Sediment generation on a volcanic island with arid tropical climate: A perspective based on geochemical maps of topsoils and stream sediments from Santiago Island,Cape Verde

The present research tests the application of geochemical atlas of soils and stream sediments in the investigation of weathering and erosion processes on volcanic islands. The composition of surface soils collected in six catchments from Santiago Island (Cape Verde) are compared with bedload stream deposits sourced by these catchment areas in order to evaluate the spatial variability of these exogenous processes. The geochemistry of bedload stream deposits is between that of the fresh rocks and the topsoils of their source areas. Relative to average soil composition, bedload deposits are depleted in most of less-mobile elements (e.g., Al, Fe, La, Sc) and strongly enriched in Na and, usually, Ca. When the topsoil weathering intensity in the catchment areas is highly variable and the composition of bedload deposits is substantially different from the average soil composition, bedload deposits should incorporate significant amounts of poorly-weathered rocks and sectors from erosion occur within the drainage basin. Ratios of non-mobile elements allow the identification of highly vulnerable and erosion-protected sectors within the catchments. It is proposed that the catchments of the rivers in the SW flanking side of Santiago Island include sectors where lava shields formed during the post-erosional eruptive phases are capable of an effective protection to erosion. Conversely, the NE-facing part of the island is highly dissected and any younger post-erosional cover was either completely eroded away, or never existed in the first place. Simple compositional parameters derived from the databases of geochemical maps of soil and stream sediments provide important information for the analyses of weathering, erosion and denudation processes at the catchment scale.     

Geochemistry of oceanic carbonatites compared with continental carbonatites: mantle recycling of oceanic crustal carbonate

Major and trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb-O-C isotopic compositions are presented for carbonatites from the Cape Verde (Brava, Fogo, Sáo Tiago, Maio and Sáo Vicente) and Canary (Fuerteventura) Islands. Carbonatites show pronounced enrichment in Ba, Th, REE, Sr and Pb in comparison to most silicate volcanic rocks and relative depletion in Ti, Zr, Hf, K and Rb. Calcio (calcitic)-carbonatites have primary (mantle-like) stable isotopic compositions and radiogenic isotopic compositions similar to HIMU-type ocean island basalts. Cape Verde carbonatites, however, have more radiogenic Pb isotope ratios (e.g. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=19.3-20.4) than reported for silicate volcanic rocks from these islands (18.7-19.9; Gerlach et al. 1988; Kokfelt 1998). We interpret calcio-carbonatites to be derived from the melting of recycled carbonated oceanic crust (eclogite) with a recycling age of ~1.6 Ga. Because of the degree of recrystallization, replacement of calcite by secondary dolomite and elevated ‘¹³C and ‘¹⁸O, the major and trace element compositions of the magnesio (dolomitic)-carbonatites are likely to reflect secondary processes. Compared with Cape Verde calcio-carbonatites, the less radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic ratios and the negative Ɨ/4 of the magnesio-carbonatites (also observed in silicate volcanic rocks from the Canary and Cape Verde Islands) cannot be explained through secondary processes or through the assimilation of Cape Verde crust. These isotopic characteristics require the involvement of a mantle component that has thus far only been found in the Smoky Butte lamproites from Montana, which are believed to be derived from subcontinental lithospheric sources. Continental carbonatites show much greater variation in radiogenic isotopic composition than oceanic carbonatites, requiring a HIMU-like component similar to that observed in the oceanic carbonatites and enriched components. We interpret the enriched components to be Phanerozoic through Proterozoic marine carbonate (e.g. limestone) recycled through shallow, subcontinental-lithospheric-mantle and deep, lower-mantle sources.     

Magmatic evolution of the Cadamosto Seamount,Cape Verde: beyond the spatial extent of EM1

The Cadamosto Seamount is an unusual volcanic centre from Cape Verde, characterised by dominantly evolved volcanics, in contrast to the typically mafic volcanic centres at Cape Verde that exhibit only minor volumes of evolved volcanics. The magmatic evolution of Cadamosto Seamount is investigated to quantify the role of magma-crust interaction and thus provide a perspective on evolved end-member volcanism of Cape Verde. The preservation of mantle source signatures by Nd–Pb isotopes despite extensive magmatic differentiation provides new insights into the spatial distribution of mantle heterogeneity in the Cape Verde archipelago. Magmatic differentiation from nephelinite to phonolite involves fractional crystallisation of clinopyroxene, titanite, apatite, biotite and feldspathoids, with extensive feldspathoid accumulation being recorded in some evolved samples. Clinopyroxene crystallisation pressures of 0.38–0.17 GPa for the nephelinites constrain this extensive fractional crystallisation to the oceanic lithosphere, where no crustal assimilants or rafts of subcontinental lithospheric mantle are available. In turn, magma-crust interaction has influenced the Sr, O and S isotopes of the groundmass and late crystallising feldspathoids, which formed at shallow crustal depths reflecting the availability of oceanic sediments and anhydrite precipitated in the ocean crust. The Nd–Pb isotopes have not been affected by these processes of magma-crust interaction and hence preserve the mantle source signature. The Cadamosto Seamount samples have high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (>19.5), high εNd (+6 to +7) and negative Δ8/4Pb, showing affinity with the northern Cape Verde islands as opposed to the adjacent southern islands. Hence, the Cadamosto Seamount in the west is located spatially beyond the EM1-like component found further east. This heterogeneity is not encountered in the oceanic lithosphere beneath the Cadamosto Seamount despite greater extents of fractional crystallisation at oceanic lithospheric depths than the islands of Fogo and Santiago. Our data provide new evidence for the complex geometry of the chemically zoned Cape Verde mantle source.     

A geological record of multiple Pleistocene tsunami inundations in an oceanic island: The case of Maio,Cape Verde

In the Central Atlantic archipelagos – the Canaries, Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores – tsunami hazard is often regarded as low, when compared with other extreme wave events such as hurricanes and storms. The geological record of many of these islands, however, suggests that tsunami hazard may be underestimated, notwithstanding being lower than in areas adjacent to subduction zones, such as the margins of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Moreover, tsunamis in oceanic islands are generally triggered by local large-scale volcanic flank collapses, for which little is known about their frequency, making it difficult to estimate the probability of a new occurrence. Part of the problem lies in the fact that tsunami deposits are usually difficult to date, and few islands in the world exhibit evidence for repeated tsunami inundation on a protracted timescale. This study reports on the presence of abundant tsunami deposits (conglomerates and sandstones) on Maio Island (Cape Verde) and discusses their stratigraphy, sedimentological characteristics, probable age and tsunamigenic source. Observations indicate that four distinct inundation events of variable magnitude took place during the Pleistocene. One of the tsunami deposits yielded a high-confidence U/Th age of 78·8 ± 0·9 ka, which overlaps within error with the 73 ± 7 ka age proposed for Fogo volcano's flank collapse, an event known to have had a significant tsunami impact on nearby Santiago Island. This shows that the Fogo tsunami also impacted Maio, resulting in runups in excess of 60 m above coeval sea-level at ca 120 km from the source. Two older deposits, possibly linked to recurrent flank collapses of the Tope de Coroa volcano in Santo Antão Island, yielded lower-confidence ages of 479 to 390 ka and 360 to 304 ka. A younger deposit (<78 ka) remains undated. In summary, the geological record of Maio exhibits well-preserved evidence of repeated tsunami inundation, reinforcing the notion that tsunami hazard is not so low at volcanic archipelagos featuring prominent and highly-active volcanoes such as in Cape Verde.     

Volcanic and structural evolution of Pico do Fogo,Cape Verde

In recent months the media have drawn attention to the Cape Verde archipelago, with particular focus on the island of Fogo, the only island presently active and with an eruption that began on 23 November 2014, finally ceasing on 7 February 2015. The Monte Amarelo conical shield forms most of the 476 km² almost circular island of Fogo. After attaining a critical elevation of about 3500 m, the Monte Amarelo shield volcano was decapitated by a giant landslide that formed a caldera‐like depression (Cha das Caldeiras), which was subsequently partially filled by basaltic nested volcanism. This younger eruptive activity culminated in the construction of the 2829 m‐high Pico do Fogo stratocone, apparently entirely made of layers of basaltic lapilli. Continued growth of the Pico do Fogo summit eruptions was interrupted in 1750, most likely after the stratocone reached a critical height. Since then, at least eight eruptions have taken place inside the landslide depression at the periphery of the Pico do Fogo cone, including the 2014–2015 eruptive event. Strong geological similarities with the Canary Islands, 1400 km to the north, have been frequently noted, probably as a consequence of a common process of origin and evolution associated with a mantle hot‐spot. These similarities are particularly evident when comparing Fogo with the Teide Volcanic Complex on Tenerife, where a lateral collapse of the Las Cañadas stratovolcano also formed a large depression (the Caldera de Las Cañadas), now partially filled with the 3718 m‐high Teide stratocone. However, important geological differences also exist and probably relate to the contrasting evolutionary stages of both islands. The Las Cañadas volcano on Tenerife formed at a late post‐erosional stage, with predominantly evolved (trachyte and phonolite) magmas, while at Fogo basaltic volcanism is still dominant.     

西藏唐加地区石炭纪洋岛型岩石组合及其构造意义

西藏松多（超）高压变质带对认识古特提斯洋的演化具有十分重要的作用,然而目前关于该带代表的洋盆早期演化记录发现较少,制约了对松多古特提斯洋盆演化的理解. 对唐加地区的洋岛型岩石组合进行了野外地质特征、岩浆岩全岩地球化学和锆石U?Pb定年研究.唐加地区洋岛型岩石组合的野外地质特征具有典型的“二元结构”,下层为玄武岩基底,上层为灰岩（大理岩）盖层和塌积砾岩,在上部盖层中还可见变质玄武岩夹层和大理岩与绿片岩互层的现象,与“佛得角型”洋岛类似. 两件玄武岩和一件辉绿玢岩脉的锆石U?P定年结果分别为330 Ma、310 Ma和307 Ma,为早石炭世晚期-晚石炭世. 玄武岩和辉绿玢岩均具有较高的TiO₂、P₂O₅和（Na₂O+K₂O）含量,稀土元素和微量元素组成与OIB类似,显示明显的Nb、Ta富集,在判别图解中落在OIB和板内玄武岩区域,其岩浆源区可能为尖晶石-石榴子石二辉橄榄岩地幔,熔融深度较小.结合前人研究,初步认为松多古特提斯洋早石炭世晚期可能已经发育了初始洋盆,在早石炭世晚期到晚石炭世为慢/超慢速扩张,形成了具有“佛得角型”洋岛特征的唐加地区洋岛型岩石组合.      

南极纳尔逊冰缘沉积物元素地球化学特征及其化学风化作用研究

本文对西南极地区纳尔逊冰盖边缘N1沉积序列化学元素组成特征和风化作用地球化学过程进行了研究。结果表明:N1沉积序列中元素的组成与该地区玄武质火山岩的化学组成具有密切的关系,该序列沉积物是自然环境下风化的产物,因此本文分析样品元素的平均含量可以作为该地区冰缘沉积物的背景值;冰缘沉积物所记录的源区化学风化作用强度显得非常微弱,处于脱Ca、Mg、Na早期风化阶段,碎屑矿物的风化过程多处在蒙脱石阶段;沉积序列中元素的活动强度及其比值变化,反映了局部的风化作用强度不同和气候环境的变化。上述研究结果有助于进一步研究南极冰缘环境的演变     

Seismic evidence for a mantle plume beneath the Cape Verde hotspot

P- and S-wave tomography of the upper mantle beneath the Cape Verde hotspot is determined using arrival-time data measured precisely from three-component seismograms of 106 distant earthquakes recorded by a local seismic network. Our results show a prominent low-velocity anomaly imaged as a continuous column <100 km wide from the uppermost mantle down to about 500 km beneath Cape Verde, especially below the Fogo active volcano, which erupted in 1995. The low-velocity anomaly may reflect a hot mantle plume feeding the Cape Verde hotspot.     

Geochemistry of redeposited and undisturbed ancient weathering zones in the Baikal Region

The distribution of major and trace elements was explored in the metamorphised weathering zones of the northern (Purpol Formation) and western (Anai and Angin formations) Baikal region. The alumina-rich schists of the Purpol and Anai formations intercalated with quartzites have a model age of 2.8–3.0 Ga and are redeposited products of the weathering of granitized basement inliers of the Siberian craton. Their trace element characteristics with high contents of Th, U, Nb, and REE and low Ta and Sr reflect the composition of predominant rocks in the Archean basement. Undisturbed weathering zones over the alkaline and calc-alkaline island-arc basalts of the Angin Formation are, in general, similar to modern laterites and redeposited residues with respect to the enrichment in hydrolyzate elements but are assigned to iron-rich laterites and distinguished by high contents of Fe, Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf, which were inherited from their parent rocks. Their occurrence suggests subaerial eruptions of alkali basalts in the proximal part of the Angin-Talanchan island arc.     

Geochemistry of highly-undersaturated ocean island basalt suites from the South Atlantic Ocean: Fernando de Noronha and Trindade islands

The volcanic rocks of the South Atlantic Ocean islands of Fernando de Noronha and Trindade comprise a diverse magmatic series ranging from nephelinites and basanites to phonolites and, on Fernando de Noronha, trachytes. All rock types are highly silica undersaturated with the exception of Fernando de Noronha trachytes_, and have high abundances of incompatible trace elements and strongly LREE (light rare earth element)-enriched REE patterns. Crystal fractionation of parental basanitic magmas produced evolved phonolites and trachytes which display severe trace-element fractionation, even among trace elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf) which normally behave highly incompatibly during crystallisation of alkaline magmas. Moderately to highly evolved compositions develop strongly MREE (middle REE)-depleted REE patterns, and become increasingly depleted in elements such as Nb and, in particular, Ta. Ratios of Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf are highly fractionated in phonolites (60–65, 64–77 respectively in Fernando de Noronha phonolites) compared to ratios in basanites (14, 45 respectively). The compatibility of Nb, Ta, and the REE, and the strong fractionation of Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios and the MREE, during crystallisation from basanite to phonolite are attributable to the crystallisation of small amounts (<5%) of sphene. Trace-element behaviour is relatively insensitive to the major phenocryst phases, and is controlled by minor phases in highly undersaturated alkaline suites. Incompatible trace-element ratios (e.g. La/Nb, Th/Ta) in nephelinites and basanites from Fernando de Noronha and Trindade are generally comparable with those in basaltic and hawaiitic OIB (ocean island basalt) lavas from other South Atlantic islands, but are distinct from those of Gough and Tristan da Cunha OIB. The mantle source for the highly undersaturated volcanism on Fernando de Noronha and Trindade is similar in trace-element characteristics to the typical OIB source which produces alkaline lavas with significant relative enrichment in Nb and Ta compared to other trace elements (as expressed by low La/Nb, Ba/Nb and Th/Ta ratios). The highly undersaturated nature of the magmas and the slight fractionation of some incompatible-element ratios (elevated Ba/Nb, Ba/Rb, Ba/Th etc.) is consistent with a smaller degree of melting of a typical OIB source, but with residual phlogopite in the source to account for significant K depletion and LIL-element fractionation.     

Geochemistry of coastal sands of Eastern Mediterranean: The case of Nisyros volcanic materials

Coastal sand samples collected from the northern part of Nisyros volcanic island (Dodecanese, Greece) were investigated for first time for their potential in strategic metals and compared with parental rocks of the island which are Quaternary volcanics with alternating lava flows, pyroclastic layers and lava domes and relevant materials located near granitoids of Northern Greece. The PXRD and SEM-EDS study of the sands revealed enhanced content of feldspars, Fe-Mn oxides, magnetite, tourmaline, pyroxenes, ilmenites, along with zircons, apatite and sulfide inclusions. The fresh hydrothermally deposited clayely material collected from the Nisyros caldera crater had a rather different mineralogical composition from the coastal one (alunite, anhydrite, opal-CT, quartz, kaolinite). UCC-normalized spidergrams indicated that the weathering processes contributed to accumulation of heavy minerals (mainly ilmenite), and strategic metals including V (1920 mg/kg) and Nb (245 mg/kg), in the coastal sand. The low REE concentration (ΣREE + Y = 240 mg/kg) could be attributed to the absence of REE-rich minerals. Moreover, the sands exhibit different geochemical patterns compared to the volcanic source rocks of the island, which are especially enriched in Large-Ion Lithophile Elements (LILE) and depleted in High Field Strength Elements (HFSE), such as Nb and Ta. On the other hand, the caldera material is enriched in volatile components, sulfur, chalcophile elements (Se, Bi, Hg, As, Pb) and Ba. Micro-XRF analyses of representative crystals showed that the high Nb content of the sands was associated with the Ti/Fe-rich phases (e.g. ilmenites). The geochemical composition of N Greece sands showed, because of their origin, enrichment not only in HFSE but also in REE.The study of the coastal heavy mineral sands originating from different geological environments of Greece provides information about the association of their mineral components with REE, other elements of economic interest (e.g. Co, Nb, Ta) and natural actinides. In addition, the study of the black sands of Nisyros island could be considered as a characteristic example of those from other parts of Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA) and other relevant Mediterranean regions.     

南秦岭勉略构造带中堂沟火山岩地球化学特征及其地质意义

通过对分布于勉略构造带中段三岔子西侧中堂沟地区的火山岩进行详实的野外地质剖面调查,发现其为一套绿片岩相浅变质火山岩,岩石组合以变安山岩为主,含有少量的变玄武岩和变英安岩,主体为钙碱性系列。岩石地球化学研究表明3类岩石均具有轻稀土富集型稀土配分曲线,并显示弱的Eu负异常;微量元素方面,岩石普遍富集大离子亲石元素Cs、Rb、Ba,亏损高场强元素Nb、Ta,相对亏损P、Ti,不活动微量元素Zr、Hf、Tb、Y等既无明显的相对亏损也无显著的相对富集。在La-La/Nb、Nb-Nb/Th和La/Yb-Sc/Ni等环境判别图解中,变玄武岩和变安山岩样品点均落在岛弧火山岩范围内,并结合其岩石组合特征指示该套火山岩应形成于大陆边缘弧(活动陆缘)环境。其中变玄武岩和变安山岩岩浆起源于楔形地幔的部分熔融,且有陆壳物质的参与;变英安岩的形成则与壳源物质的部分熔融有关。     

新疆阿舍勒盆地阿舍勒组火山岩锆石U-Pb测年及地球化学特征

新疆阿舍勒盆地中阿舍勒组火山岩主要为英安质、流纹质火山角砾岩,凝灰岩、沉凝灰岩等火山角砾岩及火山熔岩,顶部为玄武岩及碧玉岩、灰岩.玄武岩亏损Nb,Ta,Ti等高场强元素,富集Ba,Th,U,Sr等大离子亲石元素,具岛弧玄武岩特征;英安岩为钙碱性系列,富集Rb,Ba,Th,U等大离子亲石元素,Nb,P,Ti亏损十分明显,...     

青藏高原北羌塘盆地治多地区松赛弄一带火山岩的特征及构造意义

测区松赛弄晚三叠世-带火山岩为-套酸性-中性-基性火山岩组合,由玄武岩、安山岩、英安岩、流纹岩及少量火山碎屑岩等组成.火山岩中SiO2含量为48.89%～88.15%,平均67.44%,TiO2为0.22%～1.85%,平均0.63%,MgO含量0.23%～7.81%,与岛弧钙碱性火山岩相似;高场强元素Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf、Ti等亏损,大离子亲石元素Rb、Sr、Ba等相对富集,(La/Sm)n为1.79～5.19,LREE/HREE值多数在4.08～6.63,属轻稀土元素富集型,δEu多数在0.47～0.99.铕呈负异常;La/Nb多数大于2.00,Nb/Zr>0.04;Th/Ta>4.41,Th×Ta/Hf2>0.042,具有陆缘火山弧的特性.上述特征表明,羌塘盆地治多地区松赛弄一带晚三叠世火山岩产于大陆碰撞与陆缘弧并存的环境.     

青海鄂拉山地区陆相火山岩地球化学特征及构造环境

鄂拉山岩浆岩带晚三叠世火山岩为中-中酸性火山岩组合,由玄武安山岩、安山岩、英安岩、流纹岩及少量火山碎屑岩等组成,岩石蚀变强烈,成层性差,柱状节理发育,具典型的陆相喷发特点.火山岩属铝饱和类型,里特曼指数(δ)及岩石学等显示具钙碱性特征, (FeO/MgO)、K2 O/Na2O显示可能具有陆缘岛弧环境的特性;轻稀土元素分馏程度高且富集,δEu小于1,为弱负异常,稀土元素配分模式曲线与岛弧型稀土元素配分模式图相似;微量元素Rb、Ba、Th等元素明显富集,而Ti、Y、Yb、Sc、Cr等元素较亏损.Nb/Zr、La/Nb、Th/Ta、Th×Ta/Hf2等特征反映鄂拉山组火山岩产于陆缘火山弧环境.结合区域地质背景、岩石地球化学及构造环境等特征,认为鄂拉山地区晚三叠世火山岩产于大陆碰撞与陆缘弧并存的环境.     

新疆东天山哈密五堡地区中奥陶世大柳沟组火山岩岩石学和地球化学特征

新疆东天山哈密五堡地区中奥陶世大柳沟组是研究区出露的最老的火山岩地层,大地构造属于准噶尔板块-大南湖复合岛弧火山岩带。大柳沟组火山岩以钙碱性系列为主,大离子亲石元素(LIL)的Ba、Th等富集,呈现正异常;高场强元素(HFS)Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf和Ti呈负异常。中基性火山岩的稀土配分曲线为轻稀土富集、重稀土亏损型式。其常量和微量元素特征总体上具岛弧火山岩的特点。     

塔河地区海西晚期火山岩地球化学特征及地质意义

通过岩心观察,塔河地区海西晚期先后发育基性火山岩和中酸性火山岩两大类。两类火山岩具有不同地球化学组成:基性火山岩K2O+Na2O=3.49%~4.25%,K2O/Na2O=0.18~0.381,为钠质系列玄武岩,富集大离子亲石元素K、Rb、Ba、Th和高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti、Zr、P,δEu≈1,无明显亏损;中酸性火山岩表现为高场强元素Nb、Ta、Sr、P、Ti亏损,大离子亲石元素K、Rb、Ba、Th较为富集,稀土元素δEu=0.43~0.661,铕具明显负异常特征,K2O+Na2O=6.86%~8.82%,K2O/Na2O=1.25~1.591,为钾玄或高钾钙碱性系列英安岩。强不相容元素Th/Ta、Nb/U比值说明,玄武岩与英安岩成因没有明显亲缘性,玄武岩来源于地幔,英安岩来源于地壳。结合邻区火成岩对比分析,塔河地区发育的玄武岩、英安岩分别与塔中地区玄武岩和南天山分区花岗岩具有相同的地球化学特征,构造判别图解表明,玄武岩形成于板内主裂陷期,英安岩、花岗岩形成于板块边缘岛弧构造环境,作为特殊古构造位置,塔河地区先后发育的玄武岩、英安岩为板内主裂陷盆地边缘和弧火山边缘相互耦合的产物。     

The genesis of Zr–Nb–REE mineralisation at Khalzan Buregte (Western Mongolia) reconsidered

The sources and formation conditions of unconventional Zr–Nb–REE mineralisation (REE = rare earth elements) presently found in increasing number worldwide are still poorly constrained. One particular problem is the specific role of magmatic and hydrothermal processes active in various geological settings. Investigation of Zr–Nb–REE mineralisation at Khalzan Buregte and Tsakhir, Western Mongolia, enables to evaluate magmatic processes preceding economic mineralisation and, in a second step, to compare similar ore-forming processes developing in host rocks of contrasting rock composition (low- vs. high-silica rocks). The genesis of the Zr–Nb–REE mineralisation is re-assessed using field observations, whole rock analysis (chemical composition, quantitative modal analysis by X-ray diffraction) and by the application of various transmitted light and electron microscopic techniques. Coarse-grained intrusive bodies, dikes and volcanic rocks of alkaline, silica-saturated composition were found to be contemporarily emplaced at subvolcanic to volcanic levels forming four alkaline massifs within the Khalzan Buregte area. The whole rock composition of weakly altered magmatic rocks ranges from syenite to quartz monzonite and alkaline granite (alkali feldspar syenite to alkali feldspar granite according to their modal composition). Magmatic and at least two subsequent hydrothermal processes contributed significantly to the formation of economic concentrations of high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, REE and Y in the Khalzan Buregte deposit and in the nearby Tsakhir prospect. Mixing of magma from at least three sources and the formation of potassium feldspar cumulates resulted in local enrichment of Zr, Nb and light rare earth elements (LREE) in the rocks up to sub-economic levels. There was no significant increase in Y and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) during magmatism.Multistage metasomatic alteration resulted in a pronounced chemical and mineralogical heterogeneity of associated alteration assemblages. The main hosts of Zr and Hf in the ores are zircon and other zirconium silicates (gittinsite, catapleiite-(Ca) and elpidite). The rare metals Nb and Ta are mainly contained in various types of pyrochlore (Khalzan Buregte) and, to a lesser extent, in fergusonite and other minerals (Tsakhir). A large variety of REE- and Y-bearing minerals have been identified, including oxides, fluorocarbonates and silicates. Early hydrothermal alteration by silica- and carbonate-rich fluids yielded extreme concentrations of Zr, Nb and LREE. Later alteration resulted in enrichment of Y and HREE. In the latter case, fluids were very rich in fluorine. Our preliminary genetic model assumes a carbonatite-related fluid system responsible for the early alteration that occurred late during or postdating the intrusion/extrusion of the silica-saturated magmas. A “Li-F granite-type” fluid system was active during the late alteration. The interplay of all these processes resulted in the formation of a complex, economic Zr–Nb–REE mineralisation at Khalzan Buregte.     

Rare metal mineralization of calcite carbonatites from the Cape Verde Archipelago

Rare metal mineralization of oceanic carbonatites was studied for the first time by the example of calcite carbonatite from Fogo Island in the Cape Verde Archipelago. The following evolutionary sequence of rare metal minerals was established: zirconolite-Th-calciobetafite-betafite + Th-pyrochlore-thorite + Ti-Zr-Nb silicates + zircon.Schematic reactions were proposed for zirconolite transformation to secondary phases: (Ca,Th,U)Zr(Ti,Nb)₂O₇ (zirconolite) + SiO₂ + Ca(F,OH)₂ → ZrSiO₄ (zircon) + (Ca,Th,U)₂(Ti,Nb)₂O₆(OH,F) (Th-calciobetafite) and (Ca,Th,U)₂(Ti,Nb)₂O₆(OH,F) + Na₂Si₂O₅ → ThSiO₄ (thorite) + (Ca,Na,Th)₂(Nb,Ti)₂O₆(OH,F) (Th-pyrochlore), where SiO₂, Ca(F,OH)₂, and Na₂Si₂O₅ are the components of melt-solution coexisting with the carbonatite.It was shown that the distribution and behavior of rare and radioactive elements in oceanic carbonatites show the same tendencies as in continental carbonatites. The contents and distribution of Ti, Ta, and Th in zirconolites and pyrochlores from oceanic and continental carbonatites are different: the minerals of oceanic carbonatites are enriched in Ti and Th and strongly depleted in Ta.     

西昆仑造山带东段上其汗组火山岩地球化学特征、LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年及其地质意义

通过对西昆仑北带东段上其汗组玄武安山岩进行LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年,获得锆石~(206)Pb/~(238)U年龄为473.1±2.2Ma,代表玄武安山岩的结晶年龄。研究区上其汗组火山岩富集大离子亲石元素Sr、Ba、U、Th等,亏损高场强元素Nb、Zr、Ta、Ti等,为消减带火山岩的标志性特征。不相容元素Th/Ta值为9.5～20.89,与上地壳的Th/Ta值(10)较接近。岩石具有较高的La/Nb值(2.73～4.89),明显高于大陆地壳这一比值(2.2),表明有地壳物质混染。同时,岩石中Nb含量较高,为8.14×10~(-6)～12.3×10~(-6),Nb/Ta值为15.2～17.38,表明岩浆源区受到来自消减残留板片流体或熔体的交代作用。对岩石主量、微量元素特征、岩石学特征及大地构造背景综合分析认为,上其汗组火山岩形成于岛弧环境,其为库地-其曼于特洋在早古生代向北俯冲的产物。