The mineral isotope composition of two Precambrian carbonatite complexes from the Kola Alkaline Province – Alteration versus primary magmatic signatures

We investigated the isotope composition (O, C, Sr, Nd, Pb) in mineral separates of the two Precambrian carbonatite complexes Tiksheozero (1.98 Ga) and Siilinjärvi (2.61 Ga) from the Karelian–Kola region in order to obtain information on Precambrian mantle heterogeneity. All isotope systems yield a large range of variations. The combination of cathodoluminescence imaging with stable and radiogenic isotopes on the same samples and mineral separates indicates various processes that caused shifts in isotope systems. Primary isotope signatures are preserved in most calcites (O, C, Sr, Pb), apatites (O, Sr, Nd), amphiboles (O), magnetites (O), and whole rocks (Sr, Nd).

The primary igneous C and O isotope composition is different for both complexes (Tiksheozero: δ¹³C = − 5.0‰, δ¹⁸O = 6.9‰; Siilinjärvi: δ¹³C = − 3.7‰, δ¹⁸O = 7.4‰) but very uniform and requires homogenization of both carbon and oxygen in the carbonatite melt. The lowest Sr isotope ratios of our carbonates and apatites from the Archaean Siilinjärvi (0.70137) and the Palaeoproterozoic Tiksheozero (0.70228) complexes are in the range of bulk silicate earth (BSE). Positive ε_Nd values of the two carbonatites point to very early Archaean enrichment of Sm/Nd in the Fennoscandian mantle. No HIMU components could be detected in the two complexes, whereas Tiksheozero carbonatites give the first indication of Palaeoproterozoic U depletion for Fennoscandia.

Sub-solidus exchange processes with water during emplacement and cooling of carbonatites caused an increase in the oxygen isotope composition of some carbonates and probably also an increase of their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. A larger increase of initial Sr isotope ratios was found in carbonatized silicic rocks compared to carbonatite bodies. The Svecofennian metamorphic overprint (1.9–1.7 Ga) caused reset of Rb/Sr (mainly mica) and Pb/Pb (mainly apatite) isochron systems.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Jurassic Plume Magmatism in Ahlmannryggen Massif (Queen Maud Land,East Antarctica)

Doklady Earth Sciences - The Mesozoic dykes related to the distribution of Karoo plume on the territory of East Antarctica are studied. It is shown that magnesian high-Ti ferrobasalts are found in...     

Magmatism of the junction region of the Knipovich and Mohns Ridges (Polar Atlantic): Results of cruise 25 of the R/V “Akademik Nikolai Strakhov”

Based on the investigation of samples recovered during Cruise 25 of the R/V “Akademik Nikolai Strakhov,” the character of magmatism was determined in the flank parts of the rift zone at the 74°05′N and 73°50′N region, where the direction of the rift valley changes from the north-northwest in the Knipovich Ridge to the northeast-trending structures of the Mohns Ridge. It was shown that the tholeiitic magmas of this region shows all the geochemical characteristics of TOR-2, which is typical of the Mohns Ridge and most oceanic rift zones worldwide, and differ from the basalts of the Knipovich Ridge, which are assigned to a shallower type of tholeiitic magmatism (Na-TOR). The persistent depletion of the magmas in terms of lithophile element contents and radiogenic isotope ratios of Sr, Nd, and Pb reflects the conditions of their formation during the ascent of the depleted oceanic mantle, which has occurred without significant complications since the early stages of the formation of the Mohns Ridge.     

Ultramafic–Alkaline–Carbonatite Complexes as a Result of Two-Stage Melting of a Mantle Plume: Evidence from the Mid-Paleoproterozoic Tiksheozero Intrusion,Northern Karelia,Russia

Doklady Earth Sciences - The Tiksheozero ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite intrusive complex, like numerous carbonatite-bearing complexes of similar composition, is a part of a large...     

Petrology and geochemistry of the Mesoproterozoic Vattikod lamproites,Eastern Dharwar Craton,southern India: evidence for multiple enrichment of sub-continental lithospheric mantle and links with amalgamation and break-up of the Columbia supercontinent

Numerous lamproite dykes are hosted by the Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India, particularly towards the northwestern margin of the Cuddapah Basin. We present here a comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical (including Sr and Nd isotopic) study on the lamproites from the Vattikod Field, exposed in the vicinity of the well-studied Ramadugu lamproite field. The Vattikod lamproites trend WNW–ESE to NW–SE and reveal effects of low-temperature post-magmatic alteration. The studied lamproites show porphyritic texture with carbonated and serpentinized olivine, diopside, fluorine-rich phlogopite, amphibole, apatite, chromite, allanite, and calcite. The trace-element geochemistry (elevated Sr and HFSE) reveals their mixed affinity to orogenic as well as anorogenic lamproites. Higher fluorine content of the hydrous phases coupled with higher whole-rock K₂O highlights the role of metasomatic phlogopite and apatite in the mantle source regions. Trace-element ratios such as Zr/Hf and Ti/Eu reveal carbonate metasomatism of mantle previously enriched by ancient subduction processes. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-isotopic ratios (calculated for an assumed emplacement age of 1350 Ma) vary from 0.7037 to 0.7087 and ?Nd range from ??10.6 to ??9.3, consistent with data on global lamproites and ultrapotassic rocks. We attribute the mixed orogenic–anorogenic character for the lamproites under study to multi-stage metasomatism. We relate the (1) earlier subduction-related enrichment to the Paleoproterozoic amalgamation of the Columbia supercontinent and the (2) second episode of carbonate metasomatism to the Mesoproterozoic rift-related asthenospheric upwelling associated with the Columbia breakup. This study highlights the association of lamproites with supercontinent amalgamation and fragmentation in the Earth history.     

Sources of Ore Substance of Carbonatite Complexes of the Ural Fold Belt: Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd Isotope Data

The results of study of the Nd and Sr isotope compositions of the Nb ore minerals (pyrochlore and aeschynite groups) and rocks from the Ilmenogorsk–Vishnevogorsk and Buldym carbonatite complexes of the Ural Fold Belt are presented. It has been established that pyrochlores of the early stages of ore formation and the IVC miaskite-carbonatite rocks have a single substance source corresponding to a mantle moderately depleted source according to isotope parameters. The crustal components, along with mantle, participate in the processes of ore formation within the Buldym complex.     

The Age of Nb Rare-Metal Mineralization of the Ilmeny–Vishnevogorsky Alkaline Complex (South Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences - The results of local U–Th–Pb-SIMS-SHRIMP-II analysis of the collection of pyrochlores from Nb rare-metal deposits of the Ilmeny–Vishnevogorsky alkaline...     

Rb-Sr age of metasomatism and ore formation in the low-temperature shear zones of the Fenno-Karelian CRATON,Baltic Shield

Manifestations of the main types of metasomatites (beresite, propylite, listwaenite, aceite, and gumbeite) were identified in the shear zones of the Fenno-Karelian craton on the basis of the previously proposed systematics of metasomatic facies. These metasomatites were formed in shear stress environments, which determined their morphological features, in particular, finely banded texture. Comparatively low-temperature conditions of infiltration process and salting out effect (reduction of CO₂ solubility with increasing salt content) lead to the heterogenization of fluid into two phases: aqueous salt solution and almost pure CO₂. This results in more aggressive and mobile behavior of the fluid, and, correspondingly, more intense differentiation of the matter and contrast in metasomatic banding. Relations between metasomatic parageneses indicate an evolution trend of the processes from propylite, beresite and listwaenite to alkaline varieties and their repeated manifestation in the same shear zones. The results of Rb-Sr isochron dating of ore metasomatites from eight deposits and occurrences of the Fenno-Karelian craton (more than 100 samples of rocks and minerals) confirm previous assumptions. In general obtained data show that the shear zones controlling the distribution of the studied occurrences operated as fluid pathways during a long time period, up to 200 Ma, after the Svecofennian orogeny completion and did not show any correlation with Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean magmatism. Rb-Sr isotope data on the metasomatites indicate three peaks of the post-Svecofennian metallogenic activity: 1700–1780, 1600–1650, and 1400–1500 Ma. Since the studied ore deposits were formed within tectonic structures, which evolved on the Archean crust and have a long prehistory, and fluid flows were subjected to intensive contamination by ancient crustal material, a relatively high initial Sr isotope ratios of formed ore-metasomatic systems were developed. High variablity of this value in the studied rocks ((⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₀ from 0.706 to 0.750) is related to the heterogeneity of crustal protolith and to the relative storage and manifestation of the juvenile component of the fluid, which was responsible for the metasomatic transformation of the Archean and Paleoproterozoic rocks and ore-deposit formation.