Transformation of PGM in supra subduction zones: Geochemical and mineralogical constraints from the Veria (Greece) podiform chromitites

Abstract

Extremely abundant PGE-minerals (PGM) hosted in chromitites from the Veria ophiolite complex in Macedonia (N. Greece) may be unique among ophiolite complexes. This study focuses on differences between the low- and high-PGE chromitites. New textural, mineralogical and geochemical constraints from those ores are presented, aiming to define factors controlling the PGE enrichment in a supra subduction environment, in the light of post-magmatic processes. The whole ore analyses for mmajor and trace elements indicated an unusually high-IPGE content (up to 25 ​ppm) and higher Fe, Ca, Mn, Zn and V contents in high-PGE compared to low-PGE in massive chromitites. The wide compositional variation of chromite, even in the same polished section, the occurrence of very fine PGM (less than 20 ​μm) as inclusions within chromite and extremely large (>1000 ​μm), angular or fine-grained PGM aggregates ones within a matrix of highly fragmented chromite - Cr-garnet matrix, may indicate crystallization/recrystallization of chromite from more than one precursor phases. Laurite (RuS2) is very limited, occurring as remnants surrounding by Ru–Os–Ir oxides/hydroxides, of a wide compositional variation. Irarsite occurs as euhedral crystals up to 200 ​μm, surrounding by chromite, as anhedral exsolutions 1–200 ​μm within laurite, or creating segregates with platarsite and relics of (Ru, Pt, Rh, Os) sulfarsenides. Platinum–Ru–Rh–Pd-minerals occur commonly as relatively fine-grained assemblages, up to 50 ​μm, along with irarsite and other relics of (Ru, Pt, Rh, Os) sulfarsenides. Pt-alloys show a variation ranging from tetraferroplatinum to Pt–Ir–Fe–Ni alloys. The presence of laurite relics in large IPGM, awaruite, heazlewoodite, and carbon-bearing material reflecting a super-reducing environment, and the transformation of primary PGM into Os–Ir–Ru-alloys and oxides/hydroxides in association with Fe-chromite and Fe3+-bearing garnet (andradite-uvarovite solid-solution series) may reflect changes of the redox conditions from reducing to oxidizing. The relatively high Na content in hydrous mineral inclusions within high-PGE chromitites suggest a hydrous mantle source and provide the possibility for estimation of the P (average 3.0 ​kbar) and T (average 874 ​°C), indicating formation at a shallow mantle environment.