Garnet-spinel-pyroxenite xenoliths from hyblean plateau (South-eastern Sicily, Italy)

Summary Rare garnet-spinel pyroxenite xenoliths occur in some basaltic tuff-breccia levels of Miocene age from the Valle Guffari (Hyblean Plateau, Sicily), together with a number of spinel-bearing mantle xenoliths. The garnet-bearing pyroxenites may be divided into two groups (a and b) on textural and mineralogical bases. Garnet-bearing spinel websterites with a fully recrystallized texture represent the first group (a). Here the garnet (Py_54.5 A1m₃₂ Gr_13.5), with a diffuse kelyphitic alteration, forms a reaction corona between coarse spinel grains and the in contact pyroxenes. The transition from the spinel-pyroxenite to the garnet-pyroxenite field may depend on isobaric cooling from higher (magmatic?) temperatures. Garnet-pyroxene geothermometry indicates that the last equilibration most probably occurred at P = 1.0 GPa (ca.), T = 750 °C (ca).The second lithotype (b) is an orthopyroxene-bearing garnet-spinel clinopyroxenite, exhibiting a complex texture. It consists of zones of coarse clinopyroxene grains enclosing euhedral spinel passing to zones where tiny rounded crystals of the same pyroxene and spinel are enclosed in relatively large patches of extensively kelyphitisized garnet (Py_64.8 Alm_25.6 Gr_9.6). Garnet also occurs as inclusion-free grains up to 4 mm in diameter. P-T calculations give significantly higher values than for the former case (a). The origin of the b-type garnet may also depend on subsolidus reaction of spinel and pyroxenes after an isobaric cooling from still higher temperatures, but a primary magrnatic origin might also be possible, especially for the granular garnets.P-T estimates for both the pyroxenite types closely match a steady geotherm for 100 mW/m² surface heat flow. Such a relatively intense heat flow may suggest the occurrence of huge masses of hot magma intruding the Hyblean lithospheric mantle and lower crust at different levels.

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Granat-Spinell-Pyroxenit-Xenolithe aus dem Iblei-Plateau (Südost-Sizilien, Italien)

Zusammenfassung Seltene Granat-Spinell-Pyroxenit-Xenolithe kommen in einigen basaltischen Tuff-Breckzien Horizonten miozänen Alters aus dem Valle Guffari (lblei-Plateau, Sizilien) zusammen mit einer Anzahl von Spinell-führenden Mantel-Xenolithen vor. Aufgrund textureller und mineralogischer Kriterien können die Granat-führenden Pyroxenite in zwei Gruppen (a und b) unterteilt werden. Granat-führende Spinell-Websterite mit vollkommen rekristallisierter Textur repräsentieren die erste Gruppe (a). Hier bildet Granat (Py_54.5 Alm₃₂ Gr_13.5) mit einer diffusen kelyphitischen Umwandlung, einen Reaktionssaum zwischen grobkörnigem Spinell und Pyroxenen, mit denen er in Kontakt ist. Der übergang vom Spinell-Pyroxenit- zum Granat-Pyroxenit-Feld kann auf isobarische Abkühlung von höheren (magmatischen ?) Temperaturen zurückgehen. Granat-Pyroxen-Geothermometrie zeigt, dass die letzte Equilibrierung sehr wahrscheinlich bei P = 1.0 GPa (ca.), T = 750°C (ca.) erfolgte.Der zweite Typ von Granat-führenden Pyroxeniten ist ein (b) Orthopyroxenführender Granat-Spinell-Klinopyroxenit, der komplexe Texturen zeigt. Er besteht aus Zonen von grobkörnigem Klinopyroxen mit Einschlüssen von idiomorphem Spinell, der in Zonen übergeht, wo kleine gerundete Kristalle des gleichen Pyroxens und Spinells in relativ große Bereiche von extensiv kelyphitisiertem Granat (Py_64,8 Alm_25,6 Gr_9,6) eingeschlossen sind. Granat kommt auch als einschlußfreie Körner mit bis zu 4 mm Durchmesser vor. P-T Berechnungen geben wesentlich höhere Werte als für die Gesteine des Types (a). Die Entstehung der b-Typ-Granaten kann auch durch Subsolidus-Reaktion von Spinell und Pyroxen nach isobarischer Abkühlung von noch höheren Temperaturen beeinflußt sein; ein primärer magmatischer Ursprung könnte auch möglich sein, besonders für die körnigen Granate.P-T Abschätzungen für beide Pyroxenit-Typen sind gut einer Geotherme für 100 mW/m² Wärmefluß an der Oberfläche zuzuordnen. Ein solcher, relativ intensiver Wärmefluß könnte auf das Vorkommen von großen heißen Magmenkörpern hinweisen, die den lithosphärischen Mantel unter dem Iblei-Plateau und die untere Kruste in verschiedenen Niveaus intrudierten.

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With 4 Figures     

Metasomatic events recorded in ultramafic xenoliths from the Hyblean area (Southeastern Sicily, Italy)

Three types of ultramafic xenoliths from the Hyblean area (Sicily) show prime evidence for mantle metasomatism, namely: 1) Spinel-facies depleted harzburgite veined by phlogopite-bearing clinopyroxenite; 2) Amphibole-bearing harzburgite; and 3) Al-spinel websterite. (2) and (3) exhibit glassy pockets having respectively mugearitic and basanitic compositions, but a little amount of glass with low Ca and very low alkalis in (2). Glasses generally show trace element distributions consistent with the partial melting of pargasite-dominated mineral assemblages. Abundant Ca-Mg-carbonate globules immersed in these glassy pockets testify to immiscibility between silicate and carbonatite melts. Silicate melts and hydrous-silicate supercritical fluids, which underwent phase separation during fluxing throughout the semi-brittle lithospheric mantle, may account for such metasomatizing processes. The nature and abundance of some fluid-mobile elements in glasses and hydrous minerals (especially the Ca-poor glass, with B?=?59 ppm, Li?=?27 ppm, Ba?=?700 ppm and phlogopite, with Ba?=?8,465 ppm, Sr?=?260 ppm, F?=?5,700 ppm) suggest that some hydrous fluids may derive from hydrothermally altered oceanic crust. Conversely, metasomatizing silicate melts probably have a deep-seated origin. These results confirm previous suggestions on the key role of mantle metasomatism in the origin of some alkaline Hyblean magmas.     

New evidence of mantle heterogeneity beneath the Hyblean Plateau (southeast Sicily,Italy) as inferred from noble gases and geochemistry of ultramafic xenoliths

We analyzed major and trace elements, Sr and Nd isotopes in ultramafic xenoliths in Miocenic age Hyblean diatremes, along with noble gases of CO₂-rich fluid inclusions hosted in the same products. The xenoliths consist of peridotites and pyroxenites, which are considered to be derived from the upper mantle. Although the mineral assemblage of peridotites and their whole-rock abundance of major elements (e.g., Al₂O₃ = 0.8–1.5 wt.%, TiO₂ = 0.03–0.08 wt.%) suggest a residual character of the mantle, a moderate enrichment in some incompatible elements (e.g., La_N/Yb_N = 9–14) highlights the presence of cryptic metasomatic events. In this context a deep silicate liquid is considered the metasomatizing agent, which is consistent with the occurrence of pyroxenites as veins in peridotites. Both the Zr/Nb and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of the investigated samples reveal two distinct compositional groups: (1) peridotites with Zr/Nb ≈ 4 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ≈ 0.5129, and (2) pyroxenites with Zr/Nb ≈ 20 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ≈ 0.5130. The results of noble-gas analyses also highlight the difference between the peridotite and pyroxenite domains. Indeed, the ³He/⁴He and ⁴He/⁴⁰Ar* ratios measured in the fluid inclusions of peridotites (respectively 7.0–7.4 ± 0.1 Ra and 0.5–8.2, where Ra is the atmospheric ³He/⁴He ratio of 1.38 × 10^? 6) were on average lower than those for the pyroxenites (respectively 7.2–7.6 Ra and 0.62–15). This mantle heterogeneity is interpreted as resulting from a mixing between two end-members: (1) a peridotitic layer with ³He/⁴He ≈ 7 Ra and ⁴He/⁴⁰Ar* ≈ 0.4, which is lower than the typical mantle ratio (~ 1–4) probably due to melt extraction events, and (2) metasomatizing mafic silicate melts that gave rise to pyroxenites characterized by ³He/⁴He ≈ 7.6 Ra, with a variable ⁴He/⁴⁰Ar* due to degassing processes connected with the ascent of magma at different levels in the peridotite wall rock. The complete geochemical data set also suggests two distinct mantle sources for the xenolithic groups highlighted above: (1) a HIMU (high-μ)-type source for the peridotites and (2) a DM (depleted mantle)-type source for the pyroxenites.     

Geochemistry of metasomatised spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Dariganga Plateau, South-eastern Mongolia

Summary One fresh (green), one altered (black) and one composite (green/black) peridotite xenolith from the Neogene-Quaternary basalts of the Dariganga Plateau, SE Mongolia, were studied by electron microprobe, X-ray fluorescence, wet chemical and instrumental neutron activation analysis. The history of the upper mantle underneath the Dariganga Plateau has been complex and is characterised by elemental depletions and enrichments processes. The rocks investigated appear to have been processed in several steps, have been moderately depleted (relative to the primitive upper mantle composition) in incompatible elements and subsequently metasomatically enriched in alkalis, Fe, Ca, LREE, Th and U. As a result, most peridotites are moderately depleted in Si, Cr, Ti, HREE and Hf, are slightly enriched in LREE and have elevated Th and U abundances. The minerals in all rocks are out of chemical equilibrium. In the green peridotites disequilibrium is modest but it is severe in the blackened lherzolites. The latter have experienced strong Fe metasomatism accompanied by strong oxidation. As a result, Mg-rich olivines formed by oxidation and precipitation of Fe oxides in the primary olivines (blackening) and Fe-rich olivines formed in the Fe metasomatic event. The latter could only have taken place after the oxidising event, otherwise the Fe-rich olivines would also have been affected by it. Three of the four rocks show negative anomalies (relative to the Ce abundance) of Hf and Ti, one is enriched in these elements, which is considered an indication of the action of carbonatitic melts/fluids in the upper mantle. Enrichment of U over Th in some of our samples seems also to indicate the presence of water in the fluid phase, however, the lack of (OH)-bearing minerals in the Dariganga xenoliths suggests a low activity of water in these fluids. The latest of the metasomatic events probably took place shortly before entrapment of the rocks by the basaltic lava that carried them to the earth’s surface. The composite sample consisting of a green harzburgite and a black lherzolite suggests that blackening took place at the original location of the rock rather than in the basaltic tuff because the latter should have altered the whole xenolith. It also demonstrates that metasomatic processes in the upper mantle can be confined to rather restricted locations with sharp boundaries towards the wall rocks. Blackening as well as the metasomatic events apparently took place because of a better permeability in one part of the rock as compared to the other, probably the result of tectonisation. Received May 28, 1999; revised version accepted February 24, 2001     

Petrochemistry of granulite xenoliths from the Cenozoic Qiangtang volcanic field,northern Tibetan Plateau: implications for lower crust composition and genesis of the volcanism

High-K calc-alkaline magmas from the Cenozoic Qiangtang volcanic field, northern Tibetan Plateau, contain lower crustal two-pyroxene and clinopyroxene granulite xenoliths. The petrology and geochemistry of six mafic and three felsic xenoliths from the Hol Xil area south of Ulan Ul Lake are discussed. Mafic granulites (Pl, Opx, Cpx, Ksp, and Bt) contain 48.76–58.61% SiO₂, 18.34–24.50% Al₂O₃, 3.16–5.41% Na₂O, 1.58–3.01% K₂O, low Mg# (30–67), LREE and LILE enrichment, high Rb/Sr (0.09–0.21), (La/Yb)_N (17.32–49.35), low Nb/Ta (9.76–14.92), and variable Eu anomalies (Eu?=?0.19?0.89). They also have more evolved Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions in comparison with the host dacites ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.710812 vs. 0.713241), ?_Sr (+169.13 vs.?+203.88), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512113 vs. 0.512397), ?_Nd (?4.70 to??10.05), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.7000 vs. 18.9565), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.7135 vs. 15.7662), and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (39.1090 vs. 39.4733). Felsic granulites (Qtz, Pl, Ksp, Bt, and Cpx) show enrichment of LREE and LILE and have evolved Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions with (La/Yb)_N (2.04–10.82), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.712041–0.729088), ?_Sr (+180.71–+430.59), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512230–0.512388); ?_Nd (?4.74 to??7.96), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.9250–19.1717), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.7662–15.7720), and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (39.2109–39.6467). These geochemical data suggest that the protolith of the mafic granulites could have been a hybrid mafic magma (e.g. enriched mantle type II) or metasomatized restite derived from the partial melting of metamafic-intermediate rocks rather than basaltic cumulates, whereas the felsic granulite protolith was a quartzofeldspathic S-type granitic rock. We argue that the lower crust of the northern Tibetan Plateau is hot and heterogeneous rather than wholly gabbroic. Interaction between the mantle-derived magma and the metasedimentary/granitic lower crust of the Tibetan Plateau may have played an important role in the generation of shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline andesite-dacite rocks.     

Aliphatic hydrocarbons in metasomatized gabbroic xenoliths from Hyblean diatremes (Sicily): Genesis in a serpentinite hydrothermal system

Many tholeiite gabbro xenoliths from the Hyblean tuff-breccia deposits (Sicily, southern Italy) present mineralogical and geochemical evidence for hydrothermal alteration at different temperatures and water/rock ratios. In some cases, the primary mineral assemblage has been entirely replaced by Na-rich alkali feldspar, chlorite/smectite interlayers, zeolites, aegirine–augite, titanite, zircon etc. Hence the chemical composition of such metasomatic rocks displays larger amounts of volatiles, alkalis, Zr, Hf, U, Th and lower Ca, Mg, Fe with respect to the original gabbro. Five hydrothermally altered gabbroic xenoliths were selected for thermal decrepitation and bulk gas analyses by quadrupole mass spectrometry. All the samples analyzed display the same Electron Impact-Direct Pyrolysis Mass spectra (EI-DPMS). These show a series of peaks differing by 14 mass units due to loss of methylene groups (–CH₂), by a fragmentation process typical of saturated aliphatic and aliphatic–aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the samples present several bands typical of vibration frequencies of aliphatic hydrocarbons. The high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons observed probably originated from Fischer–Tropsch-type (FT-t) synthesis in the high temperature section of a serpentinite-hosted hydrothermal system. This suggestion may lend support to the recent hypothesis regarding the original oceanic nature of the Hyblean lithospheric basement.     

Moisture source in the Hyblean Mountains region (south-eastern Sicily, Italy): Evidence from stable isotopes signature

Here the authors present results of an isotope study on precipitation collected during a 2-a period from a rain-gauge network consisting of 6 stations located at different elevations in the Hyblean Mountains (HM) region, in south-eastern Sicily. The slope of the local meteoric water line (δD = 6.50 δ¹⁸O + 9.87) obtained for the region suggests that precipitation is affected by evaporation during rainfall events. The main variations in rainwater isotope composition are due to seasonal effects and elevation. An average ²H excess value of +21.2‰ was found for precipitation events less affected by evaporation (i.e. when the rainfall was >65 mm/month). The spatial distribution of O isotope composition of precipitation shows a negative gradient from east and south to the inner areas. The depositional rate of Cl, used as a tracer of the origin of air masses, is highest at the coastal rain-gauges (SR and MRG stations) and lowest on the northern flank of the HM region (SC station). Based on these findings, a model is proposed for the origin of precipitation in the HM region, which assumes that a Mediterranean-derived component is the main source of moisture in the studied area. D/H and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of inferred meteoric recharge waters were also compared with the isotope composition of waters collected from the main local springs and wells. The best linear fit of the δ¹⁸O vs δD relationship for Hyblean groundwater is δD = 4.85 δ¹⁸O–2.01. The enrichment of heavy isotopes in Hyblean groundwater is probably due to evaporation occurring after precipitation events or to a recharging contribution from surface waters (lakes or rivers) enriched in heavy isotopes.     

Granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths from the Deccan Trap: insight into the nature and composition of the lower lithosphere beneath cratonic India

Granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths in lamprophyre dykes intruded during the waning stage of Deccan Trap volcanism are derived from the lower crust beneath the Dharwar craton of Western India. The xenolith suite consists of plagioclase-poor mafic granulites (55% of the total volume of xenoliths), plagioclase-rich felsic granulites (25%), and ultramafic pyroxenites and websterites (20%) with subordinate wehrlites. Rare spinel peridotite xenoliths are also present, representing mantle lithosphere. The high Mg #, low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ and low Nb/La (<1) ratios suggest that the protoliths of the mafic granulites broadly represent cumulates of sub-alkaline magmas. All of the granulites are peraluminous and light rare-earth element-enriched. The felsic granulites may have resulted from anatexis of the mafic lower crustal rocks; thus, the mafic granulites are enriched in Sr whereas the felsic ones are depleted. Composite xenoliths consisting of mafic granulites traversed by veins of pyroxenite indicate intrusion of the granulitic lower crust by younger pyroxenites. Petrography and geochemistry of the latter (e.g. presence of phlogopite) indicate the metasomatised nature of the deep crust in this region.Thermobarometric estimates from phase equilibria indicate equilibration conditions between 650 and 1200 °C, 0.7-1.2 GPa suggestive of lower crustal environments. These estimates provide a spatial context for the sampled lithologies thereby placing constraints on the interpretation of geophysical data. Integration of xenolith-derived P-T results with Deep Seismic Soundings (DSS) data suggests that the pyroxenites and websterites are transitional between the lower crust and the upper mantle. A three-layer model for the crust in western India, derived from the xenoliths, is consistent with DSS data. The mafic nature of this hybrid lower crust contrasts with the felsic lower crustal composition of the south Indian granulite terrain.     

Comparative study of ultramafic xenoliths and associated lavas from South-Eastern Sicily: nature of the lithospheric mantle and insights on magma genesis

Isotope analyses of lavas from the Hyblean Plateau (SE Sicily) provided first order constraints for the characterization of the relative magma sources, contributing to a better understanding of the tectono-magmatic evolution of the northernmost part of the African plate. To integrate this research, we are currently studying ultramafic xenoliths of mantle provenance exhumed by the Hyblean alkaline volcanics. These mainly consist of anhydrous spinel-facies peridotites and subordinate pyroxenites/websterites. The paragenesis of the latter is extremely variable in terms of modal proportions and mineral composition, with clinopyroxene composition ranging from Cr-diopside to Al-augite, and variable amount of spinel ± garnet. New Sr-Nd isotopic analyses carried out on hand-picked (and leached) clinopyroxenes indicate that peridotites have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranging from 0.70288 to 0.70309, and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd from 0.51287 to 0.51292. This Sr-Nd isotopic fingerprint approaches that of the HIMU mantle end-member, regionally referred as EAR (European Astenospheric Reservoir) to emphasize a connection with a sub-lithospheric metasomatic component ubiquitous throughout Europe, the Mediterranean area and North Africa. The Sr-Nd analyses of pyroxenites also reveal an EAR affinity, but are slightly distinct from those of peridotites. They display ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranging between 0.70305–0.70326 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd between 0.51292–0.51299, overlapping the composition typical of the Hyblean alkaline lavas. This possibly implies that pyroxene-rich domain significantly contributed to the genesis of the Hyblean magmas. Therefore, the presented Sr-Nd isotopic ratios suggest that the role of the pyroxene-rich mantle portions was more important than commonly considered in the petrogenetic models of Hyblean magmas. This scenario would be coherent with recent evidences highlighting the importance of pyroxenites (together with peridotites) as contributing sources to basalt generation.     

Chemical and isotopic composition of the lower crust beneath the Meguma Lithotectonic Zone,Nova Scotia: evidence from granulite facies xenoliths

Granulite-facies xenoliths from an Upper Devonian lamprophyre dyke near Tangier, Nova Scotia, provide new information about the lower crust in the Meguma Zone. Two mineralogically and chemically distinet groups of xenoliths occur. Both groups contain quartz+feldspar+biotite+Fe–Ti oxides+sulfides. In addition, group A contains garnet+graphite±[aluminosilicates+spinel±sapphirine (hight Al₂O₃ subgroups A1 and A2)] or [clinopyroxene+sphene+apatite (high CaO sub-group A3)]. Group B has highly variable proportions of orthopyroxene (B1), clinopyroxene (B2), and amphibole (B3). Trace-element contents of the highly aluminous xenoliths compare closely with average to upper crustal model compositions and are similar in many aspects to other undepleted granulite-facies rocks. LowP-T sedimentary assemblages of quartz-chlorite-clay minerals-calcite-albite or paragonite can account for the compositions of group A xenoliths. Within group B, a high-MgO (MgO>13 wt%) subgroup with high transition-metal contents, and low-MgO (MgO<9 wt%) sub-groups with higher LIL (large-ion-lithophile) element contents exist. Although the rare-earth and high-field-strength elements indicate a tholeiitic or low-K calc-alkaline chemistry, the LIL elements are as high as those from high-K calc-alkaline volcanic are rocks. Isotopically, group A ranges from Nd_t=-2.56 to-0.80 and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr _t =0.7046 to 0.7182 fort=370 Ma. For group B these values are +1.45 to +5.33 and 0.7028 to 0.7048, respectively. Model ages (T_CHUR) are correspondingly low and are tightly constrained (544±52 Ma). These young ages contrast with the middle Proterozoic Nd model ages of the overlying Meguma Zone low-grade flysch. This time-inverted stratigraphy appears to be the product of a tectonic break between a younger autochthonous Tangier lower crust (Avalon), and an older allochthonous Meguma Group upper crust.     

Petrology and mineralogy of granulite-facies mafic xenoliths (Sardinia, Italy): Evidence for KCl metasomatism in the lower crust

Here new mineralogical data is presented on the occurrence of K-feldspar in granulite-facies metagabbronorite xenoliths found in recent alkaline lavas from Western Sardinia, Italy. The xenoliths originated from the underplating of variably evolved subduction-related basaltic liquids, which underwent cooling and recrystallisation in the deep crust (T = 850–900 °C, P = 0.8–1.0 GPa). They consist of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase porphyroclasts (An = 50–66 mol%) in a granoblastic, recrystallised, quartz-free matrix composed of pyroxene + plagioclase (An = 56–72 mol%) + Fe–Ti oxides ± K-feldspar ± biotite ± fluorapatite ± Ti-biotite. Texturally, the K-feldspar occurs in a variety of different modes. These include: (1) rods, blebs, and irregular patches in a random scattering of plagioclase grains in the form of antiperthite; (2) micro-veins along plagioclase–plagioclase and plagioclase–pyroxene grain rims; (3) myrmekite-like intergrowths with Ca-rich plagioclase along plagioclase–plagioclase grain boundaries; and (4) discrete anhedral grains (sometimes microperthitic). The composition of each type of K-feldspar is characterized by relatively high albite contents (16–33 mol%). An increasing anorthite content in the plagioclase towards the contact with the K-feldspar micro-vein and myrmekite-like intergrowths into the K-feldspar along the plagioclase–K-feldspar grain boundary are also observed. Small amounts of biotite (TiO₂ = 4.7–6.5 wt.%; F = 0.24–1.19 wt.%; Cl = 0.04–0.20 wt.%) in textural equilibrium with the granulite-facies assemblage is present in both K-feldspar-bearing and K-feldspar-free xenoliths. These K-feldspar textures suggest a likely metasomatic origin due to solid-state infiltration of KCl-rich fluids/melts. The presence of such fluids is supported by the fluorapatite in these xenoliths, which is enriched in Cl (Cl = 6–50% of the total F + Cl + OH). These lines of evidence suggest that formation of K-feldspar in the mafic xenoliths reflects metasomatic processes, requiring an external K-rich fluid source, which operated in the lower crust during and after in-situ high-T recrystallisation of relatively dry rocks.     

六合地区新元古代-新生代下地壳的成分与形成机制:来自麻粒岩包体的证据

六合地区地处扬子克拉通的西缘,前人对该地区下地壳的成分与形成机制尚无系统认识。本文通过研究新生代幔源侵入岩中所携带的深源捕虏体为认识该地区下地壳的成分和形成机制提供了直接证据。该捕虏体为高级正变质岩(麻粒岩相),岩性分别为石榴石透辉岩、石榴石角闪透辉岩、石榴石角闪岩。三者全岩Si O2=43.85%~50.82%,MgO=6.83%~14.77%,Mg#=0.50~0.64,Cr=87.1×10~(-6)~616×10~(-6),Ni=19.7×10~(-6)~143×10~(-6),皆属于低镁石榴石堆晶岩。通过石榴石-单斜辉石Mg-Fe交换地质温度计计算得知石榴石角闪岩的形成温度721~774℃,形成深度为45~47km,石榴石角闪透辉岩和石榴石透辉岩的形成温度803~829℃,形成深度为48~51km,说明三者皆形成于下地壳。捕虏体锆石多为变质锆石,锆石U-Pb年龄分别为259±9Ma和773±23Ma。捕虏体的全岩Sm-Nd等时线年龄分别为251±4Ma和809±64Ma。259Ma的锆石εHf(t)=-5.69~10.3,773Ma的锆石εHf(t)=5.87~17.7。年代学数据和锆石Hf同位素数据表明六合地区下地壳受到新元古代和晚二叠世岩浆底侵作用,同时发生变质作用。新元古代捕虏体富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),如Rb、Ba、Sr。高度亏损高场强元素(HFSE),如Nb、Ta、Ti。εNd(t)=4.36~5.28。表明在新元古代时期,六合地区的地壳受到俯冲弧岩浆底侵,经过批式熔融计算得知底侵岩浆源自地幔石榴石-尖晶石橄榄岩10%~30%部分熔融。晚二叠世捕虏体富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),如Rb、Ba、Sr。轻度亏损高场强元素(HFSE),如Nb、Ta、Ti。εNd(t)=-5.68~2.33。表明在晚二叠世时期,六合地区的地壳受到地幔柱-岩石圈地幔相互作用产生的岩浆底侵,经过批式熔融计算得知底侵岩浆由地幔石榴石-尖晶石橄榄岩10%~20%部分熔融而成。综上所述,在新元古代板块俯冲和晚二叠世地幔柱的分别作用下,六合地区的地壳受到地幔物质的加入形成镁铁质的新生下地壳。     

Lower crustal xenoliths from Junan,Shandong province and their bearing on the nature of the lower crust beneath the North China Craton

Geochronological, petrological and geochemical studies were performed on the granulite xenoliths from a Late Cretaceous basaltic breccia dike in Junan, Shandong province, eastern China. These xenoliths show close similarities to the Nushan granulite xenoliths from the southern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) and the Archean granulite terrains in terms of mineralogy and bulk rock compositions, but are quite different from the Hanuoba mafic granulite xenoliths from the northern NCC. In-situ zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotopic analyses, together with geochemical data reveal that the protolith of these xenoliths was formed around 2.3 Ga ago, through assimilation–fractional crystallization of a mafic magma. P–T conditions of these xenoliths suggest that the lower crust beneath the Junan region reaches to a depth of 35 km, which agree well with the result deduced from various geophysical methods. The consistent petrological and seismic Moho depths, the observed velocity structure and calculated velocity of these xenoliths imply the absence of underplating induced crust–mantle transition zone, which was well formed in the northern NCC. Compared to 40–50 km depth of the lower crust in Early Jurassic, the lower crust beneath Junan extended to a depth of 30 km in Late Cretaceous, suggesting that the lower crust of NCC was significantly thinned during Late Mesozoic.     

Isotopic composition of precipitation and groundwater in Sicily,Italy

The isotopic composition of meteoric water in Sicily, Italy was investigated from May 2004 until June 2006. Samples were sampled monthly from a network of 50 rain gauges. During the same period 580 groundwater samples were collected from springs and wells to obtain insight into the isotopic composition of the water circulating in the main aquifers of the area. The mean weighted precipitation values were used to define the weighted local meteoric water line for five different sectors of Sicily. The use of Geographical Information System tools, coupled with isotopic vertical gradients, allowed designing an isotopic contour map of precipitation in Sicily. The defined meteoric compositions were highly consistent with most of the groundwater samples in each sector. However, in some areas fractionation processes occurring during and after rainfall slightly modify the isotopic composition of the groundwater. The obtained data set defines the present day isotopic composition of meteoric water in the central Mediterranean area and provides baseline values for future climatic and/or isotope-based hydrology studies.     

Chemical composition of crustal xenoliths from southwestern Syria: Characterization of the upper part of the lower crust beneath the Arabian plate

The chemical bulk rock composition of 37 xenoliths, brought from depths of 25–30 km to the surface by penetrating Cenozoic alkali basaltic magma, from the Shamah Harrat, southwestern Syria, was determined by XRF spectroscopy. The geochemical character of these xenoliths points to original marls and within-plate igneous rocks. To obtain the mean chemical composition of the corresponding upper portion of the lower crust, the compositions of the 37 xenoliths were averaged and a leucogranitic and upper crustal component was added to account for assimilation by the Cenozoic magmas. This mean is more basic (SiO₂—50.5 wt%) and richer in HFSE, LREE, and LILE compared to compositions of the lower crust given by Taylor and McLennan [1985. The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Blackwell, Oxford, 312pp.] and Rudnick and Gao [2005. Composition of the continental crust. In: Rudnick, R.L. (Ed.), The Crust. Treatise on Geochemistry, vol. 3. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 1–64]. Calculations of the seismic compressional-wave velocity from our compositional mean, using the PERPLE_X computer software, yielded values around 6.85 km/s, which are in accordance with reported seismic studies for the corresponding depth levels (6.7–7.1 km/s).     

Catazonal xenoliths in French Neogene volcanic rocks: Constitution of the lower crust

87 samples of granulitic xenoliths scavenged by the Neogene volcanoes in French Massif Central, have been analysed for major elements and Li, Rb, Sr, Ba, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn. These data confirm the presence of rocks with both sedimentary and igneous derivation chemically similar to other granulitic rocks, especially those of the Frazer Range in Australia. Relatively high K and Rb concentration of the metasedimentary rocks conflicts with the hypothesis of systematic depletion of lithophile elements in the lower continental crust.The composition and the elemental variations of the igneous derived rocks suggest a parent magma and a differentiation trend characteristic of tholeiitic rocks. It is proposed that this differentiation was produced at low pressure and consequently, the elemental variation existed before the high pressure granulite facies metamorphism of this series.Although an andesite average of the lower crust (between 25–26 and 12–16 km), directly beneath the Bournac pipe (Velay) is calculated, confirming earlier suggestions of a relatively basic composition but it does not mean that this crust was derived from andesitic rocks.     

Granulite xenoliths from western Saudi Arabia: the lower crust of the late Precambrian Arbian-Nubian Shield

Mafic and intermediate granulite xenoliths, collected from Cenozoic alkali basalts, provide samples of the lower crust in western Saudi Arabia. The xenoliths are metaigneous two-pyroxene and garnet granulites. Mineral and whole rock compositions are inconsistent with origin from Red Sea rift-related basalts, and are compatible with origin from island arc calc-alkaline and low-potassium tholeiitic basalts. Most of the samples are either cumulates from mafic magmas or are restites remaining after partial melting of intermediate rocks and extraction of a felsic liquid. Initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are less than 0.7032, except for two samples at 0.7049. The Sm-Nd data yield T_DM model ages of 0.64 to 1.02 Ga, similar to typical Arabian-Nubian Shield upper continental crust. The isotopic data indicate that the granulites formed from mantle-derived magmas with little or no contamination by older continent crust. Calculated temperatures and pressures of last reequilibration of the xenoliths show that they are derived from the lower crust. Calculated depths of origin and calculated seismic velocities for the xenoliths are in excellent agreement with the crustal structure model of Gettings et al. (1986) based on geophysical data from western Saudi Arabia. Estimation of mean lower crustal composition, using the granulite xenoliths and the Gettings et al. (1986) crustal model, suggests a remarkably homogeneous mafic lower crust, and an andesite or basaltic andesite bulk composition for Pan-African juvenile continental crust.     

山东莒南地区下地壳的复杂组成和多期次生长与改造: 麻粒岩捕虏体的再研究

山东莒南玄武质角砾岩中含有大量地幔橄榄岩、下地壳麻粒岩和辉石岩等深源捕虏体,对这些捕虏体开展研究有助于深化对华北克拉通东部岩石圈组成和演化历史的认识。我们对玄武岩中的金云母和新获得的2件麻粒岩捕虏体分别开展了⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar年代学以及锆石U-Pb年龄和Hf同位素测试。玄武岩中金云母巨晶的⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar年代学结果表明莒南玄武岩的形成年龄为59.04±0.17Ma,该年龄比玄武岩基质K-Ar法获得的年龄年轻约8Myr。锆石离子探针U-Pb年龄结果显示,莒南地区下地壳麻粒岩的原岩记录了多期次岩浆活动,包括3.33Ga、2.52Ga、1.98Ga和0.76Ga。锆石激光原位Hf同位素揭示出莒南地区下地壳经历了多阶段陆壳的增生和改造,其中3.7~3.8Ga是最重要的陆壳增生期,新元古代也存在因地幔物质的加入导致的下地壳生长。麻粒岩捕虏体所反映的下地壳主要是始太古代新生陆壳经多期壳内物质重循环而成。

     

Continental crust in Gorny Altai: nature and composition of protoliths

The history of the Vendian–Early Paleozoic formation of protoliths of continental crust in the Gorny Altai segment of the Central Asian fold belt is considered, and their composition, isotopic characteristics, and formation mechanisms are estimated. We have established two stages of crust-forming processes in Gorny Altai: Early and Late Caledonian, with the different structures of formed geoblocks and nature and compositions of crustal protoliths. At the Early Caledonian stage, fragments of oceanic lithosphere of basic composition (MORB, OIT, OIB) (T_Nd(DM-2st) = 0.65–1.1 Ga) formed, as well as island arcs with andesite-basaltic and andesitic protoliths with low contents of incompatible elements (T_Nd(DM-2st) = 0.7–0.9 Ga). At the Late Caledonian stage, the redistribution of the substance of these blocks and the external supply of material led to the formation of heterogeneous crust of turbidite basins with an oceanic basement and andesite-dacitic upper-crustal protoliths (T_Nd(DM-2st) varies from 0.8–0.9 Ga in the framing of the volcanic arc of Altaids to 1.4–1.6 Ga at the boundary of the Altai–Mongolian microcontinent).     

Growth of bultfonteinite and hydrogarnet in metasomatized basalt xenoliths in the B/K9 kimberlite, Damtshaa, Botswana: insights into hydrothermal metamorphism in kimberlite pipes

Metamorphic assemblages within Karoo basalt xenoliths, found within volcaniclastic kimberlite of the B/K9 pipe, Damtshaa, Botswana, constrain conditions of kimberlite alteration. Bultfonteinite and chlorite partially replace the original augite-plagioclase assemblage, driven by the serpentinisation of the kimberlite creating strong chemical potential gradients for Si and Mg. Hydrogarnet and serpentine replace these earlier metamorphic assemblages as the deposits cool. The bultfonteinite (ideally Ca₂SiO₂[OH,F]₄) and hydrogarnet assemblages require a water-rich fluid containing F⁻, and imply hydrothermal alteration dominated by external fluids rather than autometamorphism from deuteric fluids. Bultfonteinite and hydrogarnet are estimated to form at temperatures of ca. 350–250°C, which are similar to those for serpentinisation. Alteration within the B/K9 kimberlite predominantly occurs between 250 and 400°C. We attribute these conditions to increased efficiency of mass transfer and chemical reactions below the critical point of water and a consequence of volume-increasing serpentinisation and metasomatic reactions that take place over this temperature range. A comparison of the B/K9 kimberlite with kimberlites from Venetia, South Africa suggests that the composition and mineralogy of included xenoliths affects the alteration assemblages within kimberlite deposits.