Mantle structure and rifting processes in the Baikal–Mongolia region: geophysical data and evidence from xenoliths in volcanic rocks

The origin of the Baikal rift zone (BRZ) has been debated between the advocates of passive and active rifting since the 1970s. A re-assessment of the relevant geological and geophysical data from Russian and international literature questions the concept of broad asthenospheric upwelling beneath the rift zone that has been the cornerstone of many “active rifting” models. Results of a large number of early and recent studies favour the role of far-field forces in the opening and development of the BRZ. This study emphasises the data obtained through studies of peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths brought to the surface by alkali basaltic magmas in southern Siberia and central Mongolia. These xenoliths are direct samples of the upper mantle in the vicinity of the BRZ. Of particular importance are suites of garnet-bearing xenoliths that have been used to construct P–T- composition lithospheric cross-sections in the region for the depth range of 35–80 km.Xenolith studies have shown fundamental differences in the composition and thermal regime between the lithospheric mantle beneath the ancient Siberian platform (sampled by kimberlites) and beneath younger mobile belts south of the platform. The uppermost mantle in southern Siberia and central Mongolia is much hotter at similar levels than the mantle in the Siberian craton and also has significantly higher contents of ‘basaltic’ major elements (Ca, Al, Na) and iron, higher Fe/Si and Fe/Mg. The combination of the moderately high geothermal gradient and the fertile compositions in the off-cratonic mantle appears to be a determining factor controlling differences in sub-Moho seismic velocities relative to the Siberian craton. Chemical and isotopic compositions of the off-cratonic xenoliths indicate small-scale and regional mantle heterogeneities attributed to various partial melting and enrichment events, consistent with long-term evolution in the lithospheric mantle. Age estimates of mantle events based on Os–Sr–Nd isotopic data can be correlated with major regional stages of crustal formation and may indicate long-term crust–mantle coupling. The ratios of ^143/144Nd in many LREE-depleted xenoliths are higher than those in MORB or OIB source regions and are not consistent with a recent origin from asthenospheric mantle.Mantle xenoliths nearest to the rift basins (30–50 km south of southern Lake Baikal) show no unequivocal evidence for strong heating, unusual stress and deformation, solid state flow, magmatic activity or partial melting that could be indicative of an asthenospheric intrusion right below the Moho. Comparisons between xenoliths from older and younger volcanic rocks east of Lake Baikal, together with observations on phase transformations and mineral zoning in individual xenoliths, have indicated recent heating in portions of the lithospheric mantle that may be related to localised magmatic activity or small-scale ascent of deep mantle material. Overall, the petrographic, P–T, chemical and isotopic constraints from mantle xenoliths appear to be consistent with recent geophysical studies, which found no evidence for a large-scale asthenospheric upwarp beneath the rift, and lend support to passive rifting mechanism for the BRZ.     

Highly heterogeneous lithospheric mantle beneath the Central Zone of the North China Craton evolved from Archean mantle through diverse melt refertilization

High-Mg# peridotite xenoliths in the Cenozoic Hebi basalts from the North China Craton have refractory mineral compositions (Fo > 91.5) and highly heterogeneous Sr–Nd isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7031–0.7048, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.5130–0.5118) ranging from MORB-like to EM1-type mantle, which are similar to those of peridotites from Archean cratons. Thus, the high-Mg# peridotites may represent relics of the ancient lithospheric mantle. Published Re–Os isotopic data for Cenozoic basalt-borne xenoliths show T_RD ages of 3.0–1.5 Ga for the peridotites from Hebi (the center of the craton), 2.2–0 Ga for those from Hannuoba and Jining (north margin of the craton), and 2.6–0 Ga for those from Fanshi and Yangyuan (midway between the center and north margin of the craton). In situ Re–Os data of sulfides in Hannuoba peridotites suggest that whole-rock Re–Os model ages represent mixtures of multiple generations of sulfides with varying Os isotopic compositions. These observations indicate that initial lithospheric mantle beneath the Central Zone of the North China Craton formed during the Archean and was refertilized by multiple melt additions after its formation. The refertilization became more intensive from the interior to the margin of the craton, leading to the high heterogeneity of the lithospheric mantle: more ancient and refractory peridotites with highly variable Sr–Nd isotopic compositions in the interior, and more young and fertile peridotites with depleted Sr–Nd isotopic composition in the margin. Our data, coupled with published petrological and geochemical data of peridotites from the Central Zone of the North China Craton, suggest that the lithospheric mantle beneath this region is highly heterogeneous, likely produced by refertilization of Archean mantle via multiple additions of melts/fluids, which were closely related to the Paleoproterozoic collision between the Eastern and the Western Blocks and subsequent circum-craton subduction events.     

Petrology and geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths from the Lianshan region: Nature and evolution of lithospheric mantle beneath the lower Yangtze block

Lithospheric thinning beneath the North China Craton is widely recognized, but whether the Yangtze block has undergone the same process is a controversial issue. Based on a detailed petrographic study, a suite of xenoliths from the Lianshan Cenozoic basalts have been analyzed for the compositions of minerals and whole rocks, and their Sr–Nd isotopes to probe the nature and evolution of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the lower Yangtze block. The Lianshan xenoliths can be subdivided into two Types: the main Type 1 xenoliths (9–15% clinopyroxene and olivine-Mg# < 90) and minor Type 2 peridotites (1.8–6.2% clinopyroxene and olivine-Mg# > 90). Type 1 peridotites are characterized by low MgO, high levels of basaltic components (i.e., Al₂O₃, CaO and TiO₂), LREE-depleted patterns in clinopyroxenes and whole rocks, and relatively high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.513219–0.513331) and low ⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr (0.702279–0.702789). These features suggest that Type 1 peridotites represent fragments of the newly accreted fertile lithospheric mantle that have undergone ~ 1% of fractional partial melting and later weak silicate–melt metasomatism, similar to Phanerozoic lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern North China Craton. Type 2 peridotites may be shallow relics of the older lithospheric mantle depleted in basaltic components, with LREE-enriched and HREE-depleted patterns, relatively low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512499–0.512956) and high ⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr (0.703275–0.703997), which can be produced by 9–14% partial melting and subsequent carbonatite–melt metasomatism. Neither type shows a correlation between equilibration temperatures and Mg# in olivine, indicating that the lithospheric mantle is not compositionally stratified, but both types coexist at similar depths. This coexistence suggests that the residual refractory lithospheric mantle (i.e., Type 2 peridotites) may be irregularly eroded by upwelling asthenosphere materials along weak zones and eventually replaced to create a new and fertile lithosphere mantle (i.e., Type 1 xenoliths) as the asthenosphere cooled. Therefore, the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the lower Yangtze block shared a common evolutional dynamic environment with that beneath the eastern North China Craton during late Mesozoic–Cenozoic time.     

Hf–Nd isotopic decoupling in continental mantle lithosphere beneath Northeast China: Effects of pervasive mantle metasomatism

Nd–Hf isotopic decoupling has frequently been observed in the continental and oceanic mantle, but its origin remains controversial. Here we present combined elemental and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic study on peridotite xenoliths entrained in Cenozoic basalts from Shuangliao and Jiaohe in Northeast China, which provides insight into this issue. The data reveal a heterogeneous lithospheric mantle beneath Northeastern China, consisting of fertile (type I) to strongly refractory (type II) peridotites. Type I peridotites are largely shielded from late metasomatism, thus preserving information of depletion events. Nd model age suggests a Proterozoic lithospheric mantle beneath NE China. Type II peridotites are mostly refractory harzburgites and show ubiquitous enrichment of incompatible elements. They are further divided into two sub-groups. Clinopyroxenes from type IIa samples have high and wide Lu/Hf (0.34–1.3) and very radiogenic Hf isotopic ratios (ε_Hf = 44.4–63.8). Hf concentration is generally low (0.12–0.43 ppm) and plots along or slightly above the modeled partial melting depletion trend. In contrast, Nd content in type IIa clinopyroxenes is significantly higher than the modeled concentrations in residues at a given degree of melt depletion. The difference in enrichment of Hf and Nd translates to decoupling of Lu/Hf–Sm/Nd ratios and of Nd–Hf isotopes (ε_Nd = −1.3 to 8.4). Clinopyroxenes from most of type IIb peridotites have relatively low Lu/Hf ratios (0.04–0.24) and coupled Nd–Hf isotopes. Both Hf and Nd plot significantly above the depletion trend; their concentrations are governed by the equilibrium partitioning between percolating melt and peridotites. The distinct geochemical characteristics of type IIa and type IIb clinopyroxenes may have resulted from chromatographic percolation of small volumes of silicate melts, in which percolation fronts of incompatible elements are dependent on their relative incompatibilities.     

Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Compositions of Peridotite Xenoliths from Spitsbergen: Numerical Modelling Indicates Sr-Nd Decoupling in the Mantle by Melt Percolation Metasomatism

Several spinel peridotite xenoliths from Spitsbergen have Sr–Ndisotopic compositions that plot to the right of the ‘mantlearray’ defined by oceanic basalts and the DM end-member(depleted mantle, with low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd).These xenoliths also show strong fractionation of elements withsimilar compatibility (e.g. high La/Ce), which cannot be producedby simple mixing of light rare earth element-depleted peridotiteswith ocean island basalt-type or other enriched mantle melts.Numerical simulations of porous melt flow in spinel peridotitesapplied to Sr–Nd isotope compositions indicate that thesefeatures of the Spitsbergen peridotites can be explained bychemical fractionation during metasomatism in the mantle. ‘Chromatographic’effects of melt percolation create a transient zone where thehost depleted peridotites have experienced enrichment in Sr(with a radiogenic isotope composition) but not in Nd, thusproducing Sr–Nd decoupling mainly controlled by partitioncoefficients and abundances of Sr and Nd in the melt and theperidotite. Therefore, Sr–Nd isotope decoupling, earlierreported for some other mantle peridotites worldwide, may bea signature of metasomatic processes rather than a source-relatedcharacteristic, contrary to models that invoke mixing with hypotheticalSr-rich fluids derived from subducted oceanic lithosphere. Pbisotope compositions of the Spitsbergen xenoliths do not appearto be consistently affected by the metasomatism. KEY WORDS: Spitsbergen; lithospheric mantle; metasomatism; radiogenic isotopes; theoretical modelling     

Refertilization of ancient lithospheric mantle beneath the central North China Craton: Evidence from petrology and geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths

The petrology and geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths in the Cenozoic basalts from Fanshi, the central North China Craton (NCC), provide constraints on the evolution of sub-continental lithospheric mantle. These peridotite xenoliths are mainly spinel-facies lherzolites with minor harzburgites. The lherzolites are characterized by low forsterite contents in olivines (Fo < 91) and light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments in clinopyroxenes. In contrast, the harzburgites are typified by high-Fo olivines (> 91), high-Cr# spinels and clinopyroxenes with low abundances of heavy REE (HREE). These features are similar to those from old refractory lithospheric mantle around the world, and thus interpreted to be relics of old lithospheric mantle. The old lithospheric mantle has been chemically modified by the influx of melts, as evidenced by the Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of clinopyroxenes and relatively lower Fo contents than typical Archean lithospheric mantle (Fo > 92.5). The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of harzburgites are close to EM1-type mantle, and of the lherzolites are similar to bulk silicate earth. The latter could be the result of recent modification of old harzburgites by asthenospheric melt, which is strengthened by fertile compositions of minerals in the lherzolites. Therefore, the isotopic and chemical heterogeneities of the Fanshi peridotite xenoliths reflect the refertilization of ancient refractory lithospheric mantle by massive addition of asthenospheric melts. This may be an important mechanism for the lithospheric evolution beneath the Central NCC.     

The oxidation state of subcontinental mantle: oxygen thermobarometry of mantle xenoliths from central Asia

The oxygen fugacities of 48 mantle xenoliths from 5 localities in southern Siberia (USSR) and Mongolia have been determined. Ferric iron contents of spinels were measured by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and oxygen fugacities calculated from spinel-olivineorthopyroxene equilibrium. The samples studied represent the major types of upper mantle lithologies including spinel and garnet peridotites and pyroxenites, fertile and depleted peridotites and anhydrous and metasomatized samples which come from diverse tectonic settings. Extensive geochemical and isotope data are also available for these samples. Oxygen fugacity values for most central Asian xenoliths fall within the range observed in peridotite xenoliths from other continental regions at or slightly below the FMQ buffer. However, xenoliths from the Baikal rift zone are the most reduced among xenoliths for which Mössbauer data on spinels are available. They yield fO₂ values similar to those in oceanic peridotites and MORBs, while xenoliths in other occurrences have higher fO₂s. In general, the continental lithosperic mantle is more oxidized than MORB-like oceanic mantle. This difference seems to be due to incorporation of oxidized material into some parts of the subcontinental mantle as a result of subduction of oceanic crust. Garnet- and garnet-spinel lherzolites from the Baikal rift area have slightly higher oxygen fugacities than shallower spinel lherzolites. Oxygen fugacity does not appear to be correlated with the degree of depletion of peridotites, and its values in peridotites and pyroxenites are very much alike, suggesting that partial melting (at least at moderate degrees) takes place at essentially the same fO₂s that are now recorded by the residual material. Modally (amphibole- and phlogopitebearing) and cryptically metasomatized xenoliths from the Baikal rift zone give the same fO₂ values as depleted anhydrous peridotites, suggesting that solid-melt-fluid reactions in the continental rift mantle also take place without substantial change in redox state. This is in contrast to other tectonic environments where metasomatism appears to be associated with oxidation.     

Secular evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the eastern North China craton: evidence from peridotitic xenoliths from Late Cretaceous mafic rocks in the Jiaodong region,east-central China

The Mesozoic lithospheric mantle beneath the North China craton remains poorly constrained relative to its Palaeozoic and Cenozoic counterparts due to a lack of mantle xenoliths in volcanic rocks. Available data show that the Mesozoic lithospheric mantle was distinctive in terms of its major, trace element, and isotopic compositions. The recent discovery of mantle peridotitic xenoliths in Late Cretaceous mafic rocks in the Jiaodong region provides an opportunity to further quantify the nature and secular evolution of the Mesozoic lithospheric mantle beneath the region. These peridotitic xenoliths are all spinel-facies nodules and two groups, high-Mg# and low-Mg# types, can be distinguished based on textural and mineralogical features. High-Mg# peridotites have inequigranular textures, high Mg# (up to 92.2) in olivines, and high Cr# (up to 55) in spinels. Clinopyroxenes in the high-Mg# peridotites are generally LREE-enriched ((La/Yb)_N>1) with variable REE concentrations, and have enriched Sr–Nd isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7046–0.7087; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.5121–0.5126). We suggest that the high-Mg# peridotites are fragments of the Archaean and/or Proterozoic lithospheric mantle that underwent extensive interaction with both carbonatitic and silicate melts prior to or during Mesozoic time. The low-Mg# peridotites are equigranular, are typified by low Mg# ( < 90) in olivines, and by low Cr# ( < 12) in spinels. Clinopyroxenes from low-Mg# peridotites have low REE abundances (ΣREE = 12 ppm), LREE-depleted REE patterns ((La/Yb)_N < 1), and depleted Sr–Nd isotopic features, in contrast to the high-Mg# peridotites. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the low-Mg# peridotites represent samples from the newly accreted lithospheric mantle. Combined with the data of mantle xenoliths from the Junan and Daxizhuang areas, a highly heterogeneous, secular evolution of the lithosphere is inferred for the region in Late Cretaceous time.     

Evolution and composition of the lithospheric mantle underneath the western Arabian peninsula: constraints from Sr−Nd isotope systematics of mantle xenoliths

On the basis of their textures and mineral compositions spinel-peridotite xenoliths of the Cr-diopside group (group I) from Cenozoic volcanic fields of Arabia can be classified into different subtypes. Type IA is of lherzolitic to harzburgitic composition; mineral compositions are similar to those of group I mantle xenoliths from worldwide occurrences. Type IB xenoliths have lherzolitic to wehrlitic compositions; Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios of the clinopyroxenes (0.862–0.916) and olivines (0.872–0.914) are similar too or slightly lower than those of typical IA minerals. Texturally, type IB xenoliths are distinguished from type IA rocks by the presence of intragranular spinel, intragranular relict Cr-pargasite, and subordinate intergranular Ba-phlogopite (11.1% BaO). The hydrous minerals in type IB xenoliths are interpreted to document an earlier metasomatism 1 which did not affect type IA lithospheric mantle. Subsequent recrystallization caused the partial replacement of Cr-pargasite in type IB materials and resulted in the formation of less hydrous mineral assemblages. Some of the type IA xenoliths are characterized by secondary intergranular amphibole which must have formed recently. The absence or presence of this intergranular amphibole is used to distinguish an anhydrous subtype IA1 from a hydrous subtype IA2. Type IB xenoliths may also contain secondary intergranular amphibole (similar to the one in subtype IA2) or they contain abundant formermelt patches now consisting of glass and phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene, amphibole, and spinel. The secondary intergranular amphiboles and the former melt patches, both are interpreted as results of a second metasomatism (metasomatism 2). In their trace element and isotopic characteristics, type IA1 and type IA2 clinopyroxenes do not exhibit any systematic differences. Furthermore, type IA2 clinopyroxenes are in Sr isotopic disequilibrium with intergranular amphiboles. This suggests that type IA2 clinopyroxenes were not modified during the second metasomatism 2. All type IA clinopyroxenes have low Sr contents (100 ppm); most of them show Sm/Nd ratios higher than inferred for bulk earth. In their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, type IA clinopyroxenes exhibit a large spread from 0.70226–0.70376 and from 0.51375–0.51251, respectively. Highly variable Sr/Nd ratios (5.0–79.3) and variable T_UR and T_CHUR model age relationships require different evolutions of the respective mantle portions. Nevertheless, all but two type IA clinopyroxenes form a linear array in a Sm–Nd isochron diagram which probably can not be explained by mixing. If taken as an isochron the slope of the array corresponds to an age of around 700 Ma. The mean initial _Nd of 5.8±1.7 (1) is similar to values for juvenile Pan-African (i.e. 850–650 Ma old) crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield. It is suggested that type IA lithospheric mantle and the juvenile Pan-African crust are two counterparts fractionated from a common source during the earlier stages of the Pan-African. Type IB clinopyroxenes have high Sr contents (200 ppm), variable Sr/Nd ratios (9–111) and Sm/Nd ratios generally below that inferred for bulk earth, and show a small spread in their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (0.70299–0.70318 and 0.51285–0.51278, respectively). In a Sm–Nd isochron diagram the data points form a linear, horizontal array indicating a close-to-zero age for the earlier metasomatism 1 and suggesting a close genetic relationship to mantle processes related to the formation of the Red Sea.     

华北克拉通西部陆块北缘新生代岩石圈地幔特征的初步研究

凉城、四子王旗、三义堂和大同的地幔包体的岩石学和矿物的主、微量元素成分显示华北克拉通中、西部北缘总体为过渡型岩石圈地幔,为原始地幔经过不同程度的熔体抽取和后期交代富集作用的残留.凉城岩石圈地幔经历的熔体抽取程度最低,后期交代富集作用比较强烈,这与其橄榄岩中尖晶石的Cr#较低,并且共存的单斜辉石的Mg#较低一致.三义堂岩石圈地幔经历的熔体抽取程度最高,后期交代富集作用最强烈,不同样品甚至同一样品中不同单斜辉石颗粒的La/Yb和LREE配分模式变化范围非常大,且矿物边部比核部更富集微量元素.大同、四子王旗岩石圈地幔经历的熔体抽取程度介于凉城和三义堂之间,但后期的交代富集作用明显不如凉城和三义堂强烈.研究区的岩石圈地幔主要受硅酸盐熔体交代作用的影响,只有三义堂岩石圈地幔还可能也受到了碳酸盐交代作用的影响.     

Controls on magmatism in an island arc environment: study of lavas and sub-arc xenoliths from the Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni island chain, Papua New Guinea

The Tabar–Lihir–Tanga–Feni (TLTF) islands of Papua New Guinea mainly comprise high-K calc-alkaline and silica undersaturated alkaline rocks that have geochemical features typical for subduction-related magmatism. Numerous sedimentary, mafic, and ultramafic xenoliths recovered from Tubaf seamount, located on the flank of Lihir Island, provide a unique opportunity to study the elemental and isotopic composition of the crust and mantle wedge beneath the arc and to evaluate their relationships to the arc magmatism in the region. The sedimentary and mafic xenoliths show that the crust under the islands is composed of sedimentary sequences and oceanic crust with Pacific affinity. A majority of the ultramafic xenoliths contain features indicating wide spread metasomatism in the mantle wedge under the TLTF arc. Leaching experiments reveal that the metasomatized ultramafic xenoliths contain discrete labile phases that can account for up to 50% or more of elements such as Cu, Zn, Rb, U, Pb, and light REE (rare-earth elements), most likely introduced in the xenoliths via hydrous fluids released from a subducted slab. The leaching experiments demonstrated that the light REE enrichment pattern can be more or less removed from the metasomatized xenoliths and the residual phases exhibit REE patterns that range from flat to light REE depleted. Sr–Nd isotopic data for the ultramafic residues show a coupled behavior of increasing ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr with decreasing ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios. The labile phases in the ultramafic xenoliths, represented by the leachates, show decoupling between Sr and Nd with distinctly more radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr than the residues. Both leachates and residues exhibit very wide range in their Pb isotopic compositions, indicating the involvement of three components in the mantle wedge under the TLTF islands. Two of the components can be identified as Pacific Oceanic mantle and Pacific sediments. Some of the ultramafic samples and clinopyroxene separates, however, exhibit relatively low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb at elevated ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb suggesting that the third component is either Indian Ocean-type mantle or Australian subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Geochemical data from the ultramafic xenoliths indicate that although the mantle wedge in the area was extensively metasomatized, it did not significantly contribute to the isotopic and incompatible trace element compositions of TLTF lavas. Compared to the mantle samples, the TLTF lavas have very restricted Pb isotopic compositions that lie within the Pacific MORB range, indicating that magma compositions were dominated by melts released from a stalled subducted slab with Pacific MORB affinity. Interaction of slab melts with depleted peridotitic component in the mantle wedge, followed by crystal fractionation most likely generated the geochemical characteristics of the lavas in the area. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Composition and evolution of lithosphere beneath the Carpathian–Pannonian Region: a review

Our knowledge of the lithosphere beneath the Carpathian–Pannonian Region (CPR) has been greatly improved through petrologic, geochemical and isotopic studies of upper mantle xenoliths hosted by Neogene–Quaternary alkali basalts. These basalts occur at the edge of the Intra-Carpathian Basin System (Styrian Basin, Nógrád-Gömör and Eastern Transylvanian Basin) and its central portion (Little Hungarian Plain, Bakony-Balaton Highland).The xenoliths are mostly spinel lherzolites, accompanied by subordinate pyroxenites, websterites, wehrlites, harzburgites and dunites. The peridotites represent residual mantle material showing textural and geochemical evidence for a complex history of melting and recrystallization, irrespective of location within the region. The lithospheric mantle is more deformed in the center of the studied area than towards the edges. The deformation may be attributed to a combination of extension and asthenospheric upwelling in the late Tertiary, which strongly affected the central part of CPR subcontinental lithosphere.The peridotite xenoliths studied show bulk compositions in the following range: 35–48 wt.% MgO, 0.5–4.0 wt.% CaO and 0.2–4.5 wt.% Al₂O₃ with no significant differences in regard to their geographical location. On the other hand, mineral compositions, particularly of clinopyroxene, vary according to xenolith texture. Clinopyroxenes from less deformed xenoliths show higher contents of ‘basaltic’ major elements compared to the more deformed xenoliths. However, clinopyroxenes in more deformed xenoliths are relatively enriched in strongly incompatible trace elements such as light rare earth elements (LREE).Modal metasomatic products occur as both hydrous phases, including pargasitic and kearsutitic amphiboles and minor phlogopitic micas, and anhydrous phases — mostly clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. Vein material is dominated by the two latter phases but may also include amphibole. Amphibole mostly occurs as interstitial phases, however, and is more common than phlogopite. Most metasomatized peridotites show chemical and (sometimes) textural evidence for re-equilibration between metasomatic and non-metasomatic phases. However, amphiboles in pyroxenites are sometimes enriched in K, Fe and LREE. The presence of partially crystallized melt pockets (related to amphiboles and clinopyroxenes) in both peridotites and pyroxenites is an indication of decompression melting and, rarely, incipient partial melting triggered by migrating hydrous melts or fluids. Metasomatic contaminants may be ascribed to contemporaneous subduction beneath the Carpathian–Pannonian Region between the Eocene and Miocene.Sulfide inclusions are more abundant in protogranular and porphyroclastic xenoliths relative to equigranular types. In mantle lithologies, sulfide bleb compositions vary between pentlandite and pyrrhotite correlating with the chemistry and texture of the host xenoliths. While sulfides in peridotites are relatively rich in Ni, those in clinopyroxene-rich xenoliths are notably Fe-rich.     

Iron isotope variations in spinel peridotite xenoliths from North China Craton: implications for mantle metasomatism

Iron isotopes, together with mineral elemental compositions of spinel peridotite xenoliths and clinopyroxenites from Hannuoba and Hebi Cenozoic alkaline basalts, were analyzed to investigate iron isotopic features of the lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton. The results show that the Hannuoba spinel peridotite xenoliths have small but distinguishable Fe isotopic variations. Overall variations in δ⁵⁷Fe are in a range of ?0.25 to 0.14‰ for olivine, ?0.17 to 0.17‰ for orthopyroxene, ?0.21 to 0.27‰ for clinopyroxene, and ?0.16 to 0.26‰ for spinel, respectively. Clinopyroxene has the heaviest iron isotopic ratio and olivine the lightest within individual sample. No clear linear relationships between the mineral pairs on “δ-δ” plot suggest that iron isotopes of mineral separates analyzed have been affected largely by some open system processes. The broadly negative correlations between mineral iron isotopes and metasomatic indexes such as spinel Cr#, (La/Yb)_N ratios of clinopyroxenes suggest that iron isotopic variations in different minerals and peridotites were probably produced by mantle metasomatism. The Hebi phlogopite-bearing lherzolite, which is significantly modified by metasomatic events, appears to be much heavier isotopically than clinopyroxene-poor lherzolite. This study further confirms previous conclusions that the lithospheric mantle has distinguishable and heterogeneous iron isotopic variations at the xenoliths scale. Mantle metasomatism is the most likely cause for the iron isotope variations in mantle peridotites.     

He, Sr and Nd isotopes of mantle-derived xenoliths in volcanic rocks of NE China

Abundances and isotopic ratios of He and isotopic ratios of Sr and Nd have been measured for 18 mantle-derived xenoliths from three Cenozoic volcanic provinces in NE China. The xenoliths are characterized by low He concentrations (2.3×10⁻⁹–2.5×10⁻⁷ cm³ STP g⁻¹) and large variations of ³He/⁴He ratios (1.6×10⁻⁷–15.8×10⁻⁶ or R/Ra=0.1–11). ³He/⁴He, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios in xenoliths from Kuandian Holocene volcanic provinces are consistent with those observed in mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB), indicating that the source of He–Sr–Nd in the lithospheric mantle is chemically and isotopically identical to that of MORB reservoir. However, xenoliths in Huinan Pleisteocene–Holocene volcanic province are characterized by slightly low ³He/⁴He ratios (R/Ra=4.3–6.5) and more radiogenic Sr and Nd. The age-corrected ³He/⁴He ratios suggest that their time-integrated ratio of (U+Th)/³He is slightly elevated compared to the depleted upper mantle. The Hannuoba xenoliths in the Miocene volcanic province show much lower and wider variable ³He/⁴He ratios, which is most likely caused by in situ radiogenic ⁴He accumulation since it erupted on to the surface. The He–Sr–Nd results suggest chemical and isotopical heterogeneity in the subcontinental mantle beneath NE China.     

Timing of Precambrian melt depletion and Phanerozoic refertilization events in the lithospheric mantle of the Wyoming Craton and adjacent Central Plains Orogen

Garnet peridotite xenoliths from the Sloan kimberlite (Colorado) are variably depleted in their major magmaphile (Ca, Al) element compositions with whole rock Re-depletion model ages generally consistent with this depletion occurring in the mid-Proterozoic. Unlike many lithospheric peridotites, the Sloan samples are also depleted in incompatible trace elements, as shown by the composition of separated garnet and clinopyroxene. Most of the Sloan peridotites have intermineral Sm–Nd and Lu–Hf isotope systematics consistent with this depletion occurring in the mid-Proterozoic, though the precise age of this event is poorly defined. Thus, when sampled by the Devonian Sloan kimberlite, the compositional characteristics of the lithospheric mantle in this area primarily reflected the initial melt extraction event that presumably is associated with crust formation in the Proterozoic—a relatively simple history that may also explain the cold geotherm measured for the Sloan xenoliths.

The Williams and Homestead kimberlites erupted through the Wyoming Craton in the Eocene, near the end of the Laramide Orogeny, the major tectonomagmatic event responsible for the formation of the Rocky Mountains in the late Cretaceous–early Tertiary. Rhenium-depletion model ages for the Homestead peridotites are mostly Archean, consistent with their origin in the Archean lithospheric mantle of the Wyoming Craton. Both the Williams and Homestead peridotites, however, clearly show the consequences of metasomatism by incompatible-element-rich melts. Intermineral isotope systematics in both the Homestead and Williams peridotites are highly disturbed with the Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of the minerals being dominated by the metasomatic component. Some Homestead samples preserve an incompatible element depleted signature in their radiogenic Hf isotopic compositions. Sm–Nd tie lines for garnet and clinopyroxene separates from most Homestead samples provide Mesozoic or younger “ages” suggesting that the metasomatism occurred during the Laramide. Highly variable Rb–Sr and Lu–Hf mineral “ages” for these same samples suggest that the Homestead peridotites did not achieve intermineral equilibrium during this metasomatism. This indicates that the metasomatic overprint likely was introduced shortly before kimberlite eruption through interaction of the peridotites with the host kimberlite, or petrogenetically similar magmas, in the Wyoming Craton lithosphere.     

云南马关地区岩石圈地幔组成和年龄:地幔橄榄岩包体的Re-Os同位素限制

本文对马关地区新生代碱性玄武岩中的地幔包体进行了系统的岩石学和地球化学研究,并首次进行了包体的Re-Os同位素测试。马关地区的橄榄岩包体主量成分上表现为饱满肥沃的特征;具有不同程度的轻稀土亏损特征,亏损Nb、Ti和Zr等高场强元素(HFSE)以及Ba等大离子亲石元素(LILE);橄榄岩包体的Nd同位素特征表明橄榄岩包体代表的是不均一的亏损地幔。5个橄榄岩全岩样品的Re-Os同位素分析结果表明,样品的Os含量总体较高(3.29×10^-9~3.78×10^-9),接近于造山带橄榄岩体的Os含量,Re含量变化范围较大(0.24×10^-9~0.54×10^-9),与Re的迁移能力较强有关。样品的¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os值在0.12295~0.12530之间变化,与¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os值和Al₂O₃含量之间都不存在较好的相关性,说明Re-Os体系不单纯由熔体抽取过程所控制。橄榄岩包体的Re亏损年龄t_RD为254~604Ma,说明马关地区岩石圈地幔形成的时代应该在新元古代之前。马关地区岩石圈地幔并非是由软流圈上涌新增生的地幔,而是经历了如下演化历史:在新元古代之前,由原始地幔的部分熔融和熔体抽取作用形成了岩石圈地幔,之后经历了熔/流体交代和改造而发生了再富集作用,导致部分地幔橄榄岩逐渐从亏损难熔的特征向饱满肥沃转变,而未遭受熔/流体的改造的橄榄岩仍然保持了难熔亏损的特征。这种熔/流体交代和改造作用很可能与晚二叠纪峨眉山地幔柱的活动有关,而新生代以来印度-亚洲大陆碰撞导致地幔物质向东南方向的侧向流动,诱发软流圈上涌和马关地区的钾质岩浆的活动,也对马关地区岩石圈地幔的改造具有重要的影响,但由于喷发时间较新对Os同位素组成的影响还未显现出来。     

湘南中生代橄榄岩包体的Nd同位素组成及成因意义

湘南地区四组中生代橄榄岩包体单斜辉石（ｃｐｘ）Ｎｄ同位素分析结果表明橄榄岩包体具极为亏损的Ｎｄ同位素组成。其中前三组样品的ｔＤＭ年龄分别为２．１９,１．４４和１．８３Ｇａ,另一样品９３Ｔｉ－１８则受到后期改造且发生了ＬＲＥＥ富集作用。     

Carbonatite and Alkaline Magmatism in Taourirt (Morocco): Petrological, Geochemical and Sr-Nd Isotope Characteristics

Alkaline lamprophyre dykes from Taourirt (North Morocco) containnumerous xenoliths, ranging from alkaline pyroxenites, kaersutitites,gabbros and nepheline syenites to a calcite carbonatite. Thesilicate xenoliths and the host rocks consist of Al- and Ti-richdiopside–salite, mica or kaersutitite, ± nepheline,± plagioclase and K-feldspar, and ubiquitous apatite.Both the xenoliths and the lamprophyres are enriched in incompatibleelements. The chemical composition of the lamprophyres cannotbe accounted for by fractional crystallization alone. Moreover,the clinopyroxenes exhibit complex zoning, which requires repeatedmixing of pulses of more or less fractionated melts. The carbonatiteis a sövite cumulate with Sr-rich calcite, pyrochlore,fluorapatite, and rare salite. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositionsof the Taourirt rocks indicate a depleted mantle source, thecarbonatite having the most depleted composition, and definea linear trend similar to that of the East African carbonatites.The different rocks thus represent unrelated magmas, and thetrend is interpreted as mixing between two components with HIMUand EM1 mantle end-member signatures. An EM2 mantle componentcould also be involved for a few samples; it may correspondto hydrous metasomatized mantle of the PP–PKP (phlogopiteand phlogopite K-richterite peridotite) and MARID (mica, amphibole,rutile, ilmenite and diopside) type. KEY WORDS: alkaline magmatism; carbonatite; Morocco; REE; Sr–Nd isotopes     

The age of continental roots

Determination of the age of the mantle part of continental roots is essential to our understanding of the evolution and stability of continents. Dating the rocks that comprise the mantle root beneath the continents has proven difficult because of their high equilibration temperatures and open-system geochemical behaviour. Much progress has been made in the last 20 years that allows us to see how continental roots have evolved in different areas. The first indication of the antiquity of continental roots beneath cratons came from the enriched Nd and Sr isotopic signatures shown by both peridotite xenoliths and inclusions in diamonds, requiring isolation of cratonic roots from the convecting mantle for billions of years. The enriched Nd and Sr isotopic signatures result from mantle metasomatic events post-dating the depletion events that led to the formation and isolation of the peridotite from convecting mantle. These signatures document a history of melt– and fluid–rock interaction within the lithospheric mantle. In some suites of cratonic rocks, such as eclogites, Nd and Pb isotopes have been able to trace probable formation ages. The Re–Os isotope system is well suited to dating lithospheric peridotites because of the compatible nature of Os and its relative immunity to post-crystallisation disturbance compared with highly incompatible element isotope systems. Os isotopic compositions of lithospheric peridotites are overwhelmingly unradiogenic and indicate long-term evolution in low Re/Os environments, probably as melt residues. Peridotite xenoliths from kimberlites can show some disturbed Re/Os systematics but analyses of representative suites show that beneath cratons the oldest Re depletion model ages are Archean and broadly similar to major crust-forming events. Some locations, such as Premier in southern Africa, and Lashaine in Tanzania, indicate more recent addition of lithospheric material to the craton, in the Proterozoic, or later. Of the cratons studies so far (Kaapvaal, Siberia, Wyoming and Tanzania), all indicate Archean formation of their lithospheric mantle roots. Few localities studied show any clear variation of age with depth of derivation, indicating that >150 km of lithosphere may have formed relatively rapidly. In circum-cratonic areas where the crustal basement is Proterozoic in age kimberlite-derived xenoliths give Proterozoic model ages, matching the age of the overlying crust. This behaviour shows how the crust and mantle parts of continental lithospheric roots have remained coupled since formation in these areas, for billions of years, despite continental drift. Orogenic massifs show more systematic behaviour of Re–Os isotopes, where correlations between Os isotopic composition and S or Re content yield initial Os isotopic ratios that define Re depletion model ages for the massifs. Ongoing Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf–Os isotopic studies of massif peridotites and new kimberlite- and basalt-borne xenolith suites from new areas, will soon enable a global understanding of the age of continental roots and their subsequent evolution.     

Geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions of mantle xenoliths from the Monte Vulture carbonatite–melilitite volcano, central southern Italy

Spinel peridotite xenoliths found in the Monte Vulture carbonatite-melilitite volcano have been derived from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath central southern Italy. Clinopyroxene-poor lherzolites and harzburgites are the most common rock types, with subordinate wehrlites and dunites. Small quantities of phlogopite and carbonate are present in a few samples. The peridotites record a large degree of partial melting and have experienced subsequent enrichment which has increased their LILE and LREE contents, but in most cases their HFSE contents are low. Despite being carried to the surface by a carbonatite-melilitite host, the whole-rock and clinopyroxene compositions of the xenoliths have a trace-element signature more closely resembling that of silicate-melt metasomatised mantle rather than carbonatite-metasomatised peridotites. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic ratios for clinopyroxene from the Vulture peridotites are 0.7042-0.7058 and 0.51260-0.5131 respectively. They form a trend away from the depleted mantle to the composition of the host magmas, and show a significant enrichment in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr compared with most European mantle samples. The mantle beneath Monte Vulture has had a complex evolution - we propose that the lithosphere had already undergone extensive partial melting before being affected by metasomatism from a silicate melt which may have been subduction-related.