Olivine trace element compositions in diamondiferous lamproites from India: Proxies for magma origins and the nature of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Bastar and Dharwar cratons

Abstract

The ~1100 Ma CC2 and P13 lamproite dykes in the Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field (WKF), Eastern Dharwar Craton, and ~65 Ma Kodomali and Behradih lamproite diatremes in the Mainpur Kimberlite Field (MKF), Bastar Craton share a similar mineralogy, although the proportions of individual mineral phases vary significantly. The lamproites contain phenocrysts, macrocrysts and microcrysts of olivine set in a groundmass dominated by diopside and phlogopite with a subordinate amount of spinel, perovskite, apatite and serpentine along with rare barite. K-richterite occurs as inclusion in olivine phenocrysts in Kodomali, while it is a late groundmass phase in Behradih and CC2. Mineralogically, the studied intrusions are classified as olivine lamproites. Based on microtextures and compositions, three distinct populations of olivine are recognised. The first population comprises Mg-rich olivine macrocrysts (Fo89–93), which are interpreted to be xenocrysts derived from disaggregated mantle peridotites. The second population includes Fe-rich olivine macrocrysts (Fo82–89), which are suggested to be the product of metasomatism of mantle wall-rock by precursor lamproite melts. The third population comprises phenocrysts and overgrowth rims (Fo83–92), which are clearly of magmatic origin. The Mn and Al systematics of Mg-rich olivine xenocrysts indicate an origin from diverse mantle lithologies including garnet peridotite, garnet–spinel peridotite and spinel peridotite beneath the WKF, and mostly from garnet peridotite beneath the MKF. Modelling of temperatures calculated using the Al-in-olivine thermometer for olivine xenocrysts indicates a hotter palaeogeotherm of the SCLM beneath the WKF (between 41 and 43 mW/m2) at ~1100 Ma than beneath the MKF (between 38 and 41 mW/m2) at ~65 Ma. Further, a higher degree of metasomatism of the SCLM by precursor lamproite melts has occurred beneath the WKF compared to the MKF based on the extent of CaTi enrichment in Fe-rich olivine macrocrysts. For different lamproite intrusions within a given volcanic field, lower Fo olivine overgrowth rims are correlated with higher phlogopite plus oxide mineral abundances. A comparison of olivine overgrowth rims from the two fields shows that WKF olivines with lower Fo content than MKF olivines are associated with increased XMg in spinel and phlogopite and vice versa. Melt modelling indicates relatively Fe-rich parental melt for WKF intrusions compared to MKF intrusions. The Ni/Mg and Mn/Fe systematics of magmatic olivines indicate derivation of the lamproite melts from mantle source rocks with a higher proportion of phlogopite and/or lower proportion of orthopyroxene for the WKF on the Eastern Dharwar Craton compared to those for the MKF on the Bastar Craton. This study highlights how olivine cores provide important insights into the composition and thermal state of cratonic mantle lithosphere as sampled by lamproites, including clues to elusive precursor metasomatic events. Variable compositions of olivine rims testify to the complex interplay of parental magma composition and localised crystallisation conditions including oxygen fugacity variations, co-crystallisation of groundmass minerals, and assimilation of entrained material.