Magmatic lineations inferred from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility fabrics in Units 8, 9, and 10 of the Rum Eastern Layered Series, NW Scotland

The Eastern Layered Series of the Rum Layered Suite, NW Scotland, comprises a sequence of sixteen (30–150 m thick) cyclic units. The upper troctolite–olivine gabbro parts of each of these units exhibit small-scale modal layering and a pervasive, layer-parallel mineral lamination that is often associated with ‘soft-sediment’ deformation structures. A sporadic, macroscopic magmatic lineation measurable on mineral lamination surfaces is also observed in places. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) fabrics were studied in three of these cyclic units, (8, 9, and 10) in the northern part of the Eastern Layered Series. Magnetic fabrics measured in the troctolites and gabbros yield one dominant trend in which magnetic foliations parallel magmatic layering and magnetic lineations trend NW–SE and plunge gently. Magnetic fabrics measured for two detailed traverses through Unit 10 on the northern side of Hallival also yield one dominant trend, similar to that measured elsewhere in the Eastern Layered Series. However, toward the centre of Unit 10 in each traverse, magnetic lineations sometimes plunge approximately downdip (SW) on the magnetic foliation planes. The implications of these results are discussed with reference to previous textural and fabric observations on Rum. A model is suggested in which weak linear arrangements of cumulus olivine and plagioclase crystals are developed due to slumping and soft-sediment deformation of unconsolidated crystal mushes during central sagging of the Rum Layered Suite.     

Successive episodes of reactive liquid flow through a layered intrusion (Unit 9, Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion,Scotland)

We present a detailed microstructural and geochemical study of reactive liquid flow in Unit 9 of the Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion, Scotland. Unit 9 comprises an underlying lens-like body of peridotite overlain by a sequence of troctolite and gabbro (termed allivalite), with some local and minor anorthosite. The troctolite is separated from the overlying gabbro by a distinct, sub-horizontal, undulose horizon (the ‘major wavy horizon’). Higher in the stratigraphy is another, similar, horizon (the ‘minor wavy horizon’) that separates relatively clinopyroxene-poor gabbro from an overlying gabbro. To the north of the peridotite lens, both troctolite and gabbro grade into poikilitic gabbro. Clinopyroxene habit in the allivalite varies from thin rims around olivine in troctolite to equigranular crystals in gabbro and to oikocrysts in poikilitic gabbro. The poikilitic gabbros contain multiple generations of clinopyroxene, with Cr-rich (~1.1 wt% Cr₂O₃) anhedral cores with moderate REE concentrations (core1) overgrown by an anhedral REE-depleted second generation with moderate Cr (~0.7 wt% Cr₂O₃) (core2). These composite cores are rimmed by Cr-poor (~0.2 wt% Cr₂O₃) and REE-poor to -moderate clinopyroxene. We interpret these microstructures as a consequence of two separate episodes of partial melting triggered by the intrusion of hot olivine-phyric picrite to form the discontinuous lenses that comprise the Unit 9 peridotite. Loss of clinopyroxene-saturated partial melt from the lower part of the allivalite immediately following the early stages of sill intrusion resulted in the formation of clinopyroxene-poor gabbro. The spatial extent of clinopyroxene loss is marked by the minor wavy horizon. A second partial melting event stripped out almost all clinopyroxene from the lowest allivalite to form a troctolite, with the major wavy horizon marking the extent of melting during this episode. The poikilitic gabbro formed from clinopyroxene-saturated melt moving upwards and laterally through the remobilized cumulate pile and precipitating clinopyroxene en route. This process, called reactive liquid flow, is potentially important in open magma chambers.     

Experimental petrology constraints on the recycling of mafic cumulate: a focus on Cr-spinel from the Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion,Scotland

The ¹⁷⁶Lu–¹⁷⁶Hf and ¹⁴⁷Sm–¹⁴³Nd decay systems are routinely used to determine garnet (Grt)–whole-rock (WR) ages; however, the ¹⁷⁶Lu–¹⁷⁶Hf age of garnet is typically older than the ¹⁴⁷Sm–¹⁴³Nd age determined from the same aliquots. Here we present experimental data for Lu³⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ diffusion in garnet as functions of temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity and show that the diffusivity of Hf⁴⁺ in almandine/spessartine garnet is significantly slower than that of Lu³⁺. The diffusive closure temperature (T _C) of Hf⁴⁺ is significantly higher than that of Nd³⁺, and although this property is partly responsible for the observed ¹⁷⁶Lu–¹⁷⁶Hf and ¹⁴⁷Sm–¹⁴³Nd Grt–WR age discrepancies, the difference between the T _C-s of Lu³⁺ and Hf⁴⁺ could lead to apparent Grt–WR ¹⁷⁶Lu–¹⁷⁶Hf ages that are skewed from the age of Hf⁴⁺ closure in garnet. In addition, the slow diffusivity of Hf⁴⁺ indicates that the bulk of metamorphic garnets retain a substantial fraction of prograde radiogenic ¹⁷⁶Hf throughout peak metamorphic conditions, a phenomenon that further complicates the interpretation of ¹⁷⁶Lu–¹⁷⁶Hf garnet ages and invalidates the use of analytical T _C expressions. We argue that the diffusion of trivalent rare earth elements in garnet becomes much faster when their concentration level falls below a few hundred ppm, as in the experiments of Tirone et al. (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 69: 2385–2398, 2005), and further argue that this low-concentration mechanism is appropriate for modeling the susceptibility of ¹⁴⁷Sm–¹⁴³Nd garnet ages to diffusive resetting.     

Towards a model for the in situ origin of PGE reefs in layered intrusions: insights from chromitite seams of the Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion, Scotland

The current debate on the origin of platinum-group element (PGE) reefs in layered intrusions centres mostly on gravity settling of sulphide liquid from overlying magma versus its introduction with interstitial melt/fluids migrating upward from the underlying cumulate pile. Here, we show that PGE-rich chromitite seams of the Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion provide evidence for an alternative origin of such deposits in layered intrusions. These laterally extensive 2-mm-thick chromitite seams occur at the bases of several cyclic mafic–ultramafic units and show lithological and textural relationships suggesting in situ growth directly at a crystal–liquid interface. This follows from chromitite development along the edges of steeply inclined culminations and depressions at unit boundaries, even where these are vertically oriented or overhanging. High concentrations of PGE (up to 2–3 ppm Pd + Pt) are controlled by fine-grained base-metal sulphides, which are closely associated with chromitite seams. The following sequence of events explains the origin of the PGE-rich chromitite seams: (a) emplacement of picritic magma that caused thermal and mechanical erosion of underlying cumulate, followed by in situ growth of chromite against the base, (b) precipitation of sulphide droplets on chromite grains acting as favourable substrate or catalyst for sulphide nucleation, (c) the scavenging of PGE by sulphide droplets from fresh magma continuously brought towards the base by convection. Since the rate of magma convection is 10⁵–10⁷ times higher than that of the solidification (km/year to km/day versus 0.5–1.0 cm/year), the in situ formed sulphide droplets can equilibrate with picritic magma of thousands to million times their own volume. As a result, the sulphide-bearing rocks are able to reach economic concentrations of PGE (several ppm). We tentatively suggest that the basic principles of our model may be used to explain the origin of PGE-rich chromitites and classical PGE reefs in other layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions.     

Petrogenesis of the anorthosite-chromitite association: crystal-chemical and petrological insights from the Rum Layered Suite, NW Scotland

Thirteen Cr-bearing spinels from major horizons of magma replenishment in the open-system Rum Layered Suite have been analysed by X-ray single crystal diffraction and electron microprobe analyses. On the basis of the structural parameters and the chemistry of these spinels the so-called Rum trend, in which Al-content increases at the expense of Cr and Fe³⁺, has been easily recognised. In addition, natural spinels with Fe³⁺ content similar to synthetic spinels on the MgCr₂O₄?CMgFe₂O₄ join have been analysed for the first time. Layers of chromitite, anorthosite and peridotite situated within several cm of one another have yielded different intracrystalline exchange temperatures using an intercrystalline spinel-olivine thermometer. The Rum anorthosite Cr-spinels are interpreted as having crystallised within the cumulus pile following rejuvenation of the crystal mush. Their low Al-content is a function of simultaneous plagioclase crystallisation, reducing the amount of Al³⁺ present for the Cr-spinel. By contrast, Cr-spinels in well-known Archean anorthosites (e.g. Ujaragssuit nunat and Fisken?sset, western Greenland) and Sittampundi (southern India) are very aluminous in composition, attributed to crystallisation of Cr-spinel from high-alumina basalts in lower crustal magma chambers and linked to the control exerted by plagioclase crystallisation on Al content of the melt, in the absence of clinopyroxene crystallisation. The compositional differences between the Rum anorthosite Cr-spinels and the Fisken?sset and Sittampundi Cr-spinels suggest that postcumulus reaction of Cr-spinel and melt to low (800?C900°C) temperatures, as invoked for the Rum crystals, may not have been as important a process in the Archean anorthosites.     

Spatial Constraints on Magma Chamber Replenishment Events from Textural Observations of Cumulates: the Rum Layered Intrusion, Scotland

The Eastern Layered Series of the Rum Layered Suite is formedof 16 macro-units each comprising a lower peridotite and anoverlying feldspar-rich layer (the local term is allivalite).The origin of the peridotite layers is unresolved, with twocontrasting models. The earlier of the two is based on repeatedreplenishment of an open-system magma chamber with depositionof fractionated material on the chamber floor. The second isbased on the early formation of a troctolitic complex, whichis then repeatedly intruded by sills of replenishing picriticmagma to form the peridotite horizons. The lack of resolutionof this fundamental problem is a consequence of the relianceof previously published studies on field observations. I presentevidence to show that the clinopyroxene in the allivalites preservesinformation about the distribution of the last melt to solidify,permitting determination of not only the extent of super-solidustextural equilibration but also the sub-solidus history of theallivalite horizons. Comparison of profiles of clinopyroxene–plagioclase–plagioclasemedian dihedral angle across allivalite units demonstrates thatit is possible to distinguish between those that were intrudedby later picrite sills and those adjacent to peridotite horizonsformed by replenishment and subsequent deposition of fractionatedcrystals above the pre-existing pile. In the region studied,only the main peridotite body of Unit 9 was intruded into apre-existing allivalitic mush. KEY WORDS: Rum Layered Intrusion; chamber replenishment; dihedral angles; cumulates     

An Origin for Harrisitic and Granular Olivine in the Rum Layered Suite, NW Scotland: a Crystal Size Distribution Study

Dendritic crystal morphologies occur in a number of igneousrocks and are thought to originate from the rapid growth ofcrystals, yet many examples of dendritic morphologies are foundin plutonic igneous rocks where cooling rates should be low.Results from crystal size distribution (CSD) measurements onharrisitic olivines from Rum, Scotland, combined with estimatedolivine growth rates, suggest that the characteristic skeletalhopper and branching olivines of harrisitic cumulates that areup to centimetres long, may have exceptionally short crystalgrowth times (several hours to several hundreds of days). This,together with very low calculated nucleation densities for harrisiticolivine, supports the interpretation of harrisite being a disequilibriumtexture, developed in response to supersaturation of the magmain olivine. We propose that this supersaturation arose throughundercooling of thin picrite sheets emplaced along the Rum magmachamber floor, beneath cooler resident magma. It is envisagedthat the picrite sheets were largely free of suspended olivinecrystals. Coupled with the olivine-enriched composition of themelt and the increasing cooling rate, this allowed homogeneousnucleation of olivine to set in at deeper undercooling and greaterolivine supersaturation than if there had been plentiful suspendedolivines to act as heterogeneous nuclei. The enhanced supersaturationcaused rapid growth of olivine once nucleation began, with skeletaland dendritic shapes. It is suggested that the observed, interlayeredsequences of harrisite and cumulus peridotite found throughoutthe Rum Layered Suite are a result of multiple episodes of harrisitecrystallization resulting from picrite emplacement that alternatedwith periods of crystal growth and accumulation in the mainbody of magma at lesser degrees of undercooling. KEY WORDS: crystal size distribution; harrisite; crystal growth rates; Rum Layered Suite     

Recent research developments on the Isle of Rum,NW Scotland

The appearance in 1997 of the British Geological Survey's memoir on Rum was followed by a period of intense research, leading to upwards of 35 papers, books and other articles. The scope of these publications, and the research progress over the last 15 years since publication of the memoir, is reviewed here. Igneous activity on Rum was short lived, possibly only ca. 500 ka, and, at about 60.5 Ma. The Rum central complex thus pre‐dates the nearby Skye central complex. The earliest, acidic and mixed acidic/basic magmatism on Rum involved both shallow intrusions and ignimbrite eruptions into a collapsing caldera bound by the Main Ring Fault, a structure which probably also exercised a structural influence on subsequent mafic and ultrabasic magmatism. Subsequent emplacement of gabbros and ultrabasic rocks caused only limited thermal metamorphism of the surrounding Torridonian sandstones, contrasting markedly with the intense alteration of uplifted masses of Lewisian gneiss within the ring fault. Detailed textural studies on the gabbroic and ultrabasic rocks allow distinction between intrusive peridotites and peridotite that formed as part of the classic layered units of Rum and, furthermore, this work and that on the chromite seams and veins in these rocks shows that movements of trapped magma and magma derived from later intrusions, may produce textures and structures hitherto regarded as primary features of cumulate rocks. Rare picritic dykes provide an indication of likely parent magma for the mafic and ultrabasic rocks, but these and other magmatic rocks on Rum have all undergone varying degrees of crustal contamination, involving both Lewisian granulite and amphibolite crust but, notably, not Moine rocks as at Ardnamurchan. Sulphides in the chromite seams and ultrabasic rocks show possible influences from assimilated Jurassic sediments. From recent apatite fission track studies it seems likely that Rum, in common with other Palaeogene centres, underwent a brief, but significantly younger (Mesozoic) heating event.     

Pre-eruptive magma mixing in ash-flow deposits of the Tertiary Rum Igneous Centre,Scotland

The Northern Marginal Zone of the Rum Igneous Centre is a remnant of an early caldera and its infill. It is composed of intra-caldera breccias and various small-volume pyroclastic deposits, overlain by prominent rhyodacite ash-flow sheets of up to 100 m thickness. The ash-flows were fed from a feeder system near the caldera ring-fault, and intrusive rhyodacite can locally be seen grading into extrusive deposits. A variety of features suggest that the ash-flows were erupted from a magma chamber that contemporaneously hosted felsic and mafic magmas: (i) chilled basaltic inclusions in rhyodacite; (ii) formerly glassy basaltic to andesitic enclaves with fluid-fluid relationships; (iii) feldspars with thick reaction rims enclosed in the basaltic to andesitic inclusions, yet with cores chemically resembling those of the rhyodacite: (iv) trace element compositions of the rhyodacite and the mafic enclaves form a mixing line between the end-member rhyodacite and basalt compositions. Additionally, textural and chemical features in the rhyodacite feldspar phenocrysts are consistent with magma mixing; (v) feldspars with resorption embayments cutting through internal zonation of the crystals; (vi) complexly zoned crystals with sieve-textured zones that are overgrown with euhedral zones; (vii) oscillatory zonation of feldspar phenocrysts in the rhyodacite, showing sharp increases in anorthite (An 10%) followed by gradual decrease in An-content (An 4%). This evidence points to eruption of ash-flows from a felsic magma chamber that was periodically replenished by injection of mafic magma. Diffusional mixing between the two magmas was permitted by temperature and compositional differences, but was slow due to the contrast in viscosities and densities. The Fe–Ti–P-enriched basic magma that replenished the chamber was degassing on entering the lower temperature environment and soon equilibrated thermally, followed by chemical exchange between the two end-member magmas. This process formed hybrid andesite enclaves enriched in trace elements beyond that caused by simple mixing, implying trace element diffusion in addition to bulk mixing. Eruption was caused by replenishment with, and degassing of, the basic magma and the chamber partially evacuated while the process of hybridisation was underway. The erupted products record magma mixing by chamber replenishment, blending of two magmas and elemental exchange in the magma chamber, and also physical mingling in the eruptive conduit.     

New insights into precious metal enrichment on the Isle of Rum,Scotland

The Rum Layered Suite (NW Scotland) is generally regarded as one of a handful of classic examples of open‐system layered mafic‐ultramafic intrusions, or ‘fossilized’ basaltic magma chambers, world‐wide. The eastern portion of the Rum intrusion is constructed of sixteen repeated, coupled, peridotite–troctolite units. Each major cyclic unit has been linked to a major magma replenishment event, with repeated settling out of ‘crops’ of olivine and plagioclase crystals to form the cumulate rocks. However, there are variations in the lithological succession that complicate this oversimplified model, including the presence of chromitite (>60 vol. percent Cr‐spinel) seams. The ～2 mm thick chromitite seams host significant platinum‐group element (PGE) enrichment (e.g. ～2 ppm Pt) and likely formed in situ, i.e. at the crystal mush–magma interface. Given that the bulk of the world's exploited PGE come from a layered intrusion that bears remarkable structural and lithological similarities to Rum, the Bushveld Complex (South Africa), comparisons between these intrusions raise intriguing implications for precious metal mineralization in layered intrusions.     

Compositional variations and reflectance of the common platinum-group minerals

Summary A detailed study of the compositional variations of 22 different platinum-group minerals, of Os-Ir-Ru- and Pt-Fe alloys, Pt-Pd- and Ru-Os-Ir sulfides, RhIr-Pt sulfarsenides and Pd-Pt tellurides from various deposits resulted in verification of extensive solid solution series and element substitution within different mineral groups. On the basis of representative new microprobe analyses and related spectral reflectance curves of the platinum-group minerals investigated significant correlations between chemical composition and reflectance are discussed.

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Chemische Variation und Reflexion der wichtigsten Minerale der Platingruppe

Zusammenfassung Die Untersuchung der chemischen Variation bei 22 Platinmineralen aus der Gruppe der Os-Ir-Ru- und Pt-Fe-Legierungen, Pt-Pd- und Ru-Os-Ir-Sulfide, Rh-Ir-Pt-Sulfarsenide und Pd-Pt-Telluride ergibt signifikante Mischkristallbildung und Element-Substitutionen innerhalb der unterschiedlichen Mineralgruppen. Anhand neuer Mikrosondenanalysen und der zugehörigen spektralen Reflexionskurven der betreffenden Platinminerale werden die Korrelationen zwischen Chemismus und Reflexion diskutiert.

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With 17 Figures

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Contribution to the Ore Mineralogy Symposium (IMA/COM) at the 14th General Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association, at Stanford, California, in July, 1986.     

A key-diagram for the optical determination of platinum-group minerals

Summary A key-diagram for optical routine investigation of platinum-group minerals has, for the first time, been developed on the basis of the most recent reflectance and microhardness data. The diagram contains 65 minerals, which occupy defined fields. The dominating platinum metal present in the respective minerals has been characterized by giving eachPGE a special colour. In addition, cubic (isotropic) minerals can be distinguished. The most important aspects of spectral reflectance have also been summarized.

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Ein Diagramm für die optische Bestimmung von Mineralen der Platingruppe

Zusammenfassung Ein Diagramm für die optische Routineuntersuchung von Mineralen der Platingruppe wurde erstmals auf Grund der neuesten Reflexions-und Mikrohärtedaten entwickelt. Das Diagramm enthält 65 Minerale, die imR-VHN-Feld definierte Bereiche besetzen, und je nach dem vorherrschenden Platinmetall durch bestimmte Farben charakterisiert sind. Zusätzlich werden auch kubische (isotrope) Minerale graphisch gekennzeichnet. Wichtige Aspekte der spektralen Reflexion sind ebenfalls dargestellt.

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With 1 Figure and 1 pull-out in colour     

Mineral-scale Sr-isotope constraints on magma evolution and chamber dynamics in the Rum layered intrusion,Scotland

Sr isotopic zoning within single plagioclase crystals from rocks from Unit 9 of the Rum layered intrusion is used to infer events during crystal growth in a magma undergoing contamination. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr diversity among minerals and between cores and rims of plagioclase crystals increases as the boundary between unit 9 and the overlying Unit 10 peridotite is approached. Models of near-solidus interaction of the cumulate with a fluid or melt, or large scale textural re-equilibration, cannot easily account for the systematic differences in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr between small crystals and the rims of larger crystals.We propose a simple interpretation in which crystal growth is concentrated along the cool margins of the reservoir. Crystals are subsequently advected to a site of accumulation at the base of the reservoir, probably by episodic plume-like dense downwellings allowing mixing of isotopically zoned and unzoned crystals.If the core-rim isotope variations are inherited from primary magmatic growth, then the small distances over which they are now preserved (1–2 mm) place constraints on the minimum cooling rate of the intrusion. Although the length scale of diffusive equilibration is influenced by a number of poorly-constrained variables (starting temperature, feldspar composition, temperature-time path) cooling was clearly very rapid with cooling to effective closure (~1,000 °C) within a few thousand years.Editorial responsibility: I. Parsons     

Infiltration Metasomatism of Cumulates by Intrusive Magma Replenishment: the Wavy Horizon, Isle of Rum, Scotland

The Eastern Layered Intrusion of the Rum Layered Suite comprisespaired peridotite and allivalite (troctolite and gabbro) layersforming 16 macro-rhythmic units. Whereas the majority of thesemacro-units are believed to have formed by a process of crystal–liquiddifferentiation involving successive accumulation of crystalsfrom multiple picritic replenishments of the chamber, the Unit9 peridotite is interpreted as a layer-parallel picrite intrusion.Closely correlated with this discontinuous peridotite body isa distinctive feature generally known as the Wavy Horizon, whichdivides the overlying allivalite into a lower troctolite andan upper gabbro along a well-defined undulating contact. Wepropose that the Wavy Horizon is a metasomatic feature formedconsequent to the removal of clinopyroxene from an originalgabbroic mush. Foundering of the mush into the picritic sillresulted in the replacement of the original interstitial liquidby one saturated only in olivine (± plagioclase). Progressivethrough-flow of this liquid resulted in the stripping out ofclinopyroxene from the lower parts of the allivalite. We interpretthe Wavy Horizon as a reaction front, representing the pointat which the invading liquid became saturated in clinopyroxene.The distinctive pyroxene-enriched zone immediately above theWavy Horizon could have formed when mixing of the interstitialliquids on either side of the reaction front formed a supercooledliquid oversaturated in pyroxene, as a result of the curvatureof the olivine–plagioclase–clinopyroxene cotectic.The presence of many such approximately layer-parallel features,defined by differences in pyroxene content, in the Eastern LayeredIntrusion of Rum suggests that such an infiltration–reactionprocess was not unique to Unit 9. KEY WORDS: cumulate; infiltration metasomatism; Rum; Eastern Layered Intrusion     

Chemical composition of platinum-group minerals from the Bor-Uryakh massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province,Russia)

This contribution firstly presents particularities of mineral chemistry of platinum-group elements (PGE) mineralization from placer deposits linked to the Bor-Uryakh massif of the Maimecha-Kotui Province, northern part of the Siberian Craton. The chemical composition of PGE mineralization has been studied by electron microprobe analysis. At Bor-Uryakh, main platinum-group minerals (PGM) comprise Os-Ir and Pt-Fe alloys represented by individual crystals, and polyphase PGM assemblages. The majority (e.g., 12 out of 19) of the Os-rich nuggets are iridian osmium, with subordinate amounts of native osmium (Os) and chengdeite (Ir₃Fe). Pt-Fe alloys have a stoichiometric composition close to Pt₂Fe. According to the nomen-clature by L. Cabri and C. Feather [1975] these minerals correspond to ferroan platinum. Based on geological position and geochemical features of investigated PGE mineralization the particular rock sources have been established. This study has demonstrated the similarity of chemical characteristics of Os-Ir and Pt-Fe alloys of the Bor-Uryakh massif to those of PGM from the Guli massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province), platiniferous zoned-type ultramafic massifs (e.g., Kondyor, Inagli and Chad) of the Aldan Province and Platinum belt of the Urals (Nizhny Tagil, Kytlym, etc.).     

Assemblages and genesis of platinum-group minerals in low-sulfide ores of the monchetundra deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

New data on the composition, assemblages, and formation conditions of platinum-group minerals (PGM) identified in platinum-group element (PGE) occurrences of the Monchetundra intrusion (2495 +- 13 to 2435 ± 11 Ma) are described. This intrusion is a part of the Paleoproterozoic pluton of the Monche-Chuna-Volch’i and Losevy tundras located in the Pechenga-Imandra-Varzuga Rift System. The rhythmically layered host rocks comprise multiple megarhythms juxtaposed to mylonite zones and magmatic breccia and injected by younger intrusive rocks in the process of intense and long magmatic and fluid activity in the Monchetundra Fault Zone. The primary PGM and later assemblages that formed as a result of replacement of the former have been identified in low-sulfide PGE occurrences. More than 50 minerals and unnamed PGE phases including alloys, Pt and Pd sulfides and bismuthotellurides, PGE sulfarsenides, and minerals of the Pd-As-Sb, Pd-Ni-As, and Pd-Ag-Te systems have been established. The unnamed PGE phases—Ni₆Pd₂As₃, Pd₆AgTe₄, Cu₃Pt, Pd₂NiTe₂, and (Pd, Cu)₉Pb(Te, S)₄—are described. The primary PGM were altered due to the effect of several mineral-forming processes that resulted in the formation of micro- and nanograins of Pt and Pd alloys, sulfides, and oxides, as well as in the complex distribution of PGE, Au, and Ag mineral assemblages. New types of complex Pt and Pd oxides with variable Cu and Fe contents were identified in the altered ores. Pt and Pd oxides as products of replacement of secondary Pt-Pd-Cu-Fe alloys occur as zonal and fibrous nanoscale Pt-Pd-Cu-Fe-(±S)-O aggregates.     

New data on associations of platinum-group minerals in placer deposits of British Columbia, Canada

Summary We have conducted electron microprobe (EMP) analysis of 158 grains of platinum-group minerals (PGM; 0.1–1 mm in size) from 11 placer samples collected from Holocene fluvial placers and buried paleochannel placers at various localities in British Columbia. These grains principally comprise Pt-Fe-(Cu) alloy minerals: Fe-rich platinum [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 3.6–7.6], Pt₃Fe-type alloy (isoferroplatinum or Fe-rich platinum), subordinate “Pt₂Fe”-type alloy (probably, a compositional variant of Fe-rich platinum) and the tulameenite-tetraferroplatinum series. Less-abundant are iridium [Ir-dominant Ir-Os-(Pt) alloy] and osmium [Os-dominant Os-Ir-(Pt) alloy]. Ruthenium [Ru-dominant Ru-Ir-Os alloy] occurs as a single grain. One of these Pt-Fe alloy grains is unusually zoned; its core zone is: Pt_74.0Fe_20.4Cu_1.9Ir_1.5Rh_1.1Pd_1.0Os_0.08Ru_0.01Ni_0.01 (in at%) [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 3.5], and its rim zone is: Pt_78.5Fe_15.5Cu_1.7Ir_1.5Rh_1.4 Pd_1.2Ni_0.15Os_0.06Ru_<0.01 [ΣPGE:(Fe + Cu + Ni) = 4.8]. This zoning indicates late-stage removal of Fe and corresponding addition of Pt, probably as a result of interaction with a late fluid phase. Various combinations of minor elements: Ir-Rh, Rh-Pd, and Ir-Rh-Pd are observed in the analysed Pt-Fe-Cu alloys. However, the Ir-Pd pair appears to be prohibited because of crystallochemical factors. Minute PGM inclusions in Pt-Fe alloy grains, likely derived from the Tulameen complex, comprise: hongshiite (Pt_1.04Pd_0.02 Cu_0.93), sperrylite (Pt_0.93Ir_0.03)_Σ0.96(As_2.02Sb_0.01)_Σ2.03, hollingworthite-platarsite (Rh_0.74 Pt_0.21Fe_0.02Pd_0.02Ir_0.01)_Σ1.00S_0.91As_1.10, cuprorhodsite-malanite (Cu_0.91Fe_0.03Ni_<0.01)_Σ0.95 (Rh_1.06Pt_0.89Ir_<0.01)_Σ1.95S_4.10, a rare Te-rich isomertieite (Pd_10.96Fe_0.03)_Σ10.99(Sb_1.13 Te_0.94)_Σ2.07As_1.93, and an unusual Pt-Pd-Rh antimonide [(Pt + Pd + Rh):(Sb + As) = 1.2–1.25], related to genkinite. This antimonide may exhibit a minor solid solution extending from genkinite toward stumpflite. In addition, 20 grains of diopside [Ca_46.4–49.1Mg_42.8–48.2Fe_3.1–8.1; ≤0.59 wt% Cr₂O₃] and 20 grains of olivine [Fo_86.8–91.5 Fa_7.9–12.5], from a PGM-bearing placer located in the vicinity of the Tulameen complex, were analysed. The compositional ranges of these placer silicates are comparable to those of clinopyroxene and olivine in the olivine clinopyroxenite and dunite units of the Tulameen complex. The majority of the analysed placer PGM grains were probably derived from Alaskan-type source rocks, whereas an ophiolitic source, associated with the Atlin ophiolite complex, is suggested for the placer PGM deposits in the Atlin area, northern British Columbia. Authors’ addresses: Andrei Y. Barkov, Robert F. Martin, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, 3450 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2A7, Canada; Michael E. Fleet, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada; Graham T. Nixon and Victor M. Levson, B.C. Geological Survey, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, PO Box 9320 Stn. Prov. Govt., Victoria, British Columbia V8W 9N3, Canada     

江西南部蔡坊盆地火山岩系层序与地质时代

江西中生代晚期火山岩系发育,形成了北部的峡江-广丰火山岩带和南部的三南-寻乌火山岩带.峡江-广丰火山岩带的火山岩系为一个火山旋回的产物,称为武夷群,并进一步划分为双峰岭、鹅湖岭和石溪组三个组.三南一寻乌火山岩带蔡坊盆地火山岩系也为一个火山旋回的产物,包括上、下两个岩性岩相单元:下单元以沉积岩为主夹火山岩,属火山喷发-沉积相,代表火山活动初始期的产物;上单元以火山岩为主,属火山喷发相,代表火山喷发期的产物.上单元顶部流纹岩SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为(130.79±0.73)Ma,根据新的国际地层表,晚侏罗世与早白垩世之间的界线限定为(145.5±4)Ma,蔡坊盆地火山岩系的地质时代属早白垩世早期.通过岩性岩相对比,结合地层层位,蔡坊盆地火山岩系可归入峡江-广丰火山岩带的武夷群,其中下单元可归入双峰岭组、上单元可归入鹅湖岭组.蔡坊盆地火山岩系层序和地质时代的确定,可为三南-寻乌火山岩带火山系的研究提供参照标准.     

Stratigraphical distribution of the Ordovician conodont Erraticodon Dzik in Argentina

Three different species of the Ordovician genus Erraticodon Dzik are described and illustrated. Erraticodon patu Cooper is reported from the Lower–Midde Ordovician strata of the Acoite and Alto del Cóndor formations. E. cf. Erraticodon balticus and Erraticodon hexianensis from Middle Ordovician carbonate deposits of the San Juan Formation are analyzed and compared to specimens of these species from Australia, China, Newfoundland, and Baltica. E. patu and E. hexianensis are recorded for first time in the San Juan Formation of Precordillera. The elements of E. cf. E. balticus resemble closely E. balticus Dzik but lack the important denticle on the posterior process of the S elements. An evaluation of the stratigraphic occurrences of these species relative to those of key Lower and Middle Ordovician conodont species such as Trapezognathus diprion Lindström, Oepikodus intermedius Serpagli, Baltoniodus triangularis (Lindström), Baltoniodus navis Lindström, Yangtzeplacognathus crassus (Chen and Zhang) and Eoplacognathus pseudoplanus (Viira) indicates they value for biostratigraphic correlation.     

浙江中生代晚期火山—沉积岩系层序和时代

浙江中生代晚期火山—沉积地层由上、下两个岩系组成,上岩系包括横山组、永康群、衢江群及天台群,下岩系包括建德群和磨石山群。这两个岩系的同位素年龄范围分别在１１０～９０Ｍａ和１３５～１２０Ｍａ。根据同位素地质年代结合该区火山—沉积地层的古地磁和古生物研究资料,我们提出上岩系的形成时代为早白垩世晚期至晚白垩世早期,下岩系为早白垩世早期