Prospects of search for diamondiferous kimberlites in the northeastern Siberian Platform

The objects of study are Triassic hypabyssal diamondiferous kimberlites with an age of 220-245 Ma, containing macrocrysts of unaltered olivine. The latter are close in the time of formation to the main stage of intrusion of the Siberian Trap Province (252 Ma), which lasted less than 1 Myr. A comparative high-precision analytical study of the Ti, Ca, Cr, and Al impurity patterns in about 1000 olivine macrocryst samples with a forsterite content Fo = (100Mg/(Mg + Fe)) of 78 to 93 has demonstrated the effect of traps on the lithospheric composition. A comprehensive comparative study of diamonds from northern placers and Triassic kimberlites, including determination of their carbon isotope composition, was performed. Chromatography-mass-spectroscopic analysis of submicron fluid inclusions in diamonds from northern placers and kimberlites has shown predominant hydrocarbons of a wide range of compositions and subordinate contents of N₂, H₂O, and CO₂. These findings, together with the results of previous studies of subcalcic Cr-pyropes and diamonds found in the Lower Carboniferous gritstones of the Kyutyungde graben, lead to the conclusion that the Toluopka kimberlite field is promising for Paleozoic kimberlites. The results of comprehensive studies of diamonds and indicator minerals and U/Pb isotope dating of numerous detrital zircon samples from the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) of the Bulkur site in the lower reaches of the Lena River suggest the presence of diamondiferous kimberlites within the northeastern Siberian Platform. The age of the probable primary diamond sources in the study area can be evaluated by an integrated U/Pb isotope dating of zircons, perovskites, and rutiles from the developed diamond placers and the basal horizon of the Carnian Stage.     

Hydroxyl in olivines from mantle xenoliths in kimberlites of the Siberian platform

From a total of 335 olivine crystal grains, crystallographically orientated platelets and, where possible, parallelepipeds were prepared, chemically analysed by electron microprobe, examined under the polarisation microscope, and studied by polarised FTIR microscope-absorption-spectrometry in the _OH vibrational range, 3,000–3,800 cm^–1. The 335 crystal grains were extracted from 174 different specimens of Yakutian upper mantle material, including 97 xenoliths that represent all the rock types occurring in all the kimberlites of the Siberian shield. The other specimens were mega- and macrocrysts or inclusions in diamonds and garnets. Analysis of the polarised _OH-spectra allowed distinction between hydroxyl in non-intrinsic separate inclusions, NSI, and in isolated local or condensed extended defects, intrinsic to the olivines, ILD or CED, respectively. As the two latter types cannot be distinguished by vibrational spectroscopy, and as they are presumably interconnected by intracrystalline condensation reactions of the type n [ILD][CED]_n, we propose to symbolise them as [ILD/CED]. Of the total of 70 polarised _OH-bands that were found in the whole set, 17 are caused by NSI, 53 by [ILD/CED]. Total mean integrated _OH-band intensities, (̄_int)_total with ̄_int=(_||a+_||b+_||c)_int/3, were determined from the spectra. They yielded the contents of structurally unallocated water, using the recent calibration of the IR-method (Bell et al. 2003). The range is 0<wt. ppm (H₂O)_total<419. Olivines included in diamonds were found to be free of hydroxyl (detection limit of the single crystal IR-spectrometry, ca. 1 wt. ppm water). The total water contents of the different types of olivines increase in the sequence groundmass crystals < megacrysts < macrocrysts. NSI are: (1) Serpentine plus talc with _OH in the range 3,704–3,657 cm^–1, either polarised along a of the olivine matrix (Pbnm setting) or unpolarised. Approximately 232 olivines out of the 335 contain such NSI. Serpentine and talc occur mostly together, in rare cases one of them alone and if so, mostly talc. (2) Mg-edenite or Mg-pargasite occur rarely and with _OH at 3,709–3,711 cm^–1. NIS types (1) and (2) are presumably formed by metasomatic alterations of the host olivines, the orientated ones probably in the mantle, the unorientated ones during later stages. (3) The spectra of 23 olivine crystals, displayed specifically a _OH-band, polarised c>a>b, at 3,327–3,328 cm^–1, an energy typical of _OH in hydrous wadsleyite. We assume this phase to be present as NIS in the respective olivines, possibly as relic phase. (4) Weak bands between 3,175 and 3,260 cm^–1 polarised along c, are tentatively assigned to molecular water NSI with relatively strong hydrogen bonds to the matrix. We did not find larger clusters of molecular water, i.e. liquid-like water with its characteristic broad band centred at ca. 3,400 cm^–1. We did also not find any humite minerals as an NSI. Of the 53 _OH-bands intrinsic to olivine, the 29 most abundant and strong ones were subject to further analysis in terms of OH^–-bearing structural defects [ILD/CED]. Nearly all these bands are strongly polarised along a. Two bands at 3,672 and 3,535 cm^–1 are assigned to boron-related defects, [ILD/CED]_B. Five bands at 3,573, 3,563, 3,541, 3,524 and 3,512 cm^–1 are intensity-correlated and are assigned to Si-depleted titan-clinohumite-like defects, [ILD/CED]_(thl). The other, so far unidentified _OH of [ILD/CED] are suggested to originate from OH^– in different types of (Mg, Fe)-depleted defects recently predicted and discovered by TEM. These are called [ILD/CED]_(KWK). Eight mostly strong bands of them occur at energies higher than 3,573 cm^–1, [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-H, 13 strong to medium strong bands occur below 3,500 cm^–1, [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-L. Such intrinsic defects may occur alone, [ILD/CED]_(thl) and [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-H, or in different combinations with each other, [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-H+[ILD/CED]_(thl), [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-H+[ILD/CED]_(KWK)-L and [ILD/CED]_(KWK)-H+[ILD/CED]_(thl)+[ILD/CED]_(KWK)-L. Though there are indications that the occurrences of such types and combinations of the intrinsic OH^–-bearing defects in the olivines are related to the types and genetic peculiarities of their host rocks, straightforward and simple correlations do not exist. The reasons for this and also for the great number of varieties of intrinsic [ILD/CED] are discussed.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs

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Environmental conditions of accumulation of Cambrian carbonaceous rocks in the Siberian Platform

Based on results of deep drilling and the CDP-2D seismic profiling, the relations between the Early and Middle Cambrian carbonaceous rocks and the underlying, overlying, and synchronously formed deposits in the Siberian Platform are analyzed, and the lithologo-paleo- geographic, paleotectonic, and tectonic conditions of their formation are considered. It is shown that these carbonaceous rocks are intimately related to the Cambrian organogenic structures, up to their mutual transitions.     

Hydroxyl defects in garnets from mantle xenoliths in kimberlites of the Siberian platform

A suite of more than 200 garnet single crystals, extracted from 150 xenoliths, covering the whole range of types of garnet parageneses in mantle xenoliths so far known from kimberlites of the Siberian platform and collected from nearly all the kimberlite pipes known in that tectonic unit, as well as some garnets found as inclusions in diamonds and olivine megacrysts from such kimberlites, were studied by means of electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal IR absorption spectroscopy in the v _OH vibrational range in search of the occurrence, energy and intensity of the v _OH bands of hydroxyl defects in such garnets and its potential use in an elucidation of the nature of the fluid phase in the mantle beneath the Siberian platform. The v _OH single-crystal spectra show either one or a combination of two or more of the following major v _OH bands, I 3645–3662 cm⁻¹, II 3561–3583 cm⁻¹, III 3515–3527 cm⁻¹, and minor bands, Ia 3623–3631 cm⁻¹, IIa 3593–3607 cm⁻¹. The type of combination of such bands in the spectrum of a specific garnet depends on the type of the rock series of the host xenolith, Mg, Mg-Ca, Ca, Mg-Fe, or alkremite, on the xenolith type as well as on the chemical composition of the respective garnet. Nearly all garnets contain band systems I and II. Band system III occurs in Ti-rich garnets, with wt% TiO₂ > ca. 0.4, from xenoliths of the Mg-Ca and Mg-Fe series, only. The v _OH spectra do not correspond to those of OH⁻ defects in synthetic pyropes or natural ultra-high pressure garnets from diamondiferous metamorphics. There were no indications of v _OH from inclusions of other minerals within the selected 60 × 60 μm measuring areas in the garnets. The v _OH spectra of pyrope-knorringite- and pyrope-knorringite-uvarovite-rich garnets included in diamonds do not show band systems I to III. Instead, they exhibit one weak, broad band (Δv _OH 200–460 cm⁻¹) near 3570 cm⁻¹, a result that was also obtained on pyrope-knorringite-rich garnets extracted from two olivine megacrysts. The quantitative evaluation, on the basis of relevant existing calibrational data (Bell et al. 1995), of the sum of integral intensities of all v _OH bonds of the garnets studied yielded a wide range of “water” concentrations within the set of the different garnets, between values below the detection limit of our single-crystal IR method, near 2 × 10⁻⁴ wt%, up to 163 × 10⁻⁴ wt%. The “water” contents vary in a complex manner in garnets from different xenolith types, obviously depending on a large number of constraints, inherent in the crystal chemistry as well as the formation conditions of the garnets during the crystallization of their mantle host rocks. Secondary alteration effects during uplift of the kimberlite, play, if any, only a minor role. Despite the very complex pattern of the “water” contents of the garnets, preventing an evaluation of a straightforward correlation between “water” contents of the garnets and the composition of the mantle's fluid phase during garnet formation, at least two general conclusions could be drawn: (1) the wide variation of “water” contents in garnets is not indicative of regional or local differences in the composition of the mantle's fluid phase; (2) garnets formed in the high-pressure/high-temperature diamond-pyrope facies invariably contain significantly lower amounts of “water” than garnets formed under the conditions of the graphite-pyrope facies. This latter result (2) may point to significantly lower f _H2O and f _O2 in the former as compared to the latter facies. Received: 25 November 1997 / Accepted: 9 March 1998     

Rb-Sr and U-Th-Pb systematics of alkaline rocks: the alkaline rocks from Italy

The isotopic composition of Pb and Sr and the abundances of Rb, Sr, U, Th, and Pb were determined for whole rock samples from all major volcanic centres of the Cenozoic alkaline volcanism of Central and South Italy, together with some samples from the contemporaneous anatectic Tuscan volcanism. The Sr and Pb isotopic compositions of the alkaline rocks show a negative correlation combined with a regional trend: the ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios decrease from 0.711 in the north-west to 0.704 in the south-east, while the ${}^{206}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ ratios increase from 18.7 to 20.0. Variations in both isotopic compositions are generally small throughout erupted rock sequences for any volcanic centre.The Pb and Sr isotopic abundance variations are interpreted on the basis of two alternative models, which correspond to two groups of geological processes: variations can result (i) from a time dependent development in subsystems with different $\text{Rb}\text{Sr}$ or $\text{U(Th)}\text{Pb}$ ratios or, (ii) from mixing of Sr or Pb with different isotopic compositions. Combining both Pb and Sr isotope abundance measurements it is shown that the source of each volcanic centre is formed by various degrees of mixing between two components. One component and the most southern Tuscan anatectic rocks most likely have a common source, whereas the other component of the mixing process is suggested to be a liquid fraction derived from a small degree of partial fusion of a hydrous mantle. Thus at least a two-stage evolution of the Italian alkaline rocks is indicated: first a mixing process leading to the formation of the parental material followed by differentiation processes leading to the formation of the erupted rock sequences.The geodynamic model which explains the data best is that of a lateral inhomogeneous mantle. The lateral inhomogeneities in the mantle would be the result of mixing between originally mantle and crustal derived material. The mixing process itself would not have any primary connection with the Quarternary volcanic activity.     

Constraints on source-forming processes of West Greenland kimberlites inferred from Hf-Nd isotope systematics

Kimberlites from West Greenland have Hf-Nd isotope as well as major and trace element compositions that are similar to other Group I kimberlites, but that are distinctive in the spectrum of magmas sampled at Earth’s surface. The West Greenland kimberlites have ε_Ndi that ranges from +1.6 to +3.1 and ε_Hfi that ranges from −4.3 to +4.9. The samples exhibit ubiquitous negative Δε_Hfi (deviation from the ocean island basalt ε_Hf-ε_Nd reference line), ranging from −1.8 to −11.2. The kimberlites are characterized by steep heavy rare earth element patterns, positive Ta-Nb anomalies and negative Hf-Zr anomalies. These chemical signals are consistent with the presence of ancient, subducted oceanic crust in the kimberlite source region. In the model we present, dewatering and possibly partial melting of rutile-bearing oceanic crust during subduction results in characteristic trace element patterns in the residual crust. During aging, the Hf-Nd isotopic composition of this dewatered/partially melted EMORB-type crust evolves to negative Δε_Hfi values. Metasomatic fluids derived from this ancient subducted oceanic crust infiltrate and impart their trace element and isotopic signal on proximal peridotitic mantle. Melting of this metasomatized mantle peridotite results in kimberlite magmas.     

Carbon isotope composition of sedimentary rocks in the southern Siberian Platform and surrounding fold systems

Organic carbon isotope composition was studied in the sedimentary cover of the southern Siberian Platform and its surrounding fold systems. The rocks experienced catagenesis, metamorphism, and metasomatism. The chloroform bitumoid (CB) has a stable carbon isotope composition within a wide range of postsedimentation transformations. The average values of δ¹³C in CB of the sedimentary cover are ?29.5‰. Metamorphism and, especially, ore metasomatism, at the Sukhoi Log deposit caused a 2‰ increase in the heavy carbon isotope concentration of CB as compared to that of the platform deposits. The narrow variations in carbon isotope composition of the bitumoid are defined by their derivation from lipids, whose components are almost insusceptible to changes in the PT conditions. Kerogen from platform deposits is more strongly depleted than CB in the heavy carbon isotope (δ¹³C_av ? 32.2‰). The insoluble carbonaceous matter (ICM) of the metamorphic shales is significantly enriched in the heavy carbon isotope (δ¹³C_av ? 21.9‰). The highest changes in carbon isotope composition were found in concentrates of ICM from metasomatically altered rocks of the Sukhoi Log deposit (δ¹³C_av ? 17.5‰). The heavier carbon isotope composition caused by metamorphism and metasomatism is evidently defined by isotopic exchange between the carbonate carbon and CO₂ of metasomatic solutions, on one hand, and ICM of shales, on the other.     

The physicochemical dynamics of carbonatization of the rocks of lithospheric mantle beneath the Siberian Platform

Software modeling flow multireservoir systems was used to study the dynamics of carbonatization of lithospheric mantle with flows of magmatic fluids directed from a chamber in the upper mantle to the permeable zone, which dissects continental lithosphere. It has been shown that the region of physicochemical conditions of carbonatization in depleted mantle rocks corresponds to the narrow range of the compositions of hypothetical fluids. If the total content of the fluid is ~ 4 wt.% and the contents of SiO₂ and Ca are 0.5-0.1 moles, (1) the ratio of the molar fractions of Si to Ca is less than unity; (2) the ratios of molar fractions in the C-H-O system are 1:2:3 or 2:1:2; (3) -8 < log p_O2 < -11; and (4) CO₂ content in the fluid is higher than H₂O content by a factor of 1.5-2, and chlorine significantly dominates over fluorine. If the content of the fluid phase is lower and this phase has a lower major-element content by an order of magnitude, the carbonatization becomes stronger as Ca content decreases.     

Isotope-geochemical features of Devonian rocks in the Pripyat Trough: Famennian suprasalt deposits

This work presents the results of isotope studies of the Upper Devonian (Famennian) suprasalt complex carried out with core material of exploratory borehole 71 drilled at the northwestern margin of the Pripyat Trough. Lithological features of the rocks point to a high degree of postsedimentary transformation of rocks. Significant role in these transformations was played by evaporites and related brines and the presence of hydrocarbons in the sequence. Such a combination provides insight into the behavior of isotope systems under conditions of the geochemical transformation of sedimentary material. The combined application of several isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, δ³⁴S, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) methods made it possible to consider the complex mechanisms of compositional and isotopic transformation of rocks in the course of their lithogenetic alterations. The source material can be deduced with a high probability from the Rb-Sr systematics of the clayey component of marls.     

Hydrocarbon biomarkers and diamondoid hydrocarbons from late Precambrian and lower Cambrian rocks of the Katanga saddle (Siberian Platform)

This study presents geochemical data on organic-rich rock samples collected from Riphean—Lower Paleozoic strata (potential source rocks) of the southern Siberian Platform and compositional data on hydrocarbon biomarkers (steranes, terpanes, n-alkanes, 12- and 13-methylalkanes, isoprenanes) and diamondoid hyrocarbons from core samples collected from the Kulindinskaya-1 well, which was drilled by RN-Exploration in 2012 within the Katanga saddle.     

Siberian meimechites: origin and relation to flood basalts and kimberlites

Here we combine petrological-geochemical and thermomechanical modeling techniques to explain origin of primary magmas of both Maimecha–Kotui meimechites and the Gudchikhinskaya basalts of Norilsk region, which represent, respectively, the end and the beginning of flood magmatism in the Siberian Trap Province.We have analyzed the least altered samples of meimechites, their olivine phenocrysts, and melt inclusions in olivines, as well as samples of dunites and their olivines, from boreholes G-1 and G-3 within the Guli volcanoplutonic complex in the Maimecha–Kotui igneous province of the northern Siberian platform. The Mn/Fe and Ni/MgO ratios in olivines indicate a mantle peridotite source of meimechites. Meimechite parental magma that rose to shallow depths was rich in alkalis and highly magnesian (24 wt.% MgO), largely degassed, undersaturated by sulfide liquid and oxidized. At greater depths, it was, likely, high in CO₂ (6 wt.%) and H₂O (2 wt.%) and resulted from partial melting of initially highly depleted and later metasomatized harzburgite some 200 km below the surface. Trace-element abundances in primary meimechite magma suggest presence of garnet and K-clinopyroxene, in the mantle source and imply for genetic link to the sources of the early Siberian flood basalts (Gudchikhinskaya suite) and kimberlites. The analyzed dunite samples from the Guli complex have chemistry and mineralogy indicating their close relation to meimechites.We have also computed thermomechanical model of interaction of a hot mantle plume with the shield lithosphere of variable thickness, using realistic temperature- and stress-dependent visco-elasto-plastic rocks rheology and advanced finite element solution technique.Based on our experimental and modeling results we propose that a Permian–Triassic plume, with potential temperature of about 1650 °C transported a large amount of recycled ancient oceanic crust (up to 15%) as SiO₂-supersaturated carbonated eclogite. Low-degree partial melting of eclogite at depths of 250–300 km produced carbonate-silicate melt that metasomatized the lithospheric roots of the Siberian shield. Further rise of the plume under relatively attenuated lithosphere (Norilsk area) led to progressive melting of eclogite and formation of reaction pyroxenite, which then melted at depths of 130–180 km. Consequantly, a large volume of melt (Gudchikhinskaya suite) penetrated into the lithosphere and caused its destabilization and delamination. Delaminated lithosphere that included fragments of locally metasomatized depleted harzburgite subsided into the plume and was heated to the temperatures of the plume interior with subsequent generation of meimechite magma. Meimechites showed up at the surface only under thicker part of the lithosphere aside from major melting zone above because otherwise they were mixed up in more voluminous flood basalts. We further suggest that meimechites, uncontaminated Siberian flood basalts and kimberlites all shear the same source of strongly incompatible elements, the carbonated recycled oceanic crust carried up by hot mantle plume.     

Lead isotope systematics of some igneous rocks from the Egyptian shield

Lead isotope data on late Precambrian igneous rocks from the eastern desert of Egypt are presented. Previous work has indicated that this igneous suite is characterized by uniformly low initial ratios of ${}^{37}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ (< 0.7035). The Pb data define three groups, loosely corresponding to age. An older tonalite to granodiorite (OTG) suite, with ages in the range 610–710 Ma, has Pb isotope characteristics similar to modern, mantle-derived oceanic mafic rocks. The age-corrected initial Pb isotope ratios of the OTG group lie near the “ocean regression line” in correlation diagrams of ${}^{206}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ vs. ${}^{207}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ and ${}^{203}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$. The isotope data imply an origin for the OTG group analogous to calc-alkalic igneous rocks in modern intra-oceanic island arcs.A younger suite of K-rich plutonic rocks (570–595 Ma) has similar ${}^{206}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ and ${}^{208}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ initial ratios relative to the OTG suite, but have higher ${}^{207}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ initial ratios when calculated from measured whole-rock U and Pb contents. However, K-feldspar and galena, associated with this suite, indicate initial Pb isotope ratios close to the OTG suite. We interpret this to indicate that the younger granites could have originated by anatexis of OTG-type material, but they probably experienced an episode of metasomatism after emplacement.A suite of volcanic rocks (the Dokhan Volcanics) from the central eastern desert are intermediate between the younger granites and OTG in both age (～ 610 Ma) and Pb isotope characteristics.Limited data on initial ${}^{208}\text{Pb}{}^{204}\text{Pb}$ ratios suggest that all the Egyptian samples originated from a source with anomalously low $\text{Th}\text{Pb}$ ratios.Although the relative abundance of granitic rocks in the Egyptian Shield decreases to the south, no evidence of north-south heterogeneity in the Pb isotope composition of the respective source regions is apparent in the data. However, the westernmost sample studied, from the Aswan area, contains distinctly more radiogenic Pb relative to the mean. This location may mark the boundary between the Late Precambrian ensimatic orogen now outcropping in the Egyptian and Saudi Arabian Shields, and an older sialic craton to the west.     

Lithogeochemistry of rocks of the Upper Neopleistocene Ust-Oda reference section in the Irkutsk Amphitheater of the Siberian Platform

The results of study of rocks of the Ust-Oda section, one of the key outcrops of Upper Neopleistocene sediments in the Irkutsk Amphitheater of the Siberian Platform, are presented. It is shown that primary sediments were deposited in the Neopleistocene under subarid conditions and relatively high sedimentation rates. Similar contents of trace elements in all rock lithologies suggest that the provenance was unaltered during sedimentation. It is shown that variation in the sediment transport mechanism is one of the signs of changes in the paleoclimatic setting. Climatic cyclicity of the Ust-Oda section formation and succession of sedimentation setting, which were reconstructed on the basis of grain size data, correspond to variations in the petrochemical correlations and geochemical coefficients.     

U-Th-Pb isotope systematics related to igneous rocks and ore Pb,Mount Isa,Queensland

This study is a search for a genetic relationship between Pb sulphide ore and igneous rocks in the region of Mount Isa, Queensland. The approach involves derivation of Pb isotope initial ratios by the whole-rock isochron method, and comparison of the initial ratios (Pb²⁰⁶/Pb²⁰⁴, Pb²⁰⁷/Pb²⁰⁴ and Pb²⁰⁸/Pb²⁰⁴) with the isotopic composition of the ore Pb. Data are reported for four igneous units; Kalkadoon granodiorite, Kalkadoon adamellite, Sybella granite and Eastern Creek volcanics. The results display considerable scatter for each of the units, and reveal the effects of recent surficial loss of U. The positioning of isochrons is aided by previous Rb-Sr geochronological data wherever possible. Comparison of initial ratios and ore Pb suggests that none of the igneous rock units is co-genetic with the ore deposit. Both phases of the Sybella Granite are more radiogenic and are apparently younger than the ore Pb. The Kalkadoon Granite is possibly related to the ore through some post-emplacement process of extraction and transport of Pb (e.g. by erosion or by anatectic magma generation) to the present site of the orebodies.     

Majoritic garnets in diamonds from placers of the Northeastern Siberian Platform

Doklady Earth Sciences -