Enriched End-member of Primitive MORB Melts: Petrology and Geochemistry of Glasses from Macquarie Island (SW Pacific)

Macquarie Island is an exposure above sea-level of part of thecrest of the Macquarie Ridge. The ridge marks the Australia–Pacificplate boundary south of New Zealand, where the plate boundaryhas evolved progressively since Eocene times from an oceanicspreading system into a system of long transform faults linkedby short spreading segments, and currently into a right-lateralstrike-slip plate boundary. The rocks of Macquarie Island wereformed during spreading at this plate boundary in Miocene times,and include intrusive rocks (mantle and cumulate peridotites,gabbros, sheeted dolerite dyke complexes), volcanic rocks (N-to E-MORB pillow lavas, picrites, breccias, hyaloclastites),and associated sediments. A set of Macquarie Island basalticglasses has been analysed by electron microprobe for major elements,S, Cl and F; by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy forH₂O; by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry for trace elements; and by secondary ion mass spectrometryfor Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes. An outstanding compositional featureof the data set (47·4–51·1 wt % SiO₂, 5·65–8·75wt % MgO) is the broad range of K₂O (0·1–1·8wt %) and the strong positive covariation of K₂O with otherincompatible minor and trace elements (e.g. TiO₂ 0·97–2·1%;Na₂O 2·4–4·3%; P₂O₅ 0·08–0·7%;H₂O 0·25–1·5%; La 4·3–46·6ppm). The extent of enrichment in incompatible elements in glassescorrelates positively with isotopic ratios of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0·70255–0·70275) and Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb =18·951–19·493; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15·528–15·589;²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38·523–38·979), and negativelywith Nd (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0·51310–0·51304).Macquarie Island basaltic glasses are divided into two compositionalgroups according to their mg-number–K₂O relationships.Near-primitive basaltic glasses (Group I) have the highest mg-number(63–69), and high Al₂O₃ and CaO contents at a given K₂Ocontent, and carry microphenocrysts of primitive olivine (Fo_86–89·5).Their bulk compositions are used to calculate primary melt compositionsin equilibrium with the most magnesian Macquarie Island olivines(Fo_90·5). Fractionated, Group II, basaltic glasses aresaturated with olivine + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene,and have lower mg-number (57–67), and relatively low Al₂O₃and CaO contents. Group I glasses define a seriate variationwithin the compositional spectrum of MORB, and extend the compositionalrange from N-MORB compositions to enriched compositions thatrepresent a new primitive enriched MORB end-member. Comparedwith N-MORB, this new end-member is characterized by relativelylow contents of MgO, FeO, SiO₂ and CaO, coupled with high contentsof Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Na₂O, P₂O₅, K₂O and incompatible trace elements,and has the most radiogenic Sr and Pb regional isotope composition.These unusual melt compositions could have been generated bylow-degree partial melting of an enriched mantle peridotitesource, and were erupted without significant mixing with commonN-MORB magmas. The mantle in the Macquarie Island region musthave been enriched and heterogeneous on a very fine scale. Wesuggest that the mantle enrichment implicated in this studyis more likely to be a regional signature that is shared bythe Balleny Islands magmatism than directly related to the hypotheticalBalleny plume itself. KEY WORDS: mid-ocean ridge basalts; Macquarie Island; glass; petrology; geochemistry     

Origin and Source Evolution of the Leucite Hills Lamproites: Evidence from Sr-Nd-Pb-O Isotopic Compositions

Whole-rock major and trace element and O, Sr, Nd and Pb isotopicdata are reported for 3·0–0·89 Ma lamproitesfrom the Leucite Hills, Wyoming, USA. The two main groups oflamproites, madupitic lamproites and phlogopite lamproites,are geochemically distinct and cannot be related to one anotherby either fractional crystallization or crustal contamination.It seems likely that the geochemical differences between thesetwo rock types are related to variations in source mineralogyand depth of partial melting. The high Mg-number and large ionlithophile element abundances and negative Nd values of thelamproites indicate a mantle source that has experienced stagesof both depletion and enrichment. The negative Nb, Ta and Tianomalies in mantle-normalized trace element diagrams and lowtime-integrated U/Pb, Rb/Sr and Sm/Nd ratios of both lamproitegroups and other Cenozoic igneous rocks from the Wyoming ArcheanProvince indicate an ancient metasomatic enrichment (>1·0Ga) of the mantle source associated with the subduction of carbonate-bearingsediments. Other chemical characteristics of the Leucite Hillslamproites, especially their high K₂O and volatile contents,are attributed to more recent metasomatism (<100 Ma) involvinginflux from upwelling mantle during back-arc extension or plumeactivity. KEY WORDS: isotopes; lamproites; metasomatism; Leucite Hills; Wyoming     

Magnesian ilmenitite xenoliths in a basanite from Tahalra,Ahaggar (Southern Algeria)

Large magnesian ilmenite nodules occur in a quaternary basanitic volcano near Silet in the Tahalra volcanic area (Central Ahaggar, Southern Algeria). Their texture, from foliated to polygonal, is ascribed to solid state flow and dynamic recrystallization in upper mantle conditions.Their composition is similar to that of kimberlitic Mg-ilmenite nodules, as regards Mg, Fe, Al and Cr contents; the geikielite content ranges from 25 to 37 mol %. No outwards Mg enrichment of the nodules has been observed. Peripheral secundary products (pseudobrookite, magnetite and hematite) result from reaction with the host magma.From textural relationships and microprobe analyses, the Mg-ilmenite nodules from Tahalra are thought to be early cumulates from a mafic melt fractionnated in the upper-mantle; later, after solid-state deformation, these ilmenitite rocks were sampled and carried up to the surface by a fast-rising basanitic liquid.Rocks almost exclusively made of ilmenite do therefore presently exist within the upper-mantle and form a new type of petrological heterogeneity.     

Magma Origin and Evolution of White Island (Whakaari) Volcano, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

White Island is an active composite stratovolcano in the Bayof Plenty, New Zealand, that comprises many small volume (<0·1km³) andesite–dacite lava flows and pyroclastic depositswith phenocryst contents of     

Geochemical fingerprint of hyaloclasts in glassy fragmental rocks of Macquarie Island (Southern Ocean): implications for volcanogenic sedimentary processes at a waning mid-ocean ridge

Two main types of glassy fragmental rocks formed along the Proto-Macquarie Spreading Ridge: (i) hyaloclastite breccia; and (ii) pillow-fragment breccia. Examples now exposed on Macquarie Island, Southern Ocean, were largely sourced from proximal pillow lavas. In each of seven samples examined, hyaloclasts (basaltic glass grains) have a narrow major- and trace-element geochemical range, consistent with derivation of each sample from a single volcanic eruption event. Moreover, every sample analysed within the one stratigraphic section (at three sites) displays distinctive major- and trace-element geochemistry compared with the other two sections. This suggests that hyaloclasts at each site represent discrete magma batches. A single source for these glassy fragmental rocks contrasts with the dominant fault-scarp-derived polymict sedimentary rocks on Macquarie Island. We suggest that the hyaloclasts analysed in this study were deposited in small basins between the slopes of growing pillow cones along the mid-ocean ridge. The geochemical analyses presented here encompass (weakly) fractionated (e.g. Bauer Bay) to near-primitive (e.g. Pyramid Peak) compositions. All samples presented here lie within the range of the enriched- to normal-MORB suites previously reported for the island that include the least fractionated MORB melts known globally. The interpretation of geochemically distinct magma batches over the small area of the island suggests very limited magma mixing consistent with an immature or waning magmatic system. We relate these geochemical characteristics to: (i) volcanism near a very long offset transform; and (ii) genesis of magmas during the waning stages of slow seafloor spreading within a very narrow (<50 km-wide) spreading corridor.     

Volatiles in pillows of the Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims

Temperature-resolved analyses of volatiles from Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims were carried out to investigate the total volatile contents of basaltic melts and the influence of magma contamination on the degassing behaviour of volcanic rocks.With respect to the sources of methane evolution from the MORB the investigations are taken into consideration, the hydrocarbon (HC) release especially from the melt.The current paper presents data for H₂O, CO₂, SO₂, He, H₂, HF, HCl, CO, N₂, O₂, and HC degassing profiles of samples from the MORB sampling cruise 02.10.1983-11.11.1983 with FS Sonne 28 during the GEMINO-1 project near the Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and the Mid-Indian-Ocean-Ridge (MIOR).It aims to estimate the magnitude and nature of source magma volatiles and contamination (crustal material, seawater, atmospheric gases).The degassing of H₂O, CO₂, HCs as well as sulphur and chlorine species, or O₂ from vitreous specimens shows characteristic differences associated with sample position with respect to the lava surface.From the water release by bubbling and diffusion above 700 °C it must be concluded that any assimilation of sea water in vitreous rim is very low. The water content in the vitreous rim is about 0.1-0.2 wt%. The low interaction of melt with sea water is supported by the missing of a significant release of chlorine species during the heat treatment of the sample up to 1450 °C.Mixed H₂O/CO₂ bubbles escape between 700 and 800 °C from the vitreous rim. The CO₂ release in the temperature range of 1060-1170 °C from the basalt and the vitreous rim is interpreted as an indication for the primary carbon-dioxide content in the melt.Above 1100 °C CO₂ and SO₂ are evolved by both diffusion and small bubbles. The quantities of CO₂ in the vitreous rim and the basalt are similar (between 0.05 and 0.15 wt%), whereas the quantities of SO₂ escaping both from the vitreous rim and the crystalline basalt are between 0.013 and 0.024 wt%.Simultaneous with the CO₂ release by bubbling, HC species, especially CH fragments, were observed. The fact that the temperature of release maxima are above 1050 °C in both the vitreous rim and in the basalt is an indication for a geogenetic origin of HCs, e.g. methane.A low temperature of release for methane, which is consistent with biogenetic HC, was observed from the gas-release profiles of the basalts only. The maxima of the low-temperature gas releases are between 80 and 200 °C with a high correlation between the fragments m/z 13 and m/z 15. This correlation is a significant indication for a methane release.The oxygen release profiles of vitreous and crystalline basalts give significant indications for oxygen fugacity below the (QMF) of basaltic magma.Secondary minerals, generated by alteration of basaltic rocks, can be characterized by gas release profiles (GRPs) due to their decomposition in the temperature range below 800 °C. Only in the basalt were there observed indications of alteration processes. Small traces of carbonates (<0.0001 wt%) were detected by the gas release during the decomposition.Processes of degassing at temperatures higher than 800 °C are correlated to volatiles in the melt and to fluid inclusions of the minerals. There are no obvious correlations in the degassing characteristics between H₂O, CO₂ and SO₂. The different maxima of the degassing velocity, especially of CO₂, and SO₂, are indications of the different bonding forces of the site occupancy of the volatiles in the melt and in the glass. A micelle model for bonding sites in the basaltic glass for dissolved volatiles is discussed.     

Salt Waters of the Northern Apennine Foredeep Basin (Italy): Origin and Evolution

The salt waters from the Emilia-Romagna sector of the Northern Apennine Foredeep have been investigated using major and trace element and stable isotope (δ²H, δ¹⁸O, δ³⁷Cl, δ⁸¹Br and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio). Ca, Mg, Na, K, Sr, Li, B, I, Br and SO₄ vs. Cl diagrams suggest the subaerial evaporation of seawater beyond gypsum and before halite precipitation as primary process to explain the brine’s salinity, whereas saline to brackish waters were formed by mixing of evaporated seawater and water of meteoric origin. A diagenetic end-member may be a third component for mud volcanoes and some brackish waters. Salinization by dissolution of (Triassic) evaporites has been detected only in samples from the Tuscan side of the Apennines and/or interacting with the Tuscan Nappe. In comparison with the seawater evaporation path, Ca–Sr enrichment and Na–K–Mg depletion of the foredeep waters reveal the presence of secondary processes such as dolomitization–chloritization, zeolitization–albitization and illitization. Sulfate concentration, formerly buffered by gypsum-anhydrite deposition, is heavily lowered by bacterial and locally by thermochemical reduction during burial diagenesis. From an isotopic point of view, data of the water molecule confirm mixing between seawater and meteoric end-members. Local ¹⁸O-shift up to +11‰ at Salsomaggiore is related to water–rock interaction at high temperature (≈150°C) as confirmed by chemical (Mg, Li, Ca distribution) and isotopic (SO₄–H₂O) geothermometers. ³⁷Cl/³⁵Cl and ⁸¹Br/⁷⁹Br ratios corroborate the marine origin of the brines and evidence the diffusion of halogens from the deepest and most saline aquifers toward the surface. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio suggests a Miocene origin of Sr and rule out the hypothesis of a Triassic provenance of the dissolved components for the analyzed waters issuing from the Emilia-Romagna sector of the foredeep. Waters issuing from the Tuscan side of the Apennines and from the Marche sector of the foredeep show higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios because of the interaction with siliciclastic rocks.     

安徽淮北三铺地区镁夕卡岩金（铜、铁）矿床生成地质环境、分带和流体演化

世界上的含金夕卡岩大多属钙夕卡岩型,镁夕卡岩金矿床十分稀少。本文介绍我国安徽北部三铺地区镁夕卡岩金（铜、铁）矿床的地质地球化学特征。该区含金（铜、铁）镁夕卡岩主要产于台地断拗区燕山期石英二长闪长玢岩与中上寒武统白云质大理岩外接触带。岩体内接触带发育钙夕卡岩和钾长石化,局部有辉钼矿化产出。金矿化与铜的硫化物密切共生,属于镁夕卡岩的退化热液交代作用产物。金属矿化分带序列自蚀变石英二长闪长玢岩到镁夕卡岩     

冈底斯西段鲁尔玛斑岩型铜(金)矿成矿流体性质及演化

目前冈底斯成矿带报道的斑岩型矿床主要集中在东段,而鲁尔玛斑岩型铜(金)矿为冈底斯成矿带西段新发现的铜矿,具有钾硅酸盐化、绢英岩化、青磐岩等明显的斑岩型矿床蚀变特征.其热液脉体从早到晚化分为:钾硅酸盐化脉(A脉)、石英-金属硫化物脉(B脉)以及石英-绿帘石-碳酸盐化脉(D脉).对各阶段热液脉体的的流体包裹体进行了岩相学、显微测温、显微激光拉曼和H-O-C同位素等分析.发现A脉石英中流体包裹体的形成温度集中在390~460℃,盐度介于4.5%~21.6%NaCleqv和43.6%~59.6%NaCleqv两个区间;B脉石英中流体包裹体的形成温度集中在310~380℃,盐度介于3.6%~19.8%NaCleqv和6.0%~16.0%NaCleqv两个区间;D脉石英和方解石中流体包裹体的形成温度集中在200~320℃,盐度集中在0.4%~14.7%NaCleqv.拉曼分析表明,鲁尔玛铜(金)矿的流体包裹体含CO2、N2、CH4等气体及石盐子晶和多种金属硫化物和金属氧化物子晶.各热液脉体石英中流体包裹体的δDH2O,V-SMOW值的变化范围为-128‰^-110‰,δ18OH2O,V-SMOW值的变化范围为-9.09‰^-1.45‰,方解石的δ13CCal,V-PDB值的变化范围为-20.8‰^-19.8‰,δ18OCal,V-SMOW值的变化范围为-5.9‰^-4.9‰,展现出岩浆热液的特征,晚期还有大气降水的加入.研究结果显示,成矿流体属高温、高盐度、含CO2、N2、CH4等气体和Cu、Fe、Mo等金属元素的Ca+-Na+-Cl-H2O体系流体,具有典型的斑岩型铜矿床成矿流体的特征.成矿流体从深部封闭体系运移到浅部的开放体系,温压环境突变导致金属硫化物沉淀,形成A脉和B脉型矿化.随着成矿物质的大量析出,同时伴随着大气降水等因素的影响,流体温度、盐度迅速降低,产生D脉型矿化.     

Depths of Partial Crystallization of H2O-bearing MORB: Phase Equilibria Simulations of Basalts at the MAR near Ascension Island (7 11{degrees}S)

Phase equilibria simulations were performed on naturally quenchedbasaltic glasses to determine crystallization conditions priorto eruption of magmas at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) east ofAscension Island (7–11°S). The results indicate thatmid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) magmas beneath different segmentsof the MAR have crystallized over a wide range of pressures(100–900 MPa). However, each segment seems to have a specificcrystallization history. Nearly isobaric crystallization conditions(100–300 MPa) were obtained for the geochemically enrichedMORB magmas of the central segments, whereas normal (N)-MORBmagmas of the bounding segments are characterized by polybariccrystallization conditions (200–900 MPa). In addition,our results demonstrate close to anhydrous crystallization conditionsof N-MORBs, whereas geochemically enriched MORBs were successfullymodeled in the presence of 0·4–1 wt% H₂O in theparental melts. These estimates are in agreement with direct(Fourier transform IR) measurements of H₂O abundances in basalticglasses and melt inclusions for selected samples. Water contentsdetermined in the parental melts are in the range 0·04–0·09and 0·30–0·55 wt% H₂O for depleted and enrichedMORBs, respectively. Our results are in general agreement (within±200 MPa) with previous approaches used to evaluate pressureestimates in MORB. However, the determination of pre-eruptiveconditions of MORBs, including temperature and water contentin addition to pressure, requires the improvement of magma crystallizationmodels to simulate liquid lines of descent in the presence ofsmall amounts of water. KEY WORDS: MORB; Mid-Atlantic Ridge; depth of crystallization; water abundances; phase equilibria calculations; cotectic crystallization; pressure estimates; polybaric fractionation     

The Discovery of Magnesioferrite from Au (Fe, Cu) Magnesian Skarn Deposits and Study of the Magnesioferrite-Magnesiomagnetite Series

Magnesioferrite, a rare metasomatic mineral, was discovered for the first time in China from the Qinlou Au (Fe, Cu) magnesian skarn deposit, Sanpu, Huaibei, Auhui Province, and the Mulonggou Fe (Mo, Cu) magnesian skarn deposit, Luonan County, Shaanxi Province. In this paper, the geological setting, mineral associations, chemical composition, some physical properties, X-ray powder diffraction data and infrared spectroscopy of magnesioferrite and magnesiomagnetite are discussed. Magnesioferrite contains 17.66%-13.48% of MgO. Its main associated minerals are clinohumite, chondrodite, serpentine,, calcite and magnesiomagnetite. The density of magnesioferrite is 4.537-4.720, reflectances in percent are: 17.8-18.1, hardness is 838-900 kg/mm2, and the cell parameter a0 = 8.371-8.379 A. A systematic study of the magnesioferrite-magnesiomagnetite-magnetite series suggests that along with the increase of magnesioferrite molecules in the mineral, the density, reflectances and cell parameters decrease corresponding     

义敦岛弧带多旋回演化的基本轮廓

位于青藏高原东部边缘的义敦岛弧带,晚二叠世以来经历了伸展与挤压相交替的多旋回式构造演化。根据伸展、挤压交替的阶段性变化,其演化历程可划分为10期（阶段）：① 二叠纪—前二叠纪:泛扬子板块阶段;② 二叠纪末—中三叠世早期:大陆边缘裂 谷→海洋;③ 中三叠世晚期:不成熟岛弧;④ 早卡尼期：裂谷与海洋;⑤ 晚卡尼期—早诺尼 期：成熟岛弧;⑥ 中—晚诺尼期：岛弧基底上的裂谷作用;⑦ 诺尼期末—瑞替期：弧陆碰撞和残留海;⑧ 侏罗纪—早白垩世：挤压褶皱造山;⑨ 晚白垩世—第三纪：山原裂谷作用和山 间盆地;10 第四纪—现代：快速隆起造山。二叠纪末—三叠纪初为本区构造格局的转折点,即本区脱离扬子板块主体部分向西漂移并导致产生新的洋壳,出现新的构造格局。三叠纪的构造伸展—挤压转换最为频繁,火山—沉积作用也最为活跃,以钙—碱性中酸性火山岩为代表的义敦火山弧形成于这一时期。     

Volatiles in Submarine Basaltic Glasses from the Northern Kerguelen Plateau (ODP Site 1140): Implications for Source Region Compositions, Magmatic Processes, and Plateau Subsidence

Submarine pillow basalts (34 Ma) recovered from the NorthernKerguelen Plateau at ODP Site 1140 contain abundant unalteredglass, providing the first opportunity to measure the volatilecontents of tholeiitic basaltic magmas related to the Kerguelenmantle plume. The glasses have La/Sm and Nb/Zr ratios that varyfrom values similar to Southeast Indian Ridge (SEIR) MORB (Unit1), to slightly more enriched (Unit 6), to values transitionalbetween SEIR MORB and basaltic magmas formed by melting of theKerguelen plume (Units 2 and 3). Volatile contents for glassesin Units 1 and 6 are similar to depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB) values (0·25–0·27 wt % H₂O, 1240–1450ppm S, 42–54 ppm Cl). In contrast, H₂O contents are higherfor the enriched glasses (Unit 2, 0·44 wt % H₂O; Unit3, 0·69 wt %), as are S (1500 ppm) and Cl (146–206ppm). Cl/K ratios for all glasses are relatively low (0·03–0·04),indicating that assimilation of hydrothermally altered materialdid not occur during shallow-level crystallization. H₂O/Ce forthe enriched glasses (Units 2 and 3) is significantly lowerthan Pacific and South Atlantic MORB values, suggesting thatlow H₂O/Ce may be an inherent characteristic of the Kerguelenplume source. Vapor saturation pressures calculated using theH₂O and CO₂ contents of the glasses indicate that     

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

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

A New Genus of Psittacosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) and the Origin and Early Evolution of Marginocephalian Dinosaurs

An almost complete juvenile dinosaur skull with lower jaw was discovered from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Beipiao, Liaoning Province, China. Here, the specimen is described and a cladistic analysis is performed in order to find its phylogenetic relationships. The result shows that this specimen represents a new genus of Psittacosauridae, Hongshanosaurus houi, gen. et sp. nov., and confirms the monophyletic status for Ceratopsia and Marginocephalia. However, Heterodontosaurus is found to be the sister taxon to Marginocephalia, rather than a basal Omithopoda.     

Bacteriohopanepolyols in a stratified cyanobacterial mat from Kiritimati (Christmas Island,Kiribati)

Bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) are lipids of distinct bacterial groups and are, along with geohopanoids as their diagenetic products, ubiquitous in microbial mats, sediments, soils and oil. Among BHP-producing bacteria, Cyanobacteria are of special interest since occurrences of C-2 methylated and other geohopanoids are interpreted as signals of oxygenic photoautotrophs in the early oceans. However, many questions, with respect to the source and function of hopanoids, remain open. Cyanobacterial mats are complex systems in terms of biogeochemical zones and hence, harbor phylogenetically and metabolically diverse photoautotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. Whereas Cyanobacteria are key microbial players for carbon fixation in these mat systems, most other bacterial and archaeal groups feed on their metabolic products and/or perform anoxygenic photosynthesis in deeper low-light regimes.We have analyzed the abundance and distribution of BHPs in distinct layers of a stratified mat from a hypersaline lake on Kiritimati. Suites of BHPs were observed, with the majority probably originating from (proteo-)bacteria thriving in the deeper layers of the mat and not in upper layers where mat-forming Cyanobacteria are prevalent. Interestingly, the BHPs in the deepest layer include C-2 methylated structures, which likely do not originate from Cyanobacteria, but rather from α-Proteobacteria thriving at the redoxcline of this stratified microbial system.     

Similar V/Sc Systematics in MORB and Arc Basalts: Implications for the Oxygen Fugacities of their Mantle Source Regions

V/Sc systematics in peridotites, mid-ocean ridge basalts andarc basalts are investigated to constrain the variation of fO₂in the asthenospheric mantle. V/Sc ratios are used here to ‘seethrough’ those processes that can modify barometric fO₂determinations in mantle rocks and/or magmas: early fractionalcrystallization, degassing, crustal assimilation and mantlemetasomatism. Melting models are combined here with a literaturedatabase on peridotites, arc lavas and mid-ocean ridge basalts,along with new, more precise data on peridotites and selectedarc lavas. V/Sc ratios in primitive arc lavas from the Cascadesmagmatic arc are correlated with fluid-mobile elements (e.g.Ba and K), indicating that fluids may subtly influence fO₂ duringmelting. However, for the most part, the average V/Sc-inferredfO₂s of arc basalts, MORB and peridotites are remarkably similar(–1·25 to +0·5 log units from the FMQ buffer)and disagree with the observation that the barometric fO₂s ofarc lavas are several orders of magnitude higher. These observationssuggest that the upper part of the Earth's mantle may be stronglybuffered in terms of fO₂. The higher barometric fO₂s of arclavas and some arc-related xenoliths may be due respectivelyto magmatic differentiation processes and to exposure to large,time-integrated fluid fluxes incurred during the long-term stabilityof the lithospheric mantle. KEY WORDS: vanadium; scandium; oxygen fugacity; mantle; arcs     

Geochemistry of the Jurassic Mirdita Ophiolite (Albania) and the MORB to SSZ evolution of a marginal basin oceanic crust

The Middle Jurassic Mirdita Ophiolite in northern Albania is part of an ophiolite belt occurring between the Apulian and Pelagonian subcontinents in the Balkan Peninsula. The upper mantle and crustal units of the Mirdita Ophiolite show major changes in thickness, rock types, and chemical compositions from west to east as a result of its complex evolution in a suprasubduction zone (SSZ) environment. The  3–4-km-thick Western Mirdita Ophiolite (WMO) includes lherzolite–harzburgite, plagioclase–lherzolite, plagioclase–dunite in its upper mantle units and a plutonic complex composed of olivine gabbro, troctolite, ferrogabbro, and gabbro. These peridotites and gabbroic rocks are overlain directly by a  600-m-thick extrusive sequence containing basaltic pillow lavas and hyaloclastites. Sheeted dikes are rare in the WMO. The  12-km-thick Eastern Mirdita Ophiolite (EMO) includes tectonized harzburgite and dunite with extensive chromite deposits, as well as ultramafic cumulates including olivine clinopyroxenite, wehrlite, olivine websterite, and dunite forming a transitional Moho with the overlying lower crustal section. The plutonic rocks are made of pyroxenite, gabbronorite, gabbro, amphibole gabbro, diorite, quartz diorite, and plagiogranite. A well-developed sheeted dike complex has mutually intrusive relations with the underlying isotropic gabbros and plagiogranites and feeds into the overlying pillow lavas. Dike compositions change from older basalt to basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite, quartz diorite, to late-stage andesitic and boninitic dikes as constrained by crosscutting relations. The  1.1-km-thick extrusive sequence comprises basaltic and basaltic andesitic pillow lavas in the lower 700 m, and andesitic, dacitic and rhyodacitic massive sheet flows in the upper 400 m. Rare boninitic dikes and lavas occur as the youngest igneous products within the EMO. The basaltic and basaltic andesitic rocks of the WMO extrusive sequence display MORB affinities with Ti and Zr contents decreasing upsection (TiO₂ = 3.5–0.5%, Zr = 300–50 ppm), while _Nd(T) (+ 8 to + 6.5) varies little. These magmas were derived from partial melting of fertile MORB-type mantle. Fractional crystallization was important in the evolution of WMO magmas. The low Ti and HREE abundances and Cs and Ba enrichments in the uppermost basaltic andesites may indicate an increased subduction influence in the evolution of the late-stage WMO magmas. Basaltic andesites in the lower 700 m of the EMO volcanic sequence have lower TiO₂ ( 0.5%) and Zr ( 50 ppm) contents but _Nd(T) values (+ 7 to + 6.5) are similar to those of the WMO lavas. These rocks show variable enrichment in subduction-enriched incompatible elements (Cs, Ba, Th, U, LREE). The basaltic andesites through dacites and boninites within the upper 400 meters of EMO lavas show low TiO₂ ( 0.8–0.3%) and _Nd(T) (+ 6.5 to + 3.0). The mantle source of these rocks was variably enriched in Th by melts derived from subducted sediments as indicated by the large variations in Ba, K, and Pb contents. EMO boninitic dikes and lavas and some gabbroic intrusions with negative _{Nd (T)} values (− 1.4 and − 4.0, respectively) suggest that these magmas were produced from partial melting of previously depleted, ultra-refractory mantle. The MORB to SSZ transition (from west to east and stratigraphically upwards in the Mirdita Ophiolite and the progression of the _Nd(T) values from + 8.0 to − 4.0 towards the east resulted from an eastward shift in protoarc–forearc magmatism, keeping pace with slab rollback in this direction. The mantle flow above the retreating slab and in the arc-wedge corner played a major role in the evolution of the melting column, in which melt generation, aggregation/mixing and differentiation occurred at all levels of the sub-arc/forearc mantle. The SSZ Mirdita Ophiolite evolved during the intra-oceanic collapse and closure of the Pindos marginal basin, which had a protracted tectonic history involving seafloor spreading, protoarc rifting, and trench-continent collision.