Mineralogy, geochemistry, and Nd isotope composition of the Rainbow hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Petrological, geochemical, and Nd isotopic analyses have been carried out on rock samples from the Rainbow vent field to assess the evolution of the hydrothermal system. The Rainbow vent field is an ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal system located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge characterized by vigorous high-temperature venting (∼365°C) and unique chemical composition of fluids: high chlorinity, low pH and very high Fe, and rare earth element (REE) contents (Douville et al., Chemical Geology 184:37–48, 2002). Serpentinization has occurred under a low-temperature (<270°C) retrograde regime, later overprinted by a higher temperature sulfide mineralization event. Retrograde serpentinization reactions alone cannot reproduce the reported heat and specific chemical features of Rainbow hydrothermal fluids. The following units were identified within the deposit: (1) nonmineralized serpentinite, (2) mineralized serpentinite—stockwork, (3) steatite, (4) semimassive sulfides, and (5) massive sulfides, which include Cu-rich massive sulfides (up to 28wt% Cu) and Zn-rich massive sulfide chimneys (up to 5wt% Zn). Sulfide mineralization has produced significant changes in the sulfide-bearing rocks including enrichment in transition metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, and Co) and light REE, increase in the Co/Ni ratios comparable to those of mafic Cu-rich volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits and different ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotope ratios. Vent fluid chemistry data are indicative of acidic, reducing, and high temperature conditions at the subseafloor reaction zone where fluids undergo phase separation most likely under subcritical conditions (boiling). An explanation for the high chlorinity is not straightforward unless mixing with high salinity brine or direct contribution from a magmatic Cl-rich aqueous fluid is considered. This study adds new data, which, combined with the current knowledge of the Rainbow vent field, brings compelling evidence for the presence, at depth, of a magmatic body, most likely gabbroic, which provides heat and metals to the system. Co/Ni ratios proved to be good tools used to discriminate between rock units, degree of sulfide mineralization, and positioning within the hydrothermal system. Deeper units have Co/Ni <1 and subsurface and surface units have Co/Ni >1.     

Early Mesozoic lamproites and monzonitoids of southeastern Gorny Altai: geochemistry,Sr-Nd isotope composition,and sources of melts

Small intrusions of lamprophyres and lamproites (Chuya complex) and K-monzonitoids (Tarkhata and Terandzhik complexes) are widespread in southeastern Gorny Altai. Geochronological (U-Pb and Ar-Ar) isotope studies show their formation in the Early-Middle Triassic (~ 234-250 Ma). Lamproites have been revealed within two magmatic areas and correspond in geochemical parameters to the classical Mediterranean and Tibet orogenic lamproites. According to isotope data ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_T = 0.70850-0.70891, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_T = 0.512157-0.512196, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17.95-18.05) and Th/La and Sm/La values, the Chuya lamproites and lamprophyres melted out from the enriched lithospheric mantle with the participation of DM, EM1, EM2, and SALATHO. The monzonitoid series of the Tarkhata and Terandzhik complexes are similar in petrographic and geochemical compositions but differ significantly in Sr-Nd isotope composition: The Tarkhata monzonitoids are close to the Chuya lamproites, whereas the Terandzhik ones show a higher portion of DM ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_T = 0.70434-0.70497, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)_T = 0.512463-0.512487) in their source, which suggests its shallower depth of occurrence and the higher degree of its partial melting as compared with the derivates of the Chuya and Tarkhata complexes. The studied rock associations tentatively formed in the postcollisional setting under the impact of the Siberian superplume.     

皖苏鲁新生代玄武岩的Sr-Nd 同位素组成及其含义

皖苏鲁新生代碱性玄武岩34个样品的Sr、Nd同位素组成，总的变化范围为ε°CHUR（Nd）=-4.5-6.9，ε°CHUR（Sr）=-20.4-33.1。分布在大洋玄武岩的Sr-Nd同位素组成范围内。其中江苏省六合一仪征、山东省蓬莱、栖霞和临朐等地区玄武岩同位素组成与PREMA型地幔端元相似，皖东嘉山-来安地区玄武岩具有EMI型地幔端元特征。前者来源于软流圈或更深部的地幔部分，后者来源于不均一的岩石圈地幔部分。来源于较流圈和岩石圈地幔的熔体互相作用决定了皖苏鲁新生代玄武岩 Sr-Nd 同位素地球化学特征。     

Mineralogy, whole-rock and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry of mafic microgranular enclaves in Cretaceous Dagbasi granitoids, Eastern Pontides, NE Turkey: Evidence of magma mixing, mingling and chemical equilibration

Rocks of the Late Cretaceous Dagbasi Pluton (88-83 Ma), located in the eastern Pontides, include mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) ranging from a few centimetres to metres in size, and from ellipsoidal to ovoid in shape. The MMEs are composed of gabbroic diorite, diorite and tonalite, whereas the felsic host rocks comprise mainly tonalite, granodiorite and monzogranite based on both mineralogical and chemical compositions. MMEs are characterized by a fine-grained, equigranular and hypidiomorphic texture. The common texture of felsic host rocks is equigranular and also reveals some special types of microscopic textures, e.g., oscillatory-zoned plagioclase, poikilitic K-feldspar, small lath-shaped plagioclase in large plagioclase, blade-shaped biotite, acicular apatite, spike zones in plagioclase and spongy-cellular plagioclase textures and rounded plagioclase megacrysts in MMEs. Compositions of plagioclases (An₃₃-An₆₀), hornblendes (Mg#=0.77-1.0) and biotites (Mg#=0.61-0.63) of MMEs are slightly distinct or similar to those of host rocks (An_12-57; hbl Mg#=0.63-1.0; Bi Mg#=0.50-0.69), which suggest partial to complete equilibration during mafic-felsic magma interactions.The felsic host rocks have SiO₂ between 60 and 76 wt% and display low to slightly medium-K tholeiitic to calc-alkaline and peraluminous to slightly metaluminous characteristics. Chondrite-normalized rare-earth element (REE) patterns are fractionated (La_cn/Lu_cn=1.5-7.3) with pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.46-1.1). Initial ε_Nd(i) values vary between −3.1 and 1.6, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values between 0.7056 and 0.7067.Compared with the host rocks, the MMEs are characterized by relatively high Mg-number of 22-52, low contents of SiO₂ (53-63 wt%), low ASI (0.7-1.1) and low to medium-K tholeiitic to calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous composition. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are relatively flat [(La/Yb)_cn=1.4-3.9; (Tb/Yb)_cn=0.9-1.5] and show small negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*=0.63-1.01). Isotope signatures of these rocks (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i)=0.7054-0.7055; ε_Nd(i)=-1.0 to 1.9) are largely similar to the host rocks. Gabbroic diorite enclaves have relatively low contents of SiO₂, ASI; high Mg#, CaO, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅, Sr and Nb concentrations compared to dioritic and tonalitic enclaves.The geochemical and isotopic similarities between the MMEs and their host rocks indicate that the enclaves are of mixed origin and are most probably formed by the interaction between the lower crust- and mantle-derived magmas. All the geochemical data suggest that a basic magma derived from an enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle, interacted with a crustal melt that originated from dehydration melting of the mafic lower crust at deep crustal levels. The existence of compositional and textural disequilibrium and the nature of chemical and isotopic variation in these rock types indicate that magma mixing/mingling between an evolved mafic and a granitic magma was involved in their genesis. Microgranular enclaves are thus interpreted to be globules of a more mafic magma probably from an enriched lithospheric mantle source. Al-in-amphibole estimates the pluton emplacement at ca. 0.3-3.8 kbar, and therefore, magma mixing and mingling must have occurred at 3.8 kbar or below this level.     

新疆尾亚含矿岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、 Sr-Nd同位素组成及其地质意义

东天山尾亚钒钛磁铁矿矿床是北疆地区最大的钒钛磁铁矿矿床,其含矿岩系为一套偏碱性的镁铁-超镁铁质杂岩.含矿岩石主要造岩矿物橄榄石、辉石、角闪石、黑云母和斜长石的化学成分与铁质系列的镁铁.超镁铁岩成分相似或相同;辉石、角闪石、黑云母等矿物以富钛为特点,这些矿物中Ti、Fe等在早期形成的岩石(辉橄岩、橄榄辉长岩)中较晚期岩石中有明显富集.含矿辉长岩的锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb同位素定年结果为236±3Ma,主要成岩时代为中三叠世,代表后碰撞结束阶段的成矿作用.这套含矿镁铁.超镁铁杂岩的Sr-Nd同位素特征以εNd(t)均为正值,(87Sr/86Sr)i值较低为特征,与原始地幔相近,但在岩浆上移过程中可能有陆壳物质加入.     

周庵铜镍-铂族矿床锆石U-Pb年代学、地球化学及Sr-Nd同位素特征:对周庵基性-超基性岩体及矿床成因的探讨

周庵铜镍铂族矿床位于南秦岭构造带北缘,商丹断裂带南侧。岩体隐伏于新生代沉积物和中元古代大雀山组地层之下,主要由二辉橄榄岩组成,见有少量纯橄榄岩、角闪岩、辉长岩,岩体大部分经受了蛇纹石化、次闪石化、绿泥石化等蚀变作用,矿体主要赋存于周庵岩体与大雀山组地层的内接触带。对辉长岩的LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年表明周庵岩体形成于621±1.5Ma,形成时代为新元古代晚期。Sr-Nd同位素测试得到的Sm-Nd等时线年龄为622±59Ma,与锆石U-Pb年龄一致。(~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr)_t=0.705726~0.706655,(~(147)Nd/~(144)Nd)_t=0.511730~0.511863,ε_(Nd)(t)=-2.05~0.55,显示弱富集的特征。超基性岩主量元素含量显示岩体m/f值为4.47~4.99,为铁质超基性岩,Cu、Ni含量与烧失量之间没有相关关系。矿石和不含矿岩体具相同的稀土元素配分模式,显示轻稀土富集,具弱的正Eu异常。微量元素特征显示Rb、Pb强烈富集,Nb、Ta相对亏损,说明岩浆受到了地壳物质的混染。综合分析认为周庵岩体形成与新元古代晚期,岩浆来源于软流圈地幔,代表Rodinia超大陆裂解事件在南秦岭的地质记录。岩浆侵位时受到了地壳物质的强烈混染,利用Nd同位素估算得混染程度为18.57%,这可能是促发岩浆体系达到硫饱和而发生金属硫化物熔离的主要因素。     

Strontium isotope composition of the lower proterozoic carbonate concretions: The Zaonega Formation,Southeast Karelia

The middle part of the volcanosedimentary Zaonega Formation of the Ludikovian Suprahorizon (approximately 2.0 Ga) includes large carbonates concretions and lenses in shungite layers. Carbonate lenses and concretions are primarily elongated and flattened, and their thickness varies from tens of centimeters to a few meters. Some lenses retain relicts of lamination. Concretions are composed of calcite or dolomite. They contain abundant organic matter, as well as mica, talc, chlorite, quartz, and pyrite crystals. The calcite concretions contain some dolomite admixture (Mg/Ca = 0.011?0.045) and differ from sedimentary limestones by a low Fe/Mn value (0.3–2.1). The Sr content is as much as 385–505 μg/g in most samples and is low (86 μg/g) only in one sample. The Rb-Sr systematics of carbonate concretions was studied with the stepwise dissolution procedure, which included processing with the ammonium acetate solution (AMA fraction) to partially remove the secondary carbonate material, with dissolution of the residue in acetic acid (ACA fraction). In individual calcite samples, discrepancy between the measured ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values in the AMA and ACA calcite fractions shows a variation range of 0.0008–0.0033. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in the ACA fractions of the studied samples varies from 0.7053 to 0.7162. The ratio shows a positive correlation with Mg/Ca and the proportion of siliciclastic admixture and negative correlation with the Mn content. The concretions were formed when the sediments subsided, probably, during the transition from a zone with “mild” reductive conditions to zones with active sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. In the sulfate reduction zone, where most pyrite-bearing concretions were formed, the sediment was not geochemically exchaged with the bottom water and was evolved into a closed or semiclosed system. Processes of diagenesis in this zone promoted the release of the radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr from the associated siliciclastic minerals, resulting in growth of the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in concretions up to 0.7108–0.7162. Some calcite concretions, which lacked pyrite (or contained its minimal amount) were likely formed in a thin surficial sediment layer located above the sulfate reduction zone. Therefore, they precipitated Sr in isotope equilibrium with Sr of the bottom water. However, large concretions and carbonate lenses with an insignificant siliciclastic admixture could retain the signature of early diagenesis or even sedimentation. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in one of such samples with the siliciclastic admixture of 6.2% makes it possible to estimate the maximal value of this ratio (0.7053) in the Ludikovian paleobasin.     

Zircon U-Pb ages,geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotope ratios for early cretaceous magmatic rocks,southern Saqqez,northwestern Iran

Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (SaSZ) is one of the most dynamic structural zones of Iran, which is divided into three main parts: Northern, Central and Southern. The northern SaSZ has been affected by deformation due to fault activities near the Zagros suture zone, and mylonitic structures have overprinted these rocks and was affected by three episodes of magma injection during the Permian-Carboniferous, Early Cretaceous and Cenozoic. In this study, the rock units investigated that have been considered Precambrian-Paleozoic basement on geological maps. This paper considers zircon U-Pb dating, whole-rock chemistry and Sr-Nd isotope ratios of Cretaceous magmatic rocks in the N-SaSZ to develop a new geodynamic model for the evolution of these magmatic rocks. The new zircon U-Pb ages obtained in this study show that the magmatic rocks crystallized at 115–107 Ma in the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) and are much younger than the supposed ages presented on geological maps. This complex classified into two main groups of basic-intermediate and acidic rocks based on SiO₂ contents. The whole-rock chemistry of the basaltic and andesitic rocks, which are interbedded with marine shallow-water sedimentary deposits, shows their typical calc-alkaline affinity and subordinate tholeiitic series on an active margin. The positive ε_Nd(t) of approximately +4 for some undifferentiated basalts with negative Ti and Nb anomalies shows the relation of these rocks to calc-alkaline magmatism and was generated by the partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). Granitoid rocks with some affinity to the peraluminous group with a negative ε_Nd(t) value (-3.2) mainly and negative Ti and Nb anomalies plot in an active margin tectonic setting. Simultaneous mafic calc-alkaline volcanism and the generation of granitic intrusions in the Early Cretaceous could have occurred on an active margin. Due to the absence of Jurassic arc related magmatic rocks in northern SaSZ and presence of Cretaceous calc alkaline magmatic activity, which are not observed in the central SaSZ, support the idea that the subduction of the Neotethys beneath the northern SaSZ started in the Early Cretaceous.     

Kimberlites and lamproites of the East European Platform: Petrology and geochemistry

Several episodes of kimberlite magmatism occurred in the East European Province (EEP) during a long (about 1.5 Gyr) time period, from the Late Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.8 Ga) in the Archean Ukrainian and Baltic shields to the Middle Paleozoic (ca. 0.36 Ga) mainly in the Arkhangelsk, Timan, and adjacent regions. Based on the analysis of data on 16 kimberlite occurrences and four lamproite occurrences within the EEP, five time stages can be distinguished; one of them, the Middle Paleozoic stage (Middle Ordovician and Devonian), is the most productive epoch for diamond in the northern hemisphere (EEP, Siberian Craton, and part of the China Craton). The analysis of petrological and geochemical characteristics of kimberlites (lamproites were studied less thoroughly) revealed variations in rock composition and their correlation with a number of factors, including the spatial confinement to the northern or southern Archean blocks of the craton, time of formation of the source of kimberlite melts, contents of volatiles and autoliths, etc. Three petrogeochemical types of kimberlites were distinguished: high-, medium-, and low-Ti (TiO₂ > 3 wt %, 1–3 wt %, and <1 wt %, respectively). There are two time intervals of the formation of kimberlite and lamproite sources in the EEP, corresponding to T_Nd(DM) values of about 2 Ga (up to 2.9 Ga in the Por’ya Guba occurrence) and 1 Ga. The latter interval includes two groups of occurrences with model source ages of about 1 Ga (low-and medium-Ti kimberlites of the Zolotitsa and Verkhotina occurrences) and about 0.8 Ga (high-Ti kimberlites of the Kepino and a number of other occurrences); i.e., there seems to be an evolutionary trend in the composition of kimberlites. Concentric zoning patterns were recognized. The role of the crust in kimberlite sources is discussed; it is assumed that buried remnants of the oceanic lithosphere (megaliths) may underlie whole continents. A unique feature of the composition of low-Ti kimberlites, for instance, kimberlites of the Zolotitsa occurrence (to a smaller extent, medium-Ti kimberlites of the V. Grib pipe) is the distinct depletion of highly charged elements and pronounced negative anomalies of Ti, Zr, Th, U, Nb, and Ta in trace-element distribution patterns, which indicates a contribution of crustal material to the source of these kimberlites. It was shown that autoliths exert a significant influence on the differentiation of kimberlite material, resulting in the enrichment of rocks in the whole spectrum of incompatible elements. It was argued that geochemical criteria can be used together with traditional criteria (including those based on indicator minerals) for the assessment of diamond potential in EEP occurrences. We hope that such a combined approach will yield important outcomes in the future.     

Kimberlites of the Man craton, West Africa

The Man craton in West Africa is an Archaean craton formerly joined to the Guyana craton (South America) that was rifted apart in the Mesozoic. Kimberlites of the Man craton include three Jurassic-aged clusters in Guinea, two Jurassic-aged clusters in Sierra Leone, and in Liberia two clusters of unknown age and one Neoproterozoic cluster recently dated at 800 Ma.

All of the kimberlites irrespective of age occur as small pipes and prolific dykes. Some of the Banankoro cluster pipes in Guinea, the Koidu pipes in Sierra Leone and small pipes in the Weasua cluster in Liberia contain hypabyssal-facies kimberlite and remnants of the so-called transitional-facies and diatreme-facies kimberlite. Most of the Man craton kimberlites are mineralogically classified as phlogopite kimberlites, although potassium contents are relatively low. They are chemically similar to mica-poor Group 1A Southern African examples.

The Jurassic kimberlites are considered to represent one province of kimberlites that track from older bodies in Guinea (Droujba 153 Ma) to progressively younger kimberlites in Sierra Leone (Koidu, 146 Ma and Tongo, 140 Ma). The scarcity of diatreme-facies kimberlites relative to hypabyssal-facies kimberlites and the presence of the so-called transitional-facies indicate that the pipes have been eroded down to the interface between the root and diatreme zones. From this observation, it is concluded that extensive erosion (1–2 km) has occurred since the Jurassic. In addition to erosion, the presence of abundant early crystallizing phlogopite is considered to have had an effect on the relatively small sizes of the Man craton kimberlites.     

Carbonatite-hosted niobium deposit at Aley,northern British Columbia (Canada): Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis

The Aley Nb deposit in northern British Columbia, Canada, is hosted by metamorphosed calcite and dolomite carbonatites of anorogenic affinity emplaced in Lower Paleozoic sedimentary carbonate rocks in the Devonian. Primary Nb mineralization consists of pyrochlore (commonly comprising a U–Ta-rich and F-poor core) and ferrocolumbite developed as discrete crystals and replacement products after the pyrochlore. These phases and associated heavy minerals (apatite ± magnetite ± zircon ± baddeleyite) precipitated early in the magmatic history and probably formed laterally extensive cumulate layers up to at least 1.5 m in thickness. Fractionation of copious amounts of pyrochlore is reflected in the chemical composition of the carbonatites and their constituent minerals, which show large variations in Nb/Ta value, but a near-chondritic Zr/Hf ratio. Alkali-rich metasomatic rocks (in particular, fenites and glimmerites) associated with the carbonatites are barren; the bulk of Nb in these rocks is contained in rutile, phlogopite and, to a much lesser extent, amphibole. When the passive margin of North America became the zone of plate convergence in the Cretaceous, the host carbonatites were strongly deformed, which is manifested in structures and textures indicative of grain comminution, ductile flow, folding and, locally, brecciation. The structure and continuity of the cumulate units enriched in Nb minerals were profoundly affected by these processes. Interaction of the carbonatites with crustal fluids of complex chemistry resulted in extensive dolomitization, replacement of the pyrochlore and ferrocolumbite by fersmite, and development of hydrothermal parageneses consistent with the lower greenschist-facies conditions. At these late evolutionary stages, Nb was mobilized only to a very limited extent and sequestered in a variety of minerals (fersmite, euxenite, Mg-rich ferrocolumbite and Nb-bearing rutile) typically occurring as scarce minute crystals associated with hydrothermal dolomite, quartz and chlorite. Progressive enrichment of the deformed dolomite carbonatites in heavy C and O isotopes relative to primary calcite, coupled with changes in the trace-element composition of Nb phases, indicate that the fluids were equilibrated with the wall-rock sedimentary rocks hosting the Aley deposit and were capable of transporting F⁻, (PO₄)^3 −, U, Th and rare-earth elements, but not Nb.     

中国东部金伯利岩捕虏体 Sr-Nd 同位素特征研究

本文报道了中国东部古生代侵位金伯利岩中捕虏体的 Sr-Nd 同位素组成，并同中生代火山岩和新生代玄武岩进行了对比。金伯利岩中捕虏体→金伯利岩→中生代火山岩→新生代玄武岩存在自EM2端元向DMM端元逐渐过渡的同位素演变趋势。占老岩石圈地幔存在多发事件。     

Granitoids of the Ufalei block (South Urals): Sr-Nd isotope systematics, geodynamic position and genetic reconstructions

Petrogeochemical and isotopic-geochronological signatures in granitoids developed in structures with complex geological history represent an important feature for reconstructing paleogeodynamic settings. Granitoids are widespread in the western slope of the Urals, where the Uralian Orogen contacts via a collage of different-age blocks of the east European Platform. The Ufalei block located in the Central Urals megazone at the junction between the South and Middle Urals’ segments represents one such boundary structure with multistage geological evolution. The isotopic ages obtained by different methods for acid igneous rocks range from 1290 to 245 Ma. We determined close Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd ages (317 Ma) for granites of the Nizhnii Ufalei Massif. By their petrochemical parameters, granitoids and host granite-gneisses differ principally from each other: the former are close to subduction-related, while the latter, to continental-riftogenic varieties. The primary ratio (⁸⁷Sr/8⁶Sr)₀ = 0.70428 and ?_Nd ≈ +4 values indicate significant contribution of oceanic (island-arc?) material to the substrate, which served as a source for granites of the Nizhnii Ufalei Massif. Model Nd ages of granites vary from 641 to 550 Ma. Distinct oceanic rocks and varieties with such ages are missing from the surrounding structures. New isotopic dates obtained for ultramafic and mafic rocks from different zones of the Urals related to the Cadomian cycle imply development of unexposed Upper Riphean-Vendian “oceanic” rocks in the central part of the Ufalei block, which played a substantial role in the formation of the Nizhnii Ufalei granitoids. Such rocks could be represented, for example, by fragments of the Precambrian Timanide-type ophiolite association. The analysis of original materials combined with published data point to the heterogeneous composition and structure of the Ufalei block and a significant part of the western segment of the Central Uralian Uplift and extremely complex geological history of the region coupling the Uralian Orogen with the East European Platform in the present-day structure.     

Shoshonite-latite series of the Eastern Transbaikalia: 40Ar/39Ar age,geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotope composition of rocks from the Akatui volcano-plutonic association of the Aleksandrovskii Zavod depression

The paper presents new data on age, geochemistry, and Sr and Nd isotope composition of rocks from the Akatui massif and comagmatic rocks from the lower unit of the Kailas Formation (Akatui volcano-plutonic association), localized within the Aleksandrovskii Zavod depression. The amphibole ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age date the monzogabbro of the early phase of the Akatui massif at 154.8 ± 4.4 Ma; the monzonite of the main phase yields a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 160.7 ± 3.9 Ma, and the shoshonite basalt of the lower unit of the Kailas Formation yields a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 161.5 ± 1.7 Ma. The leading petrogenetic mechanism for the Akatui volcano-plutonic association is crystal fractional differentiation of melts with minor crustal contamination, which can be suggested from the mineralogical and petrographic features and geochemical and isotope characteristics of rocks. The geochemical data for the Akatui volcano-plutonic association show LILE, LREE, U, Th, and Pb enrichment with a characteristic depletion in high-field strength elements (HFSE), such as Nb and Ti. They are also depleted in P. Sr-Nd isotope data (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(₁6_{0 Ma}) = 0.70642-0.70688 and £Nd(160 _Ma) = − 0.6 to − 2.2) suggest an EMII-type mantle source and could also indicate a negligible degree of crustal contamination in the evolved melts.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of Kurile island-arc basalts

Whole-rock (major- and trace-element) and mineral chemical data are presented for basaltic rocks from the main evolutionary stages of the Kurile island arc, NW Pacific. An outer, inactive arc contains a Cretaceous-Lower Tertiary sequence of tholeiitic, calcalkaline and shoshonitic basalts. The main arc (Miocene-Quaternary) is dominated by weakly tholeiitic, with lesser, alkalic basalts. The mineralogy of Kuriles basalts is characterised by An-rich plagioclases, a continuous transition from chromites to titanomagnetites, pyroxenes with low Fe³⁺ contents and without strong Fe-enrichment, abundance of groundmass pigeonites and the absence of amphiboles. There is an increase in K₂O contents both along-arc (northwards) and towards the reararc side. The basalts show an exceptionally wide but continuous range of K₂O contents (0.1–4.7%) which correlate with other LIL element contents. Tholeiitic basalts with low LIL element contents, La/Yb and Th/U, but high K/ Rb, P₂O₅/La and Zr/Nb were derived from depleted, lherzolitic mantle which had suffered fluid metasomatism by K, Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba, Pb and H₂O only. Alkali basalts are also thought to be derived from depleted mantle but melt metasomatism involved addition of all LIL elements to a garnet lherzolite mantle. The Kuriles basalts and their mantle sources range continuously between these two end-member compositions. The metasomatic fluids/melts were probably released by early dehydration and later melting within subducted oceanic lithosphere though the process is not adequately constrained.     

The use of vein fluorite as probe for paleofluid REE and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry: The Santa Catarina Fluorite District, Southern Brazil

Fluorite can be used as a probe for the source of Sr and REE, as well as for the Sr and Nd isotope systematics of mineralizing solutions, allowing characterization of the composition, oxidation state and sources of the fluids. The ⁸⁷Sr / ⁸⁶Sr ratios in vein fluorite from the Santa Catarina Fluorite District, southern Brazil, are low (0.720 to 0.745) relative to those of the majority of host granites at the time of mineralization (90 Ma), but are similar to those of less abundant and less evolved Sr- and Ca-rich granites and plagioclases of the heterogeneous Pedras Grandes granite association. Major contributions of Sr from the unradiogenic Parana Basin rocks (⁸⁷Sr / ⁸⁶Sr_{90 Ma} = 0.705 to 0.718) are unlikely, considering the radiogenic character of the lower ⁸⁷Sr / ⁸⁶Sr end-member in fluorite mixing lines. Estimated fluorite fluid partition coefficients (K_d^Sr-Ca = 0.019 and D^Sr ≈ 600) indicate a Sr / Ca ratio in the fluorite-forming solution of 0.012, and Sr contents of 0.05 to 0.25 ppm, which are similar to those of present-day granitic geothermal waters. Initial Nd isotopic compositions of the vein fluorites (0.5120 to 0.512) are similar to those of the Pedras Grandes granites. The ¹⁴³Nd / ¹⁴⁴Nd_{90 Ma} of the evolved granites of the Tabuleiro granite association, their accessory fluorites and the Parana Basin rocks are considerably more radiogenic (0.5120 to 0.5127) and these are thus considered to be unlikely sources of the fluids. The REE patterns of vein fluorites, normalized to upper continental crust, show a range of LREE-depleted patterns, with highly variable positive and negative Eu anomalies. The host Pedras Grandes granites show flat to slightly depleted UCC normalized LREE patterns with strong negative Eu anomalies. Depletion of the LREE in fluorites resulted from the mobility of HREE fluoride complexes during fluid migration. A REE fractionation model based on ionic potential ratios indicates that Eu³⁺ was stable during fluid migration and fluorite precipitation. The coexistence of pyrite and Eu³⁺ in the mineralizing fluids is consistent with low pH and oxygen fugacities near the hematite-magnetite buffer.     

Iron(III) accumulations in inland saline waterways,Hunter Valley,Australia: Mineralogy,micromorphology and pore-water geochemistry

Discharge of Fe(II)-rich groundwaters into surface-waters results in the accumulation of Fe(III)-minerals in salinized sand-bed waterways of the Hunter Valley, Australia. The objective of this study was to characterise the mineralogy, micromorphology and pore-water geochemistry of these Fe(III) accumulations. Pore-waters had a circumneutral pH (6.2–7.2), were sub-oxic to oxic (Eh 59–453 mV), and had dissolved Fe(II) concentrations up to 81.6 mg L⁻¹. X-ray diffraction (XRD) on natural and acid-ammonium-oxalate (AAO) extracted samples indicated a dominance of 2-line ferrihydrite in most samples, with lesser amounts of goethite, lepidocrocite, quartz, and alumino-silicate clays. The majority of Fe in the samples was bound in the AAO extractable fraction (Fe^Ox) relative to the Na-dithionite extractable fraction (Fe^Di), with generally high Fe^Ox:Fe^Di ratios (0.52–0.92). The presence of nano-crystalline 2-line ferrihydrite (Fe₅HO₃·4H₂O) with lesser amounts of goethite (α-FeOOH) was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). In addition, it was found that lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), which occurred as nanoparticles as little as ∼5 lattice spacings thick perpendicular to the (0 2 0) lattice plane, was also present in the studied Fe(III) deposits. Overall, the results highlight the complex variability in the crystallinity and particle-size of Fe(III)-minerals which form via oxidation of Fe(II)-rich groundwaters in sand-bed streams. This variability may be attributed to: (1) divergent precipitation conditions influencing the Fe(II) oxidation rate and the associated supply and hydrolysis of the Fe(III) ion, (2) the effect of interfering compounds, and (3) the influence of bacteria, especially Leptothrix ochracea.     

Pleistocene basaltic volcanism of Kunashir Island (Kuril island arc): Mineralogy,geochemistry, and results of computer simulation

New mineralogical, geochemical, and isotope data in combination with numerical modeling were used to reconstruct the physicochemical and geodynamic conditions of the formation of Pleistocene basalts of Kunashir Island. Although they are petrologically close to the Holocene basalts of Tyatya Volcano, their eruption occurred during a brief period of island arc extension, which was accompanied by the high degree melting of mantle wedge asthenosphere. Numerous geological, petrological, and paleogeographical data testify that Pleistocene is an important stage in the geodynamic reorganization of the Kuril island arc. This stage was responsible for uplifting of the southern islands above sea level accompanied by catastrophic endogenous events, deformation, topographic reorganization of the large area of the Sea of Japan and adjacent land, and final folding stage in the West Sakhalin Mountains.