Genesis and tectonic setting of ophiolitic chromitites from the Dehsheikh ultramafic complex (Kerman, southeastern Iran): Inferences from platinum-group elements and chromite compositions

Abstract

Chromitite bodies of various sizes associated with dunite envelopes have been found in the Dehsheikh ultramafic massif, in the southeastern part of the outer Zagros ophiolite belt. The chromitites occur as layered and lenticular bodies, and show both magmatic and deformational textures, including massive, disseminated, banded and nodular types. The Dehsheikh chromitites display a variation in Cr# [100×Cr/(Cr+Al)] from 69 to 78, which is typical of high-Cr chromitites. The Al2O3 and TiO2 contents of chromites range from 10.3wt.% to 16.9wt.% and 0.12wt.% to 0.35wt.%, respectively. The Al2O3, TiO2, and FeO/MgO values calculated for parental melts of Dehsheikh chromitites are within the range of boninitic melts. Chondrite-normalized distribution patterns of platinum-group elements show relative enrichments in Ru, Ir, and Os, and depletions in Rh, Pd, and Pt that are typical of chromitites associated with ophiolites formed by high degrees of mantle partial melting. The presence of Na-rich amphibole inclusions in chromite grains, together with the mineralogical and chemical composition of the chromitites and estimates of their parental melt compositions are used to help establish the tectono-magmatic setting. It is shown that the Dehsheikh massif is an ophiolite formed in a suprasubduction zone setting. We suggest that the composition of the rocks in this section was influenced by hydrous partial melts which might be formed in the subduction zone. Variable melt/rock interaction produced melt channel networks in the dunite which allowed the parental melt of the chromitite to percolate through them. Similar characteristics have been observed in other ophiolite complexes from the outer Zagros Iranian ophiolitic belt; these are believed to be the product of magmatism in a fore-arc environment.