Migration or unmixing of clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene stopped between 1045° and 1090° C. Comparisons of the abundance of K₂O in plagioclase and the abundances of TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃in spinel of xenoliths and mid-ocean ridge basalt, and a single ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr determination, indicate that these Hualalai xenoliths are unrelated to mid-ocean ridge basalt. Similarity between the crystallization sequence of these xenoliths and the experimental crystallization sequence of a Hawaiian olivine tholeiite suggest that the parental magma of the xenoliths is Hualalai tholeiitic basalt. Xenoliths probably crystallized between about 4.5 and 9 kb. The 155°–230° C of cooling which took place over about 120 ka — the age of the youngest Hualalai tholeiitic basalt — yield maximum cooling rates of 1.3×10^–3–1.91×10^–3 °C/yr. Hualalai ultramafic xenoliths with exsolved pyroxenes crystallized from Hualalai tholeiitic basalt and accumulated in a magma reservoir located between 13 and 28 km below sealevel. We suspect that this reservoir occurs just below the base of the oceanic crust at about 19 km below sealevel.     

Composition of rock-forming minerals in the Kivakka layered massif,northern Karelia,and systematic variations in the chemistries of minerals in the rhythmic layering subzone

Data obtained on the compositions of rock-forming minerals from the Kivakka layered intrusion indicate that the #Fe of olivine increases up the vertical section of the intrusion, and the #Mg of the pyroxenes and the anorthite contents of the plagioclase simultaneously decrease, which reflects the fractionation of the parental melt. Emphasis is placed onto the compositional variability of minerals in the layered unit. A method is developed for the reliable calculation of the composition of pyroxenes before their exoslution (separately for ortho-and clinopyroxene). The composition of minerals in the zone of intercalating melano-, meso-, and leucocratic norites remains practically unchanged, which is generally consistent with the results of mathematical simulations: compositional variations of the bronzite (#Mg) and plagioclase (An content) during the crystallization of the bronzite-plagioclase cotectic were no greater than 5 mol %. The variations in the concentrations of trace elements in the cumulus and intercumulus clinopyroxene occurred to be the most informative. It was determined that the Cr concentration in the cumulus augite is statistically significantly lower than that in the intercumulus augite, which is at variance with fractionation laws and led us to suggest that the rocks with cumulus pyroxenes were formed by a melt with a higher degree of fractionation than those of the intercumulus melts of the adjacent layers.     

Reequilibration of chromite within Kilauea Iki lava lake,Hawaii

Chromite mainly occurs as tiny inclusions within or at the edges of olivine phenocrysts in the 1959 Kilauea Iki lava lake. Liquilus chromite compositions are only preserved in scoria that was rapidly quenched from eruption temperatures. Analyses of drill core taken from the lava lake in 1960, 1961, 1975, 1979, and 1981 show that chromite becomes richer in Fe⁺², Fe⁺³, Ti and poorer in Mg, Al, Cr than the liquidus chromite. The amount of compositional change depends on the time elapsed since eruption, the cooling history of the sample, the extent of differentiation of the interstitial melt, and the position of the chromite inclusion within the olivine phenocryst. Compositional changes of the chromite inclusions are thought to be a result of reequilibration with the residual melt by cationic diffusion (Mg, Al, Cr outwards and Fe⁺², Fe⁺³, Ti inwards) through olivine. The changing chemical potential gradients produced as the residual melt cools, crystallizes and differentiates drives the reequilibration process. Major and minor element zoning profiles in olivine phenocrysts suggest that volume diffusion through olivine may have been the major mechanism of cationic transport through olivine. The dramatic compositional changes observed in chromite over the 22 years between eruption and 1981 has major implications for othe molten bodies.     

Effects of hydrothermal alteration on the compositions of chromian spinels

Chromite spinels in hydrothermally altered rocks from fracture-zone ultramafic rocks and from both ultramafic cumulate pods and sheeted dikes in the Josephine ophiolite, California, display a wide variety of compositions. Alteration of the spinel may not be visible in thin section. The primary composition changes accompanying hydrothermal alteration are increase in Cr/(Cr+Al) and/or Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg). In general, altered spinel grains associated with hornblende and chlorite show an increase in Cr/(Cr+Al) from core to rim. Altered spinel grains associated with serpentine show an increase in Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg) from core to rim but may not show an increase in Cr/(Cr+Al). The compositional zoning in some altered spinel grains appears to result both from reaction of clinopyroxene plus spinel to form hornblende, and from reaction of hornblende to form chlorite. These observations suggest that subsolidus hydrothermal metamorphic effects need to be considered when interpreting spinel compositions and the compositions should not be interpreted solely in terms of igneous processes. Further, the presence of highly altered spinels may be indicative of hydrothermal alteration in rocks where other evidence of such alteration is absent.     

Relict chromian spinels in Tulu Dimtu serpentinites and listvenite,Western Ethiopia: implications for the timing of listvenite formation

Serpentinites (massive and schistose) and listvenite occur as tectonic sheets and lenses within a calcareous metasedimentary mélange of the Tulu Dimtu, western Ethiopia. The massive serpentinite contains high-magnesian metamorphic olivine (forsterite [fo] ~96 mol%) and rare relict primary mantle olivine (Fo_90–93). Both massive and schistose serpentinites contain zoned chromian spinel; the cores with the ferritchromite rims preserve a pristine Cr/(Cr+Al) atomic ratio (Cr# = 0.79–0.87), suggesting a highly depleted residual mantle peridotite, likely formed in a suprasubduction zone setting. Listvenite associated with serpentinites of smaller ultramafic lenses also contain relict chromian spinel having identical Cr# to those observed in serpentinites. However, the relict chromian spinel in listvenite has significantly higher Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) atomic ratios. This suggests that a nearly complete metasomatic replacement of ultramafic rocks by magnesite, talc, and quartz to prevent Mg–Fe²⁺ redistribution between relict chromian spinel and the host, that is, listvenite formation, took place prior to re-equilibration between chromian spinel and the surrounding mafic minerals in serpentinites. Considering together with the regional geological context, low-temperature CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids would have infiltrated into ultramafic rocks from host calcareous sedimentary rocks at a shallow level of accretionary prism before a continental collision to form the East African Orogen (EAO).