Ancient Metasomatism in the Lithospheric Mantle, Eastern North China Craton: Insights from In-Situ Major and Trace Elements in Garnet Xenocrysts, Mengyin District

Abstract

Mantle metasomatism refers to the interaction between mantle melt, fluid, and mantle rock. It not only affects the physical and chemical properties of the lithospheric mantle but also plays an important role in the process of metal and gem mineralization. In order to explore the nature and evolution of metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle of the Mengyin area in the eastern part of the North China Craton, this paper combines the previous data of garnet inclusions in diamonds and analyzes the major and trace elements of garnet xenocrysts in the Shengli No. 1 kimberlite pipe from the EPMA and LA-ICP-MS experiments. The experiments show that the garnet xenocrysts of the Shengli No. 1 kimberlite pipe are mainly lherzolitic and harzburgitic garnets. The content of Zr and TiO2 in some garnets are low, which are the characteristics of depleted garnets. Conversely, another group of garnets display high Zr and TiO2 contents, indicative of high-temperature melt metasomatism. When comparing the Ti/Eu ratio of the depleted garnets to that of the primary mantle, a significantly lower value is observed. Additionally, the (Sm/Er)N value undergoes minimal changes, while the Zr/Hf value exceeds that of the primary mantle. These characteristics are indicators of carbonatite melt metasomatism. Garnets that are affected by high-temperature melt metasomatism exhibit low (Sm/Er)N content, a significant variation in the Ti/Eu ratio, and a Zr/Hf value greater than that of the primary mantle. These characteristics indicate the influence of kimberlite melt metasomatism. Garnets impacted by carbonatite melt metasomatism display a strong sinusoidal distribution pattern of rare earth elements (REE) and are often found as lherzolitic garnet xenocrysts and garnet inclusions in diamond. On the other hand, garnets influenced by kimberlite melt metasomatism exhibit a slight sinusoidal REE distribution pattern in harzburgitic garnets and a slight sinusoidal REE distribution or a flat pattern from medium rare earth elements (MREEs) to heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) in lherzolitic garnet xenocrysts. Based on these findings, it is evident that there are at least two types of metasomatism occurring in the lithospheric mantle of the Mengyin area in the eastern part of the North China Craton. The first type involves the metasomatism of early carbonatite melt to the mantle peridotite. Garnets formed under this condition exhibit high Sr and LREE contents, as well as low Zr, Hf, Ti, Y, and HREE contents, indicating depletion characteristics. The second type entails the metasomatism of late kimberlite melts affecting the mantle peridotite. Garnets formed under this process display high Zr, Hf, Ti, Y, and HREE contents.