青海茫崖石棉矿区变质超基性岩的蚀变演化序列：岩石化学及矿物学证据

青海茫崖石棉矿区超基性岩体是由原岩以纯橄岩、辉橄岩和橄辉岩为主体组成的富镁质超基性岩体,经历自变质和后期多期热液的叠加变质蚀变作用,经蛇纹石化后形成蚀变完全的蛇纹岩岩体,其中部分蛇纹岩又进一步发生滑石化及碳酸盐化蚀变为滑石菱镁片岩、菱镁滑石片岩、滑石片岩和菱镁岩等。本文在野外地质调查基础上,在室内通过镜下岩矿综合鉴定、全岩化学成分分析以及电子探针成分分析等手段进行了岩石化学特征、矿物学特征及其蚀变演化过程研究。结果表明,该变质超基性岩体蛇纹岩主要特征组合矿物为蛇纹石(利蛇纹石、叶蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石)、磁铁矿、菱镁矿、滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿,变余矿物有斜方辉石、单斜辉石和铬铁矿,滑石菱镁片岩类主要组成矿物为菱镁矿、滑石、蛇纹石及磁铁矿,局部可见石英脉。该地区变质超基性岩体较完整地记录了橄榄岩水化、滑石化及碳酸盐化作用过程的各个阶段,超基性岩蚀变演化过程主要有两个作用阶段:(Ⅰ)橄榄石、辉石类矿物的蛇纹石化作用及蛇纹石绿泥石化作用;(Ⅱ)富Ca、CO2流体交代蛇纹石、滑石及水镁石的碳酸盐化作用。蛇纹石化等变质蚀变作用促进了Si、Mg及Fe元素化学活动性,使元素发生富集与迁移,对于次生矿物的形成与演化起到了一定的催化作用。多期不同组成流体热液的交代作用过程,清晰地展示了利蛇纹石、纤蛇纹石和叶蛇纹石的演化序列,以及滑石、水镁石、铬铁矿和磁铁矿的形成过程及标形特征。     

蛇纹石化过程中铁活动性的高温高压实验研究

蛇纹石化过程中铁的活动性影响铁氧化物的形成和体系的氧逸度。然而,关于橄榄岩蛇纹石化过程中各矿物(橄榄石、斜方辉石和单斜辉石)蚀变过程中铁的活动性仍没有详细的研究。本文报道了80~200℃、饱和蒸气压下,不同的初始流体、水岩比条件下,橄榄岩蛇纹石化过程中铁的活动性。结果表明,蛇纹石化流体的铁含量较低(0.0~0.7mmol/kg),没有形成铁氧化物或铁氢氧化物,铁主要富集在蛇纹石和未反应的初始矿物中(例如,橄榄石和辉石)。由橄榄石蚀变形成的蛇纹石和由斜方辉石蚀变生成的蛇纹石化学组成相差较大,前者富铁而贫铝,后者贫铁而富铝。但当初始流体为碱性的0.5mol/L Na Cl(aq)时,两种不同来源的蛇纹石组成相差不大。尤为重要的是,单斜辉石蚀变生成的蛇纹石铁含量较高,8.1%~10.2%Fe O,远高于单斜辉石的铁含量(2.6%Fe O)。以上表明,低温蛇纹石化过程中,铁不能够大规模、长距离的运移,但在微米尺度上是活动的。     

橄榄岩蛇纹石化过程中氢气和烷烃的形成

蛇纹石化过程中形成氢气、烷烃和有机酸,为海底热液区生命活动提供物质和能量来源,可能对地球和其他行星早期生命起源和演化有重要影响。目前关于蛇纹石化过程中氢气和烷烃形成的研究大多以橄榄石为初始物,且温度和压力较低(≤300℃,500bar)。本研究通过一系列的水热实验,研究300~500℃、1~3kbar时橄榄石、斜方辉石、单斜辉石、橄榄岩、玄武岩以及玄武岩与橄榄岩混合物发生蛇纹石化反应后氢气和烷烃的生成。300℃、3kbar时,橄榄石蛇纹石化后产生的氢气远大于辉石蚀变后产生氢气的量。随着温度的增加,400~500℃、3kbar时,橄榄石蚀变程度极低,产生氢气的量低于斜方辉石。单斜辉石实验后没有发生蚀变,不产生氢气和烷烃。400~500℃、3kbar时,橄榄岩蛇纹石化后产生的氢气和烷烃远高于橄榄石、斜方辉石和单斜辉石。玄武岩蛇纹石化后生成氢气和甲烷的量低于橄榄岩,但与玄武岩和橄榄岩混合物相当。这是因为玄武岩的单斜辉石蚀变后形成富铁的透辉石(~8.1%FeO),透辉石的Fe以Fe2+为主,这降低了Fe3+和氢气的量。以上表明,橄榄岩的蛇纹石化不同于橄榄石和斜方辉石。不仅是海底热液蚀变产生氢气和甲烷,洋壳俯冲过程中地幔楔橄榄岩蛇纹石化也会生成氢气和甲烷,但由于洋壳玄武岩的加入,氢气和甲烷的量会远小于橄榄岩蚀变时的量。     

四川软玉猫眼赋存的围岩显微结构研究

对四川软玉猫眼的赋存围岩一蛇纹石化辉橄岩和橄榄岩的岩石显微结构的研究结果表明：围岩的主要结构类型为网格状结构和交代假象结构。交代假象结构又可分为橄榄石假象和辉石假象两种。辉石假象有两种表现形式：其一为蛇纹石交代辉石而保留辉石的晶形;另一种表现为由辉石蚀变所析出的磁铁矿经浓集而形成肋状条纹以及磁铁矿向辉石边缘迁移而形成浓缩边。研究认为：在超基性岩体蚀变过程中,首先发生橄榄石化和辉石化,生成蛇纹石。而后蛇纹石对与其接触的碳酸盐岩发生接触交代,吸收围岩中的钙而形成软玉。     

X射线粉晶衍射仪在辽宁瓦房店金伯利岩蚀变矿物鉴定中的应用

瓦房店金伯利岩热液蚀变强烈,原岩矿物组分几乎蚀变殆尽,显微镜下对蚀变矿物鉴定相当困难.利用X射线粉晶衍射技术对蚀变金伯利岩物相进行系统检测,结果显示：42号岩管金伯利岩主要矿物为蛇纹石、金云母和滑石,有少量方解石、锐钛矿、磷灰石、石英、钛铁矿、钙钛矿、榍石、磁铁矿和绿泥石;石灰窑1号无矿金伯利岩岩管主要矿物为蛇纹石、金云母和白云石,有少量方解石、锐钛矿、磷灰石、滑石、磁铁矿和绿泥石;9号无矿金伯利岩岩脉主要矿物为方解石和石英,有少量绿泥石和重晶石;51号贫矿金伯利岩岩管主要矿物为蛇纹石和金云母,方解石化作用不均匀,白云石化作用普遍,有少量锐钛矿、滑石、磁铁矿、绿泥石、磷灰石、钛铁矿、石英;30号贫矿岩管样品风化严重,主要矿物为蒙脱石,有少量方解石、滑石、蛇纹石、榍石、磷灰石.实践证明,采用X射线粉晶衍射仪鉴定金伯利岩蚀变矿物组合是一种非常可行的技术手段.     

X射线粉晶衍射仪在山东蒙阴金伯利岩蚀变矿物鉴定中的应用

山东蒙阴金伯利岩组成矿物以蚀变矿物为主,X射线粉晶衍射仪鉴定结果显示无矿金伯利岩矿物组分为方解石、白云石、石英、钙锆钛矿,标志性矿物为白云石和钙锆钛矿;贫矿金伯利岩矿物组分为蛇纹石、方解石、钙铝榴石、磁铁矿和金云母,标志性矿物为钙铝榴石;富矿金伯利岩矿物组分为蛇纹石、方解石、绿泥石、磷灰石、磁铁矿和金云母,标志性矿物为绿泥石和磷灰石。采用X射线粉晶衍射仪鉴定金伯利岩蚀变矿物组合,寻找蚀变矿物组分变化与金伯利岩含矿性的关系,利用标志性的蚀变矿物判断金伯利岩无矿、贫矿还是富矿,是非常有意义的。     

老挝爬奔金矿围岩蚀变地球化学特征及其与成矿关系

爬奔金矿围岩蚀变主要有碳酸盐化、硅化、菱铁矿化。通过对各类蚀变岩进行元素地球化学特征及成矿关系分析,发现Au与Si、Fe、As、Sb、Hg呈强正相关关系,与Zn、W、Ag、Cu、Mg呈弱正相关关系,与Ca呈负相关关系。在金矿成矿过程中,碳酸盐化一方面有利于大量菱铁矿化蚀变的形成,另一方面可为金提供赋存空间;硅化、"红化"(褐铁矿化、菱铁矿化)蚀变改变成矿环境,使含矿流体酸度增大、氧逸度减小,有利于金的沉淀。     

弓长岭铁矿蚀变岩及富矿成因

弓长岭铁矿床是鞍山本溪地区最典型的BIF型铁矿床之一,而且是该地区最大的富铁矿产区。从野外产出关系来看,弓长岭矿区的富铁矿与蚀变岩密切相关,蚀变岩与富铁矿基本上是形影相随。蚀变岩具有分带性,由富铁矿向外依次为镁铁闪石岩石榴石岩绿泥石岩弱蚀变斜长角闪岩斜长角闪岩。弱蚀变岩保留了蚀变原岩的岩貌特征,矿物的蚀变并不完全,可见残余的原生矿物。强蚀变岩的蚀变较彻底,基本无原生矿物残留。将蚀变岩与斜长角闪岩、磁铁石英岩的地球化学特征进行对比可以发现弱蚀变岩、石榴石岩、绿泥石岩与斜长角闪岩的痕量元素特征基本一致,而镁铁闪石岩的痕量元素特征更接近磁铁石英岩。再结合镜下特征、野外接触关系、主量元素特征等证据,认为除了镁铁闪石岩是由磁铁石英岩蚀变形成,其余蚀变岩都是由斜长角闪岩蚀变形成。根据各类蚀变岩中主要矿物的(Fe+Mg)/Si值以及蚀变岩的SiO2和Fe2OT3含量变化规律可以发现,在蚀变岩和富矿形成过程中发生了Mg、Fe以及Si的迁移。对本次取样的样品进行原岩恢复和构造环境判别投图,投图结果表明,绿泥石岩和弱蚀变岩的最初原岩都是形成于弧后盆地的玄武岩。     

与蛇纹石化相关的碳酸盐化作用

二氧化碳是一种温室气体,是造成全球变暖的"元凶"之一,二氧化碳的存储方法是近年来研究的热点之一。基性或超基性岩的蛇纹石化作用会产生富Ca2+、Fe2+和Mg2+的流体,而这些离子与二氧化碳反应形成碳酸盐矿物,这是一种CO2储存的新途径。板块俯冲过程中,这些碳酸盐矿物可能被俯冲至地球深部,并形成碳酸盐岩浆。因此,研究蛇纹石化过程中的碳酸盐化作用有重要的科学意义。二氧化碳对蛇纹石化的影响分为三个方面:一是降低蛇纹石化速率,研究表明,300℃、500 bar、富二氧化碳(PCO220 bar)的体系中,橄榄石的蛇纹石化速率降低了50%[1];另一方面,体系中富集二氧化碳使得氢气和甲烷的生成速率大大降低[2],这是因为碳酸镁富集Fe2+,降低Fe3+和氢气的含量;此外,二氧化碳增加蛇纹石化流体的Si O2含量,从而降低流体的p H,促进橄榄岩的蚀变产物由蛇纹石-水镁石-透辉石平衡组合变为蛇纹石-滑石-碳酸镁[3]。碳酸盐矿物类型和温度相关。温度≤300℃时,蛇纹石化流体富Mg2+而贫Ca2+[4],Mg2+和CO2反应形成碳酸镁;温度≥400℃时,则形成碳酸钙[5]。可以用此来判断地质过程中蛇纹石化作用的温度。关于蛇纹石化过程中的碳酸盐化仍值得进一步关注。     

北山南部玻基纯橄岩的发现及其岩石学和地球化学特征

北山南部地区,二叠纪闪长岩岩体的西北部,发现玻基纯橄岩[Vitric Dunite;Meimechite,Меймечит;中文亦有音译为麦美奇岩]和蚀变玻基纯橄岩。①玻基纯橄岩样品呈致密块状,浅灰绿色,表面可见清楚的粒状斑晶矿物和黑色胶结物,具发丝一样的小条带。蚀变玻基纯橄岩样品呈致密块状,深黑色,局部具细小条带。显微镜下,前者主要矿物橄榄石为斑状结构;后者主要矿物橄榄石多蚀变为蛇纹石,表现为变余斑状结构,斑晶是蛇纹石化的橄榄石假像。基质均为玻璃质结构。②X射线衍射分析表明:橄榄石为镁橄榄石[forsterite,(Mg_(1.8)Fe_(0.2))(SiO_4)],蛇纹石为利蛇纹石{lizardite,(Mg,Al)_3[(Si,Fe)_2O_5](OH)_4}。③电子探针检测,磁铁矿呈细条纹状,基质矿物有绿泥石、绿帘石、黝帘石、角闪石、钛铁矿、褐铁矿、镍黄铁矿、斜长石、尖晶石、金云母等。④样品岩石化学分析,主元素氧化物的含量分别为,SiO_2为36.40%～37.29%,Al_2O_3为2.61%～4.70%,TiO_2为0.058%～0.22%,MgO为33.30%～35.36%,Fe_2O_3+FeO为10.51%～12.89%,Na_2O+K_2O为0.03%～0.14%,为超铁镁质超基性喷出岩。Mg#为83.5～86.5,δSr为1.14～4.61,Sr/Y为5.70～42.74。稀土元素∑REE为2.18～9.71,δEu为0.68～2.43,La/Yb为0.90～10.00。微量元素和稀土元素具有原始地幔的岩石化学特征。⑤原始岩浆可能经历了结晶分异过程,并可能在裂谷构造环境形成。⑥本文发现的玻基纯橄岩,类似于典型的西伯利亚麦美奇河流域和勘察加半岛的低钛"麦美奇岩"。玻基纯橄岩在该地区的发现,为该地区岩浆的形成和演化研究及铜镍矿的找矿和勘探工作,提供了重要的岩石学依据。     

Olivine: a monitor of magma evolutionary paths in kimberlites and olivine melilitites

Petrographic and chemical criteria indicate that the overwhelming majority of olivines in kimberlites are probably cognate phenocrysts. The implied low volume of xenocryst olivines requires that primitive kimberlite magmas are highly ultrabasic liquids. Two chemically distinctive olivine populations are present in all of the kimberlites studied. The dominant olivine population, which includes large rounded olivines and smaller euhedral crystals, is Mg-rich relative to late-stage rim compositions. It is characterized by a range in 100 Mg/(Mg + Fe) and uniform Ni concentration, reflecting Rayleigh-type crystallization during magma evolution. The most Mg-rich of these olivines are considered to be similiar to those in the mantle source rocks. The second compositional population, generally very subordinate, though markedly more abundant in the megacrystrich Monastery kimberlite, is Fe-rich relative to rim compositions. This group of olivines crystallized from evolved liquids in equilibrium with iron-rich megacrysts, both entrained by the kimberlite magma during ascent. Differences between the chemical fields of Fe-rich olivines in Group I and Group II kimberlites point to relatively deeper derivation of the latter suite. Olivine chemistry can be used to characterize kimberlite magma sub-types, and may prove to be a useful tool for evaluating the diamond potential of kimberlites.     

Fast kimberlite ascent rates estimated from hydrogen diffusion profiles in xenolithic mantle olivines from southern Africa

Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) analyses of olivines from peridotite xenoliths found in southern African kimberlites indicate 0 to 80 ppm H₂O concentrations. OH absorbance profiles across olivine grains show homogeneous H contents from core to edge for most samples. In one sample the olivines are H-free, while another has olivines characterized by lower H contents at the grain edges compared to the cores, indicating H loss during transport of the xenolith to the surface. Flat or near-flat H profiles place severe constraints on the duration of H loss from olivine grains, with implications for kimberlite magma ascent rates. Diffusion equations were used to estimate times of H loss of about 4 h for the sample with heterogeneous olivine H contents. Resulting kimberlite ascent rates are calculated to be 5-37 m s⁻¹ minimum, although these estimates are highly dependent on volatile contents and degassing behavior of the host kimberlite magma. Xenolithic olivines from alkali basalts generally have lower H contents and more pronounced H diffusion profiles than do those from kimberlites. This difference is likely caused by higher magma temperatures and lower ascent rates of alkali basalts compared to kimberlites.     

Chemistry of glass inclusions in olivines of the CR chondrites Renazzo, Acfer 182, and El Djouf 001

Glass inclusions in olivines of the Renazzo, El Djouf 001, and Acfer 182 CR-type chondrites are chemically divers and can be classified into Al-rich, Al-poor, and Na-rich types. The chemical properties of the glasses are independent of the occurrence of the olivine (isolated or part of an aggregate or chondrule) and its composition. The glasses are silica-saturated (Al-rich) or oversaturated (Al-poor, 24% normative quartz). All glasses have chondritic CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, unfractionated CI-normalized abundances of refractory trace elements and are depleted in moderately volatile and volatile elements. Thus the glasses are likely to be of a primitive condensate origin whose chemical composition has been established before chondrule formation and accretion, rather then the product of either crystal fractionation from chondrule melts or part melting of chondrules. Rare Na-rich glasses give evidence for elemental exchange between the glass and a vapor phase. Because they have Al₂O₃ contents and trace element abundances very similar to those of the Al-rich glasses, they likely were derived from the latter by Ca exchange (for Na) with the nebula. Elemental exchange reactions also have affected practically all olivines (e.g., exchange of Mg of olivine for Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cr³⁺). Glasses formed contemporaneously with the host olivine. As the most likely process for growing nonskeletal olivines from a vapor we consider the VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) growth process, or liquid-phase epitaxy. Glasses are the possible remnants of the liquid interface between growing crystal and the vapor. Such liquids can form stably or metastably in regions with enhanced oxygen fugacity as compared to that of a nebula of solar composition.     

Thermodynamics of water in cordierite and some petrologic consequences of cordierite as a hydrous phase

Olivine melilitites from Namaqualand, South Africa are characterized by a broad range in olivine compositions on the scale of individual hand specimens. It is possible to distinguish four petrographically and chemically distinct olivine populations in both the northern and southern pipe clusters studied: (a) Scarce anhedral or subhedral olivines that display marked disequilibrium features with the surrounding matrix, and which are characterized by having high iron and extremely low nickel contents (referred to as HILN olivines) relative to the other olivines in the same rock, (b) A dominant population of euhedral and often skeletal (hopper) olivines that are richer in Mg and Ni than the HILN olivines in the same rock. There are in addition unusual hopper olivines that are petrographically similar to the skeletal olivines, but show aberrant zonation patterns. Hopper and HILN type olivines contain fluid and carbonate inclusions which apparently record the loss of a vapour phase and an immiscible carbonate liquid during magma ascent, (c) A third population consists of large rounded olivines (megacrysts), up to 40 mm in greatest diameter. Individuals are chemically homogeneous, but megacrysts from the same pipe collectively define a trend of decreasing Mg and Ni (Fo₉₂, 0.36% Ni to Fo₇₅, 0.17% Ni). The most fayalitic megacrysts are depleted in Mg and Ni relative to the hopper olivines in the same rock, (d) Scarce magnesium-rich (Fo₉₁) anhedral olivines which show strained extinction are believed to be xenocrysts.It is suggested that the HILN-type olivines crystallized from primitive carbonate-rich magmas under conditions of low oxygen fugacity, intermediate between the Ni-NiO and Fe-FeO buffers. Mineral-melt partition coefficients for the transition elements determined in basaltic systems are considered to be inappropriate to such carbonate-rich melts. Loss of volatiles and an immiscible carbonate liquid during magma ascent resulted in an increase in oxygen activity, a decrease in the Fe-Mg distribution coefficient (K _D ) for olivine and liquid and an increase in liquidus temperatures. These effects led to the rapid crystallization of Mg- and Ni-enriched skeletal hopper olivines. The unusual hoppers crystallized later than the HILN olivines but prior to the normal hoppers, under conditions chracterized by rapid and independent changes in oxygen activity and partition coefficients associated with the loss of volatiles and an immiscible carbonate liquid. The range in chemistry which characterizes the megacryst-olivine suite is believed to record physico-chemical changes to the magmas subsequent to separation from a mantle source area, but prior to crystallization of the HILN olivines. Most important of these changes was an increasing degree of polymerization of the liquid structure and a progressive decrease in oxygen activity as the molar ratio (CO ₃ ^2- /(CO ₃ ^2- + CO₂)) in the magma increased with decreasing pressure. Increasing polymerization of the liquid resulted in an increase in olivine-liquid partition coefficients for transition elements.Olivines in kimberlites show compositional characteristics and zonation patterns similar to those recognized in the olivine melilitites which, coupled with ilmenite compositions, suggests that the two magma types initially evolved along similar physico-chemical paths.     

峨眉山大火成岩省平川苦橄岩地幔源区性质——来自橄榄石微量元素的制约

橄榄石是基性岩浆中最早期结晶的硅酸盐矿物之一,其主量、微量元素特征可以反映出岩浆演化环境、岩浆源区岩性和再循环组分性质等重要信息.本次研究通过对峨眉山大火成岩省平川苦橄岩中橄榄石主量和微量元素分析,以及橄榄石内尖晶石包裹体分析,并与大理苦橄岩中橄榄石和尖晶石成分进行对比,来探讨不同苦橄岩母岩浆氧逸度及源区性质的异同.橄...     

地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的指示意义

橄榄石是地幔橄榄岩和辉石岩的主要组成矿物,但也经常以斑晶和捕虏晶的形式出现在玄武质岩石中。结合近年来在地幔橄榄岩的主要元素（如Mg和Fe）组成特征以及Li、Mg和Fe稳定同位素地球化学方面的研究成果,重点对橄榄石的地球化学特征与华北克拉通岩石圈地幔演化过程之间的联系进行了讨论,旨在加深对华北克拉通岩石圈地幔演化过程的理解。现有研究表明：地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的矿物学特征、元素和同位素地球化学组成能够很好地指示岩石圈地幔的特征及其演化过程,因而具有重要的意义。对于克拉通地区的地幔橄榄岩来说,橄榄石的Mg#通常可以指示岩石圈地幔的属性,古老、难熔的地幔橄榄岩中的橄榄石一般具有较高的Mg#（〉92）,而新生的岩石圈地幔橄榄岩中的橄榄石则具有较低的Mg#（〈91）。因此,地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的Mg#在一定程度上具有年龄意义。橄榄岩中橄榄石的Li、Mg和Fe同位素组成也可以明确指示岩石圈地幔的属性及其所经历的演化过程,正常地幔的δ7Li、δ26Mg和δ57Fe组成相对均一,如果上述同位素组成偏离正常地幔值,则说明岩石圈地幔经历了熔体/流体的交代作用。华北克拉通地区地幔橄榄岩捕虏体中橄榄石的Li、Mg和Fe同位素组成研究表明：该区的岩石圈地幔经历了多个阶段、不同来源的熔体/流体的改造过程。     

中国金伯利岩地球化学

本文利用了100多个金伯利岩的主要元素及微量元素分析结果,用Si/Mg、C.l——(SiO_2+Al_2O_3+Na_2O)/(MgO+2K_2O)、Mg/(Mg+Fe)比值及SiO_2、Al_2O_3及Na_2O含量研究了金伯利岩的混染程度。结果表明,绝大部分金伯利岩受到了混染作用的影响,它们的成分实际上不能代表形成这些岩石的岩浆的成分。金伯利岩的Al_2O_3和Na_2O的含量比其他碱性超基性及基性岩石的Al_2O_3和Na_2O含量低得多。含金刚石的金伯利岩比不含金刚石的金伯利岩的MgO、(Cr_2O_3+NiO)高,而TiO_2+Al_2O_3+Na_2O+K_2O+P_2O_5低。 我国金伯利岩中Cr-Al,Ni-Co,Ni-Cr,Ni-V,Sc-Ti,Zn-Ti,Ba-Sr,Zr-Hf,Nb-Ta,U-Th,K-Rb呈正相关关系。     

Geochemistry and fore-arc evolution of upper mantle peridotites in the Cryogenian Bir Umq ophiolite,Arabian Shield,Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

The Bir Umq ophiolite is one of the most important ophiolitic successions in the Arabian Shield, and represents an excellent case for the study of the tectonomagmatic evolution of the earliest Precambrian events in the juvenile part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS). It is a dismembered ophiolite, which includes a serpentinized peridotite with small amounts of gabbro and mélange, and is overlain by the Sumayir formation. The mantle section of the Bir Umq ophiolite has been pervasively sheared and folded during its emplacement and is extensively serpentinized, carbonated and silicified, resulting in the common development of magnesite and listwaenite along the shear zones. Listwaenite occurs in the form of upstanding ridges due to its resistance to erosion. Antigorite is the main serpentine mineral, which, however, has low amounts of lizardite and chrysotile, indicating that the present serpentinites formed by prograde metamorphism. The ophiolitic rocks of Bir Umq have undergone regional metamorphism up to the greenschist to amphibolite facies. The presence of mesh and bastite textures indicates harzburgite and dunite protoliths. The serpentinized peridotite preserves rare relicts of primary minerals such as olivine, pyroxene and Cr-spinel. The serpentinized ultramafics of Bir Umq have high Mg# [molar Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺); 0.90–0.93), low CaO, and Al₂O₃ contents similar to that of the environment of the suprasubduction zone. Additionally, they are characterized by the depletion of some compatible trace elements (e.g., Nb, Sr, Ta, Zr, Hf and REE), but show a wide variation in the Rb and Ba. Moreover, they are enriched in some elements that have affinities for Mg-rich minerals such as Ni, Cr, V, and Co. Fresh relics of olivine have high Fo (av. 0.91) and NiO (av. 0.42) contents, similar to those in the mantle olivine. The fresh Cr-spinel has high Cr# (0.68) and low TiO₂ content (av. 0.11), similar to those in modern fore-arc peridotites. The composition of both orth- and clinopyroxenes confirms the fore-arc affinity of the studied ultramafics. The present study indicates that the protoliths of the serpentinized ultramafics of Bir Umq have high partial melt degrees, which is consistent with the characteristics of ultramafic rocks formed in a subarc environment (fore-arc) within a suprasubduction zone system.     

Distribution of Mg,Fe, Al,Ca and Na in coexisting olivine,orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in the Totalp serpentinite (Davos,Switzerland) and in the Alpine metamorphosed Malenco serpentinite (N. Italy)

The primary minerals of a partly serpentinized Alpine type ultrabasic mass, lying in a zone of low Alpine metamorphism, were analysed with an electron microprobe. The distribution coefficients of Mg and Fe in coexisting orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes and olivines indicates an equilibrium temperature of around 1400°C. The Ca/Ca+Mg ratios in the clinopyroxenes indicate temperatures between 800° and 1000°C. This discrepancy in temperature estimations can partly be explained by the high Al₂O₃-contents of the clinopyroxenes, since a good correlation between Al₂O₃-contents and Ca/Ca+Mg ratio was found. The Na₂O-content of the clinopyroxenes decreases in the successive pyroxenites that differentiated from the main lherzolite. From the mineralogical composition of the different rock types and the chemical compositions of the minerals it is concluded that the Totalp peridotite originated in the Upper Mantle.In the Malenco serpentinite, the clinopyroxenes formed during the rather strong Alpine metamorphism are much poorer in Al₂O₃ and Na₂O than the primary clinopyroxenes. On the other hand, the olivines, grown postdeformationally during the Alpine metamorphism, are not much different in composition to the primary olivines.     

Patterns in the hydrogen and trace element compositions of mantle olivines

 The concentrations of hydrogen and the other trace elements in olivines from mantle xenoliths have been determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) for clarifying the incorporation mechanism and the behavior of the hydrogen. The hydrogen contents in olivines from mantle xenoliths range from 10 to 60 ppm wt. H₂O and the concentration range is consistent with the previous infrared (IR) spectroscopic data. IR spectra of the olivine crystals show no effects of the weathering or secondary alteration. The hydrogen is distributed homogeneously among olivine grains in each mantle xenolith. However, the hydrogen contents of the olivine crystals are less than those for the olivine phenocrysts crystallized from the host magma. Olivine inclusions in diamonds also show similar hydrogen contents to the xenolithic olivines. Thus the hydrogen content of xenolithic olivines does not attain equilibrium with water in the host magma during the transportation from the Earth's mantle to the surface, and is taken as a reflection of the hydrogen condition in the mantle. Correlations of hydrogen with trivalent cation contents in garnet peridotitic olivines indicate the incorporation of hydrogen into mantle olivines by a coupled substitution mechanism, with the hydrogen present in the form of hydroxyl in oxygen positions adjacent to the M site vacancies. The hydrogen content of xenolithic olivines increases with pressure but decreases with increasing temperature, suggesting importance of olivine as a water reservoir at low temperature regions such as in subducting slabs. Received August 15, 1995/Revised, accepted November 19, 1996