Luobusa Ophiolite Research Articles

Multi-stage partial melting and melt metasomatism in the formation of the Luobusa ophiolite (Southern Tibet)

The petrogenesis of the Luobusa mantle peridotites (Southern Tibet) has remained unclear. Here, a suit of the Luobusa peridotites is presented to trace their petrogenetic history. These peridotites contain protogranular lherzolites, porphyroclastic harzburgites and equigranular harzburgites, which span most compositional spectrum of global mid-ocean ridge peridotites (MORP) and supra-subduction zone peridotites (SSZP). The petrogenesis of these peridotites was linked to a two-stage mantle evolution from the MOR to the SSZ. The lherzolites are least refractory with comparable compositions to the MORP such as high whole-rock Al2O3 (0.90–1.72 wt%) and low spinel Cr# (20–40), which represent mantle residues after 8–16 % near-fractional melting of a depleted MORB mantle (DMM) source beneath anhydrous MOR. The porphyroclastic harzburgites are highly depleted with an SSZP affinity indicated by extremely low whole-rock Al2O3 (<0.50 wt%) and high spinel Cr# (57–65). They represent residual mantle wedge fluxed by the slab-fluids above a subduction zone after subduction initiation. Their trace element compositions of clinopyroxenes are consistent with the additional 8–12 % flux melting of a depleted harzburgite source that previously experienced ∼ 10 % depletion of an initial DMM source. The equigranular harzburgites are characterized by the enrichments of Na, Cr, Ti and MREE in amphiboles and clinopyroxenes and Ti in spinels, which might result from the metasomatism of a slab-derived eclogite melt. Therefore, the heterogeneous Luobusa mantle peridotites in this study recorded a multi-stage tectonic evolution from the MOR to the SSZ.

Four Natural Chromite Reference Materials for the Determination of the First‐Row Transition Elements and Gallium by LA‐ICP‐MS

Four natural chromite samples (LBS13‐04, LBS13‐06 and LBS13‐13) from the Luobusa ophiolite (China) and 16SW2‐6 from the Stillwater Complex (USA) were developed as reference materials for in situ element microanalysis. Approximately 8 g of chromite fragments with grain sizes of 0.5–1.5 mm from each chromite sample were separated under a binocular microscope and analysed by EPMA, XRF, LA‐ICP‐MS and solution nebulisation ICP‐MS techniques for major and trace elements at six laboratories. The results show that the four chromite samples are homogeneous with respect to MgO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, FeO, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Ga. These samples are thus suitable to be used as reference materials for in situ microanalysis.

The Chromite Crisis in the Evolution of Continental Magmas and the Initial High δ26Mg Reservoir

Abstract Fractional crystallization of Fe–Ti oxides can induce detectable Mg isotopic changes during late-stage basalt differentiation. Because chromite and olivine are early crystallizing phases during basaltic melt differentiation, the effect of chromite crystallization on the fractionation of Mg isotopes during early-stage basalt differentiation is still poorly understood. Here, we examine the possibility of chromite induced Mg isotope fractionation with a Mg isotopic study of chromite–olivine pairs in dunites and chromitites collected from major types of basaltic intrusive rock suites formed by fractional crystallization in different tectonic settings. The chromite δ26Mg (= [(26Mg/24Mg)sample / (26Mg/24Mg)DSM3–1] × 1000) values range from −0.19‰ to 0.30‰ in the Luobusa ophiolite, −0.09‰ to 0.78‰ in the Kızıldağ ophiolite, −0.04 to 0.42‰ in the Gaositai Alaskan-type complex, similar to those previously reported from the Stillwater layered intrusion (−0.05 to 0.84‰; Bai et al., 2021). They are significantly higher than those of coexisting olivine (δ26Mg = −0.48 to −0.10‰). The Δ26MgChr-Ol (= δ26MgChr − δ26MgOl) values in the rock suites investigated here fall largely between equilibrium fractionation lines of spinel–olivine pairs and magnesioferrite–olivine pairs, indicating equilibrium Mg isotopic fractionation. Furthermore, the Δ26MgChr-Ol values increase with decreasing Cr content of chromite in the dunites and chromitites, showing that high 26Mg has a greater affinity to Al-rich chromite than Cr-rich chromite. Fractional crystallization of such isotopically high chromite is expected to progressively lower the Mg isotope values of the in the remaining magma. Furthermore, continental basaltic magmas typically experience early crystallization of olivine and Al-rich chromite. Their δ26Mg values correlate positively with MgO (FeO, Cr,) and CaO/Al2O3 ratios and negatively with total alkali contents (Na2O + K2O). This indicates that detectable Mg isotopic fractionation occurred in intra-continental basalt magmas, probably by fractional crystallization of olivine and chromite. The observed low-δ26Mg intra-continental basalts can be accurately modeled by olivine + chromite fractionation with fractionation factors (Δ26MgChr-Melt) of 0.20‰, 0.60‰, and 1.18‰ as observed in the chromitites investigated during this study. Therefore, the early-stage basaltic melt differentiation involving separation of olivine and chromite may induce resolvable Mg isotopic fractionation, and the δ26Mg values of continental basalts should be used with caution in petrogenetic studies.

Tectonized Neotethyan lithosphere in southeastern Tibet: Results of the Luobusa ophiolite drilling

Tectonized Neotethyan lithosphere in southeastern Tibet: Results of the Luobusa ophiolite drilling

Wodegongjieite, ideally KCa3(Al7Si9)O32, a new sheet silicate isostructural with the feldspar polymorph kokchetavite, KAlSi3O8

AbstractWodegongjieite occurs in the Cr-11 chromitite orebody of the Luobusa ophiolite in the Kangjinla district, Tibet, China. It is found in two inclusions in corundum: (1) as a partial overgrowth (holotype) up to 1.5 μm thick around a spheroid 20 μm across of wenjiite (Ti10(Si,P,□)7), kangjinlaite (Ti11(Si,P)10), zhiqinite (TiSi2) and badengzhuite (TiP), and (2) as pools up to 0.25 μm wide filling interstices between wenjiite, jingsuiite (TiB2), osbornite–khamrabaevite (Ti[N,C]) and corundum. Energy dispersive analyses gave Al2O3 34.09, SiO2 49.11, K2O 2.56, CaO 11.71, SrO 2.53, total 100.0 wt.%, corresponding to K0.58Sr0.26Ca2.25Al7.20Si8.80O31.20, ideally KCa3(Al7Si9)O32, for Si + Al = 16 cations.Single-crystal studies were carried out with three-dimensional electron diffraction providing data for an ab initio structure solution in the hexagonal space group P6/mcc (#192) with a = 10.2(2) Å, c = 14.9(3) Å, V = 1340(50) Å3 and Z = 2. Density (calc.) = 2.694 g⋅cm–3. The refinement, which assumes complete Si–Al disorder, gives average T1–O and T2–O bond lengths both as 1.65 Å. It was not practical to use unconstrained refinement for the occupancies of the large cation sites 6f and 2a. The ab initio model shows clearly that the two cation sites have different sizes and coordination. Consequently, we imposed the condition (1) that all the K occupies the 2a site as the average K–O bond length of 3.07 Å is close to the average K–O bond lengths reported in kokchetavite and (2) that all the Ca occupies the 6f site as the average Ca–O bond length of 2.60 Å (2.36 Å and 2.84 Å for Ca–O1 and Ca–O3, respectively) is reasonable for Ca–O. Assuming that all K and all Ca are located at the 2a site and 6f site, respectively, Sr occupancies of these sites could be refined. Thermal parameters are positive and in a reasonable range. The structure is a sheet silicate isostructural with the K-feldspar polymorph kokchetavite, with two crystallographically distinct sites for K, but not with the topologically identical anorthite polymorph dmisteinbergite (CaAl2Si2O8) with only a single site for Ca. Substitution of K by Ca at the 6f site is associated with marked rotation of the Si,Al tetrahedra and a collapse of the structure to accommodate the smaller Ca ion.The spheroid of intermetallic phases is believed to have formed from the interaction of mantle-derived CH4 + H2 fluids with basaltic magmas at depths of ~30–100 km, resulting in precipitation of corundum that entrapped intermetallic melts. Associated immiscible silicate melt of granodioritic composition crystallised metastably to wodegongjieite instead of a mixture of anorthite and K-feldspar.

Co–Ni decoupling indicates fluid exsolution during the formation of podiform chromitites: Insights from the Luobusa ophiolite, southern Tibet

Podiform chromitites typically occur in harzburgites near the petrological Moho in ophiolite sections, and are petrologically and economically significant. Hydrous fluids may have an important role in the formation of podiform chromitites, although unambiguous evidence for the involvement of such fluids is rare. To examine whether hydrous fluids are involved in the formation of podiform chromitites, we measured the Ni, Co, Mn, and Zn contents of olivines and chromites in representative samples from the Luobusa ophiolite, southern Tibet, taking account of the different geochemical behaviors of these elements in melts and hydrous fluids. In the harzburgites, the olivine (Ol) has a limited compositional range (2605–2919 ppm Ni, 117–135 ppm Co, 736–1005 ppm Mn, and 28.9–35.7 ppm Zn), whereas the chromite (Chr) has a relatively variable composition (718–1239 ppm Ni, 364–493 ppm Co, 1314–2733 ppm Mn, and 1411–1900 ppm Zn). From the dunite lenses to the dunite envelopes, and to the chromitites, both olivine and chromite exhibit significant decreases in Co (Ol = 137 to 45 ppm; Chr = 542 to 168 ppm), Mn (Ol = 889 to 273 ppm; Chr = 2426 to 862 ppm), and Zn (Ol = 37.7 to 4.0 ppm; Chr = 1746 to 206 ppm) contents, and an increase in Ni contents (Ol = 3009 to 5946 ppm; Chr = 413 to 1462 ppm). These features cannot be fully explained by subsolidus re-equilibration, partial melting, fractional crystallization, and melt–rock reactions. Olivine relicts in chromite indicate the dissolution of pre-existing olivine in dunitic channels. The olivine dissolution may have been due to the water-rich nature of the parental melts of the chromitites. These observations and mass-balance calculations suggest that, during the formation of podiform chromitites, chromite crystallization was accompanied by olivine dissolution and exsolution of a hydrous fluid phase. This resulted in the preferential transfer of Ni into the melt and olivine relicts, and Co, Mn, and Zn into the fluid phase. As such, the chromite and olivine in the chromitites became Ni-rich and Co-, Mn-, and Zn-poor, which led to Ni–Co decoupling.

Wenjiite, Ti10(Si,P,☐)7, and kangjinlaite, Ti11(Si,P)10, new minerals in the ternary Ti-P-Si system from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China

Abstract The new minerals wenjiite, Ti10(Si,P,☐)7 (IMA2019-107c) and kangjinlaite, Ti11(Si,P)10 (IMA2019-112b) occur with badengzhuite, zhiqinite, and a K-bearing dmisteinbergite-like mineral in a spheroid 20 μm across enclosed in corundum from the Cr-11 podiform chromitite orebody near the Kangjinla, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China. In addition, wenjiite occurs with deltalumite, jingsuiite, osbornitekhambaraevite, and the K-bearing dmisteinbergite-like mineral in a lamellar intergrowth 100 μm long, also enclosed in corundum from the same locality. The new minerals were characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and three-dimensional electron diffraction, which enabled us to obtain an ab initio structure solution and dynamical refinement from grains a few micrometers across hosted in a FIB lamella. Four analyses of wenjiite from the spheroid gave in wt% Si 21.67, P 6.24, Ti 66.39, V 1.37, Cr 2.20, Mn 0.97, and Fe 1.17 (normalized to 100), which corresponds to (Ti0.93Cr0.03Mn0.01Fe0.01V0.02)10 (Si0.79P0.21)6.51 on the basis of 10 cations excluding Si and P. The simplified formula is Ti10(Si,P)6.5, or more generally Ti10SixPy, where x &amp;gt; y and 6 ≤ (x + y) ≤ 7, i.e., Ti10(Si,P,☐)7. Wenjiite has hexagonal symmetry, space group: P63/mcm (no. 193), with a = 7.30(10) Å, c = 5.09(10) Å, V = 235(6) Å3, Z = 1, and is isostructural with xifengite, mavlyanovite, synthetic Ti5Si3, and synthetic Ti5P3.15. Four analyses of kangjinlaite gave in wt% Si 25.56, P 9.68, Ti 62.35, V 0.21, Cr 0.83, Mn 0.42, and Fe 0.95 (normalized to 100), which corresponds to (Ti10.65V0.03Cr0.13Mn0.06Fe0.14)Σ11.01(Si7.43P2.55)Σ9.99. The simplified formula is Ti11(Si,P)10. Kangjinlaite is tetragonal, with space group: I4/mmm (no. 139), a = 9.4(2) Å, c = 13.5(3) Å, V = 1210(50) Å3, Z = 4, and is isostructural with synthetic compounds of the Ho11Ge10 type, being the most compact of these phases. Despite there now being over 70 compounds containing 38 elements isostructural with Ho11Ge10, synthesis of an analog of kangjinlaite has not been previously reported in either the Ti-P or Ti-Si binary systems or in a multicomponent system. The previously deduced crystallization sequence with decreasing temperature of the four minerals in the spheroid is wenjiite → kangjinlaite → zhiqinite + badengzhuite. This sequence is consistent with relationships reported in 9 binary systems containing intermetallic compounds of Ge and Sn isostructural with Mn5Si3 and Ho11Ge10. In eight of these systems the Mn5Si3 analog melts congruently, whereas the Ho11Ge10 analog never does. Instead, the Ho11Ge10 analog melts peritectically, generally to an Mn5Si3 analog and less commonly to compounds with 5:4 stoichiometry. Final crystallization of the spheroid to zhiqinite + badengzhuite is expected to be well below the temperature of 1500 °C for the congruent melting of zhiqinite in the Ti-Si system, i.e., in the range of ~1100–1300 °C.

Mechanism of formation of podiform chromitite: Insights from the oxidation states of podiform chromitites and host peridotites from the Luobusa ophiolite, southern Tibet

Although the mechanism of formation of podiform chromitite is debated, oxygen fugacity (fO2) is likely one of the controlling factors, although the detailed mechanisms are poorly understood. To provide insight into this issue, we determine the Fe3+/∑Fe ratio of chromite via Mӧssbauer spectrometry, and from this calculate the fO2 of chromitites, dunite envelopes, dunite lenses, and their host peridotites in the Luobusa ophiolite in southern Tibet. The fO2 (−1.49 to −0.52 log units relative to the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer) and mineral chemistry of the host peridotites are similar to those of both abyssal and forearc peridotites. Higher fO2 values of the dunites and chromitites (−0.65 to −0.33, 0.69 to 1.13, and −0.46 to 0.64 log units for the dunite lenses, dunite envelopes, and chromitites, respectively) relative to those of host peridotites must have been inherited from their parental magmas. Both chromite compositions and the fO2 of the dunites and chromitites are similar to those in boninite-like rocks. Importantly, there is a previously unrecognized but marked decrease in fO2 from the dunite envelopes to the chromitites. This decrease is intimately related to the chromitite-forming processes and preferably explained as the result of the exsolution of oxidized fluids from high-fO2 magmas during subduction initiation.

Jingsuiite, TiB2, a new mineral from the Cr-11 podiform chromitite orebody, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China: Implications for recycling of boron

Abstract The new mineral jingsuiite (TiB2, IMA-2018-117b), together with osbornite-khamrabaevite solid solution (TiN-TiC), deltalumite, and a potential new mineral, hexagonal Ti10(Si,P,☐)7, constitute four inclusions up to 50 μm across in corundum recovered from the Cr-11 podiform chromitite orebody near Kangjinla, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China. EELS, EDS, and 3D electron diffraction were applied to study the phases. In one inclusion, jingsuiite forms a rounded grain 40 μm across. Associated osbornite-khamrabaevite solid solution forms an irregular mass up to 10 μm across having the composition Ti(N0.5C0.5) and the Ti10(Si,P,☐)7 phase forms an incomplete overgrowth up to 20 μm thick around the grain of jingsuiite. In a second inclusion, jingsuiite, osbornite-khamrabaevite solid solution, Ti10(Si,P,☐)7 and deltalumite form a lamellar intergrowth 100 μm long composed of tablets of the four phases up to 50 μm long × 4 μm in thickness. Jingsuiite has a primitive hexagonal cell with a = 3.04(6), b = 3.04(6), c = 3.22(6) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°, V = 25.8 (9) Å3, space group P6/mmm, Z = 1. Its structure was determined ab initio and dynamically refined on the basis of three-dimensional electron diffraction data; it is equivalent to that of synthetic TiB2. Results of EELS analyses of jingsuiite in foil no. 5357 (N = 20) gave B 61.87(1.22), C 1.53 (1.26), Ti 36.62 (1.45) at% from which an empirical formula of Ti1.10(B1.86C0.05)Σ1.91 was calculated on the basis of 3 atoms. The ideal formula is TiB2. Our preferred scenario is that corundum with entrapped Ti-Si-P-Fe intermetallic melts was precipitated from basaltic magmas during exhumation following deep subduction. Enrichment of B in the melt pockets is attributed to the highly reducing conditions that led to the segregation of siderophile elements into intermetallic melts and to the siderophile behavior of B, thereby concentrating it in the intermetallic melts in preference to silicate melt. Experimental work on the Ti-Fe-Si system indicates that minerals enclosed in corundum grains such as Ti, FeTiSi2, and TiSi2 could have crystallized from alloy melts at the lowest T accessible on the liquidus, i.e., &amp;lt;1300 °C. The presence of TiB2 in four inclusions in the Cr-11 orebody suggests incorporation of crustal sediments in the ophiolite followed by deep subduction to the Transition Zone where qingsongite (cubic BN) is inferred to have crystallized and subsequently exhumed to shallower levels where hexagonal BN and jingsuiite presumably crystallized.

Two new minerals, badengzhuite, TiP, and zhiqinite, TiSi&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;, from the Cr-11 chromitite orebody, Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, China: is this evidence for super-reduced mantle-derived fluids?

Abstract. Titanium minerals enclosed in corundum separated from the Cr-11 orebody include native Ti, zamboite (FeTiSi2), osbornite (TiN)-khamrabaevite (TiC) solid solutions, and jingsuiite (TiB2), as well as the new minerals badengzhuite (TiP) and zhiqinite (TiSi2) and two potentially new minerals, Ti11(Si,P)10 and Ti10(Si,P,□)7, where □ indicates a vacancy. These minerals together constitute a spheroid 20 µm across inferred to have crystallized from a droplet of Ti–Si–P intermetallic melt. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy and three-dimensional electron diffraction were applied to characterize the two new minerals. Badengzhuite has a primitive hexagonal cell with a=3.49(7) Å, c=11.70(23) Å, V=124(4) Å3, and crystallizes in space group P63∕mmc (Z=4). It is isostructural with synthetic TiP. Two EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analyses of badengzhuite gave 60.56 wt %Ti and 39.44 wt % P and 62.74 wt % Ti and 37.26 wt % P from which an empirical formula of Ti1.020P0.980 was calculated on the basis of two atoms (ideally TiP). Zhiqinite has a primitive orthorhombic cell with a=8.18(16) Å, b=4.85(10) Å, c=8.42(17) Å, V=334(12) Å3, and crystallizes in space group Fddd (Z=8). It is isostructural with synthetic TiSi2 (C54 type). Four EDX analyses of zhiqinite gave 39.58–44.79 wt % Ti and 55.21–60.42 wt % Si, from which an empirical formula of Ti0.905Si2.095 was calculated on the basis of three atoms (ideally TiSi2). We suggest that interaction of mantle-derived CH4 + H2 fluids with basaltic magmas in the shallow lithosphere (depths of ∼ 30–100 km) under conditions more reducing than 6 log units below the oxygen fugacities corresponding to the iron–wüstite buffer resulted in precipitation of corundum that entrapped intermetallic melts, some of which crystallized to ultra-reduced Ti–P–Si phases. Experimental work on the Ti–Si and Ti–P systems indicates that the minerals enclosed in corundum could have crystallized from the alloy melt at the lowest temperature accessible on the liquidus. It has been alleged that these ultra-reduced phases are anthropogenic contaminants inadvertently introduced with fused alumina abrasive during preparation of mineral separates. Nonetheless, we conclude that the differences between the ultra-reduced minerals in the separates and the ultra-reduced phases in fused alumina are more convincing evidence for these minerals having a natural origin than the similarities between them are evidence for an anthropogenic origin.

Origin of high-Cr chromite deposits in nascent mantle wedges: Petrological and geochemical constraints from the Neo-Tethyan Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet

The petrography and compositions of chromitites and peridotites from the Tibetan Luobusa ophiolite, a fragment of Neo-Tethyan forearc lithosphere, are used to study the origin of high-Cr chromite deposits and relevant magmatic evolution in nascent mantle wedges during subduction initiation. The mantle sequence of the ophiolite has a two-layered structure with cpx-poor and cpx-rich harzburgites dominating the upper and lower layers, respectively, and locally contains dunite and chromitite bodies in the upper layer. The cpx-rich and cpx-poor harzburgites contain clinopyroxene having finger-like protrusions and chromite showing both irregular and euhedral shapes, and display spoon-shaped and U-shaped REE patterns, respectively. The dunites and chromitites followed a crystallization sequence Ol-Chr-Cpx and present spoon-shaped to U-shaped REE patterns. Clinopyroxene grains in the cpx-rich harzburgites have major and REE compositions slightly more depleted than those in abyssal peridotites, whereas clinopyroxene grains in the cpx-poor harzburgites and dunites have boninitic affinity. Chromite grains in the chromitites and cpx-rich harzburgites have the highest and lowest Cr#s [100 × Cr/(Cr + Al)] (75–80 vs. 20–40), respectively, whereas those in the cpx-poor harzburgites and dunites have intermediate Cr#s. The dataset above indicates that the Luobusa harzburgitic mantle wedge was once modified by slab-derived fluids and later refertilized by melts with compositions intermediate between MORB and boninitic lavas. Under high geothermal conditions induced by slab rollback and asthenospheric upwelling, subsequent partial melting in the refertilized H2O-bearing mantle formed high-Ca boninitic to arc picritic melts, which reacted with the overlying cpx-rich harzburgites and generated high-Cr chromitites, dunites and cpx-poor harzburgites under conditions of diminishing melt/rock ratios. Chromitites and peridotites in mantle sequences of forearc ophiolites keep important information for reconstructing the geodynamic evolution of subduction initiation.

Evolution of mantle peridotites from the Luobusa ophiolite in the Tibetan Plateau: Sr-Nd-Hf-Os isotope constraints

The Luobusa ophiolite cropping out in the Yarlung-Tsangpo Suture (YTS) is well known for the recovery of super-reducing and ultra-high pressure mineral assemblages. Formation of the Luobusa ophiolite has been linked to the supra-subduction zone (SSZ) settings. This study presents the comprehensive geochemical data of refractory harzburgites, the majority of the Luobusa ophiolite. Both whole rock major elements and spinel Cr# values indicate that the Luobusa harzburgites have experienced 10–20% degrees of fractional melting from a depleted MORB mantle (DMM) source. Clinopyroxene trace elements suggest that they have experienced variable degrees (as high as 8%) of garnet-facies melting in a dry condition. On the other hand, clinopyroxenes in the Luobusa harzburgites have higher contents of light rare earth elements (LREE) than the values in mantle residues after the degrees of partial melting corresponding to their spinel Cr#. Their clinopyroxenes also show enrichment in some LILE, but no anomalies in HFSE, suggesting they were not metasomatized by subduction-related agents. The Luobusa harzburgites show consistent highly siderophile element (HSE) patterns distinctly different from the forearc peridotites. Whole rock ReOs isotopes yield Os model ages of 0.61–1.94 Ga that are much older than the formation age of the Luobusa ophiolite (i.e., 128–134 Ma), indicating that they were stemmed from ancient mantle domains within the asthenosphere. Our results argue against that the Luobusa ophiolite was originated from a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting. The Luobusa peridotites might have experienced evolutionary histories decoupled from their hosting chromitites.

Melt Events in A Nascent Mantle Wedge: Implication from the Luobusa Ophiolite, Tibet

AbstractThe compositions of minerals and whole rocks of the Luobusa ophiolite in South Tibet, a fragment of Neo‐Tethyan forearc lithosphere, is used to investigate the magmatic evolution of nascent mantle wedges in newly‐initiated subduction zones. Clinopyroxenes in the Luobusa peridotites all have diopsidic compositions, and their Al2O3 contents vary from ∼ 2% in the dunites and refractory harzburgites to 2‐4% in the cpx‐bearing harzburgites. The REE of clinopyroxenes in the harzburgites have left‐sloping patterns with contents comparable to those in abyssal peridotites that have experienced 5‐15% partial melting. Chromites in the Luobusa chromitites have the highest Cr#s (∼ 80) and TiO2 contents (0.1‐0.2%), and those in the cpx‐bearing harzburgites have the lowest Cr#s (20‐60) and TiO2 contents (0‐0.1%), whereas those in refractory harzburgites and dunites have intermediate compositions. Cpx‐bearing and refractory harzburgites show spoon‐and U‐shaped REE patterns, respectively, and their HREE distribution patterns suggest at least 15%‐ 20% partial melting. The REE patterns of dunites and high‐Cr chromitites vary from spoon‐ to U‐shaped and require 15‐30% partial melting in their mantle sources to produce their parental melts. Our dataset reveals that the nascent Luobusa mantle wedge was first infiltrated by slab‐derived fluids and later refertilized by transitional lava‐like melts, resulting in cpx‐bearing harzburgites. Partial melting in the deeper cpx‐bearing mantle generated high‐Ca boninitic to arc picritic melts, which interacted with the peridotites in the uppermost mantle to generate high‐Cr chromitites, dunites and some refractory harzburgites. Lithological variation from cpx‐bearing to refractory harzburgites in forearc ophiolites is the result of multi‐stage melt events rather than increasing degrees of partial melting. Intermittent slab rollback during subduction initiation induces asthenospheric upwelling and high heat flux in nascent mantle wedges. Elevated geothermal gradients play a more important role than slab dehydration in triggering Mg‐rich magmatism in newly‐initiated subduction zones.

Discovery of a CaIrO3‐type Al2O3 phase that implies crust‐mantle recycling in ophiolite‐hosted corundum from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet

Discovery of a CaIrO₃‐type Al₂O₃ phase that implies crust‐mantle recycling in ophiolite‐hosted corundum from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet

Diamond in Oceanic Peridotites and Chromitites: Evidence for Deep Recycled Mantle in the Global Ophiolite Record

AbstractDiamonds have been discovered in mantle peridotites and chromitites of six ophiolitic massifs along the 1300 km‐long Yarlung‐Zangbo suture (Bai et al., 1993; Yang et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2015), and in the Dongqiao and Dingqing mantle peridotites of the Bangong‐Nujiang suture in the eastern Tethyan zone (Robinson et al., 2004; Xiong et al., 2018). Recently, in‐situ diamond, coesite and other UHP mineral have also been reported in the Nidar ophiolite of the western Yarlung‐Zangbo suture (Das et al., 2015, 2017). The above‐mentioned diamond‐bearing ophiolites represent remnants of the eastern Mesozoic Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. New publications show that diamonds also occur in chromitites in the Pozanti‐Karsanti ophiolite of Turkey, and in the Mirdita ophiolite of Albania in the western Tethyan zone (Lian et al., 2017; Xiong et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2018). Similar diamonds and associated minerals have also reported from Paleozoic ophiolitic chromitites of Central Asian Orogenic Belt of China and the Ray‐Iz ophiolite in the Polar Urals, Russia (Yang et al., 2015a, b; Tian et al., 2015; Huang et al, 2015). Importantly, in‐situ diamonds have been recovered in chromitites of both the Luobusa ophiolite in Tbet and the Ray‐Iz ophiolite in Russia (Yang et al., 2014, 2015a). The extensive occurrences of such ultra‐high pressure (UHP) minerals in many ophiolites suggest formation by similar geological events in different oceans and orogenic belts of different ages. Compared to diamonds from kimberlites and UHP metamorphic belts, micro‐diamonds from ophiolites present a new occurrence of diamond that requires significantly different physical and chemical conditions of formation in Earth's mantle. The forms of chromite and qingsongites (BN) indicate that ophiolitic chromitite may form at depths of &gt;150‐380 km or even deeper in the mantle (Yang et al., 2007; Dobrthinetskaya et al., 2009). The very light C isotope composition (δ13C ‐18 to ‐28‰) of these ophiolitic diamonds and their Mn‐bearing mineral inclusions, as well as coesite and clinopyroxene lamallae in chromite grains all indicate recycling of ancient continental or oceanic crustal materials into the deep mantle (&gt;300 km) or down to the mantle transition zone via subduction (Yang et al., 2014, 2015a; Robinson et al., 2015; Moe et al., 2018). These new observations and new data strongly suggest that micro‐diamonds and their host podiform chromitite may have formed near the transition zone in the deep mantle, and that they were then transported upward into shallow mantle depths by convection processes. The in‐situ occurrence of micro‐diamonds has been well‐demonstrated by different groups of international researchers, along with other UHP minerals in podiform chromitites and ophiolitic peridotites clearly indicate their deep mantle origin and effectively address questions of possible contamination during sample processing and analytical work. The widespread occurrence of ophiolite‐hosted diamonds and associated UHP mineral groups suggests that they may be a common feature of in‐situ oceanic mantle. The fundamental scientific question to address here is how and where these micro‐diamonds and UHP minerals first crystallized, how they were incorporated into ophiolitic chromitites and peridotites and how they were preserved during transport to the surface. Thus, diamonds and UHP minerals in ophiolites have raised new scientific problems and opened a new window for geologists to study recycling from crust to deep mantle and back to the surface.

FTIR Spectroscopy Data and Carbon Isotope Characteristics of the Ophiolite‐hosted Diamonds

AbstractWe report new δ13C ‐values data and N‐content and N‐aggregation state values for microdiamonds recovered from peridotites and chromitites of the Luobusa ophiolite (Tibet) and chromitites of the Ray‐Iz ophiolite in the Polar Urals (Russia). All analyzed microdiamonds contain significant nitrogen contents (from 108 up to 589 ± 20% atomic ppm) with a consistently low aggregation state, show identical IR spectra dominated by strong absorption between 1130 cm−1 and 1344 cm−1, and hence characterize Type Ib diamond. Microdiamonds from the Luobusa peridotites have δ13C ‐PDB‐values ranging from ‐28.7‰ to ‐16.9‰, and N‐contents from 151 to 589 atomic ppm. The δ13C and N‐content values for diamonds from the Luobusa chromitites are ‐29‰ to ‐15.5‰ and 152 to 428 atomic ppm, respectively. Microdiamonds from the Ray‐Iz chromitites show values varying from ‐27.6 ‰ to ‐21.6 ‰ in δ13C and from 108 to 499 atomic ppm in N. The carbon isotopes values bear similar features with previously analyzed metamorphic diamonds from other worldwide localities, but the samples are characterized by lower N‐contents. In every respect, they are different from diamonds occurring in kimberlites and impact craters. Our samples also differ from the few synthetic diamonds; we also analyzed showing enhanced δ13C ‐variability and less advanced aggregation state than synthetic diamonds. Our newly obtained N‐aggregation state and N‐content data are consistent with diamond formation over a narrow and rather cold temperature range (i.e. &lt;950°C), and in a short residence time (i.e. within several million years) at high temperatures in the deep mantle.

Ophiolite-Hosted Diamond: A New Window for Probing Carbon Cycling in the Deep Mantle

Abstract As reported in our prior work, we have recovered microdiamonds and other unusual minerals, including pseudomorph stishovite, moissanite, qingsongite, native elements, metallic alloys, and some crustal minerals (i.e., zircon, quartz, amphibole, and rutile) from ophiolitic peridotites and chromitites. These ophiolite-hosted microdiamonds display different features than kimberlitic, metamorphic, and meteoritic diamonds in terms of isotopic values and mineral inclusions. The characteristic of their light carbon isotopic composition implies that the material source of ophiolite-hosted diamonds is surface-derived organic matter. Coesite inclusions coexisting with kyanite rimming an FeTi alloy from the Luobusa ophiolite show a polycrystalline nature and a prismatic habit, indicating their origin as a replacement of stishovite. The occurrence in kyanite and coesite with inclusions of qingsongite, a cubic boron nitride mineral, and a high-pressure polymorph of rutile (TiO2 II) point to formation pressures of 10–15 GPa at temperatures ∼1300 °C, consistent with depths greater than 380 km, near the mantle transition zone (MTZ). Minerals such as moissanite, native elements, and metallic alloys in chromite grains indicate a highly reduced environment for ophiolitic peridotites and chromitites. Widespread occurrence of diamonds in ophiolitic peridotites and chromitites suggests that the oceanic mantle may be a more significant carbon reservoir than previously thought. These ophiolite-hosted diamonds have proved that surface carbon can be subducted into the deep mantle, and have provided us with a new window for probing deep carbon cycling.

Petrology and Geochemistry of the Dangqiong Ophiolite, Western Yarlung‐Zangbo Suture Zone, Tibet, China

The Dangqiong ophiolite, the largest in the western segment of the Yarlung‐Zangbo Suture Zone (YZSZ) ophiolite belt in southern Tibet, consists of discontinuous mantle peridotite and intrusive mafic rocks. The former is composed dominantly of harzburgite, with minor dunite, locally lherzolite and some dunite containing lenses and veins of chromitite. The latter, mafic dykes (gabbro and diabase dykes), occur mainly in the southern part. This study carried out geochemical analysis on both rocks. The results show that the mantle peridotite has Fo values in olivine from 89.92 to 91.63 and is characterized by low aluminum contents (1.5–4.66 wt%) and high Mg# values (91.06–94.53) of clinopyroxene. Most spinels in the Dangqiong peridotites have typical Mg# values ranging from 61.07 to 72.52, with corresponding Cr# values ranging from 17.67 to 31.66, and have TiO2 contents from 0 to 0.09%, indicating only a low degree of partial melting (10–15%). The olivine‐spinel equilibrium and spinel chemistry of the Dangqiong peridotites suggest that they originated deeper mantle (&gt;20 kbar). The gabbro dykes show N‐MORB‐type patterns of REE and trace elements. The presence of amphibole in the Dangqiong gabbro suggests the late‐stage alteration of subduction‐derived fluids. All the lherzolites and harzburgites in Dangqiong have similar distribution patterns of REE and trace elements, the mineral chemistry in the harzburgites and lherzolites indicates compositions similar to those of abyssal and forearc peridotites, suggesting that the ophiolite in Dangqiong formed in a MOR environment and then was modified by late‐stage melts and fluids in a suprasubduction zone (SSZ) setting. This formation process is consistent with that of the Luobusa ophiolite in the eastern Yarlung‐Zangbo Suture Zone and Purang ophiolite in the western Yarlung‐Zangbo Suture Zone.

Modification of mantle rocks by plastic flow below spreading centers: Fe isotopic and fabric evidence from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet

Abstract Combined Fe isotopic and olivine fabric analyses have been conducted on the nodular chromitites from the Luobusa ophiolite, Tibet, to study the physico-chemical effects of plastic flow in modifying chromitites and their associated mantle peridotites below spreading centers. The Luobusa nodular chromitites are generally composed of fresh dunitic matrices and well-aligned chromite nodules. Olivine grains in both the dunitic matrices and chromite nodules underwent pressure solution, and those in the dunitic matrices have prevalent Fe-rich stripes parallel to their kink bands and sometimes show lattice dislocation-induced preferred orientations of (1 0 0). Chromite grains in the chromite nodules have Cr# ∼ 75–80 and δ56Fe values from −0.122 to 0.067. The Fo and δ56Fe values of olivine in the dunitic matrices vary from 96 to 99 and 0.165 to 0.294, respectively, distinguishably higher than those of olivine in ordinary ophiolitic dunites (mostly 90–95 and 0.050–0.150). The calculated Mg-Fe exchange temperatures between olivine in the dunitic matrices and chromite in the chromite nodules range from 700 to 900 °C, overall higher than those for ordinary dunites and chromitites (∼600–800 °C). Combined with numerical modeling of diffusion of Fe in olivine, our study reveals that the abnormally high Fo and δ56Fe values of olivine in the dunitic matrices of nodular chromitites were not controlled by their parental magmas but caused by significant loss of Fe from olivine under subsolidus conditions. Intensive plastic deformation in nodular chromitites largely promoted the migration of Fe from olivine and facilitated the Mg-Fe exchange between the chromite nodules and dunitic matrices, maximizing the Fo and δ56Fe values of olivine. However, such an effect is expected to be negligible in chromite-barren dunites and harzburgites because such rocks do not have enough chromite to generate effective chemical-potential gradients for Fe migration. The high Fo values of olivine in nodular and massive chromitites require fast cooling rates (∼0.05–0.1 °C/yr) in the surrounding mantle, consistent with settings below intermediate-fast spreading ridges. Boudinization of small chromitite bodies in less competent dunites under 900–1200 °C is a potential mechanism for generating the nodular texture, also accounting for the en-echelon or bead-like occurrences of chromitite bodies in ophiolites. Effective mantle flow below spreading centers plays an important role in shaping the textures and compositions of mantle rocks, explaining the absence of deformation-related nodular chromitites in layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions.

Fabrics and water contents of peridotites in the Neotethyan Luobusa ophiolite, southern Tibet: implications for mantle recycling in supra-subduction zones

The preservation of ultra-high-pressure and super-reducing phases in the Neotethyan Luobusa ophiolite in Tibet suggests their deep origin near the mantle transition zone. Dunite and harzburgite core samples from the Luobusa Scientific Drilling Project show supra-subduction zone geochemical signatures and equilibration temperatures of c. 950–1080°C. Olivine shows A-, B-, C- and E-type fabrics, and combinations of A- and E-type or B- and E-type fabrics. Transmission electron microscopy observations show straight dislocations and the activation of multiple slip systems [100](010), [001](010), [001](100) and [100](001) in olivine. The mean water content in olivine, orthopyroxene (Opx) and clinopyroxene (Cpx) from 24 peridotite samples was 16 ± 5, 90 ± 21 and 492 ± 64 ppm, respectively, which is different from the water content of hydrated peridotites above the mantle wedge. The trace element compositions of Cpx exclude significant metasomatism after melt extraction. The high hydrogen partition coefficient between Cpx and Opx ( D H Cpx/Opx = 5.56 ± 0.96) implies equilibrium at high pressures and rapid exhumation. Based on deformation experiments, the B- and C-type fabrics could be formed in a subduction zone at depths &gt;200 km, whereas the A- and E-type fabrics were produced in the shallow mantle. In a process triggered by slab rollback, the Luobusa peridotites may have been rapidly exhumed within a subduction channel and mixed with the lithospheric mantle of the forearc. Supplementary material: Major oxide contents in Opx, Cpx and spinel, trace element concentration in Cpx, micrographs and TEM images of peridotite are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4307828 Thematic collection: This article is part of the ‘Tethyan ophiolites and Tethyan seaways collection’ available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/tethyan-ophiolites-and-tethyan-seaways