Chromian Spinel Research Articles

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the peridotites and high-Cr podiform chromitites from the Tangbale Ophiolite Complex, West Junggar (NW China): Implications for the origin and tectonic environment of formation

The Tangbale Ophiolite Complex is located in southwestern part of the West Junggar, NW China, which is a major component of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Tangbale Ophiolite Complex consists of voluminous dunites, harzburgites and high-Cr podiform chromitites. Harzburgite contains chromian spinel of low Cr# (100 × Cr/(Cr + Al) = 38–64) but high Mg# (100 × Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) = 55–61), whereas dunite contains spinel of higher Cr# (56–82) and lower Mg# (41–55). Numerical modeling of heavy rare earth element (HREE) contents in harzburgites are consistent with derivation from ~15% to 20% partial melting of a fertile mantle source, and dunites with low concentrations of HREE are suggested to be generated by higher degrees (~20%–25%) melting of the same source. The peridotites have REE signatures with enrichments in LREE, indicating the involvement of metasomatism and interaction by subduction-related melts in their formation. The chromite in podiform chromitite displays the highest Cr# (80–84) and Mg# (65–76), as well as moderate TiO2 contents, suggesting crystallization from hydrous, high-Si and high-Mg melts in supra-subduction zones, which is consistent with the calculated compositions of parental melts for spinels in chromitites. The genesis of high-Cr chromitites is likely to be triggered by the metasomatism and interaction between high-Mg boninitic-like melts and mantle peridotites. The addition of SiO2 and chrome in boninitic-like melts via interaction with peridotites trigger high-Cr chromite to precipitate and separate from parental magma, and finally concentrate into chromitites with boninitic-like signature at SSZ zone. The calculated parental melts for spinels in peridotites show hybrid compositions between MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt) and arc melts, suggesting a two-stage formation in an evolving from MOR (mid-ocean ridge) to SSZ (supra-subduction zone) setting. The peridotites in the Tangbale body were most likely formed at a MOR setting and trapped above an intra-oceanic subduction zone as part of the mantle wedge, where the upper peridotites were metasomatized and partially re-melted under fluid-saturated and high temperature conditions to generate boninitic melts. The interaction between upward-migrating boninitic melts and/or rising asthenospheric mantle-derived melts with the peridotites beneath the Moho triggered the generation of high-Cr podiform chromitites and associated dunite envelopes.

Geochemical Characteristics of Zoned Chromites in Peridotites from the Proterozoic Miaowan Ophiolitic Complex, Yangtze Craton: Implications for Element Mobility and Tectonic Setting

The chrome spinel (chromite) in mantle peridotites from ophiolites can shed light on the formation and evolution process of ophiolites. Podiform chromites were found in the Late Proterozoic Miaowan ophiolitic complex (MOC), Yangtze Craton. Due to the metamorphism and intense deformation, most chromite grains in the MOC peridotites show typical chemical zoning (core-rim texture). The values of major and trace elements largely vary from core to rim within chromite grains, indicating that the chromites have undergone strong alteration and element mobility. Major and trace elements in the core parts of chromites are used to infer the tectonic origins and evolution of mantle peridotites in the MOC. The chromites from the MOC peridotites have higher Cr# values and lower Ni and Ga contents with respect to those from Phanero-zoic mantle peridotites, indicating a higher degree of depletion. In-situ major and trace elements (e.g., Ga) characteristics of podiform chromites in the MOC show that chromites from both harzburgites and dunites have strong subduction-related signatures, indicating that the MOC has formed in a supra-subduction setting which is consistent with the geological and geochemical data presented in previous studies.

Composition, structure and magnetic properties of ore chrome spinels of the Klyuchevsky massif (Middle Urals)

The overall objective was to create a geological and geophysical field test site for chromite mineralization and detailed works in order to determine and test the main search criteria for disseminated mineralization. To create a field test site, an area was selected in the southern part of the Klyuchevsky massif characterized by abundant development of disseminated mineralization in the banded dunite-clinopyroxenite complex and strong processes of superimposed metamorphism. This paper gives a piece of research on the composition of chrome spinel from disseminated ores that underwent metamorphism of different stages. The composition of chrome spinelide, the evolution of its metamorphism and the related changes in its magnetic properties are examined in detail. It was established that all chrome spinels are of a high-chromium type, to one degree or another, they were subject to secondary changes, leading to the appearance of magnetic phases. The degree and nature of the change in chrome spinels in dunites directly depends on the degree of metamorphism of the rocks. The formation of the magnetic phase begins with the formation of nuclei consisting of single magnetic dipoles, groups of 2-3 dipoles or chains of magnetic dipoles, which was first discovered by us in chrome spinel grains. Then there is an increase in the number of such phases, the appearance of optically diagnosed secondary changes in chrome spinelide. A comparison of the degree of variation of chrome spinel and its reflection in the pattern of recorded anomalies of geomagnetic fields allows us to identify some criteria for the search for disseminated chromite ores of this type.

Genesis and geodynamic evolution of serpentinized ultramafics and associated magnesite deposits in the Al-Wask ophiolite, Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

Situated along the Yanbu Suture Zone, the Al-Wask ophiolite is one of the largest and best-preserved ophiolite sequences in the Proterozoic Arabian shield. A mantle section of serpentinized ultramafics is structurally overlain by a crustal section of gabbros and pillow lavas. The whole ophiolite sequence is capped by pelagic sedimentary cover, and tectonically emplaced over a metamorphosed island-arc volcano-sedimentary succession. The Al-Wask ultramafic rocks are strongly deformed, metamorphosed, and altered by carbonatization and silicification. Samples dominated by antigorite indicate upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies peak metamorphic grade, whereas samples dominated by lizardite and magnesite preserve lower grade conditions that we interpret as a cooling path buffered to low CO₂ activity by the increasing stability of magnesite with decreasing temperature. Nearly all the primary silicate minerals have been replaced by serpentine minerals, leaving only relics of primary olivine and chromian spinel. Petrographic observation of relict olivine and spinel and of mesh and bastite textures in the serpentines suggest that the peridotite protoliths were mainly harzburgite with minor dunite. Whole-rock compositions of serpentinites show low CaO (<0.1 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (<1.5 wt.%), and Y (<0.4 ppm) combined with high Mg# (0.90–0.92), Ni, Co, and Cr contents; all these indicate a highly refractory mantle protolith. The mineral chemistry of relict primary spinel and olivine provides additional petrogenetic and geodynamic indicators. The high Cr# (> 60) and low TiO₂ (≤0.2 wt. %) of spinel and high forsterite contents (90–92) of associated olivine indicate residual mantle that underwent extensive partial melt extraction. The whole-rock and mineral chemistry of the serpentinized ultramafic rocks are both consistent with extracted melt fractions from ∼32 to 38 percent. This extent of melting is typical of fore-arc supra-subduction zone settings, which is the most likely tectonic environment for formation and preservation of the Al-Wask ophiolite. Two types of magnesite deposits can be distinguished in the Al-Wask mantle section: an early generation of massive magnesite and a later generation of magnesite veins. Hence the Al-Wask ophiolite underwent multiple stages of carbonatization, likely involving different sources of CO₂-bearing fluids. The massive magnesite likely formed at relatively high temperature during cooling from peak metamorphic condition from CO₂-bearing fluid probably derived from decomposition of subducted carbonates. Using thermodynamic calculations in the simple MgO-SiO₂-H₂O-CO₂ system, we constrain the path of the reaction boundary where lizardite and magnesite can coexist at equilibrium. On the other hand, the cryptocrystalline magnesite veins fill tectonic fractures and likely formed at low temperature and shallow levels, after serpentinization and ophiolite obduction.

Petrology and geochemistry of mafic and ultramafic cumulate rocks from the eastern part of the Sabzevar ophiolite (NE Iran): Implications for their petrogenesis and tectonic setting

The Late Cretaceous Sabzevar ophiolite represents one of the largest and most complete fragments of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere in the NE Iran. It is mainly composed of serpentinized mantle peridotites slices; nonetheless, minor tectonic slices of all crustal sequence constituents are observed in this ophiolite. The crustal sequence contains a well-developed ultramafic and mafic cumulates section, comprising plagioclase-bearing wehrlite, olivine clinopyroxenite, olivine gabbronorite, gabbronorite, amphibole gabbronorite and quartz gabbronorite with adcumulate, mesocumulate, heteradcumulate and orthocumulate textures. The crystallization order for these rocks is olivine ​± ​chromian spinel → clinopyroxene → plagioclase → orthopyroxene → amphibole. The presence of primary magmatic amphiboles in the cumulate rocks shows that the parent magma evolved under hydrous conditions. Geochemically, the studied rock units are characterized by low TiO2 (0.18–0.57 ​wt.%), P2O5 (<0.05 ​wt.%), K2O (0.01–0.51 ​wt.%) and total alkali contents (0.12–3.04 ​wt.%). They indicate fractionated trends in the chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) plots and multi-element diagrams (spider diagrams). The general trend of the spider diagrams exhibit slight enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) relative to high field strength elements (HFSEs) and positive anomalies in Sr, Pb and Eu and negative anomalies in Zr and Nb relative to the adjacent elements. The REE plots of these rocks display increasing trend from La to Sm, positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu∗ ​= ​1.06–1.54) and an almost flat pattern from medium REE (MREE) to heavy REE (HREE) region [(Gd/Yb)N ​= ​1–1.17]. Moreover, clinopyroxenes from the cumulate rocks have low REE contents and show marked depletion in light REE (LREE) compared to MREE and HREE [(La/Sm)N ​= ​0.10–0.27 and (La/Yb)N ​= ​0.08–0.22]. The composition of calculated melts in equilibrium with the clinopyroxenes from less evolved cumulate samples are closely similar to island arc tholeiitic (IAT) magmas. Modal mineralogy, geochemical features and REE modeling indicate that Sabzevar cumulate rocks were formed by crystal accumulation from a hydrous depleted basaltic melt with IAT affinity. This melt has been produced by moderate to high degree (~15%) of partial melting a depleted mantle source, which partially underwent metasomatic enrichment from subducted slab components in an intra-oceanic arc setting.

Formation of banded chromitites and associated sulphides in the Neoproterozoic subarc deep-crustal magma inferred from the Alaskan-type complex, Egypt

The concentrically zoned Dahanib Alaskan-type complex in the Southern Eastern Desert (SED) of Egypt contains cumulate dunites associated with banded chromitites in the core, through harzburgites, wehrlites, and gabbroic rocks to the rim. Primary mineral inclusions hosted in chromian spinels of the banded chromitites are usually pargasite, orthopyroxene (Opx), aspidolite, phlogopite, edenite, olivine and PGE-bearing sulphides. The chromian spinel in Dahanib chromitites has a narrow range of Cr# (0.53–0.63) along with high Ti and Fe+3, like that in the host clinopyroxene-rich cumulate dunites. It resembles in chemistry to spinels in the Alaskan-type complex formed in an island arc setting. The early cumulus olivine in disseminated chromitites and host dunites (Fo88-91) shows a typical fractional crystallization trend. The interstitial clinopyroxene (Cpx) in chromitites is similar in chemical properties to Cpx crystallized from tholeiitic basalt melts, and traces a cumulate trend of arc-related Alaskan complexes. The peridotitic and gabbroic rocks contain primary amphiboles, which are pargasite and edenite with high Ti, Na and Al. The sulphide minerals are usually chalcopyrite, pentlandite and horomanite with subordinate Cu-pentlandite, cubanite, samaniite, heazlewoodite and pyrite. Pentlandite, horomanite and cubanite at temperatures between 900 and 1040 °C are rich in some platinum group elements (PGE: Os, Pt, Ir). They are classified into primary and secondary origins, which were crystallized from segregated sulphide droplets and from hydrothermal fluids at temperature < 760 °C during postmagmatic stage, respectively. The Dahanib banded chromitites and their mineral inclusions crystallized from hybrid melts, consisting of hydrous tholeiitic basalt melts mixed with slab-derived melts/fluids. They possibly formed by gravitational settling of semi-consolidated crystal mushes in a sub-arc lower-crustal magma chamber. Chemistry of primary minerals suggests that the Dahanib subarc deep-crustal magma is rich in Mg, Cr, Al, Ti, V, Ca, Sc and Na during the early magmatic stage, followed by increasing Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, S, Cs, B, Sr, and Pb with a progress of fractional crystallization.

Podiform Chromitites and PGE Mineralization in the Ulan-Sar’dag Ophiolite (East Sayan, Russia)

In this paper, we present the first detailed study on the chromitites and platinum-group element mineralization (PGM) of the Ulan-Sar’dag ophiolite (USO), located in the Central Asian Fold Belt (East Sayan). Three groups of chrome spinels, differing in their chemical features and physical–chemical parameters, under equilibrium conditions of the mantle mineral association, have been distinguished. The temperature and log oxygen fugacity values are, for the chrome spinels I, from 820 to 920 °C and from (−0.7) to (−1.5); for chrome spinels II, 891 to 1003 °C and (−1.1) to (−4.4); and for chrome spinels III, 738 to 846 °C and (−1.1) to (−4.4), respectively. Chrome spinels I were formed through the interaction of peridotites with mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type melts, and chrome spinels II were formed through the interaction of peridotites with boninite melts. Chrome spinels III were probably formed through the interaction of andesitic melts with rocks of an overlying mantle wedge. Chromitites demonstrate the fractionated form of the distribution of the platinum-group elements (PGE), which indicates a high degree of partial melting at 20–24% of the mantle source. Two assemblages of PGM have been distinguished: The primary PGE assemblage of Os-Ir-Ru alloys-I, (Os,Ru)S2, and IrAsS, and the secondary PGM assemblage of Os-Ir-Ru alloys-II, Os0, Ru0, RuS2, OsS2, IrAsS, RhNiAs with Ni, Fe, and Cu sulfides. The formation of the secondary phases of PGE occurred upon exposure to a reduced fluid, with a temperature range of 300–700 °C, log sulfur fugacity of (−20), and pressure of 0.5 kbar. We have proposed a scheme for the sequence of the formation and transformation of the PGMs at various stages of the evolution of the Ulan-Sar’dag ophiolite.

Petrological Features of the Burlakski and Nizhne-Derbinsk Mafic-Ultramafic Plutons (East Sayan Mountains, Siberia, Russia)

The Nizhne-Derbinsk mafic-ultramafic complex is located between the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and the Siberian Craton and, is associated with the Ballyk fault. The largest, spatially related to each other, plutons in the central part of the complex are the Burlakski and Nizhne-Derbinsk. Rocks in the main units of these plutons are divided into three groups: peridotites (ultramafic), pyroxenites (sub-ultramafic), and gabbroic rocks (mafic). The ultramafic and sub-ultramafic cumulate series are devoid of plagioclase and contain &lt;3 vol. % chromian spinel. The Fo content of olivine in the sub-ultramafic cumulates from both plutons ranges from Fo79 to Fo86. The En content [= Mg/(Mg + Fe + Ca) × 100 atomic ratio] of clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes varies from 46–56, and 63–80, respectively. Plagioclase corresponds to labradorite with An contents between 55 and 57. Hornblende is compositionally similar to pargasite. The sequence of change of rock units corresponds to the paragenesis: olivine − olivine + clinopyroxene (orthopyroxene) − clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene – clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + plagioclase – orthopyroxene. Petrographic, mineralogical, and mineral chemical features of the Burlakski and Nizhne-Derbinsk plutons suggest that the diversity of the material composition of these plutons is due to the processes of magmatic differentiation in deep-seated conditions. Estimates of crystallization pressures and temperatures of the Burlakski and Nizhne-Derbinsk plutons suggest that they crystallized at high pressures ≥ 10kb and temperatures ranging from 1000–1400 °C. Mineralogical and petrological features suggest that the mafic-ultramafic cumulates were derived from a high-Mg basaltic magma. The presence of magmatic hornblende and hydrous mineral assemblages within the ultramafic cumulates indicates that the parental melts had been enriched in dissolved volatile constituents. Taking into account the age of the gabbronorites of the Burlakski pluton (~490 ± 11.8 Ma), the magmatism likely occurred during the Ordovician collision stage of the evolution of the Central Asian Fold Belt.

Mineral chemistry, geochemistry, Raman spectroscopy and geotectonic significance of Neoproterozoic ophiolitic peridotites and pyroxenites from Kab Amiri district, central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The small gold mining Kab Amiri district ultramafic ophiolitic section (central Eastern Desert) comprises highly serpentinized peridotites (serpentinites) and few pyroxenites. It lies within a region of Neoproterozoic ophiolitic rocks and associated derivatives. The chromian spinel textural and chemical compositional features suggest transitional greenschist-amphibolite up to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism and indicates that they represent highly-depleted mantle residues. The presence of the Si-Ob-Si antisymmetric ν1(A1), symmetric ν2(A1) bands and the hydroxyl group (OH) modes are conclusive for the discrimination of antigorite. Furthermore, the speculation of serpentines as antigorite can also be indicated from the hydroxyl group modes. The Kab Amiri ophiolite suite (central Eastern Desert) represents fragments of oceanic lithosphere that are developed in forearc setting in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) environment. Thus the low TiO2 contents, the enrichment in LILE and LREE and the Nb depletion reflect the remelting of a highly depleted mantle source and suggest their formation in a SSZ environment (i.e forearc).

Geological Prospection of Placer Chromium Deposits in the Waropen Regency—Indonesia (New Guinea) Using the Method of Indicator Minerals

Indicator minerals (IM) have been used in the research of gemstone and base metals for over 100 years. IMs are a main source of information about the occurrence of deposits, hydrothermal and weathering changes, as well as bedrock source and type. Since 2013, base metal mineral exploration has taken place on New Guinea Island (the Indonesian part). The analysis of chromian spinels as IM in beach and river sediments led to the discovery of rich chromian-bearing deposits in the Botawa River sediments. The dominant detrital minerals include chromian spinels, olivine, pyroxenes and serpentine. The source of chromian spinels, olivine and pyroxenes are most likely peridotites from the Earth’s mantle zone of the ophiolite series, generated under supra-subduction conditions. The terrigenous deposits contain metamorphic minerals, such as staurolites, andalusites, epidotes, amphiboles and fragments of micas, quartz and chlorite schists. Using ICP-MS analysis of the beach sands, the concentration of Cr2O3 was determined to be at the level of 1.17%, while in the heavy minerals concentrate from the Botawa River sediment, the content of Cr2O3 amounts to 24.83%. The authors conclude that the west parts of the Van Rees Mountains are the probable parent rocks for chromium-bearing sediments.

Platina in the 18th century: mineralogy of the crude concentrate used in the first modern attempts at refining platinum

AbstractA platina sample brought to Spain in the last quarter of the 18th century is nowadays exhibited at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid. It originated from the ancient Mineralogical Museum of the School of Applied Chemistry at El Turco Street in Madrid and most probably corresponds to the material used by François Chabaneau for his experiments to purify platinum metal in the late 18th century. The sample is a heavy-mineral concentrate consisting of Pt–Fe alloys and gold nuggets associated with ilmenite–hematite, chromian spinel, goethite and minor quartz, sphene, rutile, magnetite, hornblende, garnet, calcite, pyrite, native bismuth and bismite. The Pt–Fe alloys exhibit a characteristic composition (81.97–90.75 wt.% Pt and 5.08–10.81 wt.% Fe with minor amounts of Cu, Os, Ir, Ru, Rh and Pd) and mineralogy of solid inclusions (abundant inclusions of Ir alloy as well as Os alloy, laurite–erlichmanite, bowieite, tulameenite and undetermined Pt–Pd–Ir–Rh antimonides and tellurides) that are very similar to those Pt–Fe alloys currently mined in western Colombia (the Chocó Department). These features allow us to discuss the provenance of the sample (probably from the proximal or medial reaches of any of the Chocó rivers) and evaluate the suitability of the Chabaneau's method for purifying platina. Our results show that the method became effective only with platina samples depleted or lacking iridium.

Типоморфизм глубинных акцессорных минералов Вымской горстовой структуры (Средний Тиман). Оливин, пиропы

The results of mineralogical study of pyropes and olivine from the Vymskaya horst-anticline structure (Kyvvozh goldbearing placer field, Middle Timan), that found during the heavy mineral concentrate sampling, are presented. Optical microscopy, electron microprobe, and scanning electron microscope were used in the research. High preservation of the endogenous surface of some pyrope individuals and olivine is demonstrated, indicating the closeness of their magmatic sources. The studied pyrope garnets belong to the lherzolite paragenesis of mantle minerals. Microinclusions of chrome spinels and orthopyroxene (enstatite) were found in some garnet grains. Abundant microinclusions of the high-pressure and high-temperature titanium-zirconium mineral srilankite (the first find on Timan) were found in one pyrope individual from the headstream of Belaya Kedva river. Investigated pyropes are characterized by compositions, which are identical to the ones for pyrope garnets from Umba kimberlite field (Middle Timan). It seems that magmatic rocks from the Umba pipes field are analogues of parent rock sources of pyropes from Kyvvozh goldbearing area and (or) themselves are sources for these pyropes.

Compositional heterogeneity and melt transport in mantle beneath Mid-Atlantic Ridge constrained by peridotite, dunite, and wehrlite from Atlantis Massif

Peridotitic, dunitic, and wehrlitic rocks drilled at Atlantis Massif (Mid-Atlantic Ridge), where mantle-derived rocks were exhumed to the sea floor via detachment faulting, were investigated employing in situ geochemical analyses. Since dunitic and wehrlitic rocks are commonly interpreted as fossil melt channels, they likely transported parental melts of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) beneath paleo-ridge axis. Although the rocks are severely serpentinized, primary olivines, chromian spinels, orthopyroxenes, and clinopyroxenes were found in several samples. The Cr/(Cr + Al) ratios (Cr#) of the chromian spinel show bimodal distribution, where one group records higher Cr# (0.35–0.5) and the other group is represented by lower Cr# (0.2–0.3). The extent of mantle melting is strongly correlated to the Cr# of the chromian spinel, thus the mantle-derived materials of the Atlantis Massif bear at least two end-members with regard to the extent of melting: refractory mantle material with higher Cr#, and less refractory mantle material with lower Cr#. To quantitatively evaluate mantle melting and melt transport mechanisms in the suboceanic mantle beneath the section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a one-dimensional, steady-state decompressional mantle melting model was carried out employing rare-earth element concentrations of clinopyroxene. Our modeling results demonstrate the presence of refractory peridotites molten in the presence of garnet, but crustal materials are limited in the Atlantis Massif. We advocate that the refractory mantle materials underwent little recent melting beneath the paleo-ridge axis, and alternatively had been subjected to ancient partial melting. The refractory mantle materials probably contributed to the initiation of the detachment fault and affected the extreme variations in MORB chemistry in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Morphological and Compositional Features of Chromian Spinel from Mantle Ultramafic Rocks of The Nurali Massif (South Urals)

Accessory chromian spinels of lherzolites and dunites from a mantle section of the Nurali ophiolite massif are described in the paper. Lherzolites typically host anhedral chromian spinel grains associated with olivine, pyroxenes and plagioclase. The compositions of silicates and chromian spinels are typical of those from ophiolite mantle sections. Olivine and orthopyroxene are characterized by high Mg content (forsterite and enstatite); clinopyroxene is diopside. The compositions of chromian spinel on the Al–Cr–Fe+3 plot occur close to the Al–Cr side. The #Cr and #Mg values of chromian spinels increase from lherzolites to dunites. Both vermicular spinels trapping olivine and orthopyroxene fragments (type I) and symplectite-like intergrowths of chromian spinel and plagioclase (type II) are most genetically interesting. Type I formed during synkinematic growth in deformed silicate matrix. Type II possibly formed as a result of decompression breakdown of a high-P mineral phase enriched in Cr, Al and Ca (a knorringite-type garnet?). In dunites, numerous tiny chromian spinel rods (type IV) in plastic deformed olivine are observed along with typical euhedral chromian spinel (type III) with inclusions of olivine and pargasite. Latter ones locally occur closely to fne pargasite grains. The formation of chromian spinel rods is explained as a result deformation-induced segregation of trace elements on the structural defects of the olivine lattice. Figures 7. Tables 4. References 48.

Double-Front Crystallization in the Chapesvara Ultramafic Subvolcanic Complex, Serpentinite Belt, Kola Peninsula, Russia

Dunite–harzburgite–olivine-bearing orthopyroxenite successions in the subvolcanic Chapesvara-I and Chapesvara-II intrusions in the Serpentinite Belt, western Kola Peninsula, are notably magnesian. The mean Mg# value (whole-rock) is 86.6, and the olivine is Fo84−89. The upper contact facies (UCF) displays a lower Mg# (81.6). It consists of grains of Fo92 and abundant chromian spinel, implying rapid crystallization of an almost unfractionated melt. On average, the whole-rock Al2O3/TiO2 value is 22.45, close to 22.9 (UCF) and to the primitive mantle, ~22. The rise of primitive ultramafic magma presumably occurred in a special tectonic setting at the boundary of the Paleoproterozoic Lapland Granulite Terrane and the Belomorian Composite Terrane of Archean age. The Chapesvara suite resembles examples of the Al-undepleted komatiites in the Barberton Belt, South Africa, with magmas of up to 30–35% MgO. The UCF rock yields an anomalously low molar MgO/SiO2 value, close to that of dunitic rocks located at the center of the Chapesvara-II body. This rock is the most primitive, as indicated by the maximum Fo content of olivine, the lowest value of (Gd/Yb)N, 0.52, and the lowest abundances of middle to heavy rare-earth elements (REE) in the chondrite-normalized spectrum. The crystallization of the Chapesvara-II sill-like intrusion likely proceeded in two stages, which are evident from the olivine compositions varying from the maximum Fo92 (UCF) to Fo≤89.5 (the central dunite zone). At Stage 1, the UCF rock (Fo92) crystallized first, close to the upper contact. The area of crystallization then shifted to a central portion of the Chapesvara-II body, in which the dunitic zone (Fo89.5) formed in situ (Stage 2). The compositional variations in chromian spinel are consistent with this suggestion. Two crystallization trends were recognized. The type-1 trend displays a relative maximum or minimum close to the center, and then diverges into two linear subtrends directed upward and downward. This pattern is manifested in the variations of Mg# in olivine and chromian spinel, the whole-rock contents of Al and Ca, and in levels of incompatible elements: Ti, V, Zr, Y, and Hf. The type-2 trend decreases or increases uniformly from top to bottom. Variations in amount of Ni in olivine, the Fe3+# index in chromian spinel, and in values of Mg# (rocks), follow a type-2 trend. Variations in total amounts of REE, Nb, and Th, which gradually increase downward, are also related to a type-2 trend. Thus, a contrasting development and possible interference of the two types of evolutionary trends were observed in the crystallization history of the Chapesvara-II sill-like body. A double-front crystallization, hitherto unreported, involved two fronts moving upward and downward, respectively. The upward subtrend appeared to be of subordinate importance, whereas the extent of fractional crystallization of the downward front was much greater. Crystallization proceeded from the top to the bottom, presumably because of the preferential loss of heat at the roof. Variations in the Fe3+# index indicate that the level of fO2 also increased downward with progressive crystallization. Convection cells were presumably the key mechanism of accumulation of the crystallizing olivine grains to form the central dunite zone close to the center of the sill-like intrusion. The observed characteristics of the Chapesvara complex indicate the existence of a primitive-mantle source and imply a highly magnesian composition of intruding magma not only for Chapesvara, but also for the Pados-Tundra layered complex and associated suites of the Serpentinite Belt in the Kola Peninsula.

Crustal magma storage and fractionation of Eyjafjallajökull ankaramites, South Iceland

Our understanding of the long-term intrusive and eruptive behaviour of volcanic systems is hampered by a relatively short period of direct observation. To probe the conditions of crustal magma storage below South Iceland, we have analysed compositions of minerals, mineral zoning patterns, and melt inclusions from two Eyjafjallajökull ankaramites located at Brattaskjól and Hvammsmúli. These two units are rich in compositionally diverse macrocrysts, including the most magnesian olivine (Fo$_{88−90}$) and clinopyroxene (Mg\#$_{cpx}$ 89.8) known from Eyjafjallajökull. Olivine-hosted spinel inclusions have high Cr\#$_{spl}$ (52–80) and TiO$_2$ (1–3 wt\%) and low Al2O$_3$ (8–22 wt\%) compared to typical Icelandic chromian spinel. The spinel–olivine oxybarometer implies a moderate oxygen fugacity of ∆logFMQ 0–0.5 at the time of crystallization, and clinopyroxene-liquid thermobarometry crystallization at mid-crustal pressures (1.7–4.2 kbar, 3.0±1.4 kbar on average) at 1120–1195°C. Liquid-only thermometry for melt inclusions with Mg\#$_{melt}$ 56.1–68.5 and olivine-liquid thermometry for olivine macrocrysts with Fo$_{80.7−88.9}$ yield crystallization temperatures of 1155–1222°C and 1136–1213°C, respectively. Diffusion modelling of compositional zonations in the Brattaskjól olivine grains imply that the Brattaskjól macrocrysts were mobilized and transported to the surface from their mid-crustal storage within a few weeks (at most in 9–37 days). Trends in clinopyroxene macrocryst compositions and the scarcity of plagioclase indicate that the mid-crustal cotectic assemblage was olivine and clinopyroxene, with plagioclase joining the fractionating mineral assemblage later. In all, the crystal cargoes in the Brattaskjól and Hvammsmúli ankaramites are composed of agitated wehrlitic or plagioclase wehrlitic crystal mushes that crystallized over a large temperature interval at mid-crustal depths.

Petrological characteristics of the Neoproterozoic Ess ophiolite mantle section, Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia: a mineral chemistry perspective

The Ess ophiolite, one of the most important ophiolitic massifs of the Arabian Shield, consists of a lower succession of serpentinized mantle rocks overlain by an ultramafic cumulate sequence, layered and isotropic gabbros, sheeted dykes, pillow lavas and pelagic sediments. The Ess mantle section is composed mainly of serpentinized peridotites with chromitite pods, dunite, wehrlite and pyroxenite. Extensive metasomatism and alteration has transformed the ultramafic rocks to talc-carbonates, magnesite deposits and listvenite, especially along shear zones and fault planes. Nevertheless, relics of primary chromian spinel, olivine and pyroxenes are observed. Both primary and metamorphic olivines can be recognized in dunite; the latter is marked by very high forsterite content (97–98), low NiO content ( 0.6) and low TiO2 content (< 0.14 wt%) of fresh Cr-spinel and the high forsterite (0.90–0.93) and NiO contents (0.4–0.5 wt%) of fresh olivine are all consistent with residual mantle rocks that experienced high degrees of partial melt extraction. Orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in the Ess peridotites have low CaO, Al2O3 and TiO2 contents resembling those typically found in depleted harzburgites from fore-arcs. Consequently, we propose that the Ess mantle peridotites formed in a forearc setting during subduction initiation that developed as a result of northwest subduction due to the convergence between East and West Gondwana, leading eventually to closure of the Mozambique Ocean during the Pan-African orogeny.

Provenance of the Late Permian Xuanwei Formation in the Upper Yangtze Block: Constraints from the Sedimentary Record and Tectonic Implications

Xuanwei Formation is composed of mudstone, siltstone, and sandstone, with local conglomerate. However, its provenance and tectonic setting have been scarcely studied. In this paper, we use sedimentology, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and detrital zircon dating to investigate its source area and depositional tectonic setting. The facies assemblages indicate that it formed in alluvial fan and fluvial river sedimentary environments. The strata thicknesses and facies distribution indicate that the sediment supply was from the west. The results of EPMA show that chromian spinels within the sediments are characterized by high Cr# and varying Mg#. Discrimination plots suggest that these spinels were sourced from large igneous province (LIP) magmatic rocks. The laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U–Pb chronology of detrital zircons suggests that the sediments were derived from intermediate–acid igneous rocks dating back to 251–260 Ma. We could, therefore, conclude that the provenance of the Xuanwei Formation is from Emeishan basalt and synchronous felsic igneous rocks, which is consistent with the composition of the detrital framework. The detrital zircon dates also suggest that felsic magmatism occurred during the Late Permian, not after the eruption of the Emeishan basalt. Based on the sedimentary successions and provenance analysis, the tectonic setting for Xuanwei Formation deposition was a volcanic rifted margin.

Petrogenetic evolution of Cryogenian Halaban ophiolite, Saudi Arabia: A fragment of fore-arc oceanic lithosphere mantle

In this study, Neoproterozoic Halaban ophiolite situated in the eastern part of the Arabian shield, Saudi Arabia, was investigated. The Halaban ophiolite represents a section of a dismembered ophiolite, tectonically emplaced over a volcano-sedimentary succession of island arc assemblages. It is variably, altered, deformed and metamorphosed to serpentinized rocks. It includes serpentinized peridotite and metagabbro with rare metabasalt, chromitite pods, listvenite and rodingite. The contact between the lower mantle unit (serpentinized peridotite) and the upper crustal unit (metagabbro) is originally magmatic, although it is disrupted by tectonism. Nevertheless, because of the high degree of alteration and metamorphism, few fresh relicts of primary minerals (chromian spinel, olivine and pyroxenes) were recorded. The mineral assemblages in the Halaban ophiolite are comparable to greenschist, to lower amphibolite facies metamorphism. The fresh olivine relics have high Fo and Ni content, while the fresh chromian spinel cores have high Cr# accompanied by a low TiO2. The preserved texture (mesh and bastite), fresh relict minerals, and the whole-rock compositions (Mg# = molar Mg/ (Mg + Fe2+) = 0.91–0.93 with low CaO and Al2O3 content) suggest that the protolith is mainly harzburgite with minor dunite. The chemical composition of Halaban metagabbro is indicative of a tholeiitic affinity. In addition, the very low modal abundance of clinopyroxene and the high Ni, Cr and Co content of the serpentinized peridotite, and high-Cr# (av. 0.66) with low-Ti (mostly ≤0.1 wt%) of chromian spinel, suggest significant partial melting. The serpentinized peridotite (harzburgite and dunite) undergone different degrees of partial melting, ranging from approximately 32% to 37% for harzburgite and approximately 37% to 42% for dunite. The variation of the degree of partial melting between harzburgite and dunite is indicative of mantle heterogeneity beneath the Arabian Shield. The general petrological characteristics of the Halaban ophiolite are substantially similar to those formed by melt-peridotites interaction and subsequent melt mixing in a fore arc setting within a supra-subduction zone system. Halaban chloritite is formed as a secondary product due to the metasomatic interaction of the ophiolitic ultramafic rocks. The content of Cr, Co and Ni of the chloritite sample was consistently close to that of the serpentinites.

Cr-spinel records metasomatism not petrogenesis of mantle rocks

Mantle melts provide a window on processes related to global plate tectonics. The composition of chromian spinel (Cr-spinel) from mafic-ultramafic rocks has been widely used for tracing the geotectonic environments, the degree of mantle melting and the rate of mid-ocean ridge spreading. The assumption is that Cr-spinel’s core composition (Cr# = Cr/(Cr + Al)) is homogenous, insensitive to post-formation modification and therefore a robust petrogenetic indicator. However, we demonstrate that the composition of Cr-spinel can be modified by fluid/melt-rock interactions in both sub-arc and sub-mid oceanic mantle. Metasomatism can produce Al-Cr heterogeneity in Cr-spinel that lowers the Cr/Al ratio, and therefore modifies the Cr#, making Cr# ineffective as a geotectonic and mantle melting indicator. Our analysis also demonstrates that Cr-spinel is a potential sink for fluid-mobile elements, especially in subduction zone environments. The heterogeneity of Cr# in Cr-spinel can, therefore, be used as an excellent tracer for metasomatic processes.