Sr, Nd, and Hf Isotope Composition of Rocks of the Reft Gabbro–Diorite–Tonalite Complex (Eastern Slope of the Middle Urals): Petrological and Geological Implications

Abstract

This paper reports Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotope data on the gabbro–diorite–tonalite rock association of the Reft massif (eastern margin of the Middle Urals) and Lu–Hf isotope data on zircon populations from these rocks. In terms of Nd and Hf isotope composition, the rocks of the studied association are subdivided into two distinctly different groups. The first group consists of gabbros and diorites, as well as plagioclase granites from thin dikes and veins cutting across the gabbros. In terms of 43Nd/144Nd i = 0.512518–0.512573 (eNd(T) = +8.6...+9.7) and 176Hf/177Hf i = 0.282961–0.283019 (eHf(T) = +15.9...+17.9), these rocks are practically identical to depleted mantle. Their Nd and Hf model ages show wide variations, but in general are close to their crystallization time. The second group is represented by tonalites and quartz diorites, which compose a large body occupying over half of the massif area. These rocks are characterized by the lower values of 143Nd/144Nd i = 0.512265–0.512388 (eNd(T) = +3.7...+6.0) and 176Hf/177Hf i = 0.282826–0.282870 (eHf(T) = +11.1...+12.7). The TDM values of the second group are much (two–three times) higher than their geological age (crystallization time), which indicates sufficiently long crustal residence time of their source. The initial 87Sr/86Sr in the rocks of both the groups varies from 0.70348 to 0.70495. This is likely explained by the different saturation of melts with fluid enriched in radiogenic Sr. The source of this fluid could be seawater that was buried in a subduction zone with oceanic sediments and released during slab dehydration. Obtained data make it possible to conclude that the formation of the studied gabbro–diorite–tonalite association is a result of spatially and temporally close magma formation processes in the crust and mantle, with insignificant contribution of differentiation of mantle basite magma.