Maimecha-Kotui Province Research Articles

Platinum-rhenium-osmium isotope systematics of chromitite and native osmium from the Guli Massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province, Russia)

To gain insight into the source of ore material, this study presents the first Re-Os and Pt-Os isotopic and highly siderophile element (HSE) abundance data for chromitite and osmium minerals from the Guli massif of ultramafic, alkaline rocks and carbonatites located in the Maimecha-Kotui province, Polar Siberia. The study utilized a number of analytical techniques, including electron microprobe analysis, negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (N-TIMS) and high pressure asher digestion and an isotope dilution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The HSE concentrations in chromitite samples range from 191 to 866 ppb with a predominance of Ir-group platinum-group elements (PGE) (Os, Ir and Ru) over Pt-group PGE (Rh, Pt and Pd) and Re, which is consistent with their platinum-group mineral control (i. e., Os-Ir alloys and laurite, RuS2) within the chromitite. The Re-Os and Pt-Os isotope data indicate that the HSE budget of the chromitite and osmium minerals from the Guli massif was largely controlled by that of the mantle source, which evolved with long-term near-chondritic Re/Os and Pt/Os ratios; this source is within the range of those for the majority of komatiite and abyssal peridotite sources.

Platinum–Rhenium–Osmium Isotope Systematics of Chromitites and Native Osmium of the Guli Massif, Maimecha–Kotui Province, Russia

Platinum–Rhenium–Osmium Isotope Systematics of Chromitites and Native Osmium of the Guli Massif, Maimecha–Kotui Province, Russia

Sr–Nd Isotopic Evidence of a Heterogeneous Magmatic Source of Alkaline–Carbonatite Rocks of the Odikhincha Alkaline–Carbonatite Massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province, Siberia)

This study focuses on the igneous rocks composing the Odikhincha massif. The massif is typical ring alkaline–ultrabasic massif with carbonatites, second largest in the Maimecha-Kotui province. The Sr-Nd isotopic values of the traps of the Arydzhang Formation and the host dolomites were also determined for comparison. The Rb–Sr isotope system of phlogopite and calcite from the Od-16-19 carbonatite of the Odikhincha massif is disturbed; the obtained age on the mineral isochrone (245 ± 3 Ma) is close to the time of formation of the Siberian traps and rocks of the ultrabasic–alkaline Maimecha-Kotui complex, but the large scatter of analytical points (MSWD = 22) does not allow this date to be considered as reliable. The disturbance of the isotope system is probably related to the fact that the strontium isotope ratio in the fluid was not constant during autometasomatic phlogopitization of carbonatite. The U–Pb isotopic system of titanite and perovskite from the same carbonatite sample Od-16-19 also appeared to be disturbed, since data points formed discordia. The U–Pb age obtained for titanite and perovskite are 244 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 1.8) and 247 ± 18 Ma (MSWD = 4), respectively. Apparently, the age values provided by the two isotopic systems (245 ± 3 Ma by Rb–Sr and 247 ± 18 and 244 ± 5 Ma by U–Pb) are consistent with each other and reflect the time of metasomatic processes, i.e., phlogopitization and iolitization. Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotope data for ultrabasic–alkaline intrusive rocks with carbonatites of the Odikhincha massif and volcanics of the Arydzhang Formation indicate an enriched, relative to the composition of the convecting mantle, isotopically heterogeneous source of their parent melts. This source could be a combination of ultrabasic mantle rocks and rocks of basic composition (basites). The latter played the role of an enriched component. No signs of contamination of the melts with the host sedimentary rocks in situ were found, however, variations of Sr and Nd isotopic ratios in the rocks of the Odikhincha massif may indicate that during the introduction of deep magmas their interaction and substance exchange with the surrounding rocks of the lithosphere continued up to complete solidification of the melts, as indicated by the nature of local isotopic heterogeneity within the Odikhincha intrusion.

Sr–Nd Isotopic Evidence of a Heterogeneous Magmatic Source of Alkaline–Carbonatite Rocks of the Odikhincha Alkaline–Carbonatite Massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province, Siberia)

This study focuses on the igneous rocks composing the Odikhincha massif. The massif is typical ring alkaline–ultrabasic massif with carbonatites, second largest in the Maimecha-Kotui province. The Sr-Nd isotopic values of the traps of the Arydzhang Formation and the host dolomites were also determined for comparison. The Rb–Sr isotope system of phlogopite and calcite from the Od-16-19 carbonatite of the Odikhincha massif is disturbed; the obtained age on the mineral isochrone (245 ± 3 Ma) is close to the time of formation of the Siberian traps and rocks of the ultrabasic–alkaline Maimecha-Kotui complex, but the large scatter of analytical points (MSWD = 22) does not allow this date to be considered as reliable. The disturbance of the isotope system is probably related to the fact that the strontium isotope ratio in the fluid was not constant during autometasomatic phlogopitization of carbonatite. The U–Pb isotopic system of titanite and perovskite from the same carbonatite sample Od-16-19 also appeared to be disturbed, since data points formed discordia. The U–Pb age obtained for titanite and perovskite are 244 ± 5 Ma (MSWD = 1.8) and 247 ± 18 Ma (MSWD = 4), respectively. Apparently, the age values provided by the two isotopic systems (245 ± 3 Ma by Rb–Sr and 247 ± 18 and 244 ± 5 Ma by U–Pb) are consistent with each other and reflect the time of metasomatic processes, i.e., phlogopitization and iolitization. Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotope data for ultrabasic–alkaline intrusive rocks with carbonatites of the Odikhincha massif and volcanics of the Arydzhang Formation indicate an enriched, relative to the composition of the convecting mantle, isotopically heterogeneous source of their parent melts. This source could be a combination of ultrabasic mantle rocks and rocks of basic composition (basites). The latter played the role of an enriched component. No signs of contamination of the melts with the host sedimentary rocks in situ were found, however, variations of Sr and Nd isotopic ratios in the rocks of the Odikhincha massif may indicate that during the introduction of deep magmas their interaction and substance exchange with the surrounding rocks of the lithosphere continued up to complete solidification of the melts, as indicated by the nature of local isotopic heterogeneity within the Odikhincha intrusion.

Sulfur Isotope Composition of Ru–Os Sulfides from the Guli Massif, Maimecha-Kotui Province, Russia: First Results

Sulfur Isotope Composition of Ru–Os Sulfides from the Guli Massif, Maimecha-Kotui Province, Russia: First Results

Physicochemical Parameters of Ultrabasic Magmatic Systems of the Northeastern Siberian Platform (Data on Melt Inclusions in Chromian Spinel)

Abstract —Experimental studies and analysis of silicate inclusions testify to the magmatic genesis of part of chromian spinel from the Triassic deposits of the northeastern Siberian Platform. The compositions of melt inclusions in the chromian spinel show the participation of alkaline (potassic) magmas in their crystallization. Most data indicate the presence of magmatic systems similar to melts in the Guli ultrabasic massif in the northern Siberian Platform. Studies of the distribution of trace and rare-earth elements in the melt inclusions show the existence of several magmatic systems. These are, first of all, magmas that formed Guli-type ultrabasic massifs and gave rise to meimechites and picrites in the Maimecha–Kotui province. There are also plume-related magmatic systems with kimberlites, lamprophyres, and/or other continental “hot spots”. The composition of the melt inclusions suggests the existence of several types of the primary sources of chromian spinel in the northeastern Siberian Platform, which confirms the earlier data on the heterogeneous composition of the deposits of the diamondiferous Carnian (Upper Triassic) Stage. Applying computer modeling with the well-known COMAGMAT, PETROLOG, and WinPLtb programs as well as the Ol–Sp geothermometers based on the melt inclusions in chromian spinel from the Triassic deposits of the northeastern Siberian Platform, we have determined the P–T conditions of crystallization of minerals in the igneous rocks being the sources of the examined chromites. The temperature of liquidus crystallization of chromian spinel is 1324–1275 ºC. The P–T conditions of formation of olivine and clinopyroxene inclusions in it are estimated at ca. 4.5–4.1 kbar, 1510–1150 ºC and 3.2–1.0 kbar, 1285–1200 ºC, respectively.

Evolution of parental melts of alkali ultrabasic intrusive massives of Maimecha-Kotui Province (Polar Siberia)

Computational modeling based on data on the compositions of melt inclusions in chrome-spinelids using the COMAGMAT [12] and PETROLOG [11] programs indicates the similarity of the parent melt of meimechites [4] with the picritic magma of the Gulinsky massif. Experimental data on the inclusions confirm this conclusion, showing the reliability of the actually calculated trends in the fractionation of ultrabasic melts. In general, the calculations showed that the crystallization of olivine from the high-magnesium pyrite melt occurred in the temperature range of 1510–1260 ° C, mainly at a pressure of 6–7 kbar. At the same time, the melt evolves and approaches its composition to olivine basalt, from which, starting from 1200 ° C, clinopyroxene mainly crystallizes with enrichment of the residual melt with alkalis, rare and rare-earth elements. The similarity of the compositions of the parental melts for meimechites and Gulinsky pluton rocks and the proximity of P – T parameters of their evolution indicates a possible genetic relationship of these magmatic formations.

Hafnium–Neodymium Isotope Systematics of Carbonatites from the Guli Massif (Maimecha–Kotui Province, Russia)

This work presents new data on the Hf-isotope systematics of baddeleyite and the Nd-isotope compositions of calcite carbonatites of the Guli massif, located within the Maimecha–Kotui province. The Hf–Nd isotope signatures of carbonatites (eHf ~ 10.4, eNd ~ 5.8) indicate that depleted mantle material was involved during magma generation. The application of the Hf–Nd isotope systematics provided an essential tracer for the depleted mantle contribution into the source of carbonatites from the Guli Massif.

Specifics of geological composition, geochemistry and geochronology of rocks from the Kresty alkaline-ultrabasic massif (Maimecha-Kotui province, Polar Siberia)

In this work, we demonstrate new data that allows us to accurate geochronological ranges of formation of the Kresty alkaline-ultrabasic massif, which is considered to be a satellite of the Gulinian giant pluton. We also interpreted geological, geochemical and isotope-geochemical data obtained earlier for major varieties of this volcanic-plutonic association taking into account new geochronological results, as well as considered new aspects/information on matter source of alkaline-ultrabasic massifs from this province. One of the main aspects is interaction of Siberian super plume matter with hosting substrate of Siberian craton continental crust.

Petrology of foiditic and meymechitic volcanism in the Maimecha-Kotui province (Polar Siberia)

Comparative analysis of ultramafic meymechites of the Maimecha Suite and alkaline volcanics of the Ary-Dzhang Suite (foidites (nephelinites, analcimites, limburgites, etc.) and melilitites) has shown their consanguinity, which indicates their relationship with the same magmatic system periodically producing large amounts of alkaline ultramafic melts. We have studied the petrogeochemical and mineralogical compositions of rocks and melt inclusions in the hosted olivines. The rocks of the Maimecha and Ary-Dzhang Suite differ considerably in MgO content, which is well explained by the accumulation of olivine. The inclusions in olivines from the meymechites and the rocks of the Ary-Dzhang Suite correspond in composition to foidites. The trace and rare-earth element patterns are similar both in the foidites and meymechites and in the melt inclusions: They show negative anomalies of Rb and K and positive anomalies of Nb and Ta. The ratios of indicator elements (Nb/Ta, Ba/La, Ta/La, etc.) in the rocks of the Maimecha and Ary-Dzhang Suite are constant and almost independent of their Mg# values. The La/Yb ratio in the foidites is significantly higher than that in the meymechites and in the melt inclusions from their olivines, which indicates that the rocks of the Ary-Dzhang Suite resulted from the fractionation of highly magnesian alkaline picritoid melt.

Nature of voluminous meimechite–picrite associations in Siberia and other regions

Analysis of petrochemical and geochemical information of the same levels, which characterize rocks and primary melt inclusions in olivines of heterochronic meimechite–picrite associations in Siberia (Maimecha–Kotui province), Primorye (Sikhote–Alin), and Kamchatka demonstrated that, besides the similar appearance and identical structural patterns, they are considerably discrepant in the concentration and distribution of incompatible and rare earth elements. Those differences are also observed for the compositions and evolutionary trends of parental high-temperature magnesium-rich melts. This, in turn, was assumed to be a consequence of a variable degree of melting of the mantle protoliths in the mentioned regions, which is supported by geochemical modeling.

Genesis of apatite ores of the Magan massif (northern East Siberia)

Having applied the methods of comprehensive melt inclusion studies, we elucidated the formation conditions for one of the largest apatite deposits in the Maimecha–Kotui province, located in the exocontact zone of the Magan alkaline ultramafic carbonatite massif, in apoquartzite fenite-aegirinites. We examined the most P-enriched exocontact nepheline-containing aegirinites and ijolite veins in them. In veined ijiolite, primary silicate–salt melt inclusions in nepheline and syngenetic primary silicate, alkali sulfate–carbonate, and carbonate melt inclusions in apatite were found. Primary alkali sulfate–carbonate melt inclusions were also identified in apatite from exocontact nepheline-containing aegirinites. Detailed analysis of the inclusions showed that nepheline of the apatite-containing ijolite veins crystallized at 1100–1120 °C from homogeneous nephelinite melt, which was enriched in SO3, Cl, CO2, and H2O and locally contaminated with quartz sandstones and quartzites. At lower temperatures (either at the final stages of nepheline crystallization or at the early stages of apatite formation), the melt was already heterogeneous (probably, because of immiscibility) and consisted of more Si-saturated, alkali sulfate–carbonate, and carbonate fractions. Apatite crystallized mainly from separated alkali sulfate–carbonate melts: at 1080–980 °C in veined ijolites and at 940–760 °C in aegirinites. Alkali sulfate–carbonate melts in veined ijolites were enriched in SO3 but depleted in P as compared with those in aegirinites. At the final stage, apatite crystallized from P-poor carbonate melts.

Results of dating of thorianite and baddeleyite from carbonatites of the Guli massif, Russia

The isotopic–geochronological features of thorianite and baddeleyite from carbonatites of the Guli massif, located within Maimecha–Kotui province in the north of the Siberian Platform, are characterized for the first time. The economic complex platinum-group element (PGE) and gold placer deposits are closely related to the Guli massif. Similar geochronological data for thorianite (250.1 ± 2.9 Ma, MSWD = 0.09, n = 36) and baddeleyite (250.8 ± 1.2 Ma, MSWD = 0.2, n = 6) obtained by two different methods indicate that carbonatites were formed close to the Permian–Triassic boundary and are synchronous with tholeiitic flood basalts of the Siberian Platform.

Meimechite-picrite associations in Siberia, Primorye, and Kamchatka (comparative analysis and petrogenesis)

Analysis of petrochemical and geochemical information on rocks and primary melt inclusions from olivines of meimechite–picrite associations of different ages in Siberia (Maimecha-Kotui province), Primorye (Sikhote-Alin), and Kamchatka was made. It showed that the rocks, despite their similar appearance and identical structural patterns, differ considerably in the contents and distribution of incompatible and rare-earth elements and in the composition and evolution trends of parental high-temperature highly magnesian melts.

Magnetic stratigraphy of the Permian-Triassic traps in the Kotui River valley (Siberian Platform): New paleomagnetic data

The Permian-Triassic effusive traps in the Kotui River valley (Siberian Platform) were studied in detail by a paleomagnetic method, resulting in a summarized magnetic stratigraphic section of the studied sequence. The presence of the reversed polarity zone corresponding to the Khardakh Formation was argued for the section basement. Inside the Kogotok Group, the boundary between the direct and reversed polarity zones occurs in the lower part of the Onkuchak Formation and mismatches the boundary between the formations of the Kogotok Group, as was accepted before. These results contradict the presence of the transition record between the direct and reversed polarity zones in basalts of the lower part of the Onkuhcak Formation. The strong transitional interval between the Ivakinsk Formation and the upper parts of the Nadezhda Formation of the Norilsk section has no analogs in the Kotui section. This means the absence of any significant volcanic activity in the Maimecha-Kotui province during the intense eruptions in the Norilsk region resulting in origination of the greater part of the lower formations of the trap sequence. These data and possible correlations of the traps of the Kotui River valley and Norilsk region indicate that the Norilsk and Maimecha-Kotui sections were temporally overlapped.

High-Ba mica in olivinites of the Guli massif (Maimecha–Kotui province, Siberia)

High-Ba (~11 wt.% BaO) phlogopite was found for the first time in olivinites of the Guli intrusion in the Maimecha–Kotui province of ultrabasic alkaline rocks and carbonatites. The high-Ba mica occurs in assemblage with a paragenesis of olivinite minerals—clinopyroxene, titanomagnetite, apatite, and ilmenite. High-Ba mica is an early phlogopite generation. Its magmatic crystallization led to a decrease in Ba content. Low-Ba mica is a late phlogopite generation. The high Ba/K ratios at the early stages of evolution of a mantle magmatic system are necessary for the formation of high-Ba minerals and point to magma formation at great depths and the contribution of mantle metasomatism to the geochemical characteristics of parental magmas.

Oxygen potential and PGE geochemistry of alkaline-ultramafic complexes

At the oxygen fugacity characteristic of meimechite and olivine-bearing rocks of the Maimecha-Kotui province, sulfides are unstable at the magmatic stage, and metallic alloys are the main mode of PGE occurrence in these magmas. The estimated PGE contents in olivine aggregates of meimechite are close to the average PGE composition of dunite in the Guli massif. The nano-sized inclusions of metallic alloy are the most probable mode of PGE occurrence in meimechite. The formation of sufficiently large metallic PGE grains may be a result of mixing of partly fractionated melt with a new portion of primitive magma, as was suggested during interpretation of chromite lodes.

Contrasting platinum-group mineral assemblages from chromitites of the Nizhny Tagil and Guli massifs (Russia): Implications for composition, sources and age

The Nizhny Tagil and Guli clinopyroxenite-dunite massifs, located in the Middle Urals and Maimecha-Kotui Province, respectively, are associated with world-class platinum-group elements (PGE) placer deposits. Both massifs contain small bodies of schlieren to massive chromitite associated with dunite. The predominance of Pt-Fe alloys at Nizhny Tagil is consistnt with the whole-rock “M”-shaped mantle-normalized PGE pattern of the chromitite. In contrast, the preponderance of laurite and Os-Ir alloys at Guli is consistent with a negatively sloped PGE pattern, the latter being characteristic of ophiolite-type podiform chromitites. The ‘unradiogenic’ 187Os/188Os values obtained for both platinum-group minerals (PGM) and chromitite are indicative of a common near-to-chondritic source for the PGE and implies that the osmium isotope budget of chromitite is largely controlled by laurite and Os-rich alloy. Average model 187Os/188Os ages calculated for the Nizhny Tagil and Guli massifs correspond to the late Riphean (e.g., 862 ± 48 Ma and 616 ± 8 Ma, respectively). The compositional and isotope-geochemical results provide new constraints on the temporal evolution of ultramafic rocks of the Uralian Platinum Belt and northern segment of the Siberian Platform.

Chemical composition of platinum-group minerals from the Bor-Uryakh massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province, Russia)

This contribution firstly presents particularities of mineral chemistry of platinum-group elements (PGE) mineralization from placer deposits linked to the Bor-Uryakh massif of the Maimecha-Kotui Province, northern part of the Siberian Craton. The chemical composition of PGE mineralization has been studied by electron microprobe analysis. At Bor-Uryakh, main platinum-group minerals (PGM) comprise Os-Ir and Pt-Fe alloys represented by individual crystals, and polyphase PGM assemblages. The majority (e.g., 12 out of 19) of the Os-rich nuggets are iridian osmium, with subordinate amounts of native osmium (Os) and chengdeite (Ir3Fe). Pt-Fe alloys have a stoichiometric composition close to Pt2Fe. According to the nomen-clature by L. Cabri and C. Feather [1975] these minerals correspond to ferroan platinum. Based on geological position and geochemical features of investigated PGE mineralization the particular rock sources have been established. This study has demonstrated the similarity of chemical characteristics of Os-Ir and Pt-Fe alloys of the Bor-Uryakh massif to those of PGM from the Guli massif (Maimecha-Kotui Province), platiniferous zoned-type ultramafic massifs (e.g., Kondyor, Inagli and Chad) of the Aldan Province and Platinum belt of the Urals (Nizhny Tagil, Kytlym, etc.).

Initial Os-isotopic composition of Os-Ir-Ru alloys from ultramafic massifs of the Polar Siberia

This study firstly presents chemical and initial Os-isotopic compositions of Os-Ir-Ru minerals of two ultramafic formations of Polar Siberia, which are exemplified by Guli clinopyroxene-dunite massif of the Maimecha-Kotui Province and the Kunar dunite-harzburgite massif from the Chelyuskin ultramafic belt of the Taimyr Peninsula. The study employed a range of methods, including electron microprobe analysis, negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (N-TIMS) and laser ablation attached to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA MC-ICP-MS). The majority of platinum-group minerals (PGM) from the Guli massif are Os-(Ir-Ru) solid solutions or Os-rich minerals. At Kunar, minerals of Ru-Os-Ir system (i.e., osmium, ruthenium, iridium and rutheniridosmine) dominate the PGM assemblage. The ruthenium trend in the mineral compositions is due to the formation of these minerals under high pressures and temperatures at considerable depths. The 187Os/188Os values of Os-rich minerals from the Guli massif range from 0.12309 ± 0.00002 to 0.12606 ± 0.00003 (n = 168). The initial Os-isotopic composition of PGM from the central block of the Guli massif is characterized by the 187Os/188Os values, varying in the range 0.12404–0.12606. Osmiumrich minerals from the southwestern block of the Guli massif are characterized by the least “radiogenic” 187Os/188Os values (i.e., 0.12309–0.12341). Low relative to the chondritic universal reservoir (CHUR) 187Os/188Os values are indicative of a near-to-chondritic source of platinum-group elements (PGE). The most “productive” stage of PGM formation at Guli (n = 121) is recorded in the time interval of 545–615 Ma. The older model 187Os/188Os ages of osmium minerals are characteristic of the southwestern block of the Guli massif (e.g., 745–760 Ma). The results of the initial Os-isotopic composition for Os-rich alloys are consistent with a model, in which PGM were formed during multi-stage melt depletion events in the mantle. This agrees well with the suggestion that the Guli massif consists of heterogeneous blocks of ultramafic rocks. The 187Os/188Os ratio in the investigated PGM from the Kunar massif varies in a wider range (0.1094–0.1241, n = 28). For the dominant set of PGM samples (n = 25), regardless of their chemical composition, four groups of the initial osmium isotopic compositions can be estimated, with average 187Os/188Os values of 0.1217 ± 0.0002 (n = 7), 0.1223 ± 0.0002 (n = 7), 0.1230 ± 0.0002 (n = 6) and 0.1238 ± 0.0003 (n = 6), respectively. The average model Re-Os ages for the defined groups of the Kunar massif are consistent with Late Riphean age interval (e.g., 975 ± 42 Ma, 892 ± 42 Ma, 791 ± 28 Ma and 681 ± 42 Ma, respectively). Significant variations in the 187Os/188Os values and model ages for Ru-Os-Ir alloys at Kunar are close to those from other duniteharzburgite massifs of the Earth, pointing out for their prolonged multi-stage evolution within the upper mantle.