Geochemistry of garnet in pegmatites from the Boroujerd Intrusive Complex, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, western Iran: implications for the origin of pegmatite melts

Abstract

Pegmatite-hosted garnets from four localities in the Boroujerd region, Lorestan (Western Iran), have been analysed for major and selected trace element compositions. The mineral assemblage of the granitic pegmatites is primarily quartz, plagioclase (albite), and alkali feldspar (orthoclase-microcline), as well as garnet, muscovite, fluorapatite, tourmaline (schorl-foitite), andalusite and zircon. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the pegmatites indicate that they are peraluminous to slightly metaluminous I-type granites. Based on mineral assemblages and whole-rock geochemistry, the pegmatites are classified as muscovite-type pegmatites. Electron-probe micro-analysis reveals that garnets have concentric compositional zoning and are almandine-spessartine solid solutions with lesser pyrope, grossular and andradite components. Concentric zoning of major elements in the garnet is attributed to magmatic growth from a melt. On a MnO + CaO versus FeO + MgO (wt%) plot, the composition of garnet is consistent with crystallisation from weakly to moderately evolved melts. The garnets from the Boroujerd pegmatites are characterised by decreasing Y, HREE, Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, and U abundances from core to rim. The garnets also have high chondrite normalized HREE abundances with nearly flat patterns (YbN/SmN = 0–508), lower LREE contents, and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* < 0.3). Variation in these elements from core to rim is attributed to increasing magma fractionation. The composition and major and trace element zoning patterns in the garnet of the Boroujerd pegmatites are compatible with a magmatic origin and crystallisation from variably fractionated I-type magmas demonstrating that garnet crystal-chemistry is an important tool for deciphering the origins of pegmatite magmas.