Geochemistry of cumulates from the Bjerkreim–Sokndal layered intrusion (S. Norway) Part II. REE and the trapped liquid fraction

Rare earth elements in bulk cumulates and in separated minerals (plagioclase, apatite, Ca-poor and Ca-rich pyroxenes, ilmenite and magnetite) from the Bjerkreim–Sokndal layered intrusion (Rogaland Anorthosite Province, SW Norway) are investigated to better define the proportion of trapped liquid and its influence on bulk cumulate composition. In leuconoritic rocks (made up of plagioclase, Ca-poor pyroxene, ilmenite, ±magnetite, ±olivine), where apatite is an intercumulus phase, even a small fraction of trapped liquid significantly affects the REE pattern of the bulk cumulate, together with cumulus minerals proportion and composition. Contrastingly, in gabbronoritic cumulates characterized by the presence of cumulus Ca-rich pyroxene and apatite, cumulus apatite buffers the REE content. La/Sm and Eu/Eu* vs. P₂O₅ variations in leuconorites display mixing trends between a pure adcumulate and the composition of the trapped liquid, assumed to be similar to the parental magma. Assessment of the trapped liquid fraction in leuconorites ranges from 2 to 25% and is systematically higher in the north-eastern part of the intrusion. The likely reason for this wide range of TLF is different cooling rates in different parts of the intrusion depending on the distance to the gneissic margins. The REE patterns of liquids in equilibrium with primitive cumulates are calculated with mass balance equations. Major elements modelling (Duchesne, J.C., Charlier, B., 2005. Geochemistry of cumulates from the Bjerkreim–Sokndal layered intrusion (S. Norway): Part I. Constraints from major elements on the mechanism of cumulate formation and on the jotunite liquid line of descent. Lithos. 83, 299–254) permits calculation of the REE content of melt in equilibrium with gabbronorites. Partition coefficients for REE between cumulus minerals and a jotunitic liquid are then calculated. Calculated liquids from the most primitive cumulates are similar to a primitive jotunite representing the parental magma of the intrusion, taking into account the trapped liquid fraction calculated from the P₂O₅ content. Consistent results demonstrate the reliability of liquid compositions calculated from bulk cumulates and confirm the hypothesis that the trapped liquid has crystallized as a closed-system without subsequent mobility of REE in a migrating interstitial liquid.     

Marginal mafic intrusions as indicators of downslope draining of dense residual melts in anorthositic diapirs?

Geochemical and isotopic investigation of three small mafic intrusions (Løyning: 1250 × 150 m, Hogstad: 2000 × 200 m, Koldal: 1250 × 500 m) in the marginal zones of the Egersund-Ogna (Løyning, Koldal) and Åna-Sira massif-type anorthosites (Hogstad) (Rogaland Anorthositic Province, south Norway: 930 Ma) provides new insights into the late evolution of anorthositic diapirs. These layered mafic intrusions are essentially of norite, gabbronorite as well as leuconorite and display conspicuous evidence of subsolidus recrystallization. In Løyning and Hogstad, the modal layering is parallel to the subvertical foliation in the enclosing anorthosite. The northern part of the Koldal intrusion cuts across the foliation of the anorthosite, whereas in its southern part the subvertical layering is parallel to the anorthosite's foliation. The regularity of the layered structures suggests that the layering was initially acquired horizontally and later tilted during the final movements of the diapirs.

The least differentiated compositions of plagioclase and orthopyroxene in the three intrusions (An₅₉–En₆₈ in Løyning, An₄₉–En₆₄ in Hogstad and An₄₄–En₆₁ in Koldal) and the REE contents in apatite (Hogstad) indicate that their parent magmas were progressively more differentiated in the sequence Løyning–Hogstad–Koldal. Isotopic data (Løyning: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70376–0.70457, ε_Ndt: + 6.8 to + 2.7; Hogstad: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70537–0.70588, ε_Ndt: + 2.1 to − 0.5; Koldal: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.70659–0.70911, ε_Ndt: + 3.5 to − 1.6) also indicate that in this sequence, parent magmas were characterized by a progressively more enriched Sr and Nd isotopic signature. In Løyning, the parent magma was slightly more magnesian and anorthitic than a primitive jotunite; in Hogstad, it is a primitive jotunite; and, in Koldal, an evolved jotunite. Given that plagioclase and orthopyroxene of the three intrusions display more differentiated compositions than the orthopyroxene and plagioclase megacryts of the enclosing anorthosites, it is suggested that the parent magmas of the small intrusions are residual melts after anorthosite formation which were entrained in the anorthositic diapir during its rise from lower crustal chambers.

Calculated densities of primitive jotunites (2.73–2.74 at FMQ, 0.15% H₂O, 200 ppm CO₂, 435 ppm F, 1150 °C, 3 kb) and evolved jotunites (2.75–2.76 at FMQ, 0.30% H₂O, 400 ppm CO₂, 870 ppm F, 1135 °C, 3 kb) demonstrate that they are much denser than the plagioclase of the surrounding anorthositic crystal mush (2.61–2.65). Efficient migration and draining of dense residual melts through the anorthositic crystal mush could have taken place along sloping floors (zones of lesser permeability in the mush), which occur along the margins of the rising anorthositic diapirs. This process takes into account the restricted occurrence of the mafic intrusions in the margins of the massif anorthosites. In a later stage, when the anorthosite was nearly consolidated, the residual melts were more differentiated (evolved jotunites) and could have been extracted into extensional fractures in the cooling and contracting anorthositic body in a similar way as aplitic dikes are emplaced in granitic plutons. As in the Rogaland Anorthositic Province, these dikes are much more abundant than the small mafic intrusions, collection and transport along dikes was probably more efficient than draining through the crystal mush.     

Diffusion controlled growth of pyroxene-bearing margins on amphibolite bands in the granulite facies of Rogaland (Southwestern Norway): implications for granulite formation

In the Rogaland granulites of Southern Norway, thin anhydrous pyroxene-bearing margins (5–10 mm) are observed mainly in migmatitic banded gneisses at the contact between hornblende-rich metabasites and charnockites. According to field data, the development of these margins post-dates any deformation. Petrographic data show that they are zoned. Three different types have been recognized:

1. Metabasite/plagioclase + orthopyroxene/plagioclase + clinopyroxene/gneiss
2. Metabasite/plagioclase + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene/plagioclase + clinopyroxene/gneiss
3. Metabasite/plagioclase + orthopyroxene/gneiss

The first zone corresponds to the reaction of amphibole and biotite of the metabasite into pyroxenes. The second zone, which is not present in the third type, developed essentially at the expense of gneiss and the Z1/Z2 boundary is likely to correspond to the original contact between metabasite and gneiss. When the anorthite content of plagioclase and the Fe no. of pyroxenes are strongly different between adjacent metabasite (An_38–40 for plagioclase; Fe no. [Fe/(Fe + Mg)], 0.51–0.52 for orthopyroxene) and gneiss (An_22–26; Fe no., 0.58–0.59), the solid solution compositions evolve continuously through the margin from the value in the metabasite to that in the gneiss. On the other hand, a margin is also present when plagioclase and pyroxenes have similar compositions in the adjacent rocks implying that reactions can also take place in the absence of contrasted mineral compositions. The continuous change in solid solution composition as well as evidence of transport in both directions indicates diffusion rather than infiltration as the dominant metasomatic mechanism. The small thickness of the margins is also more typical of a diffusion process. Isocon diagrams demonstrate that Al, Ti, and P are perfectly inert components and that no significant mass or volume change occurred during the margin development. Mass balance of this small-scale granulite formation has been estimated with reference to a perfectly inert component (Ti) and assuming that the metabasite bands were compositionally homogeneous. Most of the geochemical variation is mineralogically controlled. Relative to metabasite, Si and Na are increased due to pyroxenes crystallization and to compositional change of plagioclase when it occurs. Potassium decreases because of biotite disappearance. There is no significant variation in U content but Th is slightly decreased. Zirconium and Hf are not affected whereas Nb, Ta and Mn display the largest increase that requires the involvement of a larger volume of metabasite than that observed in the margin. The K/Rb ratio is increased. Fluorine is strongly depleted due to destabilization of amphibole and biotile. The rare-earth element content in margins is either similar to that of the metabasite or intermediate between that of gneiss and metabasite. This last feature is induced by the development of margins at the expense of both adjacent rock types. Saturation surfaces in chemical potential space provide a graphical method for determination of the parameters controlling the diffusion process. In the simplified system CaO?MgO?SiO₂?Al₂O₃?H₂O, these chemical potential diagrams show that evolution along a $(\mu )_{H_2 O} $ gradient cannot take into account the three different types of margins. A $(\mu )_{H_2 O} $ gradient is thus not prerequisite to the margin development. On the other hand, the succession of zones observed in the different types of margins can be obtained in a $(\mu )_{CaO} - (\mu )_{MgO} - (\mu )_{SiO_2 } $ diagram. This suggests that the $(\mu )_{SiO_2 } $ gradient existing between the two adjacent rocks controls the margin development in all cases. Moreover, the variable contrast of plagioclase composition between the adjacent rocks is responsible for the presence of one or two pyroxenes is the first zone. The absence of the second clinopyroxene-bearing zone in the third type of margin is likely due to the scarcity of orthopyroxene in the gneiss.     

Comments on pulses of characteristic energy produced in solar flare detonations and its possible application to other astrophysical plasmas

A qualitative discussion of physical conditions at neutral sheets was developed in an attempt to explain the repetitive pulsed energy-production mechanism, which has been suggested for solar flares. A characteristic energy per pulse appears to depend critically on the magnetic field strength and dipole length applied to a high temperature plasma, and seem to be regulated by discrete characteristic relative changes in the magnetic moment, following Syrovatskii's model. Discrete energy pulses are produced when neutral sheet thickness approaches to critical values, proportional to the characteristic relative changes in the magnetic moment. Repetition of pulses may occur in multi-sheet configurations at magnetically complex active centres, or at a single sheet where the total system energy change exceeds the critical conditions. The time-scale of the pulsed energy release may be explained by the tearing mode instability, and the repetition time-scale might be understood by the Sweet mechanism in limit conditions. The mechanism might have attractive applications in other high temperature astrophysical plasma. An empirical relation is derived for pulses' energy prediction, in orders of magnitude, and some possible tests were suggested. An attempt was made to interpret soft -ray events of cosmic origin.     

The fast explosive evaporation of mini black holes and flares at magnetospheres: An attractive speculative analogy

A number of suggestive coincidences are found in a purely speculative analogy between the by-products, of a minihole fast evaporation in a plasma, and by-products from flares at magnetospheres. Solar flares might serve as good examples. From an observational point of view our attention is drawn to the considerable extent of the blank time interval existing between known before and after evidences on flares, during which some exotic energy conversion processes could be invoked to explain the large amount of energy released in time-scales that might be very short. We suggest that fundamental progress in the knowledge of energy conversion, processes in flares require observational data with a time resolution several orders of magnitude, better than the currently available data, particularly, for hard X-rays.     

Fast time structures superimposed to impulsive solar microwave bursts with slowly varying or stationary polarization degree

The ultimate definition of fast time structures superimposed on an impulsive solar microwave burst is limited by instrumental time resolution and sensitivity. We analysed 7 GHz bursts with a time constant of 100 ms. The fast time structures seem to be common to all events, although the resolution so far attained might still be smoothing out structures with finer scale. The polarization degree does not show corresponding fast changes. When the degree of circular polarization is referred to the burst's excess flux, it may show a slowly varying time development. When it is referred to the total active center contribution, the polarization degree might become nearly unchanged during the burst development. The polarization degree is set by the large scale magnetic field strength and morphology over the active center and the burst source. The present results suggest that the microwave fast component burst source might remain nearly stationary in relation to the polarizing medium, occupying the same position as the active center hot spot previous to the event. The absence of fast time structures in polarization degree indicate negligible fast changes in the large scale magnetic field which pervades the burst source. Slow changes in polarization degree are sometimes associated with the slow component of impulsive events, and might be representative of secondary accelerations interpreted in terms of trap models. We discuss qualitatively some energy conversion mechanisms based on turbulent processes which may account for the fast burst components.Formerly Centro de Rádio-Astronomia e Astrofisica Mackenzie, now absorbed by CNPq and being re-organized in connection to Observatio Nacional.     

On the relation of SPA measured at VLF to solar microwave burst energies

A surprisingly good correlation has been found for SPA measured at VLF propagation () and 7 GHz solar microwave burst energies (E ). The data are correlated in the form = a log E + b and include all kind of solar events, irrespectively from type, complexity or duration. Soft X-ray peak fluxes (I _x) have a known similar correlation to SPA, and a functional relationship of the form 479-01 can be established. As one practical application, the energies from solar events can be reasonably well inferred from SPA data, which are quite reliable and easily obtainable.     

Influence of disturbance and nutrient enrichment on early successional fouling communities in an oligotrophic marine system

Disturbance and productivity are often cited as the main factors determining temporal and spatial patterns in species distribution and the diversity of communities. A field experiment was conducted to test the role of these factors in the structuring of early successional fouling communities in a nutrient limited system at the south coast of Madeira Island. Macro‐benthic sessile communities, established on artificial settlement substrata, were manipulated and surveyed over a 9‐week period. We applied mechanical disturbances of four different frequencies crossed with three levels of inorganic nutrient enrichment. Fertilization enhanced community diversity by favouring the establishment and growth of macroalgae. Disturbance reduced diversity by eliminating species – but only at the highest nutrient level. This is explained by a multiple‐stressor model; species most sensitive to nutrient deficiency (only present in the highest enrichment treatment) were simultaneously the most sensitive to disturbance.     

4.7s nearly periodic oscillations superimposed on the solar microwave great burst of 28 March 1976

An unusual fast oscillation was found superimposed on the solar great burst of 28 March 1976, as measured at 7 GHz. The period of the osculation was 4.7 ± 0.9s, defined over the entire duration of the event. The amplitude of the oscillation was proportional to the flux density, in the range 50 < S < 3000 solar flux units. The degree of circular polarization has not shown any fast periodic time structures.Presently merged with CNP, Observatório Nacional.