Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan marginal seas

The results of ICP-MS trace-element (LILE, HFSE, REE) study of the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan seas and geochronological K-Ar dating of the Eocene volcanic rocks are presented. Specifics of volcanism developed on submarine rises of these seas was characterized for the first time, and magma sources and geodynamic settings of the volcanic complexes predating the formation of the deep-water basins were determined. It is established that the Late Mesozoic magmas were formed in a subduction setting from spinel peridotites of suprasubduction mantle wedge, which was metasomatically reworked by aqueous fluids that were released by dehydration of sedimentary layer of subducting oceanic plate. This follows from the elevated concentrations of H₂O, alkalis, potassium, LILE and LREE, and lowered HFSE (including Ta-Nb minimum) and HREE contents, at lowered Sm/Yb, Nb/Ta, Nb/Y and elevated La/Nb, Ba/La, and Zr/Y ratios. Eocene adakite-like volcanic rocks were identified for the first time in the Sea of Okhotsk. They vary from andesitic to more felsic compositions with elevated MgO (>4%) and elevated La/Yb (>14) and Sr/Y (50–60) ratios. Identification of adakite-like volcanic rocks serves as evidence in support of the transform continental-margin (or plate sliding) setting, which is characterized by breaking apart of subduction slab and formation of slab “windows” acting as pathways for the transfer of asthenospheric mantle into continental lithosphere. New geochemical data on the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Okhotsk and Japan seas and analysis of literature data were used to distinguish two geodynamic settings within these seas: subduction and transform margin. Similar settings operated at that time in the adjacent continental- margin volcanic belts (Akinin and Miller, 2011; Martynov and Khanchuk, 2013; et al.).     

Mechanisms and rates of quartz dissolution in melts in the CMAS (CaO–MgO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>) system

The dissolution rate of minerals in silicate melts is generally assumed to be a function of the rate of mass transport of the released cations in the solvent. While this appears to be the case in moderately to highly viscous solvents, there is some evidence that the rate-controlling step may be different in very fluid, highly silica undersaturated melts such as basanites. In this study, convection-free experiments using solvent melts with silica activity from 0.185–0.56 and viscosity from 0.03–4.6 Pa s show that the dissolution rate is strongly dependent on the degree of superheating, silica activity and the viscosity of the solvent. Dissolution rates increase with increasing melt temperature and decreasing silica activity and viscosity. Quartz dissolution in melts with viscosity <0.59–1.9 Pa s and silica activity <0.47 is controlled by the rate of interface reaction as shown by the absence of steady state composition and silica saturation in the interface melts. Only in the most viscous melt with the highest silica activity is quartz dissolution controlled by the rate of diffusion in the melt and only after a long initiation time. The results of this study indicate that although a diffusion-based model may be applicable to dissolution in viscous magmas, a different approach that combines the interplay between the degree of undersaturation of the melt and its viscosity is required in very fluid melts.This revised version was published online September 2004 with a correction to Figure 8.     

Mesozoic–Cenozoic volcanism and geodynamic events in the Central and Eastern Arctic

The patterns and history of Mesozoic–Cenozoic plume magmatism in the Arctic is considered in relation with suprasubduction volcanism and geodynamic events. The Mesozoic–Cenozoic magmatic history of the area includes seven stages, distinguished by correlation of ages and compositions of volcanics associated with mid-ocean rifting, plumes, and subduction; three of seven stages correspond to global events at 230–200 Ma, 130–120 Ma, and 40–30 Ma. The reported study supports the inferred inverse correlation between plate velocities and amount of subduction-related volcanism. The gained knowledge is used for paleotectonic reconstructions in the Arctic.     

Mineral-fluid equilibria in the system CaO–MgO–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–NaCl and the record of reactive fluid flow in contact metamorphic aureoles

Phase equilibria in the system CaO–MgO–SiO₂–CO₂–H₂O–NaCl are calculated to illustrate phase relations in metacarbonates over a wide-range of P–T–X[H₂O–CO₂–NaCl] conditions. Calculations are performed using the equation of state of Duan et al. (Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:2869–2882, 1995) for H₂O–CO₂–NaCl fluids and the internally consistent data set of Gottschalk (Eur J Mineral 9:175–223, 1997) for thermodynamic properties of solids. Results are presented in isothermal-isobarical plots showing stable mineral assemblages as a function of fluid composition. It is shown that in contact-metamorphic P–T regimes the presence of very small concentrations of NaCl in the fluid causes almost all decarbonation reactions to proceed within the two fluid solvus of the H₂O–CO₂–NaCl system. Substantial flow of magma-derived fluids into marbles has been documented for many contact aureoles by shifts in stable isotope geochemistry of the host rocks and by the progress of volatile-producing mineral reactions controlled by fluid compositions. Time-integrated fluid fluxes have been estimated by combining fluid advection/dispersion models with the spatial arrangement of mineral reactions and isotopic resetting. All existing models assume that minerals react in the presence of a single phase H₂O–CO₂ fluid and do not allow for the effect that fluid immiscibility has on the flow patterns. It is shown that fluids emanating from calc-alkaline melts that crystallize at shallow depths are brines. Their salinity may vary depending mainly on pressure and fraction of crystallized melt. Infiltration-driven decarbonation reactions in the host rocks inevitably proceed at the boundaries of the two fluid solvus where the produced CO₂ is immiscible and may separate from the brine as a low salinity, low density H₂O–CO₂ fluid. Most parameters of fluid–rock interaction in contact aureoles that are derived from progress of mineral reactions and stable isotope resetting are probably incorrect because fluid phase separation is disregarded.     

Fluid–mineral reactions and melting of orthopyroxene–cordierite–biotite gneiss in the presence of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-NaCl and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-KCl fluids under parameters of granulite-facies metamorphism

Reactions and partial melting of peraluminous rocks in the presence of H₂O-CO₂–salt fluids under parameters of granulite-facies metamorphism were modeled in experiments on interaction between orthopyroxene–cordierite–biotite–plagioclase–quartz metapelite with H₂O, H₂O-CO₂, H₂O-CO₂-NaCl, and H₂O-CO₂-KCl fluids at 600 MPa and 850°C. Rock melting in the presence of H₂O and equimolar H₂O-CO₂ fluids generates peraluminous (A/CNK¹ > 1.1) melts whose composition corresponds to magnesian calcic or calc–alkaline S-type granitoids. The melts are associated with peritectic phases: magnesian spinel and orthopyroxene containing up to 9 wt % Al₂O₃. In the presence of H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluid, cordierite and orthopyroxene are replaced by the association of K-Na biotite, Na-bearing gedrite, spinel, and albite. The Na₂O concentrations in the biotite and gedrite are functions of the NaCl concentrations in the starting fluid. Fluids of the composition H₂O-CO₂-KCl induce cordierite replacement by biotite with corundum and spinel and by these phases in association with potassium feldspar at X _KCl = 0.02 in the fluid. When replaced by these phases, cordierite is excluded from the melting reactions, and the overall melting of the metapelite is controlled by peritectic reactions of biotite and orthopyroxene with plagioclase and quartz. These reactions produce such minerals atypical of metapelites as Ca-Na amphibole and clinopyroxene. The compositions of melts derived in the presence of salt-bearing fluids are shifted toward the region with A/CNK < 1.1, as is typical of so-called peraluminous granites of type I. An increase in the concentrations of salts in the fluids leads to depletion of the melts in Al₂O₃ and CaO and enrichment in alkalis. These relations suggest that the protoliths of I-type peraluminous granites might have been metapelites that were melted when interacting with H₂O-CO₂-salt fluids. The compositions of the melts can evolve from those with A/CNK > 1.1 (typical of S-type granites) toward those with A/CNK = 1.0–1.1 in response to an increase in the concentrations of alkali salts in the fluids within a few mole percent. Our experiments demonstrate that the origin of new mineral assemblages in metapelite in equilibrium with H₂O-CO₂-salt fluids is controlled by the activities of alkaline components, while the H₂O and CO₂ activities play subordinate roles. This conclusion is consistent with the results obtained by simulating metapelite mineral assemblages by Gibbs free energy minimization (using the PERPE_X software), as shown in log(\({a_{{H_2}O}}\))–log(\({a_{N{a_2}O}}\)) and log(\({a_{{H_2}O}}\))–log(\({a_{{K_2}O}}\)) diagrams.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Air–Sea Exchange due to Calcium Carbonate and Organic Matter Storage,and its Implications for the Global Carbon Cycle

Release of CO₂ from surface ocean water owing to precipitation of CaCO₃ and the imbalance between biological production of organic matter and its respiration, and their net removal from surface water to sedimentary storage was studied by means of a quotient θ = (CO₂ flux to the atmosphere)/(CaCO₃ precipitated). θ depends not only on water temperature and atmospheric CO₂ concentration but also on the CaCO₃ and organic carbon masses formed. In CO₂ generation by CaCO₃ precipitation, θ varies from a fraction of 0.44 to 0.79, increasing with decreasing temperature (25 to 5°C), increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration (195–375 ppmv), and increasing CaCO₃ precipitated mass (up to 45% of the initial DIC concentration in surface water). Primary production and net storage of organic carbon counteracts the CO₂ production by carbonate precipitation and it results in lower CO₂ emissions from the surface layer. When atmospheric CO₂ increases due to the ocean-to-atmosphere flux rather than remaining constant, the amount of CO₂ transferred is a non-linear function of the surface layer thickness because of the back-pressure of the rising atmospheric CO₂. For a surface ocean layer approximated by a 50-m-thick euphotic zone that receives input of inorganic and organic carbon from land, the calculated CO₂ flux to the atmosphere is a function of the CaCO₃ and C_org net storage rates. In general, the carbonate storage rate has been greater than that of organic carbon. The CO₂ flux near the Last Glacial Maximum is 17 to 7×10¹² mol/yr (0.2–0.08 Gt C/yr), reflecting the range of organic carbon storage rates in sediments, and for pre-industrial time it is 38–42×10¹² mol/yr (0.46–0.50 Gt C/yr). Within the imbalanced global carbon cycle, our estimates indicate that prior to anthropogenic emissions of CO₂ to the atmosphere the land organic reservoir was gaining carbon and the surface ocean was losing carbon, calcium, and total alkalinity owing to the CaCO₃ storage and consequent emission of CO₂. These results are in agreement with the conclusions of a number of other investigators. As the CO₂ uptake in mineral weathering is a major flux in the global carbon cycle, the CO₂ weathering pathway that originates in the CO₂ produced by remineralization of soil humus rather than by direct uptake from the atmosphere may reduce the relatively large imbalances of the atmosphere and land organic reservoir at 10²–10⁴-year time scales.     

Mesozoic–Cenozoic Evolution and the Fault Kinematics of the Nurol Depression (Southern West Siberian Basin)

Doklady Earth Sciences - New fault kinematics data within the Archinsk field located in the Nurol depression (south&nbsp;part of the West Siberian Basin) are obtained by structural analysis of...     

Measurements and calculations of solid-liquid equilibria in the ternary systems NaBr–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and KBr–K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at 348 K

According to the compositions of the underground brine resources in the west of Sichuan Basin, solubilities of the ternary systems NaBr–Na₂SO₄–H₂O and KBr–K₂SO₄–H₂O were investigated by isothermal method at 348 K. The equilibrium solid phases, solubilities of salts, and densities of the solutions were determined. On the basis of the experimental data, the phase diagrams and the density-composition diagrams were plotted. In the two ternary systems, the phase diagrams consist of two univariant curves, one invariant point and two crystallization fields. Neither solid solution nor double salts were found. The equilibrium solid phases in the ternary system NaBr–Na₂SO₄–H₂O are NaBr and Na₂SO₄, and those in the ternary system KBr–K₂SO₄–H₂O are KBr and K₂SO₄. Using the solubilities data of the two ternary subsystems at 348 K, mixing ion-interaction parameters of Pitzer’s equation θxxx, Ψxxx and Ψxxx were fitted by multiple linear regression method. Based on the chemical model of Pitzer’s electrolyte solution theory, the solubilities of phase equilibria in the two ternary systems NaBr–Na₂SO₄–H₂O and KBr–K₂SO₄–H₂O were calculated with corresponding parameters. The calculation diagrams were plotted. The results showed that the calculated values have a good agreement with experimental data.     

The high-pressure stability of chlorite and other hydrates in subduction mélanges: experiments in the system Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–MgO–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The solubility of chromium in chlorite as a function of pressure, temperature, and bulk composition was investigated in the system Cr₂O₃–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O, and its effect on phase relations evaluated. Three different compositions with X _Cr = Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.075, 0.25, and 0.5 respectively, were investigated at 1.5–6.5 GPa, 650–900 °C. Cr-chlorite only occurs in the bulk composition with X _Cr = 0.075; otherwise, spinel and garnet are the major aluminous phases. In the experiments, Cr-chlorite coexists with enstatite up to 3.5 GPa, 800–850 °C, and with forsterite, pyrope, and spinel at higher pressure. At P > 5 GPa other hydrates occur: a Cr-bearing phase-HAPY (Mg_2.2Al_1.5Cr_0.1Si_1.1O₆(OH)₂) is stable in assemblage with pyrope, forsterite, and spinel; Mg-sursassite coexists at 6.0 GPa, 650 °C with forsterite and spinel and a new Cr-bearing phase, named 11.5 Å phase (Mg:Al:Si = 6.3:1.2:2.4) after the first diffraction peak observed in high-resolution X-ray diffraction pattern. Cr affects the stability of chlorite by shifting its breakdown reactions toward higher temperature, but Cr solubility at high pressure is reduced compared with the solubility observed in low-pressure occurrences in hydrothermal environments. Chromium partitions generally according to \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{spinel}}\) ? \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{opx}}\) > \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{chlorite}}\) ≥ \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{HAPY}}\) > \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{garnet}}\). At 5 GPa, 750 °C (bulk with X _Cr = 0.075) equilibrium values are \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{spinel}}\) = 0.27, \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{chlorite}}\) = 0.08, \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{garnet}}\) = 0.05; at 5.4 GPa, 720 °C \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{spinel}}\) = 0.33, \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{HAPY}}\) = 0.06, and \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{garnet}}\) = 0.04; and at 3.5 GPa, 850 °C \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{opx}}\) = 0.12 and \(X_{\text{Cr}}^{\text{chlorite}}\) = 0.07. Results on Cr–Al partitioning between spinel and garnet suggest that at low temperature the spinel- to garnet-peridotite transition has a negative slope of 0.5 GPa/100 °C. The formation of phase-HAPY, in assemblage with garnet and spinel, at pressures above chlorite breakdown, provides a viable mechanism to promote H₂O transport in metasomatized ultramafic mélanges of subduction channels.     

Phase equilibria in the MgO–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The results of study of phase equilibria in the MgO–SiO₂–ZrO₂ system at 1450–1550°C are reported. The studied system contains two eutectic points and six fields: (I) MgSiO₃ + SiO₂; (II) MgSiO₃ + ZrO₂; (III) ZrSiO₄ + SiO₂; (IV) MgSiO₃ + Mg₂SiO₄; (V) ZrO₂ + MgO; (VI) ZrSiO₄ + ZrO₂. The presence of fields (II) and (III) on the diagram shows that zircon in equilibrium with olivine and pyroxene crystallizes at very low concentrations of ZrO₂ in the system. This provides a solution for one of the most important problems in zirconology of dunites: the probability of the formation and preservation of zircon in the course of the formation and evolution of dunite.     

Solid solutions in the system acanthite (Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>S)–naumannite (Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se) and the relationships between Ag-sulfoselenides and Se-bearing polybasite from the Kongsberg silver district,Norway, with implications for sulfur–selenium fractionation

Sulfoselenides [Ag₂(S,Se)] and Se-bearing polybasite have been discovered at the Kongsberg silver district. The selenium-bearing minerals occur in two samples from the northern part of the district, forming either single or polyphase inclusions together with chalcopyrite within native silver. The Ag-sulfoselenides show large chemical variations, covering nearly the complete compositional range between acanthite (Ag₂S) and naumannite (Ag₂Se). For the data presented here, there is no local maximum at the composition Ag₄SSe attributed to the distinct phase called aguilarite, suggesting that this composition can be considered as one of many possible along the monoclinic Ag₂S–Ag₂S_0.4Se_0.6 solid solution series rather than a specific mineral phase. We present a model explaining the variations in the Se-content of Ag₂(S,Se) as a result of gradual de-sulfidization of the rock under oxidizing conditions. During this process, sulfur from the Ag₂S-component of Ag₂(S,Se) oxidized and dissolved in the fluid phase as SO₄^2?, resulting in the formation of native silver. The activity ratio \({a_{{{\text{S}}^{2 - }}}}/{a_{{\text{S}}{{\text{e}}^{2 - }}}}\) of the system gradually decreased due to the removal of SO₄^2?, which resulted in the stabilization of a sulfoselenide with higher selenium content. As a result of reaction progress, grains of Ag₂(S,Se) became gradually enclosed in newly formed native silver, and therefore isolated from further reactions with the grain-boundary fluid. Grains isolated early during the process show low content of Se reflecting high \({a_{{{\text{S}}^{2 - }}}}/{a_{{\text{S}}{{\text{e}}^{2 - }}}}\) of the equilibrium fluid, while grains showing high Se reflect the composition of late low \({a_{{{\text{S}}^{2 - }}}}/{a_{{\text{S}}{{\text{e}}^{2 - }}}}\) fluids. Analyses of Se-bearing polybasite show that selenium is preferentially partitioned into Ag₂(S,Se) compared to polybasite. The model presented here demonstrates how oxidation of sulfoselenides leads to fractionation of sulfur and selenium.     

Reflection of seismic paleoevents in Mesozoic–Cenozoic terrigenous sequences of the northern Caucasus

Numerous traces of paleoseismic events (seismites) were established in Mesozoic–Cenozoic marine sedimentary sequences of the northern Caucasus. These traces are most prominent in the terrigenous Middle Miocene sandy–clayey sediments. Impact of seismic shocks upon the relatively weakly lithified sediments provoked distortion of the primary sedimentary structure, liquefaction of the sandy material, and injections of different morphologies (neptunic dikes and sills). The formation of jointing in sediments fostered their vertical permeability and promoted the migration of diagenetic solutions into the adjacent horizons, which stimulated the formation of subvertical carbonate bodies. The amount and intensity of seismic events varied at different stages of the accumulation of sequences and in different areas of the paleobasin. In the eastern sector of the northern Caucasus, seismic activity similar to the present-day general pattern was likely developed as early as the Middle Miocene: maximum activity in the Dagestan and its westward attenuation. Traces of seismic activity are also recorded in the Maikopian (Oligocene–Lower Miocene) and Lower–Middle Jurassic rocks.     

Elastic and thermoelastic properties of synthetic Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>MgSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> (åkermanite) and Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZnSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> (hardystonite)

Elastic and thermoelastic constants of large single crystals of Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ and Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇ have been derived from ultrasonic resonance frequencies of plane-parallel plates and their shift upon variation of temperature, respectively. In addition, coefficients of thermal expansion and dielectric constants were determined. Both species possess quite similar properties. As observed in other isotypic magnesium and zinc compounds, the mean elastic stiffness and the deviation from the Cauchy relations are significantly larger in the zinc compound, due to a covalent contribution of the Zn–O bond. Positive thermoelastic constants T₄₄ and T₆₆ in Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ allow temperature-independent ultrasonic generators and oscillators to be manufactured.     

Gold Dissolution in Dry Salt Melts in the Presence of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as a Function of Р(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)

The solubility of gold was measured in dry NaCl salt melt at 860°С in closed systems with SiO₂ (silica glass). The reactions do not occur in a closed system without oxidizer. Reaction of SiO₂ with salt in the presence of an oxidizer (KClO₄) results in the formation of water-soluble sodium silicates (a mixture of meta-, ortho-, and pyrosilicates). Gold mobilization by a salt melt is limited by the diffusion of Na in SiO₂. In a closed system with the addition of a strong oxidizer (dry KClO₄ salt), the solubility of gold increase with increasing amount of KClO₄ and the saturation level is estimated to be ~3 wt % Au. For ampoule configurations used in our experiments, 5.5 g of gold dissolved per 1 g of KClO₄. Only cheap, non-toxic reagents were used in our model experiments on gold dissolution in a salt melt, which did not require elevated pressures. The solubility of 30 g Au per 1 kg NaCl will eliminate geochemical problems associated with the compact leaching of gold ores using cyanide.     

Structural changes and valence states in the MgCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>–FeCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> solid solution series

The influence on the structure of Fe²⁺ Mg substitution was studied in synthetic single crystals belonging to the MgCr₂O₄–FeCr₂O₄ series produced by flux growth at 900–1200 °C in controlled atmosphere. Samples were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analyses, optical absorption-, infrared- and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Mössbauer data show that iron occurs almost exclusively as ^IVFe²⁺. Only minor Fe³⁺ (<0.005 apfu) was observed in samples with very low total Fe. Optical absorption spectra show that chromium with few exceptions is present as a trivalent cation at the octahedral site. Additional absorption bands attributable to Cr²⁺ and Cr³⁺ at the tetrahedral site are evident in spectra of end-member magnesiochromite and solid-solution crystals with low ferrous contents. Structural parameters a₀, u and T–O increase with chromite content, while the M–O bond distance remains nearly constant, with an average value equal to 1.995(1) Å corresponding to the Cr³⁺ octahedral bond distance. The ideal trend between cell parameter, T–O bond length and Fe²⁺ content (apfu) is described by the following linear relations: a₀=8.3325(5) + 0.0443(8)Fe²⁺ (Å) and T–O=1.9645(6) + 0.033(1)Fe²⁺ (Å) Consequently, Fe²⁺ and Mg tetrahedral bond lengths are equal to 1.998(1) Å and 1.965(1) Å, respectively.     

Hydrosilicate liquids in the system rare-metal granite–Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O as accumulators of ore components at high pressure and temperature

Experimental investigations in the system rare-metal granite–Na₂O–SiO₂–H₂O with the addition of aqueous solutions containing Rb, Cs, Sn, W, Mo, and Zn at 600°C and 1.5 kbar showed that the typical elements of rare-metal granites (Li, Rb, Cs, Be, Nb, and Ta) are preferentially concentrated in hydrosilicate liquids coexisting with aqueous fluid. The same behavior is characteristic of Zn and Sn, the minerals of which are usually formed under hydrothermal conditions. In contrast, Mo and W are weakly extracted by hydrosilicate liquids and almost equally distributed between them and aqueous fluids. Liquids similar to those described in this paper are formed during the final stages of magmatic crystallization in granite and granitepegmatite systems. The formation of hydrosilicate liquids in late magmatic and postmagmatic processes will be an important factor controlling the redistribution of metal components between residual magmatic melts, minerals, and aqueous fluids and, consequently, the mobility of these components in fluid-saturated magmatic systems enriched in rare metals.     

Effect of KCl on melting in the Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>–MgSiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O system at 5 GPa

To examine the effect of KCl-bearing fluids on the melting behavior of the Earth’s mantle, we conducted experiments in the Mg₂SiO₄–MgSiO₃–H₂O and Mg₂SiO₄–MgSiO₃–KCl–H₂O systems at 5 GPa. In the Mg₂SiO₄–MgSiO₃–H₂O system, the temperature of the fluid-saturated solidus is bracketed between 1,200–1,250°C, and both forsterite and enstatite coexist with the liquid under supersolidus conditions. In the Mg₂SiO₄–MgSiO₃–KCl–H₂O systems with molar Cl/(Cl + H₂O) ratios of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, the temperatures of the fluid-saturated solidus are bracketed between 1,400–1,450°C, 1,550–1,600°C, and 1,600–1,650°C, respectively, and only forsterite coexists with liquid under supersolidus conditions. This increase in the temperature of the solidus demonstrates the significant effect of KCl on reducing the activity of H₂O in the fluid in the Mg₂SiO₄–MgSiO₃–H₂O system. The change in the melting residues indicates that the incongruent melting of enstatite (enstatite = forsterite + silica-rich melt) could extend to pressures above 5 GPa in KCl-bearing systems, in contrast to the behavior in the KCl-free system.