Sulphur-rich mantle metasomatism of Kaapvaal craton eclogites and its role in redox-controlled platinum group element mobility

Abstract

Eclogite mantle xenoliths from various kimberlite occurrences on the Kaapvaal craton show evidence for depth- and redox-dependent metasomatic events that led to variable base metal sulphide and incompatible element enrichments. Eclogite xenoliths from the Roberts Victor, Jagersfontein, Kimberley (Kamfersdam) and Premier kimberlites were investigated for their silicate and base metal sulphide geochemistry, stable oxygen isotope compositions and oxybarometry. The variably metasomatised eclogites had basaltic, picritic and gabbroic protolith compositions and have garnet δ18O values that range from +3.3 to +7.9‰, which, when coupled with the trace element characteristics, indicate oceanic lithosphere protoliths that had undergone variable degrees of seawater alteration. The deepest equilibrated eclogites (175–220 km depth) from near the base of the Kaapvaal craton lithosphere are the most refractory and feature significant light rare earth element (LREE) depletions. They show the most oxidised redox compositions with ∆logƒO2 values of FMQ-3.9 to FMQ-1.5. Subtle metasomatic overprinting of these eclogites resulted in base metal sulphide formation with relatively depleted and highly fractionated HSE compositions. These deepest eclogites and their included base metal sulphides suggest interaction with relatively oxidised melts or fluids, which, based on their HSE characteristics, could be related to precursor kimberlite metasomatism that was widespread within the Kaapvaal craton mantle lithosphere. In contrast, eclogites that reside at shallower, “mid-lithospheric” depths (140–180 km) have been enriched in LREE and secondary diopside/phlogopite. Importantly, they host abundant metasomatic base metal sulphides, which have higher HSE contents than those in the deeper eclogites at the lithosphere base. The mid-lithospheric eclogites have more reducing redox compositions (∆logfO2 = FMQ-5.3 − FMQ-3.3) than the eclogites from the lowermost Kaapvaal lithosphere. The compositional overprint of the shallower mantle eclogites resembles basaltic rather than kimberlitic/carbonatitic metasomatism, which is also supported by their relatively reducing redox state. Base metal sulphides from the mid-lithospheric eclogites have HSE abundances and distributions that are similar to Karoo flood basalts from southern Africa, suggesting a link between the identified shallow mantle metasomatism of the Kaapvaal cratonic lithosphere and the Karoo large igneous event during the Mesozoic. The sulphide-hosted platinum group element abundances of the mid-lithospheric eclogites are higher compared with their analogues from the deeper lithospheric eclogites, which in combination with their contrasting oxidation states, may imply redox-controlled HSE mobility during sulphur-rich metasomatism of continental mantle lithosphere.