Redox potential of the Khibiny magmatic system and genesis of abiogenic hydrocarbons in alkaline plutons

The temperature and redox conditions of the crystallization of rocks from the Khibiny alkaline pluton have been estimated based on an analysis of coexisting magnetite, ilmenite, titanite, and pyroxene. Under redox conditions characteristic of the Khibiny Complex, CO₂ is contained in fluid and carbonate anions are contained in melt at high temperature; then graphite is released and an appreciable amount of hydrocarbons appear at a lower temperature as products of reaction of graphite with fluid. Abiogenic hydrocarbons can arise in igneous complexes owing to a processes distinct from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.