Spinel Clinopyroxenite Research Articles

Calcium isotope compositions of mantle pyroxenites

Variations of the stable Ca isotopic compositions (noted as δ44/40Ca relative to the SRM915a standard) of basalts are interpreted as effects of mantle sources. Mantle pyroxenites are a minor but integral part of the mantle and, as fusible components, they are important source rocks to understand chemical and isotopic heterogeneity in mantle-derived magmas. However, the effect of pyroxenites on the Ca isotopic composition of the mantle has been poorly constrained. To which extent mantle pyroxenites and their formation processes such as melt-peridotite reaction, particularly involving recycled crustal materials, lead to heterogeneity in δ44/40Ca of the mantle is unknown. Here, we report δ44/40Ca of different types of pyroxenites (spinel pyroxenites, garnet pyroxenites, and phlogopite-bearing spinel clinopyroxenites) and minerals separates, along with surrounding peridotites from Hannuoba xenoliths, North China Craton to address the issue. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio indicates that recycled crustal materials were incorporated into parental magmas of garnet pyroxenites (0.70391–0.70715) and phlogopite-bearing clinopyroxenites (0.7142–0.7149), consistent with previous conclusions from Sr-Nd isotopes. Overall, the δ44/40Ca of garnet pyroxenites ranges from 0.86‰ to 0.98‰ (average 0.90 ± 0.05‰, n = 10) and the host peridotites affected by the infiltrating melts from 0.87‰ to 0.93‰ (0.89 ± 0.04‰, n = 8). Each pair (n = 8) of garnet pyroxenite and host peridotite displays no measurable difference in δ44/40Ca. The spinel pyroxenites and phlogopite-bearing spinel clinopyroxenites also show similar δ44/40Ca (0.94 ± 0.06‰ and 0.98 ± 0.05‰, respectively). The indistinguishable δ44/40Ca among these different types of pyroxenites and surrounding peridotites suggest no obvious Ca isotope variations during silicate melt-peridotite interaction and fractional crystallization, even if recycled silicate materials were involved. These results indicate that the mantle source with variable proportions of pyroxenites in equilibrium conditions overall would show uniform δ44/40Ca. It implies that the basic magmas derived from such peridotite-pyroxenite source would display limited variations in δ44/40Ca, even if their radiogenic isotopes show strong heterogeneity. The conclusion is consistent with no systematic variations in the available δ44/40Ca of different basalt types such as DMM, EM1 and HIMU. However, garnets in mantle rocks of recent work and this study generally display heavier δ44/40Ca than co-existing clinopyroxenes, implying that melts generated by partial melting of mantle sources with abundant residual garnets may show lighter δ44/40Ca values than MORBs.

Calcium isotope fractionation during magmatic processes in the upper mantle

Abstract The Earth’s mantle has a complex history of partial melting and melt-peridotite reaction that have redistributed Ca and other elements between residues and melting products. Given the considerable Ca isotopic variation reported in mantle rocks, evaluation of the fractionation of stable Ca isotopes in magmatic processes in the mantle is critical to decode mantle evolution and the effect of recycled materials. We have performed precise and accurate Ca isotopic analyses on a series of well-characterized spinel-facies mantle peridotites (lherzolite, harzburgite and dunite, n = 29), pyroxenites (websterite, clinopyroxenite and orthopyroxenite, n = 15) and their mineral constituents (n = 8) from the Balmuccia and Baldissero peridotite massifs of the Ivrea Zone in the Italian Alps. These peridotites underwent variable degrees of melting and melt-peridotite reaction, whereas the pyroxenites are mainly the products of melt-peridotite reaction and crystallization of migrating basic melts from the asthenosphere. The lherzolites from Balmuccia and Baldissero show δ44/40Ca values of 0.94 ± 0.11‰ (2sd, n = 22), which are uniform within long-term external reproducibility (±0.14‰, 2sd). The δ44/40Ca values of the harzburgites (0.83‰ to 0.92‰) do not differ from those of lherzolites, including those with a history of intensive melt-peridotite reaction to form replacive dunites. The websterites and spinel clinopyroxenites display δ44/40Ca of 0.86 ± 0.10‰ (n = 14), within the range of the lherzolites and harzburgites. The indistinguishable δ44/40Ca among these very diverse mantle rocks is the consequence of the overwhelming control of stable Ca isotopes by clinopyroxene in the magmatic processes involved, because clinopyroxene dominates the budget of Ca (>90% for harzburgites; 93% to 99% for lherzolites, websterites and clinopyroxenites). Only the clinopyroxene-poor ( 25% melting and replacive dunites tend to display slightly heavier Ca isotopic compositions. Consequently, irrespective of their magmatic history, most fertile mantle rocks from different geological settings display a homogenous Ca isotope composition, summarized as, δ44/40Ca of 0.94 ± 0.10‰ (2sd, n = 47) for the Earth’s mantle. The deviations in Ca isotopic variations observed in other mantle rocks may be attributed to kinetic isotope fractionation and metasomatism by melts with isotopic compositions influenced by recycled crustal materials.

Fractionation of highly siderophile and chalcogen elements during magma transport in the mantle: Constraints from pyroxenites of the Balmuccia peridotite massif

Sulfide segregation from sulfur saturated basic magmas affects the compositions of chalcophile elements such as the highly siderophile elements (HSE) and the chalcogens S, Se, Te to variable extent. Whether this process predominantly occurs in the lower crust or in the mantle and how segregation of liquid sulfide and accumulation affects concentrations and ratios of these elements at different mantle depths and in presumed primitive basic magmas remains uncertain. Abundances of the HSE, S, Se and Te and Os isotopes in websterites and spinel clinopyroxenites of the Balmuccia peridotite massif (Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Italian Alps) provide new insight on sulfide segregation and the compositional change of melt and peridotite during magma transport in the mantle.Balmuccia websterites and clinopyroxenites formed from late Paleozoic and Mesozoic melt influx into stretched continental lithospheric mantle of the Ivrea-Verbano Zone, respectively. The HSE and chalcogen element compositions of websterites and clinopyroxenites reflect the segregation and accumulation of sulfide melt from S saturated silicate melts with different abundances and ratios of chalcogens and the HSE. The pyroxenites display large variations in abundances of the platinum group elements (PGE) and Te whereas abundances of less chalcophile elements S, Se and Re are much less variable. The fractionation between the PGE and fractionation of Re/Os, S/Se and Se/Te in the mantle pyroxenites are consistent with sulfide melt–silicate melt partitioning with a sequence of apparent coefficients of DPGE>DAu⩾DTe>DSe⩾DS≈DRe. Concentrations in ocean ridge basalts and in gabbros of the lower oceanic crust are also consistent with such fractionation.Websterites which have formed during refertilization of depleted peridotites display ratios of the HSE and moderately suprachondritic initial 187Os/188Os similar to interstitial sulfides of refertilized peridotites. These compositions are different from ‘residual’ compositions of sulfide inclusions in such peridotites. These observations suggest that preferential dissolution of interstitial sulfides from peridotites into migrating silicate melts, and thus chemical and isotopic disequilibrium, may be common during open-system melt extraction and melt-peridotite reaction in the mantle. Precipitation of sulfides and pyroxenes from such migrating melts may lead to refertilization of peridotites and formation of pyroxenites elsewhere in the mantle. The enrichment of the PGE and Te in early precipitated sulfides in these cumulates explains the depletion of the PGE and Te in many basalts and lower crustal gabbros relative to peridotites. Similar ranges of Re/Os and Pd/Ir and suprachondritic initial 187Os/188Os in pyroxenites and in oceanic crust indicate that most of the compositional variation of these elements in basic magmas may reflect repeated cycles of assimilation of mainly interstitial, peridotite-hosted sulfide liquid and subsequent liquid sulfide segregation during magma transport in the mantle.

Formation of pyroxenite layers in the Totalp ultramafic massif (Swiss Alps) – Insights from highly siderophile elements and Os isotopes

Pyroxenitic layers are a minor constituent of ultramafic mantle massifs, but are considered important for basalt generation and mantle refertilization. Mafic spinel websterite and garnet–spinel clinopyroxenite layers within Jurassic ocean floor peridotites from the Totalp ultramafic massif (eastern Swiss Alps) were analyzed for their highly siderophile element (HSE) and Os isotope composition. Aluminum-poor pyroxenites (websterites) display chondritic to suprachondritic initial γ Os (160 Ma) of −2 to +27. Osmium, Ir and Ru abundances are depleted in websterites relative to the associated peridotites and to mantle lherzolites worldwide, but relative abundances (Os/Ir, Ru/Ir) are similar. Conversely, Pt/Ir, Pd/Ir and Re/Ir are elevated. Aluminum-rich pyroxenites (clinopyroxenites) are characterized by highly radiogenic 187Os/ 188Os with initial γ Os (160 Ma) between +20 and +1700. Their HSE composition is similar to that of basalts, as they are more depleted in Os, Ir and Ru compared to Totalp websterites, along with even higher Pt/Ir, Pd/Ir and Re/Ir. The data are most consistent with multiple episodes of reaction of mafic pyroxenite precursor melts with surrounding peridotites, with the highest degree of interaction recorded in the websterites, which typically occur in direct contact to peridotites. Clinopyroxenites, in contrast, represent melt-dominated systems, which retained the precursor melt characteristics to a large extent. The melts may have been derived from a sublithospheric mantle source with high Pd/Ir, Pt/Ir and Re/Os, coupled with highly radiogenic 187Os/ 188Os compositions. Modeling indicates that partial melting of subducted, old oceanic crust in the asthenosphere could be a possible source for such melts. Pentlandite and godlevskite are identified in both types of pyroxenites as the predominant sulfide minerals and HSE carriers. Heterogeneous HSE abundances within these sulfide grains likely reflect subsolidus processes. In contrast, large grain-to-grain variations, and correlated variations of HSE ratios, indicate chemical disequilibrium under high-temperature conditions. This likely reflects multiple events of melt–rock interaction and sulfide precipitation. Notably, sulfides from the same thick section for the pyroxenites may display both residual-peridotite and melt-like HSE signatures. Because Totalp pyroxenites are enriched in Pt and Re, and depleted in Os, they will develop excess radiogenic 187Os and 186Os, compared to ambient mantle. These enrichments, however, do not possess the requisite Pt–Re–Os composition to account for the coupled suprachondritic 186Os– 187Os signatures observed in some Hawaiian picrites, Gorgona komatiites, or the Siberian plume.

Characteristics of soure region and tectonic implications of Early Indosinian Weiya gabbroic rock, eastern Tianshan mountains

Based on the detailed petrographic study, the characteristics of source region of the Weiya gabbro and tectonic implications were studied. The results show that the gabbroic rock consists mainly of gabbro, with less amount of ultra-mafic rocks. The ultra-mafic rocks show cumulate texture and are gradually transitional contact with gabbro, indicating that they are cumulate products of parental magma. The ultra-mafic rocks consist mainly of spinel periodite and spinel clinopyroxenite. The former is mainly composed of olivine (65%–70%), spinel (10%–15%), hornblende (5%–10%) and phlogopite (5%–10%); the latter consists mainly of clinopyroxene (70%–80%), spinel (15%–20%) and phlogopite (0–10%), with minor amounts of carbonate (0–2%). No olivine or orthopyroxene is found. The gabbro is composed mainly of clinopyroxene (35%–40%), plagioclase (An 55–65, 40%–45%), hornblende (5%–15%), with variable amounts of carbonate (0–5%). Petrographic observations show that the source region of the Weiya gabbroic rock is water-rich due to intensive intra-continental A-type subduction occurring in this region during late Permian to early Triassic.

Petrology and U-Pb SHRIMP Geochronology of a Garnet Peridotite, Sulu UHP Terrane, East-Central China

Garnet clinopyroxenite at Rizhao occurs as a lens 100 x 225 m2 within a serpentinized peridotite body, in fault contact with felsic gneiss. Minor dunite also occurs within the same peridotite. The clinopyroxenite consists of porphyroblastic Grt-bearing (type 1), megacrystic Grt-bearing (type 2), porphyroblastic Cpx-bearing (type 3), and equigranular (type 4) garnet clinopyroxenite. Lamellaerich, coarse-grained Cpx occurs as inclusions in megacrystic Grt from type 2 clinopyroxenite, and as porphyroblasts in a matrix of Cpx + Grt + Ilm from type 3 clinopyroxenite; these clinopyroxenes contain abundant exsolution lamellae of Grt (Prp16-19Grs62Alm19-21Sps1) + Ilm ± Mag ± Amp (Mg#: 0.88-0.98; Na2O: 0.5-3.3 wt%; K2O: 0.7-1.0 wt%; TiO2: 0.1-0.2 wt%). Megacrystic and porphyroblastic garnet (Prp35-42Grs34-45Alm19-24Sps1) also occurs in a matrix of fine-grained Cpx + Grt + Ilm; spinel (Mg#: 0.60-0.62) is present as inclusions in both porphyroblastic Grt and lamellae-rich Cpx. Petrochemical data support a mantle origin involving crystallization of majoritic garnet. We propose that the protolith of the Rizhao clinopyroxenite initially was a spinel clinopyroxenite, and was convected to great depths (>450 km) to form a majoritic garnet that contains high CaO and considerable amounts of FeO and TiO2. During later decompression, the majoritic garnet broke down to form intergrowths of Cpx + Grt + Ilm ± Mag ± Amp at T = 700-800°C, P ≤ 3 GPa. It was then emplaced into a subduction zone and experienced UHP metamorphism at 620-880°C, 3 GPa during Triassic continental collision. Megacrystic/porphyroblastic garnet formed during this stage, and lamellaerich Cpx recrystallized to the matrix assemblage of Cpx + Grt + Ilm subsequently. The clinopyroxenite also experienced later retrogression during exhumation. Zircon U-Pb geochronology yields 215 ± 2 Ma for the Rizhao garnet clinopyroxenite; occurrence of garnet and clinopyroxene inclusions in zircon suggests that this age reflects the UHP metamorphism.

Geochemistry of pyroxenitic and hornblenditic xenoliths in alkaline lamprophyres from the Spanish Central System

The alkaline lamprophyres and diabases of the Spanish Central System carry a heterogeneous suite of xenoliths which includes scarce pyroxenitic and hornblenditic types that can be divided in two groups: (a) pyroxenite xenoliths, including spinel clinopyroxenites and spinel websterites with granoblastic textures, and (b) hornblende-bearing clinopyroxenites and hornblendites (here after called hornblenditic xenoliths) characterised by the presence of Ti-rich kaersutitic amphibole and magmatic textures. Both groups of xenoliths can be assigned to the Al-augite series of Wilshire and Shervais (1975) [Wilshire, H.G., Shervais, J.W., 1975. Al-augite and Cr-diopside ultramafic xenoliths in basaltic rocks from western United States. Phys. Chem. Earth 9, 257–272] with Al-rich and Cr-poor mafic phases. Clinopyroxenes show a very similar trace element composition in all of the ultramafic xenoliths, characterised by convex-upward chondrite-normalised REE patterns and low contents of incompatible elements such as Rb, Ba, Th and Nb. Kaersutite in the amphibole-bearing xenoliths shows a similar convex-upward REE pattern as clinopyroxene. Whole-rock and mineral geochemistry support an origin as cumulates from alkaline to subalkaline melts for most of the pyroxenites and hornblendites that have been studied. The Sr–Nd isotope ratios of pyroxenite xenoliths display two extreme compositional poles: one clinopyroxenite plots in the OIB field towards depleted values ( 87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.7028 and εNd = 6.2), whereas the other pyroxenites plot in enriched lithospheric fields (0.705 to 0.706 and −2.8 to −3.4, respectively), which implies that different magmas have been involved in their genesis. The hornblenditic xenolith suite has a very homogeneous isotopic composition, close to the isotopically depleted values of high εNd and low 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios of one of the pyroxenite xenoliths. Some of these ultramafic xenoliths fall within the isotopic compositional range of their host alkaline dykes, which also define a bipolar compositional field, suggesting that most of them are cogenetic with the lamprophyres. P–T estimates yield temperatures in the range of 970–1080 °C and pressures mainly from 0.9 to 1.2 GPa for pyroxenites, whilst hornblenditic xenoliths give lower (and probably underestimated) pressures (0.7–0.9 GPa). This pressure range is in agreement with pyroxenites being formed by an underplating event at the upper mantle–lower crust boundary, whereas pressure estimates for hornblenditic xenoliths suggest equilibration within the lower crust.

Experimental melting of a modally heterogeneous mantle

Melting of a spinel lherzolite with a spinel clinopyroxenite layer was investigated experimentally from 3.5 to 20 kbar and from 1200 to 1450 °C. The melt fraction in the spinel pyroxenite layer increases rapidly, and clinopyroxene disappears leaving olivine-spinel residua according to the reaction Cpx + Sp = Ol + Liq. The melt in the pyroxenite layer reacts with the surrounding lherzolite resulting in the formation of an essentially monomineral (olivine) zone with interstitial melt near the former pyroxenite. Melt compositions in the central melt pool are similar to those produced by other authors in melting experiments with peridotites similar to the bulk compositions of our samples. It is suggested that similar small-scale mantle heterogeneities (i.e. thin pyroxenite layers in lherzolite) may exert significant influence on mantle rheology and melt segregation, whereas melt compositions are not strongly affected and controlled by the dominating lherzolite lithology.

Growth of subcontinental lithosphere: evidence from repeated dike injections in the Balmuccia lherzolite massif, Italian Alps

The Balmuccia alpine lherzolite massif is a fragment of subcontinental lithospheric mantle emplaced into the lower crust 251 Ma ago during the final, extensional phase of the Hercynian orogeny. The Balmuccia massif consists largely of lherzolite, with subordinate harzburgite and dunite, and an array of dike rocks formed in the mantle before crustal emplacement. Dike rocks include websterite and bronzitite of the Cr-diopside suite, spinel clinopyroxenite and spinel-poor websterite of the Al-augite suite, gabbro and gabbronorite of the late gabbro suite, and hornblendite of the hydrous vein suite. The dike rocks display consistent intrusive relationships with one another, such that Cr-diopside suite dikes are always older than dikes and veins of the Al-augite suite, followed by dikes of the late gabbro suite and veins of the hydrous vein suite. Phlogopite (phl) veinlets that formed during interaction with the adjacent crust are the youngest event. There are at least three generations of Cr-diopside suite dikes, as shown by crosscutting relations. Dikes of the Al-augite suite form a polybaric fractionation series from spinel clinopyroxenite to websterite and feldspathic websterite, which crystallized from aluminous alkaline magmas at relatively high pressures. The late gabbro suite of dikes intruded at lower pressures, where plagioclase saturation occurred before significant mafic phase fractionation. Hornblendite veins have distinct compositional and isotopic characteristics, which show that they are not related to either the Al-augite suite or to the late gabbro dike suite. Cr-diopside suite dikes have Nd and Sr isotopic compositions similar to those of the host lherzolite and within the range of compositions defined by ocean–island basalts. The Al-augite dikes and the hornblendite veins have Sr and Nd isotopic compositions similar to those of Cr-diopside suite lherzolite and websterite. The late gabbro dikes have Nd and Sr isotopic compositions similar to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) asthenosphere. Lead isotopic compositions for all of the samples fall in the present-day MORB field on the 208 Pb/ 204 Pb vs. 206 Pb/ 204 Pb diagram but are displaced above this field on the 207 Pb/ 204 Pb vs. 206 Pb/ 204 Pb diagram. There is overlap in the data between the Cr-diopside suite and the Al-augite and hydrous vein suites, with the exception that the Cr-diopside websterite dikes have more radiogenic Pb than any of the other samples. In Pb–Pb space as well, the late gabbro suite has the least radiogenic isotopic compositions, reflecting a change in magma source region during uplift. These data show that tectonic thinning of subcontinental lithospheric mantle during extension caused a change in the source regions of mantle-derived magmas from an ocean island basalt (OIB)-like lithosphere to the underlying MORB asthenosphere. They also demonstrate that the upper mantle acquires its heterogeneous isotopic character through several different processes, including in situ radiogenic growth, addition of asthenospheric melts, dike-wall rock ionic exchange, redistribution of the lithospheric dike and vein materials by melting, and in the late stages of emplacement, assimilation of crustal materials.

Olivine ‘leucitites’, their xenolith and megacryst suites, Hoskings Peaks, north Queensland

Olivine ‘leucitite’ lavas and vent breccias at Hoskings Peaks, McLean Province, north Queensland, contain abundant and unusual xenoliths and xenocrysts derived from an inhomogeneous, metasomatised and veined mantle source. Xenoliths include common spinel lherzolite, rare spinel‐amphibole harzburgite, and a single partly recrystallised garnet‐chromian spinel clinopyroxenite. Megacrysts of titanian phlogopite, and colourless diopsidic clinopyroxene are most abundant, together with dark green sodian clinopyroxene, sodian anorthoclase, and few zircon. Xenocrysts include abundant pyrope and disaggregated lherzolite minerals, metamorphic almandine, corundum, apatite and oxides. Colourless clinopyroxene and titanian phlogopite similar to the abundant megacrysts are preserved as a single coarse xenolithic aggregate; the chemistry of similar megacrystic clinopyroxene indicates a high‐pressure origin. This xenolith assemblage is interpreted as part of an olivine‐poor metasomatic mantle vein, the selective melting of which, together with an oxide, apatite, and zircon, can produce major and trace element compositions close to olivine ‘leucitites’ in the present suite, without involvement of significant lherzolitic wall rock. Repeated minor degrees of partial melting and crystallisation within mantle veins (vein‐located ‘zone refining'), may progressively fractionate such melts and enrich incompatible elements, alkalis and alumina, producing extreme mineral compositions in peripheral mantle veins. Coarse xenocrysts such as zircon, dark green sodian clinopyroxene, sodian anorthoclase and corundum, may represent disaggregated relics of strongly differentiated (?higher level) mantle vein assemblages. Evolution of the olivine ‘leucitites’ towards strong alkali enrichment is confirmed by patches of pegmatoid differentiate containing barian sanidine, sodian clinopyroxene, alkali amphibole, phlogopite, and magnesian ilmenite. Combined trends for Australian leucitite suites gives a general leucitite evolutionary trend also towards alkali and silica enrichment.

Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Significance of Ultramafic Inclusions and Basanite from Southern Syria

Seventeen upper-mantle ultramafic xenoliths from the Lower Quaternary Tal Khodr Imtan cinder cone in southern Syria have revealed a dominant protogranular texture of nine spinel lherzolites, two spinel harzburgites, four spinel dunites, one spinel olivine websterite, and one spinel clinopyroxenite. The lherzolites, harzburgites, and dunites contain Cr-diopside and brown-red picotite, with a basanitic host rock; the websterite and clinopyroxenite contain Ti-Al-augite and Cr-hercynite. A lherzolite to dunite depletion trend is shown in the abundance of intermediate- and lightrare-earth elements (IREE and LREE) and from analytical data of dunitic olivine, with Ca, Al, Fe, Cr, and Si being the most depleted elements. The depletion probably resulted from successive partial melting. The scoriaceous basanite shows enrichments in REE and trace elements from a plume; the basanitic coating (around ultramafic xenoliths) increases in Mg/Mg+Fe+2 and concentrations of Al2O3, TiO2, and Na2O by contamination from peridot...

An experimental study of spinel clinopyroxenite xenoliths from the Duncansby Ness vent, Caithness, Scotland

Xenoliths of coarse-grained spinel-clinopyroxenite up to 15 cm in size occur in tuff in an isolated Permian vent on the Caithness coast at Duncansby Ness. Highly altered fragments of chrome-spinel lherzolite and wehrlite are also found in the tuff and in a body of monchiquite within the vent.