Evolution of the upper mantle under the Assab Region (Ethiopia): Suggestions from petrology and geochemistry of tectonitic ultramafic xenoliths and host basaltic lavas

New data on major and trace elements geochemistry of the Assab Range (Ethiopia) basalts and enclosed mantle xenoliths are presented and discussed.Mantle ultramafics consist of spinel-peridotites and minor green spinel-pyroxenites (sometimes present as dykes within the former ones). Petrography and mineral chemistry indicate that both xenoliths families underwent a common subsolidus equilibrium crystallization at 1050°–1100° C., in the spinel-peridotite stability field.REE data on whole rock and on separated phases (cpx, opx and ol) have been obtained by RNAA. Spinel-peridotites exhibit LREE-enriched — HREE-depleted patterns with respect to chondrites. Mass balance calculations indicate that this is a characteristic feature of spinel-peridotite xenoliths which cannot be solely imputed to host basalt contamination.Xenoliths selected as representative of different depletion intensities, suffered by Assab spinel-peridotites prior to their subsolidus equilibration, show dependences from major elements composition in their REE geochemistry and wide variations in the measured REE partition values among coexisting phases.Concordancy in the REE compositions of liquids calculated utilizing the measured REE partitioning in the different xenoliths and theShaw's (1970) mass balance equation for non-modal equilibrium melting, confirms that the measured REE distribution represent equilibrium conditions.Theoretical least fusion liquids differ from the least differentiated among the enclosing basalts, both in their La/Lu ratio and in the total REE concentrations. Some similarities are observed with the composition of the pyroxenite dykes, however no firm conclusions on the comagmaticity of the two xenoliths types are reached.Trace geochemistry (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) on the host basalts indicates that the primary alkaline melts underwent an indipendent differentiation history by fractional crystallization at intermediate pressure conditions prior to the mantle xenoliths inclusion.Extrapolated seismic velocities for the Assab mantle xenoliths allow to ascribe them to the 7.3–7.7 V_P layer, underlying the crustal layers in the Assab and Afar area, as recognized on the basis of the geophysical surveys.In light of the above evidences, an evolutive picture of the Assab association is proposed which takes into account present day knowledges on the geodynamic evolution of the Afar-Red Sea system.

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Zusammenfassung Die ultrabasischen Gesteine des Mantels der Zone Assab (Äthiopien) bestehen aus Spinell-Peridotiten und aus wenigen grünen Spinell-Pyroxeniten (manchmal sind sie in Form von Intrusivgängen in den Spinell-Peridotiten). Die Petrologie und die Mineralchemie zeigen, daß die zwei Xenolith-Familien eine gemeinsame Rekristallisation unter Gleichgewicht bei den Temperaturen 1050°–1100° C im Stabilitäts-Feld der Spinell-Peridotite hatten.Die Daten über die Seltenen Erden im Gesamtgestein und die getrennten Mineralien (cpx, opx und 01) wurden mit der RNAA-Methode erhalten. Die Spinell-Peridotite zeigen eine Anreicherung an leichten Seltenen Erden und eine Verarmung an schweren Seltenen Erden in Beziehung auf die Chondrite.Die Berechnungen der Massengleichgewichte zeigen an, daß dies eine Charakteristik von Spinell-Peridotit-Xenolithen darstellt, die nicht auf eine Verunreinigung durch die umgebenden Basalte zurückgeführt werden darf.Xenolithe aus verschiedenen Stadien der Aufschmelzung zeigen einfache Beziehungen zwischen Hauptelementen und der Geochemie der Seltenen Erden und weite Variationen der Verteilungs-Koeffizienten der Seltenen Erden unter koexistenten Phasen.Die Geochemie der Spurenelemente (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) in den Basalten zeigt, daß sich das primäre, alkalische Magma durch fraktionierte Kristallisation differenziert hat bevor die Peridotiteinschlüsse auftraten.Diese Beobachtungen stehen im Einklang mit der modernen Erkenntnis über die geodynamische Entwicklung der Afar-Region und des Roten Meeres.

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Résumé Dans ce travail nous presentons des nouvelles données sur la géochimie des éléments majeurs et en traces dans les basaltes et dans les enclaves du manteau de la zone d'Assab (Éthiopie).Les enclaves; ultrabasiques du manteau sont constituées par des peridotites à spinelle et subordonnément par des pyroxenites à spinelle (quelquefois en forme de dykes dans les (peridotites). La pétrographie et la chimie des mineraux indiquent que les deux familles des enclaves esseurent une commune recristallization à l'équilibre aux temperatures de l'ordre de 1050°–1100° C dans le champ de stabilité de la peridotite à spinelle.Les données sur les terres rares dans la roche totale et dans les minéraux séparés ont été obtenues par RNAA. Les peridotites à spinelle montrent des patterns enrichis en terres rares légères et appauvries en terres rares lourdes par rapport à les aux condrites. Des calculs de balance de masse indiquent que cette caractéristique ne peut pas être attribuée simplément à la contamination par le basalte encaissant.Des enclaves sélectionées comme residus des differentes intensités de fusion partielle montrent des relations simples entre éléments majeurs et la géochimie des terres rares et des importantes variations des coefficients de partage des terres rares entre les differentes mineraux coexistants dans le même enclave.D'ailleurs la concordance entre les compositions en terres rares des differents liquides calculés à partir de la distribution des terres rares entre les mineraux des differents enclaves (en utilisant la loi deShaw, 1970) montre que les distributions mesurées sont representatives des conditions d'équilibre.Les liquides théoriques de fusion minime ont des valeurs differentes La/Lu et des teneurs differentes en terres rares par rapport à les laves aux encaissantes. Par contre quelque similitude peut-être envisagée avec les pyroxenites cependant les données actuelles ne permettent pas de rejoindre des conclusions sur la comagmaticitée des deux familles des enclaves.La géochimie des traces (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) sur les laves encaissantes montre que le magma alcalin primaire a differencié par cristallization fractionnée à des conditions de pression intermediaire avant d'encaisser les enclaves du manteau.Les vitesses seismiques déduites pour les enclaves du manteau à partir des données experimentales permettent d'identifier ces matériaux avec la couche à vitesse V_P=7.3 –7.7 sous la région d'Assab et de l'Afar.Un modèle evolutif de l'association étudiée est presenté tout en considérant les conaissances actuelles de l'evolution geodinamique du sytème Afar-Mer Rouge.

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, . , , , - - , -. , 1050–1100 °C . — , ol — RNAA. . , , . , . — La/Lu, REE — , . — , Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA — , . , — .

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Financial supports by Italian C. N. R. and French C. N. R. S.     

Rare earth abundances and distribution in some spinel peridotite xenoliths from Assab (Ethiopia)

REE partition data between solid phases in nine spinel peridotite xenoliths from Assab (Ethiopia) are presented together with bulk-rock REE composition. REE partitioning between clinopyroxene and other coexisting solid phases varies over a relatively wide range. The largest ranges are for LREE in clinopyroxene/orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene/olivine pairs, while clinopyroxene/spinel partitioning of REE is more restricted. The range of REE partition values between coexisting phases is due to compositional dependency effects and is correlated with systematic variations in major element composition of the bulk rocks. The measured REE concentration in the Assab mantle harzburgites do not match with the compositions calculated by mass balance from the modal proportions and REE analyses in individual phases. Inconsistencies for HREE may be due to variable HREE amounts in the clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene phases within a single specimen, while the high LREE contents in the whole rocks are due to contamination during transport to the surface. A geochemical model based on theoretical treatment of the REE partition data suggests that the Assab harzburgites acquired their residual character during a batch melting episode in the upper mantle under the Afar region.     

Clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene major and rare earth elements partitioning in spinel peridotite xenoliths from Assab (Ethiopia)

Major element and rare earth element (REE) partitioning among coexisting clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene pairs from mantle xenoliths of the Assab Range (Ethiopia) are discussed in terms of crystal-chemistry.Major element partitioning indicates relatively uniform conditions of subsolidus equilibration over a narrow range of temperatures (mean value about 1100 C) in the spinel peridotite stability field. Major element distributions and correlations, moreover, seem to indicate that the mantle material studied underwent slightly different depletions prior to the metamorphic equilibration.In spite of the rather homogeneous major element compositions for both cpx and opx, clinopyroxenes show chondrite-normalized REE patterns which are widely variable both in shape and absolute values, whereas orthopyroxenes exhibit more restricted ranges and concordant profiles.REE activity ratios have been investigated by applying Iiyama's (Bull. Soc. fr. Minéral. Christallogr.97, 143–151) thermodynamic model: the estimated activity patterns exhibit a good coherence for the different pyroxene pairs, in spite of the contrasting features of their REE concentration ratios. The wide ranges in the measured partition values for the same rare earth element in different pyroxene pairs have been related to coupled substitutions involving A1 in the Z site and REE in the M₂ site of clinopyroxene.     

Multiple origins of clinopyroxenes in alkali basaltic rocks

Geochemical and textural data on clinopyroxenes in individual alkali basaltic flows from provinces in eastern Australia and the Massif Central can be used to differentiate four different modes of origin (three at high pressure) for these clinopyroxenes. Many single flows from the two provinces contain clinopyroxenes of three, or even four, of these origins. Rare flows contain core clinopyroxene with overgrowths of clinopyroxenes of two distinct generation. Each of the overgrowth is compositionally analogous to clinopyroxenes occurring in xenoliths or as discrete crystals in the same host lava. Such rimming relationships provide evidence that the host magma has undergone high pressure crystallisation and confirm that some xenoliths and megacrysts are cognate. With decreasing pressure the major changes in clinopyroxene chemistry are an increase in the ratio Al^lv/Al^vi, a linear increase of atomic proportions of Ti and Al with decreasing Si, and an increase in the Ti: (100 Mg/(Mg + Σ Fe)) ratio of the pyroxenes. Al₂O₂ wt, % is an unreliable potential geobarometric indicator; consideration of tetrahedral and octahedral site occupancies by Al (Al^lv/Al^vl ratio) is necessary. High-pressure fractionation dominated by clinopyroxene is postulated for some basaltic-composition, resulting in SiO₂ depletion, alkali enrichment and decrease in the Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) value of the host magma.     

Geochemical evolution of Indian Ocean basaltic magmatism

A comparison of new and published geochemical characteristics of magmatism in the western and eastern Indian Ocean at the initial and recent stages of its evolution revealed several important differences between the mantle sources of basaltic melts from this ocean.

1. The sources of basalts, from ancient rises and from flanks of the modern Central Indian Ridge within the western Indian Ocean contain an enriched component similar in composition to the source of the Réunion basalts (with radiogenic Pb and Sr and unradiogenic Nd), except for basalts from the Comores Islands, which exhibit a contribution from an enriched HIMU-like component.
2. The modern rift lavas of spreading ridges display generally similar geochemical compositions. Several local isotopic anomalies are characterized by the presence of an EM2-like component. However, two anomalous areas with distinctly different enriched mantle sources were recognized in the westernmost part of the Southwestern Indian Ridge (SWIR). The enriched mantle source of the western SWIR tholeiites in the vicinity of the Bouvet Triple Junction has the isotopic ratios indicating a mixture of HIMU + EM2 in the source. The rift anomaly distinguished at 40° E displays the EM1 signature in the mantle source, which is characterized by relatively low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (up to 17.0) and high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. This source may be due to mixing with material from the continental lithosphere of the ancient continent Gondwana. The material from this source can be distinguished in magmas related to the Mesozoic plume activity in Antarctica, as well as in basalts from the eastern Indian Ocean rises, which were formed by the Kerguelen plume at 100–90 Ma.
3. The geochemical heterogeneities identified in the ancient and present-day magmatic products from the western and eastern Indian Ocean are thought to reflect the geodynamic evolution of the region. In the eastern part of the ocean, the interaction of the evolving Kerguelen plume with the rift zones produced magmas with specific geochemical characteristics during the early opening of the ocean; such a dispersion of magma composition was not recognized in the western part of the ocean.

     

Polybaric differentiation of alkali basaltic magmas: evidence from green-core clinopyroxenes (Eifel,FRG)

The Quaternary foidites and basanites of the West Eifel (Germany) contain optically and chemically heterogeneous clinopyroxenes, some of which occur as discrete zones within individual crystals: Most clinopyroxene phenocrysts are made up of a core and a normally zoned comagmatic titanaugite mantle. Most cores are greenish pleochroic and moderately resorbed (fassaitic augite). Some are pale green and strongly resorbed (acmitic augite). Cores of Al-augite composition and of Cr-diopside derived from peridotite xenoliths are rare. The fassaitic augites are similar in trace element distribution pattern to the titanaugites, but are more enriched in incompatible elements. The acmitic augites, in contrast, are clearly different in their trace element composition and are enriched in Na, Mn, Fe and depleted in Al, Ti, Sr, Zr. A model for polybaric magma evolution in the West Eifel is proposed: Primitive alkali basaltic magma rises through the upper mantle precipitating Al-augite en route. It stagnates and differentiates near the crust/mantle boundary crystallizing Fe-rich fassaitic augites. The magma differentiated at high pressure is subsequently mixed with new pulses of primitive magma from which the rims of pyroxene are crystallized. Sporadic alkali pyroxenite xenoliths are interpreted to represent cumulates of cognate phases formed within the crust and not metasomatized upper mantle material (Lloyd and Bailey 1975).     

Acebuches amphibolites in the Aracena hercynian metamorphic belt (southwest Spain): Geochemical variations and basaltic affinities

A 1500–2000 m sequence of amphibolites exhibits progressively increasing metamorphic grade from greenschist to the amphibolite/granulite facies transition. The chemical variations are considered to be principally inherited from the basaltic parent. The appearance of clinopyroxene is related to P,T and to bulk-rock composition during metamorphism. Excluding some basal rocks in the orthopyroxene zone, chemical variations related to metamorphism are minor. The small decrease in the K₂O content from 0.3% to 0.1% with increasing grade suggests that the low K content was a characteristic of the basaltic precursor. These amphibolites have affinities with abyssal tholeiites.     

Geochemical trends in the Belgian Ardennes

The paper summarizes the results of a regional geochemical survey in the Belgian Ardennes. Various geochemical trends are defined and tentatively interpreted; a possible relation between geochemical and metallogenic zoning is discussed.     

Phase relations in transitional and alkali basaltic glasses from Iceland

Basaltic glasses from the three alkalic areas of Iceland (Snaefellsnes Volcanic Zone, Sudurland Volcanic Zone and Vestmannaeyjar Volcanic Area) contain plagioclase, olivine, clinopyroxene, chromian spinel and titanomagnetite as phenocryst phases. The glasses are hypersthene to nepheline normative alkali basaltic with FeO/ MgO ratios between 1.4–4.7. Olivine ranges in composition from Fo₉₀ to Fo₅₅, plagioclase from An₉₀ to An₅₀ and clinopyroxene from En₄₅Fs₁₀Wo₄₅ to En₄₀Fs₁₇Wo₄₃. Clinopyroxene reveals systematic Ti:Al metastable crystallization trends related to the composition of the enclosing glass. Two types of phenocryst are present in most glasses and show a bimodality in size and composition. Microphenocryst phases are those most likely to have crystallized from the enclosing glass, while macrophenocrysts may have crystallized from a liquid of slightly less evolved composition. The glasses show complex phenocryst-glass relations which can be related to a polybaric effect. The normative glass compositions are related to 2-phase cotectic surfaces in the basalt tetrahedron and define the position of the 3-phase cotectic line. In general with increasing FeO/MgO in the glass the phenocryst assemblages vary from clinopyroxene, olivine and plagioclase along a clinopyroxene-olivine surface to olivine and plagioclase along an olivine-plagioclase surface. The normative glass compositions show a deflection from clinopyroxene-bearing to clinopyroxene-free glasses. The appearance of plagioclase together with clinopyroxene and olivine can be explained in the light of experimental investigations of the effect of pressure on phase relations. The major element variation of the glasses is interpreted as representing mantle derived magma batches of primary liquids, modified to some degree by high (6 kbar) and intermediate to low pressure (below 3 kbar) crystal fractionation towards equilibrium phase relations during ascent and residence in crustal magma chambers. The observed deflection in normative compositions of the glasses marks the position of the high pressure 3-phase cotectic line. The bimodality in size and composition of plagioclase and olivine phenocrysts can be related to high pressure crystal fractionation in the melt. The Fe-Ti basalt glasses from Sudurland are believed to be quenched high pressure compositions.     

Spinel minerals in transitional and alkali basaltic glasses from Iceland

Crystallization of spinel minerals in transitional and alkali basalts from Iceland can be related to the FeO, MgO, TiO₂ and Cr contents of the coexisting melt. Chromian spinel occurs in glasses in which TiO₂ is less than 2.8 wt.% and the weight ratio FeO/MgO is less than 2.0, whereas titanomagnetite occurs when the same parameters are greater than 4 wt.% and 2.7, respectively. In addition, chromian spinel only occurs in basalts with Cr greater than 200 ppm. It is suggested that chromian spinel crystallizes, together with olivine, from liquids with olivine liquidus temperatures ranging from above 1,200° C to approximately 1,150° C. A discontinuity in spinel crystallization follows until below 1,100° C, where titanomagnetite starts to crystallize. Compositional variations in chromian spinel attached to, or included, in homogeneous olivine phenocrysts, however, cannot be related to equilibrium relations. Textural relations suggest homogeneous nucleation for titanomagnetite, whereas chromian spinel nucleates heterogeneously, dependent on growth of olivine phenocrysts. The composition of chromian spinels cannot in detail be related to physical and compositional parameters of the average melt, but may be related to local compositional relations in the melt adjacent to growing crystals. Such compositional variation around growing olivine crystals may be the prime reason for the non-equilibrium precipitation of included chromian spinels.     

Geology and geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic Tuludimtu Ophiolite suite,western Ethiopia

The Kemashi Domain, a lithotectonic subdivision of the Neoproterozoic Tuludimtu Orogenic Belt of western Ethiopia, consists of a suite of mafic–ultramafic volcanic and plutonic rocks, and interbedded deep marine sediments, mainly graphite-bearing pelitic schists and phyllites, and graphitic quartzites and cherts. Pillow structures indicate submarine extrusion of the volcanics, whilst partings within some of the basalts may represent sheeted dykes. An associated mélange unit, composed of blocks of the same rock types as above, set in a fine schistose matrix, also occurs. This assemblage is interpreted as a dismembered ophiolite—the Tuludimtu Ophiolite—formed in a deep oceanic environment. A turbiditic sequence is also present in the domain.The Tuludimtu Ophiolite underwent intense compression during the Neoproterozoic Pan African Orogeny, resulting in early recumbent folding and westwards-directed thrusting, followed by reactivation of steeper zones of the thrusts as N–S orogen-parallel strike-slip shear zones, accompanied by refolding of early folds into upright horizontal folds. This was followed by development of deep crustal NNW–SSE orogen-transecting shear zones, which were reactivated as brittle faults during orogenic collapse of the Tuludimtu Belt. Metamorphism to lower greenschist facies grade accompanied orogenesis.Major, trace and REE geochemistry of volcanic and some plutonic igneous rocks, has been employed to define the tectonic setting of the terrane. Tectonic discrimination diagrams, utilising REE and HFSE, indicate a wide distribution spectrum but with the majority of samples plotting in arc basalt and MORB fields, suggesting derivation from sources similar to N-MORB and depleted MORB (typical of many arc basalts). Most of the samples exhibit a slight depletion of immobile elements, relative to N-MORB values and also show depletion of Zr, Ti, Nb and Y, implying that their source had been depleted by an earlier melting episode. Overall, the geochemistry typifies spreading centre basalts with some compositional features transitional to those of arc basalts, a characteristic of back-arc basalts.Lithological association, structural style and geochemistry of the rock assemblage in the Kemashi Domain thus define an ophiolite interpreted to have formed within a deep marine environment. This is thought to have been due to rifting of continental crust within a back-arc basin regime in a continental margin type extensional setting. Comparison with other ophiolitic terranes within the Arabian Nubian Shield, suggests that many of these terranes may represent back-arc basin type tectonic settings, similar to the Kemashi Domain. This supports the multi-stage accretion model for closure of the Mozambique Ocean, for which the Pacific Ocean may be a present day analogue.     

Models of corundum origin from alkali basaltic terrains: a reappraisal

Corundums from basalt fields, particularly in Australia and Asia, include a dominant blue-green-yellow zoned “magmatic” suite (BGY suite) and subsidiary vari-coloured “metamorphic” suites. The BGY corundums have distinctive trace element contents (up to 0.04 wt% Ga₂O₃ and low Cr/Ga and Ti/Ga ratios <1). Different melt origins for BGY corundums are considered here from their inclusion and intergrowth mineralogy, petrologic associations and tectonic setting. Analysed primary inclusion minerals (over 100 inclusions) cover typical feldspars, zircon and Nb-Ta oxides and also include hercynite-magnetite, gahnospinel, rutile-ilmenite solid solution, calcic plagioclase, Ni-rich pyrrhotite, thorite and low-Si and Fe-rich glassy inclusions. This widens a previous inclusion survey; New England, East Australia corundums contain the most diverse inclusion suite known from basalt fields (20 phases). Zircon inclusion, intergrowth and megacryst rare earth element data show similar patterns, except for Eu which shows variable depletion. Temperature estimates from magnetite exsolution, feldspar compositions and fluid inclusion homogenization suggest that some corundums crystallized between 685–900 °C. Overlap of inclusion Nb, Ta oxide compositions with new comparative data from niobium-yttrium-fluorine enriched granitic pegmatites favour a silicate melt origin for the corundums. The feasibility of crystallizing corundum from low-volume initial melting of amphibole-bearing mantle assemblages was tested using the MELTS program on amphibole-pyroxenite xenolith chemistry from basalts. Corundum appears in the calculations at 720–880 °C and 0.7–1.1 GPa with residual feldspathic assemblages that match mineral compositions found in corundums and their related xenoliths. A model that generates melts from amphibole-bearing lithospheric mantle during magmatic plume activity is proposed for BGY corundum formation. Received: 3 January 1997 / Accepted: 8 July 1998     

Distinctive crystal chemistry and site configuration of the clinopyroxene from alkali basaltic rocks

A crystal chemical investigation of clinopyroxenes from a suite of nepheline-bearing lavas located in the Nyambeni Range of Kenya has delineated the polyhedral site configurations and related intracrystalline relationships. These are distinct from those determined for the clinopyroxene in an analogous suite of leucite-bearing lavas from the Sabatini volcanoes in the Roman Region of Italy (Dal Negro et al. 1985).The Nyambeni clinopyroxene, varying from salite to hedenbergite, preferentially accepts Na in the M2 site to balance increasing Fe²⁺ and Si, respectively, whereas the Sabatini clinopyroxene is confined within the salite field and preferentially accepts Al^iv to balance the effect of increasing (Fe³⁺+Ti⁴⁺+Al^vi+Cr³⁺)_M1.The Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and K/Na ratios of the host rocks emerge as significant factors in determining the different polyhedral configurations and evolutions of the clinopyroxene from the two lava suites, respectively. The resulting Mg-Fe²⁺ order-disorder relationships in M1–M2 are also distinct in the two clinopyroxenes. A high degree of MgFe²⁺ order in M1–M2 corresponds to the largest configurational, hence energetic, difference between M1 and M2 in the Nyambeni clinopyroxene, whereas the converse applies to the Sabatini clinopyroxene.In view of the significant crystal chemical differences and distinct evolution trends, it is proposed that salites from alkali volcanic rocks may be referred to as Nyambeni-type or Sabatini-type, respectively.     

Cenozoic alkali basaltic magmas of western Germany and their products of differentiation

Analytical data on major elements and 31 trace elements in olivine nephelinites, nepheline basanites, basanitic alkali olivine basalts and their differentiates (tephrites, hawaiites, mugearites, benmoreites, latites, phonolites and trachytes) from Hegau, Kaiserstuhl, Rhön, Hessian Depression, Vogelsberg, Westerwald, Siebengebirge, E Eifel and Hocheifel are evaluated. They were based on 400 samples with new or unpublished data on about one third of the rocks. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions for 78 rocks are included. The alkali basaltic volcanism is caused by adiabatic decompression of asthenospheric mantle updomed to a minimum depth of 50 km in connection with the Alpine continent collision. The chemical compositions of the primary basaltic melts from the different areas are similar containing about one hundred-fold enrichment of highly incompatible elements relative to the primitive mantle from partial melting of depleted and secondarily enriched peridotite. The elements Cs, K, Pb and Ti are specifically depleted in the basalts partly because of phlogopite being residual at partial melting. The Tertiary alkali basalts range in Nd-isotopic composition from 0.51288 to 0.51273 and in Sr-isotopic ratios from 0.7032 to 0.7042. These ranges indicate mixtures of HIMU, depleted and enriched mantle components in the metasomatically altered peridotite source which resembles that of certain ocean islands. The Nd-Sr-isotopic compositions of the Quaternary E Eifel are close to bulk Earth ratios. East and W Eifel plots differ distinctly from the Tertiary Hocheifel which is geographically intermediate. This isotopic difference, beside specific K/Na ratios, is probably caused by separate metasomatic pulses that immediately preceded the respective periods of volcanism. The metasomatically altered mantle had partly primitive mantle signatures (Nb/Ta, Zr/Sm and Th/U ratios) and partly ocean island (or MORB) source properties (Rb/Cs). A MORB source can be excluded because of the low K/Rb and high Th/U ratios. A correlation of D with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in amphibole and phlogopite and a slightly larger ¹⁸O than in MORB is conformable with a seawater and crustal impact on the source of alkali basalts. Slightly higher than average water concentrations in the source of certain primary basaltic melts (indicated by amphibole phenocrysts in their basalts) are required for differentiation of these basalts in magma chambers of the upper crust. Model calculations are presented to explain compositions of differentiates which range from about 60% to about 20% residual melt. The latter are represented by phonolites and trachytes. The Nd- and Sr-isotopic signatures of the majority of differentiates indicate contamination by a granitic partial melt from the wall rocks of magma chambers. Olivine nephelinite magma was the common source of contaminated differentiates.     

The MARID (mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside) suite of xenoliths in kimberlite

Within the ‘glimmerite’ nodules occurring within kimberlite pipes we recognize the MARID suite consisting of varying proportions of mica, amphibole, rutile, ilmenite and diopside. Banding of some specimens is interpreted as cumulate layering. All specimens were deformed either before incorporation into the host kimberlite or during intrusion. Compared with minerals in peridotite xenoliths, the MARID ones are lower in Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃, but richer in total iron. The MARID micas, amphiboles, diopsides, ilmenites and probably rutiles contain substantial Fe₂O₃ indicative of oxidizing conditions. The amphibole is potassic richterite. Micas of the megacryst suite in kimberlite have less total iron and Fe₂O₃ than micas of the MARID suite. We suggest that the rocks of the MARID suite crystallized under oxidizing conditions from a magma, chemically similar to kimberlite, within the higher parts of the upper mantle: the presence of amphibole restricts the depth to less than ~ 100 km. A xenolith containing olivine and orthopyroxene as well as minerals similar to but not the same compositionally as MARID-types is interpreted as a metasomite, possibly representing wall-rock of a magma body from which MARID-suite rocks crystallized.     

Geochemical constraints on the petrogenesis of high-Mg basaltic andesites from the Northern Taiwan Volcanic Zone

The Northern Taiwan Volcanic Zone (NTVZ) is a Late Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic field that occurred as a result of extensional collapse of the northern Taiwan mountain belt. We report here mineral compositions, major and trace element and Sr/Nd isotope data of high-Mg basaltic andesites from the Mienhuayu, a volcanic islet formed at ∼2.6 Ma in the central part of the NTVZ. The rocks are hypocrystalline, showing porphyritic texture with Mg-rich olivine (Fo≈81–80), bronzite (En≈82–79) and plagioclase (An≈66–58) as major phenocryst phases. They have uniform whole-rock compositions, marked by high magnesium (MgO≈5.9–8.1 wt.%, Mg value≈0.6) relative to accompanying silica contents (SiO₂≈52.8–54.5 wt.%). The high-Mg basaltic andesites contain the highest TiO₂(∼1.5 wt.%) and lowest K₂O (∼0.4 wt.%) among the NTVZ volcanic rocks. In the incompatible element variation diagram, these Mienhuayu magmas exhibit mild enrichments in large ion lithophile (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), coupled with an apparent Pb-positive spike. They do not display depletions in high field strength elements (HFSE), a feature observed universally in the other NTVZ volcanics. The high-Mg basaltic andesites have rather unradiogenic Nd (εNd≈+5.1–7.2) but apparently elevated Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr≈0.70435–0.70543; leached values) isotope ratios. Their overall geochemical and isotopic characteristics are similar to mid-Miocene (∼13 Ma) high-Mg andesites from the Iriomote-jima, southern Ryukyus, Japan. Despite these magmas have lower LILE and LREE enrichments and Pb positive spike, their “intraplate-type” incompatible element variation patterns are comparable to those of extension-induced Miocene intraplate basalts emplaced in the Taiwan–Fujian region. Therefore, we interpret the Mienhuayu magmas as silica-saturated melts derived from decompression melting of the ascended asthenosphere that had been subtly affected by the adjacent Ryukyu subduction zone processes. This interpretation is consistent with the notion that in the northern Taiwan mountain belt post-orogenic lithospheric extension started in Plio–Pleistocene time.     

The origin of fassaitic augite in the alkali basalt suite of the Hocheifel area,Western Germany

Fassaitic augite (augite 3) occurs in clinopyroxenite fragments with cumulus textures or as anhedral crystals in alkali basalts and nepheline basanites of the Hocheifel Area. Rimming of augite 3 by phenocrystic augite (augite 2) followed by groundmass augite (augite 4) defines the sequence of the clinopyroxene crystallization. Fassaitic augites from other alkali-basalt series reveal clinopyroxene crystallization trends of increasing ferri Tschermak's molecule and concomitant acmite as fractionation proceeds. This trend appears to be much more common than previously assumed.Dedicated to K. Jasmund in honor of his sixtieth birthday.     

新疆阿舍勒铜锌矿区潜玄武安山岩的岩石地球化学特征及其地质意义

对新疆阿舍勒铜锌矿区潜玄武安山岩进行了岩石学、岩石地球化学和同位素地球化学研究,结果表明:岩石具有中等的SiO_2(51.90%~52.85%)、MgO(4.44%~5.08%)、Al_2O_3(14.94%~16.11%)、TiO_2(0.99%~1.03%)含量,较低的K_2O(0.01%~0.27%)含量,属于低钾拉斑玄武岩系列;岩石具有较低的稀土元素总量,ΣREE=38.07×10~(-6)~41.70×10~(-6),亏损轻稀土元素,LREE/HREE=0.57~0.61,(La/Yb)N=0.84~0.91,具有明显Eu正异常(δEu=1.13~1.23);富集Sr、Ba、Th等大离子亲石元素,亏损Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf等高场强元素,具有洋中脊玄武岩(MORB)和岛弧拉斑玄武岩(IAB)的特征,形成于岛弧(或弧前)环境;具有相对高的εNd(t)值(+6.9~+7.6),表明其原始岩浆来源于俯冲流体交代地幔楔的部分熔融,没有明显深海沉积物加入。结合阿尔泰造山带南缘的区域地质资料及潜玄武安山岩的地球化学特征,认为阿尔泰南缘在晚古生代处于活动大陆边缘,阿舍勒盆地处于岛弧(或弧前)背景。     

Geochemical and equilibrium trends in mine pit lakes

Chemical composition and equilibrium trends in mine pit lakes were examined to provide guidance for the application of geochemical models in predicting future lake water quality at prospective open pit mines. Composition trends show that elevated solute levels generally occur only at the extremes of acidic and alkaline pH conditions. Concentrations of cationic metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) are elevated only in acidic pit lakes, whereas anionic metalloids (As and Se) are generally elevated only in alkaline pit lakes. These trends are indicative of sulfide mineral oxidation and evapoconcentration for acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively.For nearly all pit lakes, SO₄ is the dominant solute, but is limited by gypsum solubility. Fluorite, calcite, and barite are also important solubility controls. Well-defined solubility controls exist for the major metals (Al, Fe, Mn), including jurbanite and alunite for Al, ferrihydrite for Fe, and manganite, birnessite, and, possibly, rhodochrosite for Mn. Determinations of definite controls for the minor metals are less distinct, but may include otavite for Cd, brochantite and malachite for Cu, cerrusite and pyromorphite for Pb, and hydrozincite and Zn silicates for Zn. Concentrations of As and Se appear to be limited only by adsorption, but this control is sharply diminished by increased pH and SO₄ concentration. In general, the concentrations of minor metals in pit lakes are not well represented by the theoretical solubilities of pure-phase minerals contained in the thermodynamic databases. Hence, modeling efforts will generally have to rely on empirical data on the leaching characteristics of pit wall-rocks to predict the concentrations of minor metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) in mine pit lakes.Methodologies for predicting pit lake water chemistry are still evolving. Geochemical and equilibrium trends in existing pit lakes can provide valuable information for guiding the development and application of predictive models. However, mineralogical studies of pit lake sediments, suspended particles, and alteration assemblages and studies of redox transformations are still needed to validate and refine the representations of geochemical processes in water quality models of mine pit lakes.     

Volatiles in pillows of the Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims

Temperature-resolved analyses of volatiles from Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims were carried out to investigate the total volatile contents of basaltic melts and the influence of magma contamination on the degassing behaviour of volcanic rocks.With respect to the sources of methane evolution from the MORB the investigations are taken into consideration, the hydrocarbon (HC) release especially from the melt.The current paper presents data for H₂O, CO₂, SO₂, He, H₂, HF, HCl, CO, N₂, O₂, and HC degassing profiles of samples from the MORB sampling cruise 02.10.1983-11.11.1983 with FS Sonne 28 during the GEMINO-1 project near the Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and the Mid-Indian-Ocean-Ridge (MIOR).It aims to estimate the magnitude and nature of source magma volatiles and contamination (crustal material, seawater, atmospheric gases).The degassing of H₂O, CO₂, HCs as well as sulphur and chlorine species, or O₂ from vitreous specimens shows characteristic differences associated with sample position with respect to the lava surface.From the water release by bubbling and diffusion above 700 °C it must be concluded that any assimilation of sea water in vitreous rim is very low. The water content in the vitreous rim is about 0.1-0.2 wt%. The low interaction of melt with sea water is supported by the missing of a significant release of chlorine species during the heat treatment of the sample up to 1450 °C.Mixed H₂O/CO₂ bubbles escape between 700 and 800 °C from the vitreous rim. The CO₂ release in the temperature range of 1060-1170 °C from the basalt and the vitreous rim is interpreted as an indication for the primary carbon-dioxide content in the melt.Above 1100 °C CO₂ and SO₂ are evolved by both diffusion and small bubbles. The quantities of CO₂ in the vitreous rim and the basalt are similar (between 0.05 and 0.15 wt%), whereas the quantities of SO₂ escaping both from the vitreous rim and the crystalline basalt are between 0.013 and 0.024 wt%.Simultaneous with the CO₂ release by bubbling, HC species, especially CH fragments, were observed. The fact that the temperature of release maxima are above 1050 °C in both the vitreous rim and in the basalt is an indication for a geogenetic origin of HCs, e.g. methane.A low temperature of release for methane, which is consistent with biogenetic HC, was observed from the gas-release profiles of the basalts only. The maxima of the low-temperature gas releases are between 80 and 200 °C with a high correlation between the fragments m/z 13 and m/z 15. This correlation is a significant indication for a methane release.The oxygen release profiles of vitreous and crystalline basalts give significant indications for oxygen fugacity below the (QMF) of basaltic magma.Secondary minerals, generated by alteration of basaltic rocks, can be characterized by gas release profiles (GRPs) due to their decomposition in the temperature range below 800 °C. Only in the basalt were there observed indications of alteration processes. Small traces of carbonates (<0.0001 wt%) were detected by the gas release during the decomposition.Processes of degassing at temperatures higher than 800 °C are correlated to volatiles in the melt and to fluid inclusions of the minerals. There are no obvious correlations in the degassing characteristics between H₂O, CO₂ and SO₂. The different maxima of the degassing velocity, especially of CO₂, and SO₂, are indications of the different bonding forces of the site occupancy of the volatiles in the melt and in the glass. A micelle model for bonding sites in the basaltic glass for dissolved volatiles is discussed.