Emplacement age and isotope geochemistry of Sung Valley alkaline–carbonatite complex, Shillong Plateau, northeastern India: implications for primary carbonate melt and genesis of the associated silicate rocks

The early Cretaceous (Albian–Aptian) Sung Valley ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite complex is one of several alkaline intrusions that occur in the Shillong Plateau, India. This complex comprises calcite carbonatite and closely associated ultramafic (serpentinized peridotite, pyroxenite and melilitolite) and alkaline rocks (ijolite and nepheline syenite). Field relationship and geochemical characteristics of these rocks do not support a genetic link between carbonatite and associated silicate rocks. There is geochemical evidence that pyroxenite, melilitolite and ijolite of the complex are genetically related. Stable (C and O) and radiogenic (Nd and Sr) isotope data clearly indicate a mantle origin for the carbonatite samples. The carbonatite Nd (+0.7 to +1.8) and Sr (+4.7 to +7.0) compositions overlap the field for Kerguelen ocean island basalts. One sample of ijolite has Nd and Sr isotopic compositions that also plot within the field for Kerguelen ocean island basalts, whereas the other silicate–carbonatite samples indicate involvement with an enriched component. These geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the rocks of the Sung Valley complex were derived from and interacted with an isotopically heterogeneous subcontinental mantle and is consistent with interaction of a mantle plume (e.g. Kerguelen plume) with lithosphere. A U–Pb perovskite age of 115.1±5.1 Ma obtained for a sample of Sung Valley ijolite also supports a temporal link to the Kerguelen plume. The observed geochemical characteristics of the carbonatite rocks indicate derivation by low-degree partial melting (0.1%) of carbonated mantle peridotite. This melt, containing a substantial amount of alkali elements, interacted with peridotite to form metasomatic clinopyroxene and olivine. This process could progressively metasomatize lherzolite to form alkaline wehrlite.     

REE mineralization in the carbonatites of the sung valley ultramafic-alkaline-carbonatite complex,Meghalaya, India

The Early Cretaceous Sung Valley Ultramafic-Alkaline-Carbonatite (SUAC) complex intruded the Proterozoic Shillong Group of rocks and located in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya. The SUAC complex is a bowl-shaped depression covering an area of about 26 km² and is comprised serpentinised peridotite forming the core of the complex with pyroxenite rim. Alkaline rocks are dominantly ijolite and nepheline syenite, occur as ring-shaped bodies as well as dykes. Carbonatites are, the youngest intrusive phase in the complex, where they form oval-shaped bodies, small dykes and veins. During the course of large scale mapping in parts of the Sung Valley complex, eleven carbonatite bodies were delineated. These isolated carbonatite bodies have a general NW-SE and E-W trend and vary from 20–125 m long and 10–40 m wide. Calcite carbonatite is the dominant variety and comprises minor dolomite and apatite and accessory olivine, magnetite, pyrochlore and phlogopite. The REE-bearing minerals identified in the Sung Valley carbonatites are bastnäsite-(Ce), ancylite-(Ce), belovite-(Ce), britholite-(Ce) and pyrochlore that are associated with calcite and apatite. The presence of REE carbonates and phosphates associated with REE-Nb bearing pyrochlore enhances the economic potential of the Sung Valley carbonatites. Trace-element geochemistry also reveals an enrichment of LREEs in the carbonatites and average ΣREE value of 0.102% in 26 bed rock samples. Channel samples shows average ΣREE values of 0.103 wt%. Moreover, few samples from carbonatite bodies has indicated relatively higher values for Sn, Hf, Ta and U. Since the present study focuses surface evaluation of REE, therefore, detailed subsurface exploration will be of immense help to determine the REE and other associated mineralization of the Sung Valley carbonatite prospect.     

Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite minor intrusion in Mawpyut ultramafic–mafic complex,Jaintia Hills,Meghalaya

Mawpyut igneous suite in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya plateau comprises differentiated suite of ultramafic–mafic rocks. The complex differs from other ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite igneous emplacements of Shillong plateau and Mikir Hills like Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes, by the absence of alkaline–carbonatite rocks as major litho-units. Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, occurs as late phase minor intrusion in Mawpyut igneous complex, posseses alkaline character and shows inubiquitous relation with the host ultramafic–mafic rocks. On the other hand, this alkaline intrusive bodies of the Mawpyut igneous complex shows chemico-mineralogical resemblance with garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, ijolite litho-members of Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes of the region. It is interpreted that melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite intrusion in Mawpyut is contemporaneous with Jesra, Sung, Samchampi ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite complexes and the host rocks of Mawpyut complex is an earlier magmatic activity possibly from a comparatively least enriched source.     

Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous Alkaline Ultramafic-Mafic Complex from Jasra, Karbi Anglong, Shillong Plateau, Northeastern India

An early Cretaceous alkaline ultramafic-mafic complex is emplaced within the Proterozoic rocks of Shillong plateau at Jasra, Karbi Anglong district of Assam. It is associated to the fracture system of Barapani-Tyrsad shear zone, Kopali faults, and Um Ngot lineaments and mainly comprises pyroxenite, gabbro and nepheline syenite. Few small mafic dykes, emplaced within pyroxenitic and granitic plutons, are also reported. No such dyke is reported to cut gabbros or nepheline syenites. Nepheline syenites occur either in the form of small dykes in pyroxenites or as differentiated bodies in the gabbros. Mineralogical and chemical composition of pyroxenite and gabbro clearly indicate their affinity to the alkaline magmatism. Syenitic samples show miaskitic character (agpaitic index <1), also indicates affinity with alkaline-carbonatite magmatism. Calcite is encountered in a number of pyroxenite samples. From the presented petrological and geochemical data it is difficult to establish any significant genetic relationship through simple differentiation process between these rocks. These data probably suggest that these rocks are derived from a primary carbonatite magma, generated by the low-degree melting of a metasomatized mantle peridotite. CO₂ released by this process also progressively metasomatizes the lherzolite to an alkaline wehrlite and melts derived from alkaline wehrlite (ultrabasic alkaline silicate magma) may be responsible for crystallization of Jasra alkaline ultramafic-mafic rocks.     

The petrogenetic association of carbonatite and alkaline magmatism: constraints from the Masfut-Rawda Ridge, Northern Oman Mountains

Summary ?A new occurrence of carbonatites associated with intrusive ijolite and syenite has been discovered within the Hawasina Complex underlying the Semail Ophiolite Complex at the southern part of the Rawda-Masfut ridge, Northern Oman Mountains. The carbonatites occur as dikes and sills with lengths of several hundreds of meters and range in composition from calciocarbonatites to ferruginous calciocarbonatites. The carbonatites intruded the ijolite and the associated radiolarian cherts of the Early Cretaceous Sid’r Formation. The close spatial association of carbonatite, ijolite, syenite and radiolarian cherts along with geological, petrographical and geochemical data indicates that these rocks are of intra-oceanic origin. Petrological and field relationships between the carbonatite and associated alkaline silicate intrusives from the Masfut area are consistent with the carbonatites being generated as derivative magmas through liquid immiscibility. They appear to represent magmas related to the volcanism associated with regional crustal extension that preceded the genesis of the Semail Ophiolite. Received April 19, 2001; revised version accepted February 18, 2002     

Alkaline rocks of Samchampi-Samteran, District Karbi-Anglong, Assam, India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline igneous complex (SAC) is a near circular, plug-like body approximately 12 km² area and is emplaced into the Precambrian gneissic terrain of the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. The host rocks, which are exposed in immediate vicinity of the intrusion, comprise granite gneiss, migmatite, granodiorite, amphibolite, pegmatite and quartz veins. The SAC is composed of a wide variety of lithologies identified as syenitic fenite, magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock, alkali pyroxenite, ijolite-melteigite, carbonatite, nepheline syenite with leucocratic and mesocratic variants, phonolite, volcanic tuff, phosphatic rock and chert breccia. The magnetite ± perovskite ± apatite rock was generated as a cumulus phase owing to the partitioning of Ti, Fe at a shallow level magma chamber (not evolved DI = O1). The highly alkaline hydrous fluid activity indicated by the presence of strongly alkalic minerals in carbonatites and associated alkaline rocks suggests that the composition of original melt was more alkalic than those now found and represent a silica undersaturated ultramafic rock of carbonated olivine-poor nephelinite which splits with falling temperature into two immiscible fractions—one ultimately crystallises as alkali pyroxenite/ijolite and the other as carbonatite. The spatial distribution of varied lithotypes of SAC and their genetic relationships suggests that the silicate and carbonate melts, produced through liquid immiscibility, during ascent generated into an array of lithotypes and also reaction with the country rocks by alkali emanations produced fenitic aureoles (nephelinisation process). Isotopic studies (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) on carbonatites of Samchampi have indicated that the δ¹³C of the source magma is related to contamination from recycled carbon.     

The petrology and geochemistry of intrusive alkaline rocks of Elchuru,Prakasam District,Andhra Pradesh,India

The Elchuru alkaline igneous intrusion is an arcuate-shaped ring complex, approximately 16 km² in area, cropping out in the Eastern Ghats high grade metamorphic series. It is part of an alkaline province composed of a number of intrusions which range from ijolite-melteigite to alkali gabbro (viz. malignite, melalusitanite, shonkinite) and then to hypersolvus nepheline syenite followed by subsolvus nepheline syenite. The complex is cut by late lamprophyric dykes. A nephelinized alkaline gneiss, within the investigated complex, is the only deformed rock type and is regarded as an older unit not related to the comagmatic series. The remainder of the complex was emplaced post-tectonically. Sovitic carbonatite is a conspicuous Iithologic unit associated with the complex. Chemical analyses of 19 selected samples for 13 major oxides and 5 trace elements (Rb, Ba, Sr, Zr and Nb) are presented to establish a geochemical model for the investigated complex. The mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry of the rocks of the Elchuru Alkaline Complex suggest that it was formed by differentiation of an initially alkali-rich ijolitic magma as reflected in the crystallization of nepheline, kaersutitic amphibole and alkali feldspar. With progressive increase in alkali feldspar content (volume percentage) the ijolite passes to malignite and then nepheline syenites. Amphibole shows sodic enrichment from a dominant calcic variety. Pyroxene, likewise, shows sodic enrichment following the scheme salite-ferrosalite to aegirine-augite. The igneous cycle closes with the intrusion of biotite lamprophyre. There is a systematic increase in total alkalies (Na₂O+K₂O) and decrease in CaO from the early mafic rocks to the syenitic rocks. The alkali-lime index of the complex is 48 indicating its strongly alkaline nature (Peacock 1931), and they are miaskitic in character (agpaicity index <1, Currie 1976). Such miaskitic complexes are associated with carbonatites (Heinrich 1966).     

Petrology and Mineral Chemistry of Plutonic Igneous Xenoliths from the Carbonatite Volcano, Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania

Magmatic plutonic rocks in the Oldoinyo Lengai pyroclasticsare jacupirangite, pyroxenite, ijolite, nepheline syenite andwollastonitite. Mainly cumulates, they are combinations of nepheline,clinopyroxene, Ti-andradite, spinel (sensu lato), apatite, perovskite,titanite, wollastonite, sulphides, mica, glass and K-rich feldspar,most of which are strongly zoned. Low analytical sums for glasses,vesiculation of intergranular glasses, and the generally explosivenature of the volcanicity point to significant concentrationof dissolved volatiles in the parent magma; the absence of hydrousphases suggests that the dominant volatile is CO₂. Cumulatetextures, widely variable modes, veining and variation in specimenconsolidation and metasomatism all indicate derivation froma structurally complicated and multiply injected sub-volcaniccomplex. Complex zoning of phases and mineral disequilibrium is attributedto convective percolation of fluids through permeable cumulates,possibly complicated by magma replenishment during crystallizationof individual magma batches. Olivine, mica and pyroxene megacrystsin some ijolites indicate polybaric crystallization; mixingof potassic and sodic magmas may be the cause of these megacryst-bearingijolites, but the main parent is highly evolved, of carbonatedijolitic (nephelinitic) composition and with Nd and Sr isotopecharacteristics slightly more depleted than Bulk Earth. KEY WORDS: xenoliths; ijolite; jacupirangite; nepheline syenite ^*Corresponding author. Telephone 031 650 4837. Fax: 031 668 3184. e-mail: jbdawson{at}glg.ed.ac.uk     

Extrusive carbonatites: A brief review

49 known extrusive carbonatite occurrences are listed with brief details of their tectonic setting, structure, lithologies, associated silicate rocks, chemistry and presence or absence of included mantle materials. Half the occurrences appear to be related to tephra cones, tuff rings, diatremes and maars and the rest occur within strato-volcanoes. Pyroclastic carbonatitic rocks are present at all the localities, with carbonatite lava flows occurring at only 14 of them. The pyroclastic rocks, which include fallout tephra and deposits from pyroclastic surges and flows and products of phreatomagmatic eruptions, vary from rocks composed principally of carbonate to varieties with as little as 20% igneous carbonate. The most abundant silicate rocks associated with extrusive carbonatites are melilite-bearing rocks, nephelinite and/or ijolite, and phonolite and/or nepheline syenite; seven occurrences have no associated silicate rocks. 16 occurrences, most of them associated with small extrusive centres, contain mantle xenoliths or megacrysts, details of which are tabulated, with spinel lherzolite the most abundant rock type, but amphibole, phlogopite and garnet are also recorded. The lack of such materials in intrusive carbonatites may reflect their less energetic environment of emplacement. It is proposed that carbonatites are essentially of two types: (a) those rising energetically and rapidly from the mantle, which form small explosion craters, ash or tuff cones, or diatremes, have only low-volume associated silicate rocks, and entrain mantle debris, and (b) those which occur in strato-volcanoes, are associated with large volumes of silicate rocks and follow a more complex genesis, probably involving ponding and differentiation (separation from carbonate-bearing silicate magma) at higher levels in the mantle and/or crust. Most of the classic intrusive carbonatite complexes probably fall into the second category.     

Petrology and petrogenesis of carbonatitic rocks in syenites from central Anatolia,Turkey

The late Cretaceous A-type Karaçay?r pluton in Central Anatolia, Turkey, intrudes and entrains xenoliths of Palaeozoic limestone. Carbonatitic magmatic rocks within the syenite have been previously interpreted (Schuiling in Nature, 192:1280, 1961) to result from metasomatic alteration and syntectic melting of marble. Carbonatites and associated calcite-syenites exhibit mineralogical characteristics (Ab-rich plagioclase, Ba-rich K-feldspar, low-Mg# biotite) that are petrogenetically more evolved than the host syenitic suite. Geochemically, carbonate-rich magmatic rocks are greatly enriched in Sr, Ba, Th, and REE and have higher LREE/HREE ratios than either syenites or marbles. In terms of O-C-Sr-Pb isotope ratios, the carbonatite/calcite-syenite suite form a consistent and geochemically coherent group that is distinct from the marble country rock and xenolith population, but similar to some of the syenitic, and particularly the nepheline syenite components of the Karaçay?r pluton. Other silicate magmatic rocks are geochemically, isotopically, and geochronologically different, suggesting the pluton is composite. Overall, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the carbonatites are incompatible with binary mixing of syenite and marble but are consistent with derivation of carbonatite from petrogenetically evolved foid syenite. Carbonate–silicate rock types have modal variations compatible with an origin by fractional crystallisation, rather than by liquid immiscibility.     

Strontium isotope systematics of Amba Dongar and Sung Valley carbonatite-alkaline complexes,India: evidence for liquid immiscibility,crustal contamination and long-lived Rb/Sr enriched mantle sources

The results of a Sr isotopic study of coexisting alkaline silicate rocks and carbonatites of two Cretaceous alkaline complexes of India, Amba Dongar (Deccan Flood Basalt Province) and Sung Valley (Rajmahal–Bengal–Sylhet Flood Basalt Province) are reported. The overlapping nature of initial Sr isotopic ratios of alkaline rocks and carbonatites of both the complexes is consistent with a magmatic differentiation model. Modelling of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variation in alkaline rocks of Amba Dongar is consistent with a process of crustal assimilation by the parent magma undergoing simultaneous fractional crystallization of silicate rocks and silicate–carbonate melt immiscibility. A maximum of ∼5% crustal contamination has been estimated for the parent magma of Amba Dongar, the effect of which is not seen in the Sr isotope ratio of carbonatites generated by liquid immiscibility. A two point Rb–Sr isochron of the Sung Valley carbonatites, pyoxenite and a phlogopite from a carbonatite yielded an age of 106±11 Ma, which is identical to the ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age of this complex. The same age for the carbonatites and the alkaline silicate rocks, similar initial Sr ratios and the higher Sr concentration in the former than the latter favour the hypothesis of liquid immiscibility for the generation of the Sung Valley. The higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio for these complexes than that of the Bulk Earth indicates their derivation from long-lived Rb/Sr-enriched sources.     

Evaluation of phase chemistry and petrochemical aspects of Samchampi-Samteran differentiated alkaline complex of Mikir Hills,northeastern India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline complex occurs as a plug-like pluton within the Precambrian granite gneisses of Mikir Hills, Assam, northeastern India and it is genetically related to Sylhet Traps. The intrusive complex is marked by dominant development of syenite within which ijolitemelteigite suite of rocks is emplaced with an arcuate outcrop pattern. Inliers of alkali pyroxenite and alkali gabbro occur within this ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks. The pluton is also traversed by younger intrusives of nepheline syenite and carbonatite. Development of sporadic, lumpy magnetite ore bodies is also recorded within the pluton. Petrographic details of the constituent lithomembers of the pluton have been presented following standard nomenclatorial rules. Overall pyroxene compositions range from diopside to aegirine augite while alkali feldspars are typically orthoclase and plagioclase in syenite corresponds to oligoclase species. Phase chemistry of nepheline is suggestive of Na-rich alkaline character of the complex. Biotite compositions are typically restricted to a uniform compositional range and they belong to ‘biotite’ field in the relevant classification scheme. Garnets (developed in syenite and melteigite) typically tend to be Ti-rich andradite, which on a closer scan can be further designated as melanites. Opaque minerals mostly correspond to magnetite. Use of Lindsley’s pyroxene thermometric method suggests an equilibration temperature from ∼450°–600°C for melteigite/alkali gabbro and ∼400°C for syenite. Critical assessment of other thermometric methods reveals a temperature of equilibration of ∼700°–1350°C for ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks in contrast to a relatively lower equilibration temperature of ∼600°C for syenite. Geobarometric data based on pyroxene chemistry yield an equilibration pressure of 5.32–7.72 kb for ijolite, melteigite, alkali pyroxenite, alkali gabbro and nepheline syenite. The dominant syenite member of the intrusive plug records a much higher (∼11 kb) equilibration pressure indicating a deeper level of intrusion. Major oxide variations of constituent lithomembers with respect to differentiation index (D.I.) corroborate a normal magmatic differentiation. A prominent role of liquid immiscibility is envisaged from field geological, petrographic and petrochemical evidences. Tectonic discrimination diagrams involving clinopyroxene chemistry strongly suggest within plate alkaline affinity for the parental magma which is in conformity with the regional plume tectonics.     

The Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky miaskite-carbonatite complex,the Urals,Russia: Origin,ore resource potential,and sources

The origin and sources of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky miaskite-carbonatite complex, one of the world’s largest alkaline complexes, with unique rare-metal and colored-stone mineralization and Nb, Zr, and REE deposits, are discussed in this paper. Geochemical and isotopic studies, including of Nd, Sr, C, and O isotopes, as well as estimation of PT formation conditions, of miaskites and carbonatites from various deposits of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex have been carried out. The Vishnevogorsky, Potaninsky, and Buldym Nb-REE deposits and the Il’mensky, Baidashevo, and Uvil’dy occurrences related to carbonatites were investigated. Their geological setting, composition, and ore resource potential are characterized. The genetic models and typical features of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex are considered. The rocks of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex were formed at T = 1000?230°C and P = 2–5 kbar. Carbonated miaskite melt was divided into immiscible silicate and carbonate liquids at T = 1000°C and P = 5 kbar. Miaskite crystallized at T = 850?700°C and P = 3.5–2.5 kbar. The formation temperature of carbonatite I of the Vishnevogorsky pluton was close to the temperature of miaskite crystallization (700–900°C). The crystallization temperature of carbonate-silicate rock and carbonatite I in the Central alkaline tract was 650–600°C. The formation temperature of carbonatite II varied from 590 to 490°C. Dolomite-calcite carbonatite III and dolomite carbonatite IV of the Buldym massif were formed at T = 575?410°C and T = 315?230°C, respectively. The geochemical features of carbonatites belonging to the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex differ from those of carbonatites related to alkaline ultramafic rocks and are close to those of carbonatites related to nepheline syenite or carbonatites localized in linear fracture zones. A high Sr content in early carbonatites along with relatively low Ba, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, and Hf contents and a certain enrichment in HREE (a low La/Yb ratio) in comparison with carbonatites of the alkaline ultramafic association are typical. The geochemistry of carbonatites of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex corresponds to the trend of geochemical evolution of carbonatitic melts and their fluid derivatives. The Sr, Nd, C, and O isotopic compositions indicate a mantle magmatic source of the Il’mensky-Vishnevogorsky Complex and participation of moderately depleted mantle (DM) and enriched mantle EM1 in magma generation. Carbonatite and miaskite of the Vishnevogorsky pluton are related to the DM magma source, and carbonatite of the Buldym massif, to the EM1 source, probably, involved in the plume ascent.     

冀北印支期碱性岩浆活动及其地球动力学意义

冀北印支期碱性岩浆活动及其地球动力学意义张招崇（中国地质科学院地质研究所，北京１０００３７）王永强（中国地质科学院西安地质矿产研究所，西安７１００５４）关键词碱性岩浆印支期冀北地球动力学燕山地区是否存在印支期的构造、岩浆活动一直存在着争论。过去多数人...     

Petrography and mineral chemistry of Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex in Singhbhum Crustal Province,Purulia region,Eastern India

The variant rock types of an Alkaline-Carbonatite Complex (ACC) comprising alkali pyroxenite, nepheline syenite, phoscorite, carbonatite, syenitic fenite and glimmerite along with REE and Nb-mineralization are found at different centres along WNW-ESE trending South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ) in parts of Singhbhum Crustal Province. The ACC occurs as intrusions within the Mesoproterozoic Singhbhum Group of rocks. Alkali pyroxenite comprises of aegirine augite, magnesiotaramite, magnesiokatophorite as major constituents. Pyrochlore and eucolite are ubiquitous in nepheline syenite. Phoscorite contains fluorapatite, dahllite, collophane, magnetite, hematite, goethite, phlogopite, calcite, sphene, monazite, pyrochlore, chlorite and quartz. Coarse fluorapatite shows overgrowth of secondary apatite (dahllite). Secondary apatite is derived from primary fluorapatite by solution and reprecipitation. The primary fluorapatite released REE to crystallize monazite grains girdling around primary apatite. Carbonatite is composed dominantly of Srcalcite along with dolomite, tetraferriphlogopite, phlogopitic biotite, aegirine augite, richterite, fluorapatite, altered magnetite, sphene and monazite. The minerals comprising of the carbonatite indicate middle stage of carbonatite development. Fenite is mineralogically syenite. Glimmerite contains 50–60% tetraferriphlogopite. An alkali trend in the evolution of amphiboles (magnesiotaramite-magnesiokatophorite-richterite) and chinopyroxenes (aegirine augite, aegirine) during the crystallization of the suite of rocks is noted. Monazite is the source of REE in phoscorite and carbonatite. Fluorapatite has low contents of REE, PbO, ThO₂ and UO₂. Pyrochlore reflects Nb-mineralization in nepheline syenite and it is enriched in Na₂O, CaO, TiO₂, PbO and UO₂. Pyrochlore containing UO₂ (6.605%) and PbO (0.914%) in nepheline syenite has been chemically dated at 948 ± 24 Ma by EPMA.     

胶东海阳所超镁铁岩中强亲铁元素的地球化学特征及其构造环境探讨

强亲铁元素与亲石元素具有不同的地球化学行为，因此能够从不同的角度为造山带中超镁铁岩的成因及演化提供重要信息。位于苏鲁造山带东北端的胶东海阳所超镁铁岩主要由橄榄岩和辉石岩组成，它们常以团块状赋存于花岗质片麻岩中。虽然前人对这些超镁铁岩已经开展大量岩石学研究，但关于其成因及构造属性仍存在较大争议。本文开展了海阳所超镁铁岩的全岩主微量元素、强亲铁元素及Re-Os同位素的分析工作，结果显示蛇纹石化橄榄岩具有较高的MgO和Fe₂O₃^T含量，较低的Al₂O₃、TiO₂和CaO含量，明显富集流体迁移元素（U、Pb），亏损高场强元素（Zr、Hf），强亲铁元素没有发生明显分异，但Ru显示正异常，表明海阳所蛇纹石化橄榄岩是经历了低-中等程度部分熔融及熔/流体交代作用影响的残余地幔橄榄岩。海阳所辉石岩的主量元素表现出明显的结晶分异特征，稀土元素较原始地幔富集，铂族元素（PGEs）含量较低且发生了明显的分异，表明辉石岩的地幔源区经历过高程度的部分熔融和硫化物的分离。海阳所蛇纹石化橄榄岩的Os同位素地球化学特征表现出大洋亲和性，与辉石岩不具有熔体-残留体的关系。由于该地区发育较深层次的韧性剪切带，蛇纹石化橄榄岩中的橄榄石与辉石表现出韧性变形的特征，同时有辉石岩侵入到橄榄岩的现象，表明该地区的蛇纹石化地幔橄榄岩与辉石岩既不同时，也不同源，因此，暗示了该套岩石组合可能形成于大洋核杂岩（OCC）与洋脊型蛇绿岩（MOR）堆晶岩交互发育环境。     

Structure,age, and ore potential of the Burpala rare-metal alkaline massif,northern Baikal region

The Burpala alkaline massif is a unique geological object. More than 50 Zr, Nb, Ti, Th, Be, and REE minerals have been identified in rare-metal syenite of this massif. Their contents often reach tens of percent, and concentrations of rare elements in rocks are as high as 3.6% REE, 4% Zr, 0.5% Y, 0.5% Nb, 0.5% Th, and 0.1% U. Geological and geochemical data show that all rocks in the Burpala massif are derivatives of alkaline magma initially enriched in rare elements. These rocks vary in composition from shonkinite, melanocratic syenite, nepheline and alkali syenites to alaskite and alkali granite. The extreme products of magma fractionation are rare-metal pegmatites, apatite-fluorite rocks, and carbonatites. The primary melts were related to the enriched EM-2 mantle source. The U-Pb zircon ages of pulaskite (main intrusive phase) and rare-metal syenite (vein phase) are estimated at 294 ± 1 and 283 ± 8 Ma, respectively. The massif was formed as a result of impact of the mantle plume on the active continental margin of the Siberian paleocontinent.     

Role of fluid in the genesis of carbonatites and alkaline rocks: Geochemical evidence

In most alkaline-ultrabasic-carbonatite ring complexes, the distribution of trace elements in the successive derivatives of mantle magmas is usually controlled by the Rayleigh equation of fractional crystallization in accordance with their partition coefficients, whereas, that of late derivatives, nepheline syenites and carbonatites, is usually consistent with trends characteristic of silicate-carbonate liquid immiscibility. In contrast to the carbonatites of ring complexes, carbonatites from deep-seated linear zones have no genetic relation with alkaline-ultrabasic magmatism, and the associated alkaline rocks are represented only by the nepheline syenite eutectic association. The geochemical study of magmatic rocks from the Vishnevye Gory nepheline syenite-carbonatite complex (Urals), which is assigned to the association of deep-seated linear zones, showed that neither differentiation of a parental melt nor liquid immiscibility could produce the observed trace element distribution (Sr, Rb, REE, and Nb) in miaskites and carbonatites. Judging from the available fragmentary experimental data, the distribution patterns can be regarded as possible indicators of element fractionation between alkaline carbonate fluid and alkaline melt. Such trace element distribution is presumably controlled by a fluid-melt interaction; it was also observed in carbonatites and alkaline rocks of some ring complexes, and its scarcity can be explained by the lower density of aqueous fluid released from magma at shallower depths.     

Conditions of accumulation of radioactive metals in the process of differentiation of ultrabasic alkaline-carbonatite rock associations

The distribution of radioactive elements in alkaline rocks from Polar Siberia and Ukraine shows that U and Th are markedly concentrated in carbonatite complex and nepheline syenite as final products of magma fractionation. Peralkaline nepheline syenites from Polar Siberia are characterized by very high contents of radioactive elements, which are close to the economic level. Radioactive elements are also concentrated in rocks of the carbonatite complex. For example, some soevites contain up to 294 × 10^?4%U and 916 × 10^?4% Th. In late dolomite carbonatites, the contents of radioactive elements are appreciably lower. The Th/U ratio in alkaline rocks of Polar Siberia is close to the chondrite value in primary high-Mg rocks and increases in late derivatives: phoscorite, calcite and dolomite carbonatites. The main amount of radioactive elements is contained in rare-metal accessory minerals: perovskite, pyrochlore, calzirtite, and apatite. Rock-forming minerals are distinguished by very low concentrations of radioactive elements. In alkaline series of the Chernigovka massif (Ukraine), U and Th also accumulate in the course of crystal fractionation, especially in phoscorites from the carbonatite complex. Mantle xenoliths and alkaline rocks from Ukraine reveal uranium specialization. Most likely, the discrepancy in fractionation of radioactive elements between Polar Siberia and Ukraine is caused by different geodynamic regimes of these provinces. The Mesozoic alkaline magmatism of Polar Siberia is a part of the Siberian superplume, whereas the Proterozoic alkaline complex in Ukraine is related to subduction of the oceanic crust.     

Carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of Newania Dolomite Carbonatites, Rajasthan, India: implications for source of carbonatites

The Newania carbonatite complex of Rajasthan, India is one of the few dolomite carbonatites of the world, and oddly, does not contain alkaline silicate rocks thus providing a unique opportunity to study the origin and evolution of a primary carbonatite magma. In an attempt to characterize the mantle source, the source of carbon, and the magmatic and post-magmatic evolution of Newania carbonatites, we have carried out a detailed stable carbon and oxygen isotopic study of the complex. Our results reveal that, in spite of being located in a metamorphic terrain, these rocks remarkably have preserved their magmatic signatures in stable C and O isotopic compositions. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O variations in the complex are found to be results of fractional crystallization and low temperature post-magmatic alteration suggesting that like other carbonatites, dolomite carbonatites too fractionate isotopes of both elements in a similar fashion. The major difference is that the fractional crystallization of dolomite carbonatites fractionates oxygen isotopes to a larger extent. The modes of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O variations in the complex, ?4.5?±?1‰ and 7?±?1‰, respectively, clearly indicate its mantle origin. Application of a multi-component Rayleigh isotopic fractionation model to the correlated δ¹³C versus δ¹⁸O variations in unaltered carbonatites suggests that these rocks have crystallized from a CO₂ + H₂O fluid rich magma, and that the primary magma comes from a mantle source that had isotopic compositions of δ¹³C ~ ?4.6‰ and δ¹⁸O ~ 6.3‰. Such a mantle source appears to be a common peridotite mantle (δ¹³C = ?5.0?±?1‰) whose carbon reservoir has insignificant contribution from recycled crustal carbon. Other Indian carbonatites, except for Amba Dongar and Sung Valley that are genetically linked to Reunion and Kerguelen plumes respectively, also appear to have been derived from similar mantle sources. Through this study we establish that dolomite carbonatites are generated from similar mantle source like other carbonatites, have comparable evolutionary history irrespective of their association with alkaline silicate rocks, and may remain resistant to metamorphism.