Geochemistry of Mafic Rocks from the Birimian Basement of Doropo (Northeast of Côte d’Ivoire): Petrogenetic and Geodynamic Implications

Abstract

The northeastern region of Côte d’Ivoire is characterised by a granitic basement mainly composed of biotite granite rocks. According to mapping work in the Gbabédjou and Doropo areas, these Birimian granitoids are cut by gabbro dykes and amphibolite enclaves, which are the subject of this study. In order to better understand the role and the implication of mafic rocks in the Doropo basement emplacement, a multidisciplinary methodology integrating microscopic observations and geochemical analyses of major and trace elements was carried out on 4 samples considered representative of the outcrops studied. Green hornblende, clinopyroxene, and accessory sphene minerals are found in mafic mineral phases, according to petrographic research. Whole-rock analyses reveal that mafic samples with TiO2 contents 1.1 ratios giving them an orogenic granite nature (I-type). Their REE patterns are moderately fractionated (La/Sm)N = 2.66 - 6.13 and (La/Yb)N = 11.17 - 43.70) with a very negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.75 - 0.97). The multi-element diagrams are characterized by negative Nb-Ta anomalies and geotectonic studies have identified them as volcanic arc formations. All these characteristics allowed us to distinguish the Doropo mafic rocks as formations originating from the juvenile continental crust, emplaced under the Archean tectonics model with significant crustal contamination in the source. Magma driven by mantle diapir has been injected at the base of the continental crust and the heat induces the partial melting of the overlying crust giving rise to mixed liquids. This magma now enriched in LILE was immediately drained to the upper crust to form the mafic rocks from the studied area.