Nepheline Syenite Research Articles

A Pb isotope investigation of the Lovozero Agpaitic Nepheline Syenite, Kola Peninsula, Russia

For the first time Pb isotope composition was established in Lovozero rocks and raremetal ores, which is important for identifying their sources. The world’s largest layered intrusion of agpaitic nepheline syenite-the Lovozero alkaline massif—is located near the center of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. This superlarge complex plutonic body hosts the economically important loparite and eudiallyte deposits [1]. These deposits contain immense resources of REE, Nb, Ta, Zr, and constitute a world class mineral district. The Lovozero massif belongs to the Kola ultramafic alkaline and carbonatitic province (KACP) of Devonian age. Previous bulk rock studies have shown that the initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios of Lovozero rocks plot in the depleted mantle quadrant of Sr-Nd diagrams [2]. More recently, Hf isotope data obtained by Kogarko et al. (3) confirm that the Lovozero and Khibina massifs with ɛHf between 6 and 8 are derived predominantly from a depleted mantle source. It was shown that Sr, Nd, and Hf abundances are significantly elevated in the Kola alkaline rocks, and thus their isotopic compositions are relatively insensitive to minor contamination by the overlying crustal rocks. By contrast, Pb in the KACP rocks is a much more sensitive indicator of a crustal component. In this paper we investigate the lead isotopic signature of all resentative types of Lovozero rocks (Table 1) in order to further characterize their mantle sources. The Lovozero massif consists of four intrusive phases. Rocks of phase I (mostly nepheline syenites) comprise about 5% of the total volume, phase II (urtites, foyaite, lujavrites) forms the main portion of the massif comprising 77% in volume, and phase III (eudialyte lujavrites) contributes about 18%. Country rocks are represented by Devonian effusive rocks and Archean gneisses.

SHRIMP U-Pb and U-Pb Laser Ablation Geochronological on Zircons from Monte Santo Alkaline Intrusive Suite, Westhern Araguaia Belt, Tocantins State, Brazil

The Monte Santo Alkaline Intrusive Suite (MSAIS) is an association syenite foid, nepheline syenite and syenite, which are intruded in metapelites of the Rio do Coco meta-volcanic-sedimentary Sequence, presenting abundant pegmathoid veins cutting all of them. The ages obtained by Shrimp (1051 ± 22 Ma, 1048 ± 11 Ma) are very close those younger age obtained by U-Pb laser ablation (1056 ± 21), beeing interpreted as crystallization age. These dating reveal also that MSAIS rocks were affected by common succession of younger events below 550 Ma ago, responsible by the later rocky bodies of varying composition occurring in the region, including the alkaline pegmatites hosted in the nepheline syenite of the MSAIS.

Interpretation of Gravity Anomalies by Multi-Scale Evaluation of Maxima of Gradients and 3D Modelling in Bipindi Region (South-West Cameroon)

The gravity maps display, in Bipindi zone, local oval culminations of low anomalies indicative of a presence of intrusive light body in a subsurface but the nature, the form and the position of this body are still unknown. The analyses of established gravimetric anomaly maps, the multi-scale evaluation of maxima of gradients and the quantitative interpretation of residual anomalies by 3D modelling permit characterizing the intrusive light body situated at Bipindi. The multi-scale evaluation of maxima of gradients shows that the modelling of the intrusive light body of Bipindi can be done without the problem of interference of anomalies from different sources. The 3D model of Bipindi zone shows two dissymmetrical blocks of the same type of rock with a density contrast of -0.095 g·cm-3 in comparison with the density of the surrounding metamorphic rocks. The two blocks are at a distance about 3 km from one to another. The upper surfaces of these blocks lie at a depth between 1 and 2 km. Their lower surfaces have two landings; one lies at a depth of about 8 km and another at a depth about 14 km. A consideration of the density of the modelled body, of the ranges of densities of specific rocks present in the general region indicates that the body may be composed of nepheline syenites. The intrusive body of Bipindi is situated in a senestral shear zone. The area situated between the two blocks of this intrusive body may be indicated for a detail study in the domain of mineral research.

Rinkite, cerianite-(Ce), and hingganite-(Ce) in syenite gneisses from the Sushina Hill Complex, India: occurrence, compositional data and petrogenetic significance

AbstractAccessory rare earth element (REE) minerals occur in small quantities in agpaitic and miaskitic nepheline syenite gneisses of the Sushina Hill Complex, India. TheREE-rich minerals restricted mainly to the agpaitic rocks are rinkite, cerianite-(Ce), and cerian thorite. Rinkite, formed at the ortho-magmatic stage predates otherREE-rich phases and is the most Nd-F-rich rinkite (6.62–7.45 wt.% Nd2O3; 8.75–9.74 wt.% F) with very high Nd/Ce (>2.46) ratios reported to date. Hydrothermal cerianite-(Ce), formed by the decomposition of eudialyte in the agpaitic rocks, occurs as small rounded crystals rich in Ce (∼63–74 wt.% CeO2) and Y (6.03–11.69 wt.% Y2O3). The presence of cerianite-(Ce) indicates formation in an evolving hydrothermal fluid in an oxidizing milieu. Hingganite-(Ce) is present in the miaskitic unit and is considered to represent the superposition of an agpaitic mineral on an initial miaskitic assemblage. Hingganite-(Ce) is characterized by elevated contents of Ce (18.03–21.94 wt.% Ce2O3), and Nd (13.90–15.40 wt.% Nd2O3). Experimental data, coupled with the observed assemblage, suggest that the hingganite-(Ce) precipitated from the hydrothermal fluid between 400 and 300°C followed by cerianite-(Ce) (<∼300°C). This conclusion implies that eudialyte decomposition was probably initiated above 400°C.

Shrinkage prediction during non-isothermal sintering in the presence liquid phase: New kinetic model, Part I

The thermal behavior of porcelain stoneware compositions during the sintering was investigated by hot stage microscopy, HSM, and dilatometric tests. The experiments were carried out with a commercial porcelain stoneware composition as a reference, STD, and a modified composition in which 10.0wt.% of potassium-feldspar in STD mix was replaced with the same content of nepheline syenite. In order to evaluate the effect of technical factors on shrinkage, the specimens were prepared at different milling time and forming pressures. According to HSM results, the increment in milling time of modified composition causes the improvement in dimensional stability. Also, the non-isothermal variation in shrinkage is accurately described by a new semi-theoretical model. The value of dimensionless factor, m, shows that the diffusion mechanism is a function of milling time and the forming pressure cannot change dimensionless factor. The model successfully predicted the shrinkage of bodies sintered in presence liquid phase.

Tectono-magmatic evolution of the younger Gardar southern rift, South Greenland

The 1300–1140 Ma Gardar period in South Greenland involved continental rifting, sedimentation and alkaline magmatism. The latest magmatism was located along two parallel rift zones, Isortoq–Nunarsuit in the north and the Tuttutooq–Ilimmaasaq–Narsarsuaq zone in the south addressed here. The intrusive rocks crystallised at a depth of troctolitic gabbros. These relatively reduced magmas evolved through marked iron enrichment to alkaline salic differentiates. In the Older giant dyke complex, undersaturated augite syenites grade into sodalite foyaite. The larger, c. 1163 Ma Younger giant dyke complex (YGDC) mainly consists of structureless troctolite with localised developments of layered cumulates. A layered pluton (Klokken) is considered to be coeval and presumably comagmatic with the YGDC. At the unconformity between the Ketilidian basement and Gardar rift deposits, the YGDC expanded into a gabbroic lopolith. Its magma may represent a sample from a great, underplated mafic magma reservoir, parental to all the salic alkaline rocks in the southern rift. The bulk of these are silica undersaturated; oversaturated differentiates are probably products of combined fractional crystallisation and crustal assimilation.
 A major dyke swarm 1–15 km broad was intruded during declining crustal extension, with decreasing dyke widths and increasing differentiation over time. Intersection of the dyke swarm and E–W-trending sinistral faults controlled the emplacement of at least three central complexes (Narssaq, South Qôroq and early Igdlerfigssalik). Three post-extensional complexes (Tugtutôq, Ilímaussaq and late Igdlerfigssalik) along the former rift mark the end of magmatism at c. 1140 Ma. The latter two complexes have oblate plans reflecting ductile, fault-related strain. The Tugtutôq complex comprises quartz syenites and alkali granites. The Ilímaussaq complex mainly consists of nepheline syenite crystallised from highly reduced, Fe-rich phonolitic peralkaline (agpaitic) magma, and resulted in rocks with very high incompatible element concentrations.
 Abundant anorthositic xenoliths in the mafic and intermediate intrusions point to a large anorthosite protolith at depth which is considered of critical importance in the petrogenesis of the salic rocks. Small intrusions of aillikite and carbonatite may represent remobilised mantle metasomites. The petrological similarity between Older and Younger Gardar suites implies strong lithospheric control of their petrogenesis. The parental magmas are inferred to have been derived from restitic Ketilidian lithospheric mantle, metasomatised by melts from subducting Ketilidian oceanic crust and by small-scale melt fractions associated with Gardar rifting.
 There are numerous analogies between the southern Gardar rift and the Palaeogene East African rift.

Leucocratic magmatic melts with the maximum fluorine concentrations: Experiment and relations in nature

Experimental data indicate that high F concentrations in leucocratic aluminosilicate melts (of granite and nepheline syenite composition) bring about the crystallization of F-rich minerals (topaz, villiaumite, and cryolite) on the liquidus. The crystallization of the minerals is controlled by the silicity, agpaitic coefficient, and proportions of alkalis in the system SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-K2O-F-H2O. Our earlier experimental data on this system are compared with petrographic and petrochemical data on granites and nepheline syenites containing accessory topaz, cryolite, and villiaumite. The composition of topaz- and cryolite-bearing rocks is proved to correspond to the experimentally established equilibrium fields of F-rich aluminosilicate melt with these minerals. It is proved that the high-F minerals can crystallize from melt. The partial substitution of K and Na for Li modifies phase relations in the system, first of all, significantly expands the equilibrium field of aluminosilicate melt and alkaline aluminofluoride melts. The two melts are proved to be immiscible within broad compositional ranges in the SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O-Li2O-F-H2O system at 800–650°C and 1 kbar. Experimental data indicate that fluoride brine can coexist with aluminosilicate melts in nature. This finds support data on melt inclusions in granites and alkaline rocks whose contents of major components, water and fluorine are close to those in the experimental glasses. Our data lend support to the hypothesis that large cryolite bodies at the Ivigtut, Pitinga, Ulog-Tanzek, and other deposits were formed by fluoride salt melts that separated from F-rich aluminosilicate magmas late in the course of their differentiation. It is experimentally established that fluoride salt melts are able to concentrate valuable trace elements, such as Li, W, Nb, Hf, Sc, U, Th, and REE, which suggests that such melts can play an important role in the origin of rare-metal deposits genetically related to rocks that crystallize from magmas rich in F.

Investigation of iron losses during desulphurisation of hot metal utilising nepheline syenite

Iron losses during calcium carbide based hot metal desulphurisation have been studied via large scale investigations of slag from the slag pit as well as slag sampling during desulphurisation at SSAB EMEA in Luleå. The desulphurisation slag, after injection of calcium carbide, is normally solid and contains large amounts of iron. An alkali containing mineral, nepheline syenite, was mixed together with the calcium carbide to form a more fluid slag as the iron losses originate from enclosed metal droplets in the slag as well as drawn off hot metal during slag skimming. The slag amount after slag skimming decreased from 28·1 to 25·1 kg t−1 hot metal with addition of 5 wt-% nepheline syenite to the calcium carbide, and the magnetic fraction of the slag from the slag pit decreased from 2·5 to 1·9%. Finally, no negative effect on the reagent efficiency was observed during the trials with addition of nepheline syenite.

THE GEOCHEMISTRY AND PETROGENESIS OF THE LATE CRETACEOUS ABU KHURUQ ALKALINE COMPLEX, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

The Late Cretaceous rocks of the Abu Khuruq ring complex (AKRC), exposed in the southern Eastern Desert, Egypt, comprise phonolite, trachyte, syenogabbro, essexite, nepheline syenite, and quartz syenite, as well as quartz- and nepheline-bearing pegmatites. The rocks of the complex are dominantly metaluminous and enriched in both large-ion lithophile (LIL) and high-field-strength (HFS) elements with a lack of a negative Nb anomaly. All rocks have high LREE content relative to HREE, show weak to steep fractionated REE patterns [5.6 n n n in the ranges 12.0–13.7 and 15.6–18.6, respectively]. They have relatively weakly fractionated HREE patterns [3.0 n n and Lu n values ( n n n in the range 0.5–1.1]. This marginal unit may well have been derived from the SiO 2 -undersaturated syenitic magma, but it was contaminated by crustal material.

Structure and petrology of Pan-African nepheline syenites from the South West Cameroon; Implications for their emplacement mode, petrogenesis and geodynamic significance

Three late-Neoproterozoic nepheline syenite intrusions crop out close to the late-Pan-African SW Cameroon shear zone, namely the Mont des Eléphants, Eboundja and Rocher du Loup intrusions. They are characterized by magmatic to solid-state deformation structures and microstructures. Their magmas were mainly derived from partial melting of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Magmatic differentiation may have occurred through fractionation of clinopyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase and accessory minerals (apatite, sphene, magnetite and zircon). Bulk magnetic susceptibilities are variable in intensity depending of the magnetite content. Their magnetic anisotropies are unusally high, especially in the Rocher du Loup intrusion. The trajectories of magnetic foliations and lineations display an arcuate shape from an E–W direction in the easternmost Mont des Eléphants to a N–S direction in the Rocher du Loup intrusion. These features are consistent with a synkinematic emplacement in relation with the sinistral motion along the SW Cameroon shear zone, whose age is therefore dated by the age of the syenites, i.e. 590Ma. Magma genesis and ascent was likely favored by a large gradient in lithospheric thickness along the western margin of the Congo craton.

Petrology of nepheline syenite pegmatites in the Oslo Rift, Norway: Zr and Ti mineral assemblages in miaskitic and agpaitic pegmatites in the Larvik Plutonic Complex

Abstract Agpaitic nepheline syenites have complex, Na-Ca-Zr-Ti minerals as the main hosts for zirconium and titanium, rather than zircon and titanite, which are characteristic for miaskitic rocks. The transition from a miaskitic to an agpaitic crystallization regime in silica-undersaturated magma has traditionally been related to increasing peralkalinity of the magma, but halogen and water contents are also important parameters. The Larvik Plutonic Complex (LPC) in the Permian Oslo Rift, Norway consists of intrusions of hypersolvus monzonite (larvikite), nepheline monzonite (lardalite) and nepheline syenite. Pegmatites ranging in composition from miaskitic syenite with or without nepheline to mildly agpaitic nepheline syenite are the latest products of magmatic differentiation in the complex. The pegmatites can be grouped in (at least) four distinct suites from their magmatic Ti and Zr silicate mineral assemblages. Semiquantitative petrogenetic grids for pegmatites in log aNa2SiO5 - log aH2O - log aHF space can be constructed using information on the composition and distribution of minerals in the pegmatites, including the Zr-rich minerals zircon, parakeldyshite, eudialyte, låvenite, wöhlerite, rosenbuschite, hiortdahlite and catapleiite, and the Ti-dominated minerals aenigmatite, zirconolite (polymignite), astrophyllite, lorenzenite, titanite, mosandrite and rinkite. The chemographic analysis indicates that although increasing peralkalinity of the residual magma (given by the activity of the Na2Si2O5 or Nds component) is an important driving force for the miaskitic to agpaitic transition, water, fluoride (HF) and chloride (HCl) activity controls the actual mineral assemblages forming during crystallization of the residual magmas. The most distinctive mineral in the miaskitic pegmatites is zirconolite. At low fluoride activity, parakeldyshite, lorenzenite and wöhlerite are stable in mildly agpaitic systems. High fluorine (or HF) activity favours minerals such as låvenite, hiortdahlite,rosenbuschite and rinkite, and elevated water activity mosandrite and catapleiite. Astrophyllite and aenigmatite are stable over large ranges of Nds activity, at intermediate and low water activities, respectively.

The Axum–Adwa basalt–trachyte complex: a late magmatic activity at the periphery of the Afar plume

The Axum–Adwa igneous complex consists of a basalt–trachyte (syenite) suite emplaced at the northern periphery of the Ethiopian plateau, after the paroxysmal eruption of the Oligocene (ca 30 Ma) continental flood basalts (CFB), which is related to the Afar plume activity. 40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar ages, carried out for the first time on felsic and basaltic rocks, constrain the magmatic age of the greater part of the complex around Axum to 19–15 Ma, whereas trachytic lavas from volcanic centres NE of Adwa are dated ca 27 Ma. The felsic compositions straddle the critical SiO2-saturation boundary, ranging from normative quartz trachyte lavas east of Adwa to normative (and modal) nepheline syenite subvolcanic domes (the obelisks stones of ancient axumites) around Axum. Petrogenetic modelling based on rock chemical data and phase equilibria calculations by PELE (Boudreau 1999) shows that low-pressure fractional crystallization processes, starting from mildly alkaline- and alkaline basalts comparable to those present in the complex, could generate SiO2-saturated trachytes and SiO2-undersaturated syenites, respectively, which correspond to residual liquid fractions of 17 and 10 %. The observed differentiation processes are consistent with the development of rifting events and formation of shallow magma chambers plausibly located between displaced (tilted) crustal blocks that favoured trapping of basaltic parental magmas and their fractionation to felsic differentiates. In syenitic domes, late- to post-magmatic processes are sometimes evidenced by secondary mineral associations (e.g. Bete Giorgis dome) which overprint the magmatic parageneses, and mainly induce additional nepheline and sodic pyroxene neo-crystallization. These metasomatic reactions were promoted by the circulation of Na–Cl-rich deuteric fluids (600–400 °C), as indicated by mineral and bulk rock chemical budgets as well as by δ18O analyses on mineral separates. The occurrence of this magmatism post-dating the CFB event, characterized by comparatively lower volume of more alkaline products, conforms to the progressive vanishing of the Afar plume thermal effects and the parallel decrease of the partial melting degrees of the related mantle sources. This evolution is also concomitant with the variation of the tectono-magmatic regime from regional lithospheric extension (CFB eruption) to localized rifting processes that favoured magmatic differentiation.

Porcelain stoneware with pegmatite and nepheline syenite solid solutions: Pore size distribution and descriptive microstructure

Abstract Investigations correlating the pore size distribution-cumulative pore volume to the microstructure are used to compare the efficiency of two solid solutions of pegmatite and nepheline syenite as fluxing agents for the design of porcelainized stoneware. Particularly the fusibility of the two solid solutions was modified by adjusting the CaO content of the bodies. As results, the pegmatite based flux produced an extended viscous phase capable on embedding the crystalline phases and close open porosity as from 1175 °C. Conversely, the bodies with nepheline syenite remained relatively porous up to 1225 °C although the similar results of the mechanical strength at this temperature. The investigations on microstructure, pores size distribution and cumulative pore volume indicated almost complete reduction of the open pores in the pegmatite based bodies and the development of a band of closed pores ranged between 0.080 and 0.9 μm showing P series as a more compact structure. For the nepheline syenite based bodies, the incomplete reduction of the open pores and the relative absence of the band of pores between 0.080 and 0.9 μm were ascribed to the difference in fusibility and the viscosity of the glassy phases. These differences were interpreted in term of the differential action of CaO in Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2 and K2O–Al2O3–SiO2 on the amount and viscosity of the liquid phase formed already described in the literature.

Reconnaissance paleomagnetic studies of Mesoproterozoic alkaline igneous complexes in the Kaapvaal craton, South Africa

We report paleomagnetic data from three different parts of a diffuse Mesoproterozoic alkaline igneous province in the eastern part of the Kaapvaal craton in South Africa. Except for the ∼1.3Ga Pilanesberg dikes, these rocks have not previously been studied paleomagnetically. Isotopic dates from igneous rocks in the province generally indicate emplacement between 1.4 and 1.35Ga, which falls in a time frame where the apparent polar wander path (APWP) for the Kaapvaal craton is poorly known. In order to help address this problem, we report paleomagnetic data for syenitic rocks in the large Pilanesberg Complex near the western limit of the alkaline province, two separate syenitic intrusions in the Pienaars River Complexes near Pretoria, and the Spitskop ijolite–nepheline syenite–carbonatite complex near the eastern limit of the province. These intrusive units yield poles that allow a tentative extension of the Mesoproterozoic Kaapvaal APWP back to 1.4Ga. The data suggest a pronounced bend or cusp in the APWP at 1.1Ga, which may record a major change in plate motion occurring at the same time as emplacement of the Umkondo large igneous province in southern Africa.

Geochemical indicators of the evolution of the ultrabasic-alkaline series of Paleozoic massifs of the Fennoscandian shield

Rareearth element distribution in the rocks and minerals of the olivinite-clinopyroxenite- melilitolite-melteigite-ijolite-nepheline syenite series was analyzed to study the evolution trends of the alkaline-ultrabasic series of the Kola province. The contents of REE and some other trace elements were determined in olivine, melilite, clinopyroxene, nepheline, apatite, perovskite, titanite, and magnetite. It was established that distribution of most elements in the rocks of the Kovdor, Afrikanda, Vuoriyarvi, and other massifs differ from that in the Khibiny ultrabasic-alkaline series, being controlled by perovskite crystalliza� tion. Primary olivine-melanephelinite melts of the minor ultrabasic-alkaline massifs are characterized by the early crystallization of perovskite, the main REE-Nb-Ta-Th-U depository. Precipitation of perovskite simultaneously with olivine and clinopyroxene results in the depletion of residual magma in rareearth ele� ments and formation of lowREEand HFSE ijolite and nepheline syenite derivatives. In contrast, the for� mation of the Khibiny ultrabasic-alkaline series was complicated by mixing of olivine melanephelinite magma with small batches of phonolitic melt. This led to a change in crystallization order of REEbearing titanates and Tisilicates and accumulation of the most incompatible elements in the late batches of the melt. As a result, the Khibiny ijolites have the highest REE contents, which are accommodated by highREE apa� tite and titanite.

Effect of nepheline syenite particle size on diametrical compression strength and reliability of extruded ceramic Raschig rings used in packed towers

espanolPara conocer el efecto del tamano de particula de nefelina sienita sobre las propiedades fisicoquimicas de los anillos Raschig ceramicos, este fundente fue molido a diferentes tiempos. Las composiciones se prepararon mediante la mezcla de la arcilla caolinitica illitica y las particulas pre-molidas. Los anillos se obtuvieron en una extrusora de laboratorio y luego fueron sinterizados a 1200 oC. La fiabilidad mecanica de las muestras sinterizadas se describe matematicamente por la teoria de Weibull y el efecto de pre-molienda del fundente en el modulo de Weibull se evaluo midiendo la resistencia a la compresion diametral. El modulo de Weibull y la resistencia fueron los criterios para seleccionar el rango de tamano de particula adecuado de nefelina sienita para la fabricacion de los anillos que se determino estaba entre 53 y 75 μm comprobandose que influye considerablemente en la microestructura de los mismos. La fiabilidad alcanzada fue muy valiosa para la utilizacion de estos anillos como relleno en ldistintos tipos de torres. EnglishIn order to understand the effect of nepheline syenite particle size on physico-chemical properties of ceramic Raschig rings, the fluxing agent was grinded at different milling times. The compositions were prepared by blending the illitic-kaolinitic clay and pre-grinded particles. The rings were shaped by a laboratory extruder and then were sintered at 1200 oC. The mechanical reliability of sintered specimens was mathematically described by Weibull theory and the effect of pre-grinding of fluxing agent on Weibull modulus was evaluated by measuring the diametrical compression strength. Weibull modulus and strength were the criteria for selecting the suitable particle size range of nepheline syenite. It was found that the pre-grinding of nepheline syenite acts as fairly strong parameter on microstructure of rings. The investigation concludes that reliable rings can be fabricated if the particle size of nepheline syenite is arranged between 53 and 75 μm. This enhancement in reliability is valuable in packed towers.

Petrogenesis and geodynamic implications of the Gejiu igneous complex in the western Cathaysia block, South China

The Gejiu tin district in western Cathaysia block comprises a series of igneous rocks including equigranular and porphyritic granites, gabbro and nepheline syenite. Systematic SHRIMP or LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb analyses of 15 representative samples from various phases of the Gejiu complex yielded Late Cretaceous ages of 78–85Ma. Based on their mineralogical, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope characteristics, these rocks are categorized into three groups: felsic rocks, alkaline rocks and mafic rocks. The felsic rock group includes the equigranular and porphyritic granites. Geochemical characteristics include high SiO2 contents, enrichment in Rb, Th, U, Nb, Ta, Nd and Hf and depletion in Ba, K, Sr, P, Eu and Ti compared to primitive mantle. REE patterns feature slight LREE enrichment with pronounced negative Eu anomalies. Geochemical data and Sr-, Nd- and Hf-isotopic compositions indicate that the felsic rocks were probably generated by partial melting of crustal source rocks with a minor input from mantle materials. The mafic rocks (gabbro and mafic microgranular enclaves) have distinct geochemical and isotopic features consistent with derivation from an enriched mantle source, with variable degrees of mixing with crustal-derived magmas. Strontium-, Nd- and Hf-isotopic compositions of the alkaline rocks are similar with those of the mafic rocks, suggesting that they have a similar source. Nevertheless, petrological and geochemical characteristics of these rocks indicate that they experienced extensive crystal fractionation and limited crustal contamination. Based on the emplacement of the gabbro–mafic microgranular enclaves–syenite–granites in the Gejiu district, together with contemporaneous geological events in other parts of the western Cathaysia block, we suggest that a widespread extension-related magmatic episode affected the entire region in the late Cretaceous, possibly as a result of lithospheric thinning, basaltic underplating and associated crustal melting.

Cristalização Fracionada e Assimilação da Crosta Continental pelos Magmas de Rochas Alcalinas Félsicas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

This paper presents a general model for the magmatic evolution for the felsic alkaline rocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The rocks are meta-alkaline nepheline syenite, alkaline syenite, phonolite, and trachyte of potassic and ultrapotassic series. The compositional variation diagrams indicate the fractionation crystallisation of clinopyroxene, amphibole, titanite, ilmenite, and apatite. The magmatic fractionation for the mafic and intermediate alkaline rocks is characterised by the crystallisation of leucita and alkaline feldspar, and for the felsic alkaline rocks, of leucita and alkaline feldspar. By means of fractionation crystallisation, the felsic alkaline magma changes its composition from meta-alkaline to peralkaline and from potassic to sodic. The SSI diagram (silica saturation index) for the felsic alkaline rocks presents a linear trend crossing over the thermal divide, pointing out a strong effect of continental crust assimilation. The magmatic evolution occurs in three stages: 1) Leucite crystallisation; 2) Alkaline feldspar and nepheline crystallisation; 3) Continental crust assimilation and consequent transformation of the silica-undersaturated composition into oversaturated one. The assimilation rate is high, reaching up to 54%. The assimilation events took place during the Stage 2, which suggests magma super-reheating and consequent wall rock partial melting, proposing the origin of alkaline syenite and trachyte magmas of thermodynamically unstable composition.

Petrology and composition of rare-metal alkaline rocks in the South Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Earlier, a belt of alkali-granite plutons and a carbonatite province were discovered in the South Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The Lugingol pluton of pseudoleucitic syenites with carbonatites was assigned to the alkali-granite belt. However, new dating showed that it is 40 Myr younger than the Khan-Bogdo pluton and a large fault separates it from the alkali-granite belt. In the same part of the South Gobi Desert, a dike series of alkaline K-shonkinites with a rare-metal carbonatite vein was found by V.I. Kovalenko west of the Lugingol pluton, near Mt. Baruun Hasar Uula, and a dike series of alkali and nepheline syenites was found by us northeast of the Lugingol pluton. These data give grounds to distinguish an intrusive complex of K-alkaline shonkinites and leucitic syenites with Late Paleozoic REE-bearing carbonatites. Thus, three alkaline-rock complexes of different ages are distinguished in the South Gobi Desert. We present refined geological maps of these complexes. The plutons of all three complexes are deposits of trace elements (REE, Nb, Zr, Y, P). The chemical composition of the silicate rocks of the complex, rare-metal agpaitic pegmatites, and carbonatite and apatite rare-metal ores was considered in detail. Shonkinites from Mt. Baruun Hasar Uula and the Mountain Pass mine (United States) and their carbonatites, along with the Lugingol carbonatites, belong to a single association of K-alkaline rocks and carbonatites, as evidenced by their identical chemical, mineral, and geochemical rare-metal compositions. Rare-earth element patterns and spidergrams show similarities and differences between the rare-metal rocks of three complexes as well as paragenetic differences between their rare-metal minerals. A rare process is described—the amorphization of rare-metal minerals, related to their high-temperature crystallization in a medium with abnormal silica contents of the Khan-Bogdo pegmatites. The parental magmas of the alkali-carbonatite complexes were generated from the EM-2 contaminated mantle that had undergone recycling, whereas the parental magmas of the Khan-Bogdo agpaitic alkali granites were produced from depleted mantle.

Three Compositional Varieties of Rare-Earth Element Ore: Eudialyte-Group Minerals from the Norra Kärr Alkaline Complex, Southern Sweden

Agpaitic nepheline syenites at the Norra Kärr Alkaline Complex, southern Sweden, are rich in zirconium and rare-earth elements (REE), which are mainly accommodated in eudialyte-group minerals (EGM). Norra Kärr hosts three compositionally distinct groups of EGM, which are complex zirconosilicates. Analyses of EGM by electron beam energy-dispersive (SEM-EDS) and wavelength-dispersive (WDS-EMP) X-ray microanalysis are presented and compared, complemented by whole-rock analyses. The SEM-EDS and WDS-EMP methods produce comparable results for most elements. Considering that most SEM instruments have a user-friendly EDS system, it is a useful tool for reconnaissance work in research and especially in exploration-related studies. The EGM evolved markedly from an initial Fe-rich and REE-poor, but HREE-dominated variety, to an intermediate Fe-Mn and HREE-rich one, and to a final Mn- and LREE-rich variety, which occur in rocks classified as lakarpite and grennaite. Based on the Mn/(Fe+Mn) ratios of the EGM, this trend is interpreted as a result of magmatic evolution. The threefold diversity of EGM presented in this work is much broader than has previously been documented.