Graphite- and diamond-bearing eclogite xenoliths from the Bellsbank kimberlites,Northern Cape,South Africa

 One diamond-bearing and eight graphite-bearing eclogite xenoliths are described from the Bellsbank kimberlites, Cape Province, South Africa. Graphite mostly occurs as discrete grains which are commonly in the form of tabular prisms. Diamond is octahedral. Both Group I and Group II eclogite varieties are represented by the graphite-bearing specimens, while the single diamond-bearing eclogite is of the Group I variety. The carbon isotopic composition of the graphite varies from δ¹³C=−7‰ to δ¹³C=−2.8‰. This is within the range of carbon isotopic compositions for inclusion-free diamonds in kimberlite from this locality, suggesting that the carbon for the eclogites as well as some of the kimberlite diamonds are derived from the same source. The present day Nd isotopic compositions of clinopyroxene from three graphite-bearing xenoliths are slightly higher than the bulk earth estimate. Sr isotopic compositions of the clinopyroxene in these xenoliths vary from ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.703 to ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.706. This could be due to derivation of the xenoliths from a protolith with variable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic composition or could be the result of mixing between a low-Sr, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr component and a high Sr, low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr component. Received: 1 June 1994/Accepted: 6 March 1995     

Origin of coexisting minette and ultramafic breccia,Navajo volcanic field

Trace element evidence indicates that at the Buell Park diatreme, Navajo volcanic field, the felsic minette can be best explained by crystal fractionation from a potassic magma similar in composition to the mafic minettes. Compatible trace element (Cr, Ni, Sc) abundances decrease while concentrations of most incompatible elements (Ce, Yb, Rb, Ba, Sr) remain constant or increase from mafic to felsic minette. In particular, the nearly constant Ce/Yb ratio of the minettes combined with the decrease in Cr, Ni, and Sc abundances from mafic to felsic minette is inconsistent with a model of varying amounts of partial melting as the process to explain minette compositions. The uniformity of rare earth element (REE) abundances in all the minettes requires that an accessory mineral, apatite, dominated the geochemistry of the REE during fractionation. A decrease in P₂O₅ from mafic to felsic minette and the presence of apatite in cognate inclusions are also consistent with apatite fractionation. Higher initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the felsic minettes relative to the proposed parental mafic minettes, however, is inconsistent with a simple fractionation model. Also, a separated phlogopite has a higher initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio than host minette. These anomalous isotopic features probably reflect interaction of minette magma with crust.The associated ultramafic breccia at Buell Park is one of the Navajo kimberlites, but REE concentrations of the matrix do not support the kimberlite classification. Although the matrix of the breccia is enriched in the light REE relative to chondrites, and has high La, Rb, Ba, and Sr concentrations relative to peridotites, the concentrations of these elements are significantly lower than in South African kimberlites. A high initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio combined with petrographic evidence of ubiquitous crustal xenoliths in the Navajo kimberlites suggests that the relatively high incompatible element concentrations are due to a crustal component. Apparently, Navajo kimberlites are most likely a mixture of comminuted mantle wall rock and crustal material; there is no evidence for an incompatible element-rich magma which is characteristic of South African kimberlites.If the mafic minettes are primary magmas derived from a garnet peridotite source with chondritic REE abundances, then REE geochemistry requires very small (less than 1%) degrees of melting to explain the minettes. Alternatively, the minettes could have formed by a larger degree of melting of a metasomatized, relatively light REE-enriched garnet peridotite. The important role of phlogopite and apatite in the differentiation of the minettes supports this latter hypothesis.     

Isotopic composition of strontium in Indian kimberlites

Strontium isotopic studies on twenty three whole rock kimberlites from two petrographic provinces in India show variation of initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios from 0.7027 to 0.7102. The variation is unrelated to the degree of alteration. Between the micaceous and basaltic varieties there is some overlap in the Sr isotopic ratios. Leaching experiments on whole rock samples showed more highly radiogenic Sr in leaches compared to the bulk samples.In two diatremes, the initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios show a positive correlation with $\text{Rb}\text{Sr}$ which is believed to reflect a source event earlier than the formation of the kimberlites. The observed Sr isotopic data can be caused by (i) melting of a heterogeneous source or (ii) disequilibrium partial melting in the source region. In the former case, variable isotopic composition would be a necessary consequence of melting in small subsystems.     

Diamond resource potential of kimberlites from the Zimny Bereg field,Arkhangel’sk oblast

Kimberlites with different diamond grades from the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences of the Zimny Bereg field (Arkangel’sk oblast) have been compared in order to ascertain geochemical criteria of their diamond resource potential. A new collection of 21 core samples taken within a depth interval of 207–940 m from nine boreholes drilled in the central and western portions of the high-grade diamond-bearing Grib kimberlite pipe was subjected to comprehensive petrographic and geochemical examination, including Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes and trace elements determined with ICP-MS. The compositional variations in kimberlites are controlled by the structural types of rocks. Porphyritic kimberlite (PK) distinctly differs from autolithic kimberlite breccia (AKB). Autoliths (Av) and PK are enriched in Th, U, Nb, Ta, La, Ce, Pr, P, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ti, LREE, and MREE, whereas HREE contents are rather uniform in all types of kimberlites. No lateral zoning was observed in pipes pertaining to the same structural type. The composition of kimberlites in the Zimny Bereg field and their diamond resource potential are variable. In the series of the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences, the Ti content increases, the La/Yb ratio grows from 18–44 to 70–130, and the diamond grade diminishes in the Kepina occurrence. The variations in kimberlite compositions are considered in terms of the degree of partial melting in the mantle, the role of volatiles, etc. As follows from the variation in the Ce/Y ratio, kimberlites from the Zolotitsa occurrence were formed at a lower degree of partial melting in comparison with the Kepina occurrence. Products of different degrees of partial melting are recognized within the Grib pipe; Av were likely formed at a somewhat higher degree of melting than AKB. An appreciable isotopic heterogeneity of the mantle is recorded in variable Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of kimberlites. The Kepina kimberlites were derived from a source slightly depleted relative to CHUR (?_Nd(t) reaches +4) and are close to kimberlites of group I in South Africa. Kimberlites from the Grib pipe with transitional Nd isotopic composition plotted near the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) value in the ?_Nd(t)-?_Sr(t) diagram adjoin the first group. The source of kimberlites of the Zolotitsa occurrence falls in the field of enriched mantle and is considered to be a product of interaction of an asthenospheric plume with the ancient enriched lithospheric mantle. Kimberlites depleted in Ti, Zr, and Th are related to a source formed as a result of a multistage process that included mantle metasomatism with participation of fluids. Devonian kimberlites derived from sources that involve crustal material (a shift of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, minimums of Th, U, Nb, and Ta contents) are diamond-bearing both in the East European Platform (the Zolotitsa and Verkhotina occurrences) and in the Siberian Craton (the Nakyn field).     

The petrogenesis of group 2 ultrapotassic kimberlites from Finsch Mine, South Africa

Major, trace element and radiogenic isotope results are presented for a suite of hypabyssal kimberlites from a single pipe, at the Finsch Mine, South Africa. These are Group 2 kimberlites characterised by abundant phlogopite ± serpentine ± diopside; they are ultrabasic (SiO₂ < 42 wt.%%) and ultrapotassic (K₂O/Na₂O > 6.9) igneous rocks, they exhibit a wide range in major element chemistry with SiO₂ = 27.6−41.9 wt. % and MgO = 10.4−33.4 wt. %. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i=0.7089 to 0.7106, ε_{Nd is} −6.2 to −9.7 and they have unradiogenic (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i contents which ensure that they plot below the Pb-ore growth curve. They have high incompatible and compatible element contents, a striking positive array between Y and Nb which indicates that garnet was not involved in the within suite differentiation processes, and a negative trend between K/Nb and Nb contents which suggests that phlogopite was involved. In addition, some elements exhibit an unexpected order of relative incompatibility for different trace elements which suggests that the intra-kimberlite variations are not primarily due to variations in the degree of partial melting. The effects of fractional crystallization are difficult to establish because for the most part they have been masked by the entrainment of 50–60% mantle peridotite. Thus, the Finsch kimberlites are interpreted as mixtures of a melt component and entrained garnet peridotite, with no evidence for significant contamination with crustal material. The melt component was characterised by high incompatible element contents, which require both very small degrees of partial melting, and source regions with higher incompatible element contents than depleted or primitive mantle. Since the melt component was the principal source of incompatible elements in the kimberlite magma, the enriched Nd, Sr and Pb isotope ratios of the kimberlite are characteristic of the melt source region. The melt fractions were therefore derived from ancient, trace elements enriched portions of the upper mantle, most probably situated within the sub-continental mantle lithosphere, and different from the low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr garnet peridotite xenoliths found at Finsch. Within the sub-continental mantle lithosphere old, incompatible element enriched source regions for the kimberlite melt fraction are inferred to have been overlain by depleted mantle material which became entrained in the kimberlite magma.     

A petrogenetic model for the igneous complex in the Spanish Peaks region,Colorado

Twenty representative rocks ranging from lamprophyric to granitic composition, from the Spanish Peaks igneous Complex, south-central Colorado, were analyzed for Sr isotopic compositions and their concentrations of K, Rb, Sr and Ba. The various igneous rocks from this Cenozoic complex do not have a comagmatic relationship from the evidence of their Sr isotopic compositions. Due to the generally low Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ isotopic ratios, the possibility of the highly radiogenic underlying Precambrian basement as the source of magma generation can be ruled out. The sources for the magmas of this igneous complex must be in the upper mantle or the lower crust. Model calculations using elemental distribution coefficients and assumed mantle materials suggest that the abundant lamprophyric magmas in this region could be derived from a phlogopite-bearing hornblende peridotite by a small degree of partial melting (<5%) at lower pressure environment (<50 km). Other possibilities for lamprophyric magma generation were also examined. The slightly higher Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios observed in the granitic rocks are interpreted as reflecting the nature of this source-the lower crust. Alternatively, they may suggest a limited contamination of the original liquid by upper crustal material. For the entire igneous complex, mixing of two independent magmas, lymprophyric and granitic, is suggested to be the mechanism responsible for the complicated and diverse chemical characteristics.     

Characterisation of primary and secondary carbonates in hypabyssal kimberlites: an integrated compositional and Sr-isotopic approach

Carbonates in fresh hypabyssal kimberlites worldwide have been studied to understand their origin [i.e. primary magmatic (high T) versus deuteric (‘low T’) versus hydrothermal/alteration (‘low T’)] and identify optimal strategies for petrogenetic studies of kimberlitic carbonates. The approach presented here integrates detailed textural characterisation, cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, in situ major- and trace-element analysis, as well as in situ Sr-isotope analysis. The results reveal a wide textural diversity. Calcite occurs as fine-grained groundmass, larger laths, segregations, veins or as a late crystallising phase, replacing olivine or early carbonates. Different generations of carbonates commonly coexist in the same kimberlite, each one defined by a characteristic texture, CL response and composition (e.g., variable Sr and Ba concentrations). In situ Sr isotope analysis revealed a magmatic signature for most of the carbonates, based on comparable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values between these carbonates and the coexisting perovskite, a robust magmatic phase. However, this study also shows that in situ Sr isotope analysis not always allow distinction between primary (i.e., magmatic) and texturally secondary carbonates within the same sample. Carbonates with a clear secondary origin (e.g., late-stage veins) occasionally show the same moderately depleted ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of primary carbonates and coexisting perovskite (e.g., calcite laths-shaped crystals with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values identical within uncertainty to those of vein calcite in the De Beers kimberlite). This complexity emphasises the necessity of integrating detailed petrography, geochemical and in situ Sr isotopic analyses for an accurate interpretation of carbonate petrogenesis in kimberlites. Therefore, the complex petrogenesis of carbonates demonstrated here not only highlights the compositional variability of kimberlites, but also raises concerns about the use of bulk-carbonate C-O isotope studies to characterise the parental melt compositions. Conversely, our integrated textural and in situ study successfully identifies the most appropriate (i.e. primary) carbonates for providing constraints on the isotopic parameters of parental kimberlite magmas.

     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of Devonian ultramafic minor intrusions of the southern Kola Peninsula, Russia: implications for the petrogenesis of kimberlites and melilitites

Minor magmatic intrusions of kimberlite, melilitite and cpx-melilitite occur in the southern part of the Kola Peninsula, Russia, on the Terskii Coast and near the town of Kandalaksha. They yield K-Ar ages of 382 ± 14 Ma and 365 ± 16 Ma, similar to the magmatic rocks from the Kola Alkaline Province. The Terskii Coast kimberlites have mineralogical and geochemical affinities with group 1 kimberlites, whereas the Kandalaksha monticellite kimberlite more closely resembles calcite kimberlites. The lower Al₂O₃ content in the Kola kimberlites indicates a strongly depleted harzburgitic source, while higher Al₂O₃ in the melilitites suggests a lherzolitic source. The Terskii Coast kimberlites are anomalously potassic and significantly enriched in P and Ba compared to other group 1 kimberlites. In contrast, the melilitites are sodic and are anomalously depleted in P compared to worldwide melilitites. Trace element patterns of the Kola kimberlites and melilitites indicate the presence of K- and P-rich phases in the mantle source. To account for the K-troughs shown by both magma types, a K-rich phase such as phlogopite is thought to be residual in their sources; however, the anomalous K-enrichment in the Terskii Coast kimberlites may indicate that an additional metasomatic K-rich phase (e.g. K-richterite and/or a complex K-Ba-phosphate) existed in the kimberlite source. The P-depletion in the melilitites may suggest that a phosphate phase such as apatite remained residual in the melilititic source. However, anomalous P-enrichment in the kimberlites cannot be explained by complete melting of the same phase because the kimberlites are a smaller degree melt; thus, it is most likely that another metasomatic phosphate mineral existed in the source of the kimberlites. The Kola kimberlites and melilitites are all strongly LREE-enriched but the kimberlites have a steeper REE pattern and are significantly more depleted in HREE, indicating a higher proportion of garnet in their source. Higher Nb/Y ratios and lower SiO₂ values in the kimberlites indicate that they were a smaller degree partial melt than the melilitites. The presence of diamonds in the Terskii Coast kimberlites indicates a relatively deep origin, while the melilitites originated from shallower depth. The non-diamondiferous Kandalaksha monticellite kimberlite has lower abundances of all incompatible trace elements, suggesting a higher degree of partial melting and/or a less enriched and shallower source than the Terskii Coast kimberlites. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i and Pb isotope compositions confirm that the Terskii Coast kimberlites have close affinities with group 1 kimberlites and were derived from an asthenospheric mantle source, while the Kandalaksha monticellite kimberlite and Terskii Coast melilitites were derived from lithospheric mantle. Impact of a Devonian asthenospheric mantle plume on the base of the Archaean-Proterozoic lithosphere of the Kola Peninsula caused widespread emplacement of kimberlites, melilitites, ultramafic lamprophyres and other more fractionated alkaline magmas. The nature of the mantle affected by metasomatism associated with the plume and, in particular, the depth of melting and the stability of the metasomatic phases, gave rise to the observed differences between kimberlites and the related melilitites and other magmas. Received: 3 March 1997 / Accepted: 7 October 1997     

Petrography,Sr-isotope geochemistry and geochronology of the Nxau Nxau kimberlites,north-west Botswana

The Nxau Nxau kimberlites in northwest Botswana belong to the Xaudum kimberlite province that also includes the Sikereti, Kaudom and Gura kimberlite clusters in north-east Namibia. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites lie on the southernmost extension of the Congo Craton, which incorporates part of the Damara Orogenic Belt on its margin. The Xaudum kimberlite province is geographically isolated from other known clusters but occurs within the limits of the NW-SE oriented, Karoo-aged Okavango Dyke Swarm and near NE-SW faults interpreted as the early stages of the East African Rift System. Petrographic, geochronological and isotopic studies were undertaken to characterise the nature of these kimberlites and the timing of their emplacement. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites exhibit groundmass textures, mineral phases and Sr-isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i of 0.7036 ± 0.0002; 2σ) that are characteristic of archetypal (Group I) kimberlites. U-Pb perovskite, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phlogopite and Rb-Sr phlogopite ages indicate that the kimberlites were emplaced in the Cretaceous, with perovskite from four samples yielding a preferred weighted average U-Pb age of 84 ± 4 Ma (2σ). This age is typical of many kimberlites in southern Africa, indicating that the Xaudum occurrences form part of this widespread Late Cretaceous kimberlite magmatic province. This time marks a significant period of tectonic stress reorganisation that could have provided the trigger for kimberlite magmatism. In this regard, the Nxau Nxau kimberlites may form part of a NE-SW oriented trend such as the Lucapa corridor, with implications for further undiscovered kimberlites along this corridor.

     

Nd,Sr, Pb,Ar, and 0 isotopic systematics of Sturgeon Lake kimberlite,Saskatchewan, Canada: constraints on emplacement age,alteration, and source composition

Rb-Sr isotopic dating of phlogopite megacryst samples separated from Sturgeon Lake kimberlite, Saskatchewan, yields a crystallization age of 98±1 Ma (2 , MSWD=1.2; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(t)=0.7059). The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analyses of a phlogopite megacryst sample indicate the presence of large amounts of excess ⁴⁰Ar and yield an excessively old age of 410 Ma. Assessment of the Ar data using isotope correlation plots indicates clustering of the data points about a mixing line between the radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar component at 98 Ma and a trapped component with uniform ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar and Cl/⁴⁰Ar. Values of {ie212-1} as high as +20%. (VSMOW) for calcite from the groundmass and a whole-rock sample indicate pervasive lowtemperature alteration. The {ie212-2} of matrix carbonate is-11.3%. (PDB), slightly lighter than typical values from the literature. The {ie212-3} values of about +5%. (VSMOW) for brown phlogopite megacrysts may be primary, green phlogopites are interpreted to be an alteration product of the brown variety and are 2%. heavier. Initial Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic ratios for a whole-rock sample {ie212-4}; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7063, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=18.67, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=15.54, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb=38.97) suggest an affinity with group I kimberlites. Initial {ie212-5} values of +1.7 and +0.5 (⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr(t)=0.7053 and 0.7050) for eclogitic and lherzolitic garnet megacryst samples, and values of 0.0 for two phlogopite megacryst samples reflect an origin from an isotopically evolving melt due to assimilation of heterogeneous mantle. Lilac high-Cr lherzolitic garnet megacrysts give an unusually high {ie212-6} of +28.6 (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.7046) indicating a xenocrystic origin probably from the lithospheric mantle. The very radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of the kimberlite are consistent with melting of EM II (enriched) mantle components.     

Origin of late-cenozoic lavas from the Banda arc,Indonesia: Trace element and Sr isotope evidence

The Banda arc of eastern Indonesia manifests the collision of a continent and an intra-oceanic island arc. The presently active arc is located on what appears to be oceanic crust whereas the associated subduction trench is underlain by continental crust.Recent lavas from the Banda arc are predominantly andesitic and range from tholeiitic in the north through calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline varieties in the southern islands. Defining this regular geochemical variation are significant increases in the abundances of K (2,600–21,000 ppm), Rb (10–90 ppm), Cs (0.5–7.0 ppm), and Ba (100–1,000 ppm) from tholeiitic to high-K calc-alkaline lavas. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the tholeiites are relatively low, from 0.7045 to 0.7047. In the calc-alkaline lavas, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios range from 0.7052 to 0.7095, and in the high-K calc-alkaline lavas from 0.7065 to 0.7080. There is no correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and major and trace element abundances, even among lavas from the same volcano. Late Cenozoic cordierite — bearing lavas from Ambon, north of the presently active arc, are highly enriched in K, Rb and Cs, which together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of approximately 0.715 is consistent with their derivation from partial melting of pelitic material in the locally — thick crust.The high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the Recent calc-alkaline lavas are interpreted to result from mixing of a sialic component with a mantle derived component. The most likely cause is subduction and subsequent melting of either sea-floor sediments or continental crust. However, it is probably unrealistic to model this type of deep contamination by simple two-component mixing. Such contamination implies that the volcanic rocks from the Banda arc are at least partly a manifestation of melting at or near the Benioff seismic zone. Temperatures of at least 750–800 ° C at the top of the subducted lithospheric slab at depths of approximately 150 km are also implied; temperatures very close to the solidus of hydrous basalt (eclogite) at such pressure. It is concluded that partial melting of the crustal component of the subducted lithospheric slab may play a significant role in island arc petrogenesis.This paper is the result of a cooperative project with the Geological Survey of Indonesia, Ministry of Mines and Energy     

The transition from alkali basalts to kimberlites: Isotope and trace element evidence from melilitites

Eighteen Cenozoic melilitite samples from Spain, France, West Germany and Czechoslovakia have been analyzed for major and trace elements (including REE) together with their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions. Leaching experiments produced significant shifts of their⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio indicative of a contamination by a crustal component. Most samples fall within the Sr-Nd mantle array with ?_Nd values in the 1.5–6 range. These values are considered as minimum for the melilitite mantle source hence demonstrating its time integrated LRE depletion. The Ni and Cr contents of the samples are typical of primary magmas and exclude extensive crystallization of olivine and pyroxene in a closed system. However, the chemical relationships suggest that dilution of the liquids by mafic minerals of the conduits during their ascent has been important. The REE patterns show some variations which are interpreted by this dilution effect. Once normalized to Yb they are closely similar and perfectly distinguishable from those of alkali basalts and kimberlites. All of these rocks have Ce/Yb ratios which are high but distinctive for each rock type: 40 to 200 times the chondritic ratio for kimberlites, 20 to 30 for melilitites, 8 to 15 for alkali basalts. As contamination is likely to have modified somewhat the isotopic characteristics of most of these rocks, there is no overwhelming evidence that their source is chemically different. The Ba and Rb contents together with the REE patterns of the melilitites would constrain the degree of melting to be very small (<0.2%). The calculation of batch melting and steady zone refining models suggests that kimberlites, melilitites and alkali basalts may have been derived by equilibration of deep melts with different upper mantle levels characterized by decreasing garnet/clinopyroxene ratios. The strongly incompatible elements are enriched in the melt during its ascent by leaching of the wall rocks. For the steady zone refining model, the degree of melting concept loses its significance and the difficult requirement of extracting small liquid fractions from a molten source disappears. Within the frame of this model, the preenrichment of the kimberlite, melilitite and alkali basalts source in incompatible elements by metasomatic fluids is no longer necessary.     

Strontium isotope ratios in volcanic rocks from the south-eastern part of the Hellenic arc

Isotopic ratios of strontium in 9 volcanic rocks from the south-eastern part of the Hellenic arc range from 0.7037 to 0.7075. Within individual series of differentiation, there seems to be a correlation between Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ and K₂O/SiO₂.All strontium isotope data for the Hellenic arc are reviewed. Comparable (but slightly smaller) ranges of Sr isotope ratios are found in other island arcs with continental basement. To explain the high values of Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio for the Hellenic arc, a selective addition of Sr⁸⁷ from the wall rock, and a process of assimilation involving water, perhaps from subducted sediments, are suggested. Since closely-spaced individual volcanic centres of similar ages have very different Sr isotope ratios, and since the range of Sr isotopic composition in individual centres is quite large, the variation is unlikely to be due to primary variation in mantle composition.     

Strontium Isotope Abundance Studies and Rubidium--Strontium Age Determinations on Tertiary Igneous Rocks from the Isle of Skye North-West Scotland

The isotopic abundance of strontium has been measured in representativerock-types from the Tertiary igneous suite in the Isle of Skye,north-west Scotland. The isotopic abundance of Sr⁸⁷, expressedas the Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio, for twelve basalts, dolerites, gabbros,and peridotites is 0.7058?0.0010. On the other hand, the averageinitial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio for one granite from the Eastern RedhillsComplex and for three granites from the Western Redhills Complexis 0.7124?0.0015. The three principal members of the marscoitesuite of the Western Redhills Centre, namely, ferrodiorite,porphyritic felsite, and marscoite, also have significantlyhigher initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios than the basaltic rocks. Itis concluded that the rocks with high initial ratios were derivedfrom a source with significantly higher Rb/Sr ratio than thatof the basaltic rocks. The hypothesis which is most in accordwith the isotopic evidence is that the granitic rocks and themarscoite suite were produced by partial melting of ancientLewisian rocks, which form the underlying basement at no greatdepth in this area. Rb—Sr (and K-Ar) age determinations were carried out onsome representative rocks from the Eastern and Western RedhillsCentres. It was not possible to establish a significant agedifference between any of the rock units from either Centres.The mean age is 54?3 m.y. and suggests that intrusion of thegranitic rocks of Skye occurred during a relatively short periodof time within the Lower or Middle Eocene peroid.     

Geochemical trends across an arc-continent collision zone: magma sources and slab-wedge transfer processes below the Pantar Strait volcanoes, Indonesia

Four volcanoes in the Pantar Strait, the westernmost part of the extinct sector of the east Sunda arc, show remarkable across-arc variation in elemental abundances (K₂O: 1.2 to 4.3%), trace element ratios (Pb/Ce: 0.4 to 0.18; Ce/Yb: 20 to 55) and isotope ratios (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd: 0.51263 to 0.51245; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7053 to 0.7068; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 19.29 to 19.15). Pb isotopes are decoupled from Sr and Nd isotopes, with the frontal volcanoes showing the higher Nd and Pb and lower Sr isotopic ratios. The isotopic and trace element ratios of the volcanic samples are best explained by modification of a MORB-type source (with Indian Ocean island basalt-type Pb isotopic characteristics) by a fluid and a partial melt of subducted continental material (SCM). The frontal volcano contains the highest proportion of the fluid component, with a small contribution of partial melt. The source of the rear-arc volcano is strongly influenced by a partial melt of SCM that had undergone a previous dehydration event, by which it lost most of its fluid-mobile elements such as Pb. The SCM partial melt was in equilibrium with both rutile and garnet, whereas mantle melting took place in the presence of residual mica. The relatively large across-arc increase in incompatible elements can be explained by a combination of increasing addition of SCM partial melt, changing mantle wedge fertility and smaller degrees of partial melting toward the rear of the arc. Comparison with a more westerly across-arc transect shows that the relatively low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of the frontal volcano, and the decoupling of Pb from Sr and Nd isotopes are unique to the Pantar Strait volcanoes. This is likely to reflect magma generation in a collisional environment, where the leading edge of the Australian continent, rather than subducted sediment, contributes to the magma source.     

Rubidium,strontium content and strontium isotopic composition of strongly alkalic basaltic rocks from the Cape Verde islands

The Cape Verde islands are characterized by the presence of very strongly alkalic lavas. Cenozoic volcanics—covering the broadest compositional range present in the archipelago—and ranging from alkali-basalts to phonolites, associated with plutonic essexites and nepheline syenites, were analyzed for Sr isotopic compositions and concentrations in K, Rb and Sr. The close values of the Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios (ranging from 0.7029 to 0.7033) indicate a comagmatic origin for the different rock types; no correlation appears between the Sr isotopic composition and the K-content of the lavas, thus indicating that the lavas with high K₂O/K₂O + Na₂O ratio are generated from a primary magma by differentiation at shallow depths. The values of the Sr isotopic composition are distinctly lower than most values obtained for lavas of other oceanic islands. The origin of the magma type is discussed on the basis of these isotopic compositions and the K/Rb and Rb/Sr ratios: it is suggested that the primary magma has a nephelinitic composition and was formed by partial melting of a small fraction of undepleted mantle peridotite, containing phlogopite; the deeper part of the mantle where this nephelinitic magma generates would have a strontium isotopic ratio of about 0.703 and a Rb/Sr ratio lower than that of the upper part.     

Petrology of an intrusion-related high-grade migmatite: implications for partial melting of metasedimentary rocks and leucosome-forming processes

Intrusion-related migmatites comprise a substantial part of the high-grade part of the southern Damara orogen, Namibia which is dominated by Al-rich metasedimentary rocks and various granites. Migmatites consist of melanosomes with biotite+sillimanite+garnet+cordierite+hercynite and leucosomes are garnet- and cordierite-bearing. Metamorphic grade throughout the area is in the upper amphibolite to lower granulite facies (5–6 kbar at 730–750 °C). Field evidence, petrographic observations, chemical data and mass balance calculations suggest that intrusion of granitic magmas and concomitant partial melting of metasedimentary units were the main processes for the generation of the migmatites. The intruding melts were significantly modified by magma mixing with in situ partial melts, accumulation of mainly feldspar and contamination with garnet from the wall rocks. However, it is suggested that these melts originally represented disequilibrium melts from a metasedimentary protolith. The occurrence of LILE-, HFSE- and LREE-enriched and -depleted residues within the leucosomes implies that both quartzo-feldspathic and pelitic rocks were subjected to partial melting. Isotope ratios of the leucosomes are rather constant (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (500 Ma): 0.511718–0.511754, ε Nd (500 Ma): ?3.54 to ?5.11) and Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (500 Ma): 0.714119–0.714686), the metasedimentary units have rather constant Nd isotope ratios (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (500 Ma): 0.511622–0.511789, ε Nd (500 Ma): ?3.70 to ?6.93) but variable Sr isotope ratios Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (500 Ma): 0.713527–0.722268). The most restitic melanosome MEL 4 has a Sr isotopic composition of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (500 Ma): 0.729380. Oxygen isotopes do not mirror the proposed contamination process, due to the equally high δ¹⁸O contents of metasediments and crustal melts. However, the most LILE-depleted residue MEL 4 shows the lowest δ¹⁸O value (<10). Mass balance calculations suggest high degrees of partial melting (20–40%). It is concluded that partial melting was promoted by heat transfer and release of a fluid phase from the intruding granites. High degrees of partial melting can be reached as long as the available H₂O, derived from the crystallization of the intruding granites, is efficiently recycled within the rock volume. Due to the limited amounts of in situ melting, it seems likely that such regional migmatite terranes are not the sources for large intrusive granite bodies. The high geothermal gradient inferred from the metamorphic conditions was probably caused by exhumation of deep crustal rocks and contemporaneous intrusion of huge masses of granitoid magmas. The Davetsaub area represents an example of migmatites formed at moderate pressures and high temperatures, and illustrates some of the reactions that may modify leucosome compositions. The area provides constraints on melting processes operating in high-grade metasedimentary rocks.     

Petrogenesis of the Late Cretaceous northern Alberta kimberlite province

At present, 48 Late Cretaceous (ca. 70–88 Ma) kimberlitic pipes have been discovered in three separate areas of the northern Alberta: the Mountain Lake cluster, the Buffalo Head Hills field and the Birch Mountains field. The regions can be distinguished from one another by their non-archetypal kimberlite signature (Mountain Lake) or, in the case of kimberlite fields, primitive (Buffalo Head Hills) to evolved (Birch Mountains) magmatic signatures.

The dominant process of magmatic differentiation is crystal fractionation and accumulation of olivine, which acts as the main criteria to distinguish between primitive and evolved Group I-type kimberlite fields in the northern Alberta. This is important from the viewpoint of diamond exploration because the majority (about 80%) of the more primitive Buffalo Head Hills kimberlites are diamondiferous, whereas the more evolved Birch Mountains pipes are barren of diamonds for the most part. Petrographically, the Buffalo Head Hills samples are distinct from the Birch Mountains samples in that they contain less carbonate, have a smaller modal abundance of late-stage minerals such as phlogopite and ilmenite, and have a higher amount of fresh, coarse macrocrystal (>0.5 mm) olivine. Consequently, samples from the Buffalo Head Hills have the highest values of MgO, Cr and Ni, and have chemistries similar to those of primitive hypabyssal kimberlite in the Northwest Territories. Based on whole-rock isotopic data, the Buffalo Head Hills K6 kimberlite has ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and _Nd values similar to those of South African Group I kimberlites, whereas the Birch Mountains Legend and Phoenix kimberlites have similar _Nd values (between 0 and +1.9), but distinctly higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.7051–0.7063).

The lack of whole-rock geochemical overlap between kimberlite and the freshest, least contaminated Mountain Lake South pipe rocks reflects significant mineralogical differences and Mountain Lake is similar geochemically to olivine alkali basalt and/or basanite. Intra-field geochemical variations are also evident. The K4 pipe (Buffalo Head Hills), and Xena and Kendu pipes (Birch Mountains) are characterized by anomalous concentrations of incompatible elements relative to other northern Alberta kimberlite pipes, including chondrite-normalized rare-earth element distribution patterns that are less fractionated than the other kimberlite samples from the Buffalo Head Hills and Birch Mountains. The Xena pipe has similar major element chemical signatures and high-Al clinopyroxene similar to, or trending towards, the Mountain Lake pipes. In addition, K4 and Kendu have higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and lower _Nd than Bulk Earth and plot in the bottom right quadrant of the Nd–Sr diagram. We suggest, therefore, that the K4 and Kendu pipes contain a contribution from old, LREE-enriched (low Sm/Nd) lithosphere that is absent from the other kimberlites, are affected by crustal contamination, or both.

Based on xenocryst populations, the northern Alberta kimberlite province mantle is dominated by carbonate-saturated lherzolitic mantle. Higher levels of melt depletion characterize the Buffalo Head Hills mantle sample. Despite high diamondiferous to barren pipe ratios in the Buffalo Head Hills pipes, mineral indicators of high diamond potential, such as G10 garnet, diamond inclusion composition chrome spinels and high-sodium eclogitic garnet, are rare.     

Strontium Isotopic Studies of Alkalic Rocks: The Potassium-rich Lavas of the Birunga and Toro--Ankole Regions, East and Central Equatorial Africa

The present-day Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios of 117 representative samplesfrom the Birunga and Toro-Ankole regions vary significantlyand range between 0.7036 and 0.7111. The feldspar-bearing lavashave higher ratios (average = 0.707) than the melilite- andnepheline-bearing varieties (average = 0.705). Samples of carbonatedlavas have slightly lower Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios. The Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios show a highly significant, positive, linearcorrelation with Rb/Sr ratio, and a negative correlation withSr, Nb, and Zr abundances. Graphs of Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios againstelemental abundances in some cases give hyperbolic patterns.Such relationships are true, not only for the volcanic fieldas a whole, but also for lava flows from one extensively sampledvolcano. Hypotheses involving simple fractional crystallization or limestonesyntexis are inconsistent with the isotopic data. The elementaland isotopic abundance patterns are most easily explained bythe mixing of two end members of quite different Sr isotopicand chemical compositions. If mixing is assumed, approximatelimits can be set for the compositions of the two end members.These limits are consistent with the hypothesis of assimilationof sialic material by either a carbonatitic or nepheliniticparent magma.     

Emplacement ages and sources of kimberlites and related rocks in southern Africa: U–Pb ages and Sr–Nd isotopes of groundmass perovskite

Groundmass perovskite has been dated by LA-ICPMS in 135 kimberlites and related rocks from 110 localities across southern Africa. Sr and/or Nd isotopes have been analysed by LA-MC-ICPMS in a subset of these and integrated with published data. The age distribution shows peaks at 1,600–1,800, 1,000–1,200, 500–800 and 50–130 Ma. The major “bloom” of Group I kimberlites at ca 90 ± 10 Ma was preceded by a slow build-up in magmatic activity from ca 180 Ma. The main pulse of Group II kimberlites at 120–130 Ma was a distinct episode within this build-up. Comparison of the isotopic data with seismic tomography images suggests that metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) with very low ε _Nd and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, (the isotopic signature of Group II kimberlites) was focused in low-Vs zones along translithospheric structures. Such metasomatized zones existed as early as 1,800 Ma, but were only sporadically tapped until the magmatic build-up began at ca 180 Ma, and contributed little to the kimberlitic magmas after ca 110 Ma. We suggest that these metasomatized volumes resided in the deep SCLM and that their low-melting point components were “burned off” by rising temperatures, presumably during an asthenospheric upwelling that led to SCLM thinning and a rise in the ambient geotherm between 120 and 90 Ma. The younger Group I kimberlites therefore rarely interacted with such SCLM, but had improved access to shallower volumes of differently metasomatized, ancient SCLM with low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and intermediate ε _Nd (0–5). The kimberlite compositions therefore reflect the evolution of the SCLM of southern Africa, with metasomatic-enrichment events from as early as 1.8 Ga, through a major thermal and compositional change at ca 110 Ma, and the major kimberlite “bloom” around 90 Ma.