First occurrence of moskvinite-(Y) in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland – implications for rare-earth element mobility

Abstract

AbstractMoskvinite-(Y), Na2K(Y,REE)Si6O15, is a rare mineral, which until now has only been described from its type locality Dara-i-Pioz, Tajikistan. At Ilímaussaq moskvinite-(Y) was discovered in a drill core from Kvanefjeld, where it occurs as a replacement mineral associated with a mineral belonging to the britholite group. The composition was determined by a combination of electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses. The empirical formula based on 15 oxygens is Na1.94K0.99(Y0.94Yb0.03Er0.03Dy0.03Ho0.01Gd0.01)∑1.05Si5.98O15. The coexistence of an almost pure Y and a light rare-earth element (REE) mineral is interpreted as fractionation ofREEand Y during the replacement of an earlier formedREEmineral. Theoretical calculations of the observed replacement of feldspathoids by natrolite show that the generated fluid would have pH > 8, which inhibits large scale mobility ofREE. In addition, a K-Fe sulfide member of the chlorbartonite-bartonite group is for the first time observed in Ilímaussaq where it occurs where sodalite is replaced by natrolite and arfvedsonite by aegirine. The sulfide incorporates the S and some of the Cl generated by the alteration of sodalite, whereas the K and Fe originates from the replacement of arfvedsonite by aegirine.