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SDLRC - Scientific Articles all years by Author - Fo+
The Sheahan Diamond Literature Reference Compilation
The Sheahan Diamond Literature Reference Compilation is compiled by Patricia Sheahan who publishes on a monthly basis a list of new scientific articles related to diamonds as well as media coverage and corporate announcementscalled the Sheahan Diamond Literature Service that is distributed as a free pdf to a list of followers. Pat has kindly agreed to allow her work to be made available as an online digital resource at Kaiser Research Online so that a broader community interested in diamonds and related geology can benefit. The references are for personal use information purposes only; when available a link is provided to an online location where the full article can be accessed or purchased directly. Reproduction of this compilation in part or in whole without permission from the Sheahan Diamond Literature Service is strictly prohibited. Return to Diamond Resource Center
Sheahan Diamond Literature Reference Compilation - Scientific Articles by Author for all years
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Tappert, R., Foden, J., Muehlenbachs, K., Wills, K.
Garnet peridotite xenoliths and xenocrysts from the Monk Hill kimberlite, South Australia: insights into the lithospheric mantle beneath the Adelaide fold belt.
Journal of Petrology, Vol. 52, no. 10, pp. 1965-1986.
Journal of Volacnology and Geothermal Research, Vol. 373, pp. 68-96.
Australia, South Australia
deposit - Eurelia
Abstract: Kimberlites of Jurassic age occur in various parts of South Australia. Thirty-nine of these kimberlites, which are mostly new discoveries, were studied to characterize their structural setting, their petrography, and the composition of their constituent minerals. Although some of the kimberlites in South Australia occur on the Archean to Paleoproterozoic Gawler Block, most are part of a northwest-trending, semi-continuous kimberlite dike swarm located in the Adelaide Fold Belt. The kimberlites typically occur as dikes or sills, but diatremes are also present. In the Adelaide Fold Belt, diatremes are restricted to the hinge zones of regional-scale folds within thick sedimentary sequences of the Adelaidean Supergroup. Despite widespread and severe alteration, coherent and pyroclastic kimberlites can be readily distinguished. U-Pb and Sr/Nd isotopic compositions of groundmass perovskite indicate that all kimberlites belong to the same age group (177-197?Ma) and formed in a near-primitive mantle environment (87Sr/86Sr: 0.7038-0.7052, eNd: -0.07 to +2.97). However, the kimberlites in South Australia are compositionally diverse, and range from olivine-dominated varieties (macrocrystic kimberlites) to olivine-poor, phlogopite-dominated varieties (micaceous kimberlites). Macrocrystic kimberlites contain magnesium-rich groundmass phlogopite and spinel, and they are typically olivine macrocryst-rich. Micaceous kimberlites, in contrast, contain more iron- and titanium-rich groundmass phlogopite and less magnesian spinel, and olivine macrocrysts are rare or absent. Correlations between phlogopite and spinel compositions with modal abundances of olivine, indicate that the contrast between macrocrystic and micaceous kimberlites is primarily linked to the amount of mantle components that were incorporated into a compositionally uniform parental mafic silicate melt. We propose that assimilation of xenocrystic magnesite and incorporation of xenocrystic olivine from dunitic source rocks were the key processes that modified the parental silicate melt and created the unique hybrid (carbonate-silicate) character of kimberlites. Based on the composition of xenoliths and xenocrysts, the lithospheric mantle sampled by the South Australian kimberlites is relatively uniform, and extends to depths of 160-170?km, which is slightly below the diamond stability field. Only beneath the Eurelia area does the lithosphere appear thicker (>175?km), which is consistent with the presence of diamonds in some of the Eurelia kimberlites.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, in press available, 47p.
India, Africa, Madagascar
tectonis
Abstract: It has long been recognised that Madagascar was contiguous with India until the Late Cretaceous. However, the timing and nature of the amalgamation of these two regions remain highly contentious as is the location of Madagascar against India in Gondwana. Here we address these issues with new U-Pb and Lu-Hf zircon data from five metasedimentary samples from the Karwar Block of India and new Lu-Hf data from eight previously dated igneous rocks from central Madagascar and the Antongil-Masora domains of eastern Madagascar. New U-Pb data from Karwar-region detrital zircon grains yield two dominant age peaks at c. 3100 Ma and c. 2500 Ma. The c. 3100 Ma population has relatively juvenile eHf(t) values that trend toward an evolved signature at c. 2500 Ma. The c. 2500 Ma population shows a wide range of eHf(t) values reflecting mixing of an evolved source with a juvenile source at that time. These data, and the new Lu-Hf data from Madagascar, are compared with our new compilation of over 7000 U-Pb and 1000 Lu-Hf analyses from Madagascar and India. We have used multidimensional scaling to assess similarities in these data in a statistically robust way. We propose that the Karwar Block of western peninsular India is an extension of the western Dharwar Craton and not part of the Antananarivo Domain of Madagascar as has been suggested in some models. Based on eHf(t) signatures we also suggest that India (and the Antongil-Masora domains of Madagascar) were palaeogeographically isolated from central Madagascar (the Antananarivo Domain) during the Palaeoproterozoic. This supports a model where central Madagascar and India amalgamated during the Neoproterozoic along the Betsimisaraka Suture.
Abstract: Neoproterozoic tectonic geography was dominated by the formation of the supercontinent Rodinia, its break-up and the subsequent amalgamation of Gondwana. The Neoproterozoic was a tumultuous time of Earth history, with large climatic variations, the emergence of complex life and a series of continent-building orogenies of a scale not repeated until the Cenozoic. Here we synthesise available geological and palaeomagnetic data and build the first full-plate, topological model of the Neoproterozoic that maps the evolution of the tectonic plate configurations during this time. Topological models trace evolving plate boundaries and facilitate the evaluation of “plate tectonic rules” such as subduction zone migration through time when building plate models. There is a rich history of subduction zone proxies preserved in the Neoproterozoic geological record, providing good evidence for the existence of continent-margin and intra-oceanic subduction zones through time. These are preserved either as volcanic arc protoliths accreted in continent-continent, or continent-arc collisions, or as the detritus of these volcanic arcs preserved in successor basins. Despite this, we find that the model presented here still predicts less subduction (ca. 90%) than on the modern earth, suggesting that we have produced a conservative model and are likely underestimating the amount of subduction, either due to a simplification of tectonically complex areas, or because of the absence of preservation in the geological record (e.g. ocean-ocean convergence). Furthermore, the reconstruction of plate boundary geometries provides constraints for global-scale earth system parameters, such as the role of volcanism or ridge production on the planet's icehouse climatic excursion during the Cryogenian. Besides modelling plate boundaries, our model presents some notable departures from previous Rodinia models. We omit India and South China from Rodinia completely, due to long-lived subduction preserved on margins of India and conflicting palaeomagnetic data for the Cryogenian, such that these two cratons act as ‘lonely wanderers’ for much of the Neoproterozoic. We also introduce a Tonian-Cryogenian aged rotation of the Congo-São Francisco Craton relative to Rodinia to better fit palaeomagnetic data and account for thick passive margin sediments along its southern margin during the Tonian. The GPlates files of the model are released to the public and it is our expectation that this model can act as a foundation for future model refinements, the testing of alternative models, as well as providing constraints for both geodynamic and palaeoclimate models.
Journal of the Geological Society of London, in press available 25p.
Africa, Madagascar
thermochronology
Abstract: Madagascar occupied an important place in the amalgamation of Gondwana, and preserves a record of several Neoproterozoic events that can be linked to orogenesis of the East African Orogen. We integrate remote sensing and field data to unravel complex deformation in the Ikalamavony and Itremo domains of central Madagascar. The deformation sequence comprises a gneissic foliation (S1), followed by south to south-west directed, tight to isoclinal, recumbent folding (D2). These are overprinted by north-trending upright folds that formed during a ~E-W shortening event. Together these produced type 1 and type 2 fold interference patterns throughout the Itremo and Ikalamavony domains. Apatite U-Pb and muscovite and biotite Rb-Sr thermochronometers indicate that much of central Madagascar was thermally reset to at least ~500oC at c. 500 Ma. Deformation in west-central Madagascar occurred between c. 750 Ma and c. 550 Ma, and we suggest this deformation formed in response to the c. 650 Ma collision of Azania with Africa along the Vohibory Suture in southwestern Madagascar. In eastern Madagascar, deformation is syn- to post-550 Ma, which formed in response to the final closure of the Mozambique Ocean along the Betsimisaraka Suture that amalgamated Madagascar with the Dharwar Craton of India.
Journal of the Geological Society, Vol. 177, pp. 784-798.
Africa, Madagascar
geothermometry
Abstract: Madagascar occupied an important place in the amalgamation of Gondwana and preserves a record of several Neoproterozoic events that are linked to orogenesis of the East African Orogen. In this study, we integrate remote sensing, field data and thermochronology to unravel complex deformation in the Ikalamavony and Itremo domains of central Madagascar. The deformation sequence comprises a gneissic foliation (S1), followed by south- to SW-directed, tight to isoclinal, recumbent folding (D2). These are overprinted by north-trending upright folds that formed during an approximately east-west shortening event (D3). Together these produced type 1 and type 2 fold interference patterns throughout the Itremo and Ikalamavony domains. We show that the Itremo and Ikalamavony domains were deformed together in the same orogenic system, which we interpret as the c. 630 Ma collision of Azania with Africa along the Vohibory Suture in southwestern Madagascar. In eastern Madagascar, deformation is syn- to post-550 Ma, and probably formed in response to final closure of the Mozambique Ocean along the Betsimisaraka Suture that amalgamated Madagascar with the Dharwar Craton of India. Apatite U-Pb and novel laser ablation triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-QQQ-ICP-MS) muscovite and biotite Rb-Sr thermochronology indicates that much of central Madagascar cooled through c. 500°C at c. 500 Ma.
Abstract: Neoproterozoic tectonic geography was dominated by the formation of the supercontinent Rodinia, its break-up and the subsequent amalgamation of Gondwana. The Neoproterozoic was a tumultuous time of Earth history, with large climatic variations, the emergence of complex life and a series of continent-building orogenies of a scale not repeated until the Cenozoic. Here we synthesise available geological and palaeomagnetic data and build the first full-plate, topological model of the Neoproterozoic that maps the evolution of the tectonic plate configurations during this time. Topological models trace evolving plate boundaries and facilitate the evaluation of “plate tectonic rules” such as subduction zone migration through time when building plate models. There is a rich history of subduction zone proxies preserved in the Neoproterozoic geological record, providing good evidence for the existence of continent-margin and intra-oceanic subduction zones through time. These are preserved either as volcanic arc protoliths accreted in continent-continent, or continent-arc collisions, or as the detritus of these volcanic arcs preserved in successor basins. Despite this, we find that the model presented here still predicts less subduction (ca. 90%) than on the modern earth, suggesting that we have produced a conservative model and are likely underestimating the amount of subduction, either due to a simplification of tectonically complex areas, or because of the absence of preservation in the geological record (e.g. ocean-ocean convergence). Furthermore, the reconstruction of plate boundary geometries provides constraints for global-scale earth system parameters, such as the role of volcanism or ridge production on the planet's icehouse climatic excursion during the Cryogenian. Besides modelling plate boundaries, our model presents some notable departures from previous Rodinia models. We omit India and South China from Rodinia completely, due to long-lived subduction preserved on margins of India and conflicting palaeomagnetic data for the Cryogenian, such that these two cratons act as ‘lonely wanderers’ for much of the Neoproterozoic. We also introduce a Tonian-Cryogenian aged rotation of the Congo-São Francisco Craton relative to Rodinia to better fit palaeomagnetic data and account for thick passive margin sediments along its southern margin during the Tonian. The GPlates files of the model are released to the public and it is our expectation that this model can act as a foundation for future model refinements, the testing of alternative models, as well as providing constraints for both geodynamic and palaeoclimate models.
The Journal of the Southern African Insitute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol. 119, Feb. 6p. Pdf
Africa, South Africa
DMC
Abstract: The petrology and bulk-rock sulphur isotopic compositions of kimberlite samples from four localities (Bultfontein, De Beers, Kimberley, Wesselton) of the archetypal Kimberley cluster, South Africa, were used to investigate the origin(s) of S in kimberlites and gain insights into the occurrence of recycled crustal material in the source of Mesozoic kimberlites. The samples, which show variable degrees of alteration, are all hypabyssal and were derived from coherent root-zones as well as dykes and sills. Typical sulphide minerals are Cu-Fe-Ni-sulphides with less common pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and djerfisherite. They occur in a variety of textural associations, for example as groundmass phases, secondary inclusions in olivine, inclusions in matrix phases (e.g., phlogopite), or in carbonate-serpentine segregations. Barite is the most commonly observed sulphate phase. Bulk-sample d34SVCDT values of sulphides in fresh kimberlites, which mostly do not contain barite, vary from - 2.0 to -5.7 ‰. Slightly altered kimberlite samples, in which sulphides were generally associated with serpentine, returned somewhat higher bulk-sulphide d34SVCDT (-3.8 to +1.1 ‰). One sample from the Wesselton Water Tunnel Sills complex contains abundant barite and pyrite in its groundmass, with the latter having d34SVCDT (+0.2 to +1.9 ‰) similar to altered kimberlites. Two further altered samples returned d34SVCDT values (-10.1 to -13.0 ‰) that suggest a contribution from the local country rocks (Dwyka shale: d34SVCDT from -10.2 to -10.5 ‰). All samples have near-zero ?33S values, suggesting that material displaying mass-independent fractionation has not played an important role. The negative d34SVCDT values of fresh kimberlites from Kimberley suggest the involvement of recycled crustal material in their source, which is consistent with radiogenic isotope compositions. Overall, it appears that most kimberlitic sulphide S isotopic compositions can be explained by the action of a few typical magmatic/hydrothermal processes. One of the most important performance indicators of a dense medium cyclone (DMC) circuit is the Tromp curve, and by extension the separation density and Ecart Probable (Ep) values. The densimetric profiles of DMC product streams have been traditionally acquired using heavy liquid sinkfloat analysis, which has certain disadvantages, such as the associated safety and health risks. More recently, non-toxic media such as lithium hetero-polytungstates (LST) have been used, with the desired densities being achieved by maintaining the solutions at specific temperatures. However, the high costs of these liquids can be prohibitive. The long turnaround time of the sink-float analysis is a further disadvantage for timeous interventions to the operating set-points of the DMC process. The RhoVol technology can generate the density distribution of a batch of particles in a rapid, accurate, repeatable, and safe manner. Additional data of interest, such as particle size and shape, are also measured and reported on a per-particle basis. Furthermore, samples can be sorted into discrete sorting bins based on any of the measured parameters of the particle, making further analyses of the material possible. This technology has applications across all commodities that use the DMC, particularly in the size fractions 25 +8 mm and 8 +3 mm. To date, laboratory results have proved very encouraging separation densities are within 5% of traditional sink-float results, and the technology is being introduced to diamond DMC plants.
Mysen, B.O., Kumamoto, K., Cody, G.D., Fogel, M.L.
Solubility and solution mechanisms of C-O-H volatiles in silicate melt with variable redox conditions and melt composition at upper mantle temperatures and pressures.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 75, 9, pp. 6183-6199.
Geochemical Perspectives Letters, Vol. 14, pp. 1-6.
Global
Tectonics
Abstract: The tectonic regime of the early Earth has proven enigmatic due to a scarcity of preserved continental crust, yet how early continents were generated is key to deciphering Earth’s evolution. Here we show that a compilation of data from 4.3 to 3.4 Ga igneous and detrital zircons records a secular shift to higher 176Hf/177Hf after ~3.8-3.6 Ga. This globally evident shift indicates that continental crust formation before ~3.8-3.6 Ga largely occurred by internal reworking of long-lived mafic protocrust, whereas later continental crust formation involved extensive input of relatively juvenile magmas, which were produced from rapid remelting of oceanic lithosphere. We propose that this secular shift in the global hafnium isotope record reflects a gradual yet widespread transition from stagnant-lid to mobile-lid tectonics on the early Earth.
Abstract: High pressure experimental studies investigating the petrogenesis of kimberlites have focussed on the effects of CO2 and/or H2O on deep, partial melting of peridotite, or on locating the point of multiple saturation of peridotite phases on the liquidus of putative “primary” kimberlite melts in pressure-temperature space. These studies have failed to reach consensus regarding the source mineralogy or the pressure-temperature conditions of partial melting. An alternative hypothesis is that precursor melts to Group I kimberlites formed under conditions too reducing for carbonate stability, around the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer in the asthenospheric mantle below the cratonic lithosphere. The few experimental constraints on the nature of partial melts produced under these conditions suggest they are hydrous, highly olivine-normative and may contain a small dissolved carbonate component; they are not yet kimberlites at this early stage. Kimberlites have sampled large vertical sections of the cratonic lithospheric mantle in many locations, as garnet peridotite xenoliths. Studies of these xenoliths show that the cratonic mantle decreases in oxygen fugacity (ƒO2) with depth, reaching values ˜ IW near the base of the lithosphere at 6-7 GPa. However, many deep samples were metasomatically enriched and oxidised to ƒO2 values at which carbonate phases are stable [1,2]. Metasomatism in the deep cratonic mantle may also lead to enrichment in K2O, CaO, CO2 and H2O as modal metasomatic phases such as carbonates, phlogopite and clinopyroxene [3]. The asthenosphere-derived, reduced precursor melts to kimberlites may segregate from their source region and interact with this metasomatised lithosphere, dissolving these metasomatic components and evolving to high K/Na, CaO, CO2 and H2O-rich melts, which on modification during transport to the surface, may erupt as kimberlites.
The stability of priderite, lindsleyite-mathiasite andyimengite-hawthornite under lower continental lithosphere conditions:experiments at 35 to 50 Kbar
Proceedings of Fifth International Kimberlite Conference held Araxa June 1991, Servico Geologico do Brasil (CPRM) Special, pp. 106-108
Genesis of ultramafic lamprophyres and carbonatites at Aillik Bay, Labrador: a consequence of incipient lithospheric thinning beneath the North Atlantic Craton
Mineral variations from Mediterranean lamproites: major element compositions and first indications from trace elements in phlogopites, olivines and clinopyroxenes.
Prelevic, D., Akal, C., Foley, S.F., Romer, R.R.,Stracke, A., Van den Bogaard, P.
Ultrapotassic mafic rocks as geochemical proxies for post collisional dynamics of orogenic lithospheric mantle: the case of southwestern Anatolia, Turkey.
Peralk-Carb 2011, workshop held Tubingen Germany June 16-18, Poster
Abstract: This study presents detailed petrographical and geochemical investigations on remarkably fresh olivines in kimberlites from the EKATI Diamond Mine- located in the Tertiary/Cretaceous Lac de Gras kimberlite field within the Slave craton of Canada. Olivine, constituting about 42 vol.% of the analyzed samples, can be divided into two textural groups: (i) macrocrystic olivines, > 100 µm sub-rounded crystals and (ii) groundmass olivines, < 100 µm subhedral crystals. Olivines from both populations define two distinct chemical trends; a “ "mantle trend" with angular cores, showing low Ca (< 0.1 wt.% CaO) and high Ni (0.3-0.4 wt.% NiO) at varying Mg# (0.86-0.93), contrasts with a "melt trend" typified by thin (< 100 µm) rims with increasing Ca (up to 1.0 wt.% CaO) and decreasing Ni (down to 0.1 wt.% NiO) contents at constant Mg# (~ 0.915). These findings are in agreement with recent studies suggesting that virtually all olivine is composed of xenocrystic (i.e. mantle-related) cores with phenocrystic (i.e. melt-related) overgrowths, thereby challenging the traditional view that the origin of kimberlitic olivine can be distinguished based on size and morphology. The two main trends can be further resolved into sub-groups refining the crystallization history of olivine; the mantle trend indicates a multi-source origin that samples the layered lithosphere below the Slave craton, whereas the melt trend represents multi-stage crystallization comprising a differentiation trend starting at mantle conditions and a second trend controlled by the crystallization of additional phases (e.g. chromite) and changing magma conditions (e.g. oxidation). These trends are also seen in the concentrations of trace elements not routinely measured in olivine (e.g. Na, P, Ti, Co, Sc, Zr). Trace element mapping with LA-ICP-MS reveals the distribution of these elements within olivine grains. The trace element distribution between the two trends appears to be consistent with phenocrystic olivine overgrowths mainly originating from dissolved orthopyroxene, showing enrichment in Zr, Ga, Nb, Sc, V, P, Al, Ti, Cr, Ca and Mn in the melt trend. In a sample of magmatic kimberlite from the Leslie pipe, the amount of xenocrystic and phenocrystic olivine is estimated to be around 23 vol.% and 19 vol.%, respectively. Subtraction of this xenocrystic olivine from the Leslie bulk composition, aimed at estimating the parental kimberlite melt, results in a minor decrease of Mg# (by about 0.01) and SiO2 content (by about 3 wt.%), whereas CaO increases (by about 3 wt.%).
Abstract: The generation of strongly potassic melts in the mantle is generally thought to require the presence of phlogopite in the melting assemblage. In the Mediterranean region, trace element and isotope compositions indicate that continental crustal material is involved in the generation of many potassium-rich lavas. This is clearest in ultrapotassic rocks like lamproites and shoshonites, for which the relevant chemical signals are less diluted by extensive melting of peridotite. Furthermore, melting occurs here in young lithosphere, so the continental crust was not stored for a long period of time in the mantle before reactivation. We have undertaken two types of experiments to investigate the reaction between crust and mantle at 1000-1100 °C and 2-3 GPa. In the first, continental crustal metasediment (phyllite) and depleted peridotite (dunite) were juxtaposed as separate blocks, whereas in the second, the same rock powders were intimately mixed. In the first series, a clear reaction zone dominated by orthopyroxene was formed between dunite and phyllite but no hybridized melt could be found, whereas analyzable pools of hybridized melt occurred throughout the charges in the second series. Melt compositions show high abundances of Rb (100-220 ppm) and Ba (400-870 ppm), and consistent ratios of Nb/Ta (10-12), Zr/Hf (34-42), and Rb/Cs (28-34), similar to bulk continental crust. These experiments demonstrate that melts with as much as 5 wt% K2O may result from reaction between melts of continent-derived sediment and depleted peridotite at shallow mantle depths without the need for phlogopite or any other potassic phase in the residue.
Abstract: Tectonically young, orogenic settings are commonly the sites of post-collisional silica-rich ultrapotassic magmas with extreme K2O-contents of up to 9 wt% and K2O/Na2O > 2. Many experimental studies investigating the generation of these melts have concentrated on melting of homogenous phlogopite bearing peridotites, whereas geochemical signatures indicate the involvement of at least two types of source rocks: ultra-depleted and K and trace elements-enriched ones. We report the results of melting experiments at 1–2 GPa of mixed glimmerite and harzburgite, in which these rock types make up two halves each capsule. Melting begins in the glimmerite, and its metasomatic effects on the harzburgite are apparent at 1100 °C even before melt pools are visible. The first melts are Na-rich, seen in zoning of olivines and as growth of clinopyroxene in the harzburgite, but change at higher degrees of melting to produce a typical lamproite-like melt with K2O > 10 wt%. A major advantage of this study is the preservation of distinct melts in different parts of the capsule, which reflect a process of dynamic metasomatism: within the harzburgite matrix, the infiltrating melt derived from melting of the glimmerite changes consistently with the distance of travel through the harzburgite, enabling quantification of the metasomatic effects as an increase in SiO2 and K2O. This results principally from assimilation of orthopyroxene, which increases the Ol/Opx ratio of the residual harzburgite. The effects of quench olivine growth are recognizable and can be quantified due to a step-change in composition at the glimmerite/harzburgite border: the large total surface area of olivine and small melt fraction mean that the amount of quench olivine is high within the harzburgite, but negligible in the almost completely molten glimmerite. Melts of the glimmerite contain up to 8–10 wt% K2O and 53 wt% SiO2, which increase to 55–56 wt% after interaction with the harzburgite. Mediterranean lamproites resemble melts of glimmerite, whereas melts that have interacted with harzburgite are more similar to less potassic, but more SiO2-rich shoshonites of the Mediterranean region.
Abstract: The possible role of continental sediments in the generation of potassium-enriched lavas of the Alpine-Himalayan belt depends on their melting behaviour either during subduction or during post-collisional relaxation. Although usually classed as orogenic lavas, these volcanic rocks may result from re-melting of newly formed mantle lithosphere 30–40 million years after collision ends, and can thus be considered as the first stage of intraplate volcanism. The potassic component in these volcanics is characterized by a high Th/La signature for which there are two competing explanations: melting of subducted continental clastic sediments, and the involvement of lawsonite blueschists in the protoliths to the melting assemblages. Here, we report on a series of high-pressure experiments at 1–3 GPa and 900 to 975 °C on the melting behaviour of natural phyllite from Serbia, which serves as a proxy for Balkan upper continental crust. Hydrous granitic melts are present in all runs (68 wt% SiO2, ~ 4–5 wt% K2O, Mg# < 54 and ~ 5 wt% H2O). Garnet, quartz/coesite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite/phengite, clinopyroxene and sillimanite/kyanite, and accessory phases including zircon, rutile, ilmenite, apatite and monazite occur in the charges. LA-ICP-MS analyses establish that the melts are extremely enriched in LILE (except for Sr), Th and U, but depleted in Nb and Zr, with LREE higher than HREE. Accessory phases accommodate several trace elements, especially HFSE and REE. Partition coefficients for some trace elements between residue and crustal melts are close to 1, contrasting strongly with melts of peridotite. Our dataset indicates that the direct melting of upper continental crust alone would generate siliceous, high-K magmas with enriched LILE, Th and U, but cannot explain the high Th/La fingerprint of K-rich lavas of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. We demonstrate that the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic volcanics attribute their unusual trace element geochemistry to the involvement of lawsonite blueschists that are imbricated together with extremely depleted fore-arc peridotites to form new lithosphere in the source region. There is no need or evidence for deep subduction in which a succession of additional reactions would only serve to modify and dilute the high Th/La signature.
Abstract: Carbonate-rich ultramafic lamprophyres (aillikites) and associated rocks characteristically occur during the early stages of thinning and rifting of cratonic mantle lithosphere, prior to the eruption of melilitites, nephelinites and alkali basalts. It is accepted that they require volatile-rich melting conditions, and the presence of phlogopite and carbonate in the source, but the exact source rock assemblages are debated. Melts similar to carbonate-rich ultramafic lamprophyres (aillikites) have been produced by melting of peridotites in the presence of CO2 and H2O, whereas isotopes and trace elements appear to favor distinct phlogopite-bearing rocks.
Olivine macrocrysts in aillikites are usually rounded and abraded, so that it is debated whether they are phenocrysts or mantle xenocrysts. We have analyzed minor and trace element composition in olivines from the type aillikites from Aillik Bay in Labrador, Canada. We characterize five groups of olivines: [1] mantle xenocrysts, [2] the main phenocryst population, and [3] reversely zoned crystals interpreted as phenocrysts from earlier, more fractionated, magma batches, [4] rims on the phenocrysts, which delineate aillikite melt fractionation trends, and [5] rims around the reversely zoned olivines. The main phenocryst population is characterized by mantle-like Ni (averaging 3400 µg g- 1) and Ni/Mg at Mg# of 88-90, overlapping with phenocrysts in ocean island basalts and Mediterranean lamproites. However, they also have low 100 Mn/Fe of 0.9-1.3 and no correlation between Ni and other trace elements (Sc, Co, Li) that would indicate recycled oceanic or continental crust in their sources. The low Mn/Fe without high Ni/Mg, and the high V/Sc (2-5) are inherited from phlogopite in the source that originated by solidification of lamproitic melts at the base of the cratonic lithosphere in a previous stage of igneous activity. The olivine phenocryst compositions are interpreted to result from phlogopite and not high modal pyroxene in the source. The presence of kimberlites and ultramafic lamprophyres of Mesozoic age in Greenland indicates the persistence of a steep edge to the cratonic lithosphere at a time when this had been removed from the western flank in Labrador.
Abstract: The continental lithosphere is a vast store for carbon. The carbon has been added and reactivated by episodic freezing and re-melting throughout geological history. Carbon remobilization can lead to significant variations in CO2 outgassing and release in the form of magmas from the continental lithosphere over geological timescales. Here we use calculations of continental lithospheric carbon storage, enrichment and remobilization to demonstrate that the role for continental lithosphere and rifts in Earth’s deep carbon budget has been severely underestimated. We estimate that cratonic lithosphere, which formed 2 to 3 billion years ago, originally contained about 0.25 Mt C km -3. A further 14 to 28 Mt C km -3 is added over time from the convecting mantle and about 43 Mt C km -3 is added by plume activity. Re-melting focuses carbon beneath rifts, creating zones with about 150 to 240 Mt C km -3, explaining the well-known association of carbonate-rich magmatic rocks with rifts. Reactivation of these zones can release 28 to 34 Mt of carbon per year for the 40 million year lifetime of a continental rift. During past episodes of supercontinent breakup, the greater abundance of continental rifts could have led to short-term carbon release of at least 142 to 170 Mt of carbon per year, and may have contributed to the high atmospheric CO2 at several times in Earth's history.
Mineralogy and Petrology, doi.org/10.1007/s00710-018-0612-9 19p.
Australia
lamproites
Abstract: The Miocene lamproites of the West Kimberley region, Western Australia include olivine-leucite lamproites (=10 wt% MgO) containing olivine and leucite microphenocrysts, and diamondiferous olivine lamproites (20-30 wt% MgO) containing olivine phenocrysts and larger (1-10 mm) olivine as mantle xenocrysts and dunite micro-xenoliths. Olivine phenocrysts and thin (<100 µm) magmatic rims define trends of decreasing Cr and Ni, and increasing Ca and Mn, with decreasing olivine Mg#, consistent with fractional crystallisation of olivine (and minor chromite). Many phenocrysts are zoned, and those with cores of similar Mg# and trace element abundances to the mantle xenocrysts may be xenocrysts overgrown by later olivine crystallised from the lamproite magma. Magmatic olivines Mg#91-92 are estimated to have been in equilibrium with olivine lamproite magma(s) containing ~22-24 wt% MgO. The xenocrystic mantle olivines Mg90-92.5 in the olivine lamproites are inferred from trace element abundances to be mostly derived from garnet peridotite with equilibration temperatures estimated from the Al-in-olivine thermometer (Bussweiler et al. 2017) to be ~1000-1270 °C at depths of 115-190 km. Olivines from the deeper lithosphere are less depleted (lower Mg#, higher Na, Al, P, Ti, Zr etc) than those at shallower depths, a feature suggested to reflect the combined effects of metasomatic re-enrichment of the craton roots (Ti, Fe, Zr etc) and increasing temperature with depth of origin (Na, Al, Ca). The West Kimberley lamproite olivines are not enriched in Li, as might be expected if their source regions contained continental sedimentary material as has been previously inferred from lamproite large-ion-lithophile trace elements, and Sr and Pb isotopes.
Abstract: Sedimentary carbonate rocks, which exist extensively in the oceanic realm, are subducted to differing degrees during the closure of oceanic basins. However, very few observational data exist to provide details on the mechanisms of transport of carbonate materials from the surface to mantle depths and back to the Earth’s surface. Here we presented a series of diamond-bearing carbonatite xenoliths, carbonatite intrusions and carbonatite veins along the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). These carbonatites show geochemical features of recycled limestone (similar trace element patterns and high 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.705-0.709), indicating that they had a sedimentary limestone precursor. However, the presence of diamond, reduced minerals (e.g., moissanite), mantle-derived silicate minerals (eg., Cpx and Opx), and high Ni content and 143Nd/144Nd ratio indicate their staying for a time in the mantle. Combining with the zircon age spectrums of the carbonatite xenoliths and intrusions and the extensive high-87Sr/86Sr (up to 0.708) carbonatite metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle along the northern margin of NCC, we suggest that the limestone precursor could have been derived from the Paleo-Asian Ocean, and these carbonatites mark the subduction of a carbonate platform of the Paleo-Asian Oceanic slab to mantle depths beneath the NCC. Extensive mantle recycling of sedimentary carbonate could have contributed to the modification of the lithospheric mantle along the northern margin of the North China Craton.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Vol. 177, pp. 76-88.
Mantle
lamproite
Abstract: Potassium-rich lavas with K/Na of >2 are common in orogenic and anorogenic intraplate magmatic provinces. However, in the primitive mantle, the concentration of Na exceeds that of K by 10 times. The source of K-rich lavas thus needs to be either K-enriched or Na-depleted to account for high K/Na ratios. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of high 87Sr/86Sr post-collisional lavas show that their mantle source contains a recycled crustal component. These highly K-enriched lavas with crustal like trace element patterns are termed “orogenic lamproites” and are compositionally distinct from K-rich “anorogenic lamproites” that show lower 87Sr/86Sr and a trace element pattern that resembles that of primary mantle melts. For both groups the processes of K-enrichment within their source are uncertain and are thought to be linked to melts of sedimentary rocks for “orogenic lamproites” and low-degree melts of ultramafic mantle rocks for “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere is the precursor to K-rich magmatism. In this study we experimentally determine the effects of mantle metasomatism by sediment- and hydrous mantle melts. The experiments simulate the interaction of refractory lithospheric mantle and metasomatizing melt in a 2-layer reaction experiment. The sediment/dunite reaction experiments lead to formation of a strongly K-enriched phlogopite-pyroxenite layer sandwiched between the two starting materials. The low temperature of the sediment/dunite reaction runs at <1000?°C simulates a fore-arc subduction environment, in which the melts of sediment are consumed during interaction with dunite as the temperature is below the solidus of the produced phlogopite-pyroxenites. The hydrous mantle melt/dunite reaction run is simulated by reacting a hydrated basanite with dunite. Since the temperature of the reaction is higher than the solidus of the resulting phlogopite-pyroxenites (1200?°C), the hydrous melt is not consumed but flows further, increasing in K2O and K/Na as it reacts with the refractory peridotite. In both cases, melts are enriched in K and K/Na increases by crystallizing a low K and low K/Na eclogitic residue. Compositions of glass and phlogopite from both types of reactions are comparable to glasses and phlogopites found within post-collisional lavas. Since the enrichment of K within the reaction zone is strongly controlled by the formation of low K/Na and low-K residues, metasomatic enrichment of the mantle lithosphere in K does not need a highly K-enriched metasomatic agent.
Abstract: Diamonds growing in the Earth’s mantle often trap inclusions of fluids that are highly saline in composition. These fluids are thought to emerge from deep in subduction zones and may also be involved in the generation of some of the kimberlite magmas. However, the source of these fluids and the mechanism of their transport into the mantle lithosphere are unresolved. Here, we present experimental results showing that alkali chlorides are stable solid phases in the mantle lithosphere below 110 km. These alkali chlorides are formed by the reaction of subducted marine sediments with peridotite and show identical K/Na ratios to fluid inclusions in diamond. At temperatures >1100°C and low pressures, the chlorides are unstable; here, potassium is accommodated in mica and melt. The reaction of subducted sediments with peridotite explains the occurrence of Mg carbonates and the highly saline fluids found in diamonds and in chlorine-enriched kimberlite magmas.
Abstract: The subduction of sediment connects the surface nitrogen cycle to that of the deep Earth. To understand the evolution of nitrogen in the atmosphere, the behavior of nitrogen during the subduction and melting of subducted sediments has to be estimated. This study presents high-pressure experimental measurements of the partitioning of nitrogen during the melting of sediments at sub-arc depths. For quantitative analysis of nitrogen in minerals and glasses, we calibrated the electron probe micro-analyzer on synthetic ammonium feldspar to measure nitrogen concentrations as low as 500?µg?g-1. Nitrogen abundances in melt and mica are used together with mass balance calculations to determine DN(Mica/Melt), DN(Fluid/Mica), and DN(Fluid/Melt). Calculated partition coefficients correspond to expected values for NH4+, which behaves similarly to Rb+ due to its nearly identical size. Nitrogen partitioning between fluid and melt (DN(Fluid/Melt)) and fluid and bulk residue (melt+mica) (DN(Fluid/Bulk)) increase linearly with temperature normalized to pressure. This linear relationship can be used to calculate DN(Fluid/Melt) and DN(Fluid/Bulk) for slab melts from 800 to 1200?°C following: and [nasty equation that did not copy]. We used these partition coefficients to quantify the amount of N recycled into the mantle as 50?±?6% of today's atmospheric N. Depending on the rate of mantle N degassing we calculated 4 different scenarios for atmospheric pN2 evolution. All 4 scenarios estimate pN2 to be 8-12% higher at the beginning of the Phanerozoic. These estimates diverge towards the past due to uncertainties in the mechanism and magnitude of N degassing from the mantle. Assuming degassing of N in the past was close to modern degassing rates from MORB, pN2 was up to 40% higher at the onset of plate tectonics at 3-4?Ga. However, degassing rates were probably higher than this: assuming 10× and 20× times higher rates at the onset of plate tectonics leads to pN2 within 20% of modern values. If N degassing from the mantle is increased to 40× the modern MORB rate, pN2 in the Archean would have been 50% lower than today's, which is in accordance with observations from paleoatmospheric studies.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Vol. 177, pp. 76-88.
Mantle
metasomatism
Abstract: Potassium-rich lavas with K/Na of >2 are common in orogenic and anorogenic intraplate magmatic provinces. However, in the primitive mantle, the concentration of Na exceeds that of K by 10 times. The source of K-rich lavas thus needs to be either K-enriched or Na-depleted to account for high K/Na ratios. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of high 87Sr/86Sr post-collisional lavas show that their mantle source contains a recycled crustal component. These highly K-enriched lavas with crustal like trace element patterns are termed “orogenic lamproites” and are compositionally distinct from K-rich “anorogenic lamproites” that show lower 87Sr/86Sr and a trace element pattern that resembles that of primary mantle melts. For both groups the processes of K-enrichment within their source are uncertain and are thought to be linked to melts of sedimentary rocks for “orogenic lamproites” and low-degree melts of ultramafic mantle rocks for “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere is the precursor to K-rich magmatism. In this study we experimentally determine the effects of mantle metasomatism by sediment- and hydrous mantle melts. The experiments simulate the interaction of refractory lithospheric mantle and metasomatizing melt in a 2-layer reaction experiment. The sediment/dunite reaction experiments lead to formation of a strongly K-enriched phlogopite-pyroxenite layer sandwiched between the two starting materials. The low temperature of the sediment/dunite reaction runs at <1000?°C simulates a fore-arc subduction environment, in which the melts of sediment are consumed during interaction with dunite as the temperature is below the solidus of the produced phlogopite-pyroxenites. The hydrous mantle melt/dunite reaction run is simulated by reacting a hydrated basanite with dunite. Since the temperature of the reaction is higher than the solidus of the resulting phlogopite-pyroxenites (1200?°C), the hydrous melt is not consumed but flows further, increasing in K2O and K/Na as it reacts with the refractory peridotite. In both cases, melts are enriched in K and K/Na increases by crystallizing a low K and low K/Na eclogitic residue. Compositions of glass and phlogopite from both types of reactions are comparable to glasses and phlogopites found within post-collisional lavas. Since the enrichment of K within the reaction zone is strongly controlled by the formation of low K/Na and low-K residues, metasomatic enrichment of the mantle lithosphere in K does not need a highly K-enriched metasomatic agent.
MDPI Minerals, Vol. 10, 41;doe.10.3390/min10010041 21p. Pdf
Mantle
metasomatism
Abstract: The generation of strongly potassic melts in the mantle requires the presence of phlogopite in the melting assemblage, while isotopic and trace element analyses of ultrapotassic rocks frequently indicate the involvement of subducted crustal lithologies in the source. However, phlogopite-free experiments that focus on melting of sedimentary rocks and subsequent hybridization with mantle rocks at pressures of 1-3 GPa have not successfully produced melts with K2O >5 wt%-6 wt%, while ultrapotassic igneous rocks reach up to 12 wt% K2O. Accordingly, a two-stage process that enriches K2O and increases K/Na in intermediary assemblages in the source prior to ultrapotassic magmatism seems likely. Here, we simulate this two-stage formation of ultrapotassic magmas using an experimental approach that involves re-melting of parts of an experimental product in a second experiment. In the first stage, reaction experiments containing layered sediment and dunite produced a modally metasomatized reaction zone at the border of a depleted peridotite. For the second-stage experiment, the metasomatized dunite was separated from the residue of the sedimentary rock and transferred to a smaller capsule, and melts were produced with 8 wt%-8.5 wt% K2O and K/Na of 6-7. This is the first time that extremely K-enriched ultrapotassic melts have been generated experimentally from sediments at low pressure applicable to a post-collisional setting.
Earth Science Reviews, in press available, 38p. Doi.org/1010.1016 /jearsciev.2019.103073
Global
carbon
Abstract: Although the deep recycling of carbon has been proposed to play a key role in producing intraplate magmatism, the question of how it controls or triggers mantle melting remains poorly understood. In addition, generation of incipient carbonated melts in the mantle and their subsequent reaction with the mantle are critical processes that can influence the geochemistry of intraplate basalts, but the details of such processes are also unclear. Here we present geochemical evidence for the existence of pervasive carbonate melt in the mantle source of Cenozoic continental intraplate highly alkali basalts (SiO2 < 45 wt%), which are volumetrically minor but widespread in eastern China. The primary magma compositions of these basalts cannot be explained by either partial melting of a single mantle source lithology or mixing of magmas derived from distinct mantle sources, but can be adequately explained by carbonate-fluxed melting of eclogite and subsequent reaction between silica-rich melts and peridotite that ultimately transformed the initial carbonated silica-rich melts into silica-undersaturated alkalic magmas. The source of the carbonate is in subducted eclogites associated with the Pacific plate, which stagnated in the mantle transition zone (MTZ). The spatial distribution of the alkali basalts is in accord with large-scale seismic low-velocity anomalies in the upper mantle above the MTZ. Similar scenarios in central-western Europe and eastern Australia lead us to propose that reaction between carbonated silica-rich melt and peridotite may be a pivotal mechanism for the generation of continental intraplate alkali basalts elsewhere in the world.
Abstract: We present a comprehensive petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical study of calc-alkaline lamprophyres (CAL) from the Archean Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Previous studies have shown that the emplacement age of CAL from the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane of the Yilgarn Craton is ~2684 to ~2640 Ma. A new Rb/Sr mica age for a CAL sample in the Western Yilgarn is ~2070 Ma. Both Archean and Proterozoic CAL analysed in this study display porphyritic textures and contain phenocrysts of amphibole, minor clinopyroxene and biotite in a fine-grained groundmass dominated by feldspar. High MgO, Ni and Cr abundances (up to 11.9 wt%, 373 and 993 ppm. respectively) are consistent with derivation of primitive magmas from a mantle source. Enrichment in H2O, reflected in the abundance of magmatic amphibole and mica, combined with high whole-rock LILE, Th/Yb ratios and negative Nb-Ta anomalies in trace element patterns are consistent with a source that was metasomatised by hydrous fluids analogous to those generated by Phanerozoic subduction-related processes. Chondritic ?Nd and ?Hf signatures and Archean mantle-like Sr isotope signatures of the Late Archean CAL indicate that the fluid metasomatism required to explain their volatile and trace-element enriched composition shortly preceded partial melting (i.e. there was insufficient time to develop enriched radiogenic isotopic signatures). The concurrence of apparently juvenile radiogenic isotopes and fluid-related trace element compositions requires a geodynamic scenario whereby dehydration of a subducted slab triggered metasomatism of the overlying mantle wedge. Our findings therefore support a subduction setting at ~2.6-2.7 Ga along the eastern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. The CAL from the Western Yilgarn have similar compositions but enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes compared to those in the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane. This signature is consistent with melting of lithospheric mantle domains previously enriched by subduction-related metasomatism. Hence, our study suggests the presence of a subduction setting in the Western Yilgarn during the Archean, which is consistent with previous geodynamic reconstructions. However, the geodynamic trigger for the early Proterozoic event that generated CAL magmatism in the Western Yilgarn is currently unclear.
Abstract: Quantifying the compositional evolution of mantle-derived melts from source to surface is fundamental for constraining the nature of primary melts and deep Earth composition. Despite abundant evidence for interaction between carbonate-rich melts, including diamondiferous kimberlites, and mantle wall rocks en route to surface, the effects of this interaction on melt compositions are poorly constrained. Here, we demonstrate a robust linear correlation between the Mg/Si ratios of kimberlites and their entrained mantle components and between Mg/Fe ratios of mantle-derived olivine cores and magmatic olivine rims in kimberlites worldwide. Combined with numerical modeling, these findings indicate that kimberlite melts with highly variable composition were broadly similar before lithosphere assimilation. This implies that kimberlites worldwide originated by partial melting of compositionally similar convective mantle sources under comparable physical conditions. We conclude that mantle assimilation markedly alters the major element composition of carbonate-rich melts and is a major process in the evolution of mantle-derived magmas.
Abstract: We present a comprehensive petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical study of calc-alkaline lamprophyres (CAL) from the Archean Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Previous studies have shown that the emplacement age of CAL from the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane of the Yilgarn Craton is ~2684 to ~2640 Ma. A new Rb/Sr mica age for a CAL sample in the Western Yilgarn is ~2070 Ma. Both Archean and Proterozoic CAL analysed in this study display porphyritic textures and contain phenocrysts of amphibole, minor clinopyroxene and biotite in a fine-grained groundmass dominated by feldspar. High MgO, Ni and Cr abundances (up to 11.9 wt%, 373 and 993 ppm. respectively) are consistent with derivation of primitive magmas from a mantle source. Enrichment in H2O, reflected in the abundance of magmatic amphibole and mica, combined with high whole-rock LILE, Th/Yb ratios and negative Nb-Ta anomalies in trace element patterns are consistent with a source that was metasomatised by hydrous fluids analogous to those generated by Phanerozoic subduction-related processes. Chondritic ?Nd and ?Hf signatures and Archean mantle-like Sr isotope signatures of the Late Archean CAL indicate that the fluid metasomatism required to explain their volatile and trace-element enriched composition shortly preceded partial melting (i.e. there was insufficient time to develop enriched radiogenic isotopic signatures). The concurrence of apparently juvenile radiogenic isotopes and fluid-related trace element compositions requires a geodynamic scenario whereby dehydration of a subducted slab triggered metasomatism of the overlying mantle wedge. Our findings therefore support a subduction setting at ~2.6-2.7 Ga along the eastern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. The CAL from the Western Yilgarn have similar compositions but enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotopes compared to those in the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane. This signature is consistent with melting of lithospheric mantle domains previously enriched by subduction-related metasomatism. Hence, our study suggests the presence of a subduction setting in the Western Yilgarn during the Archean, which is consistent with previous geodynamic reconstructions. However, the geodynamic trigger for the early Proterozoic event that generated CAL magmatism in the Western Yilgarn is currently unclear.
Abstract: The Vuoriyarvi Devonian alkaline-ultramafic complex (northwest Russia) contains magnesiocarbonatites with rare earth mineralization localized in the Petyayan-Vara area. High concentrations of rare earth elements are found in two types of these rocks: (a) ancylite-dominant magnesiocarbonatites with ancylite-baryte-strontianite-calcite-quartz (±late Ca-Fe-Mg carbonates) ore assemblage, i.e., “ancylite ores”; (b) breccias of magnesiocarbonatites with a quartz-bastnäsite matrix (±late Ca-Fe-Mg carbonates), i.e., “bastnäsite ores.” We studied fluid inclusions in quartz and late-stage Ca-Fe-Mg carbonates from these ore assemblages. Fluid inclusion data show that ore-related mineralization was formed in several stages. We propose the following TX evolution scheme for ore-related processes: (1) the formation of ancylite ores began under the influence of highly concentrated (>50 wt.%) sulphate fluids (with thenardite and anhydrite predominant in the daughter phases of inclusions) at a temperature above300-350 °C; (2) the completion of the formation of ancylite ores and their auto-metasomatic alteration occurred under the influence of concentrated (40-45 wt.%) carbonate fluids (shortite and synchysite-Ce in fluid inclusions) at a temperature above 250-275 °C; (3) bastnäsite ores deposited from low-concentrated (20-30 wt.%) hydrocarbonate-chloride fluids (halite, nahcolite, and/or gaylussite in fluid inclusions) at a temperature of 190-250 °C or higher. Later hydrothermal mineralization was related to the low-concentration hydrocarbonate-chloride fluids (<15 wt.% NaCl-equ.) at 150-200 °C. The presented data show the specific features of the mineral and fluid evolution of ore-related late-stage hydrothermal rare earth element (REE) mineralization of the Vuoriyarvi alkaline-ultramafic complex.
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 171, 15p.
Canada, Northwest Territories
Deposit - Diavik
Abstract: Fibrous diamonds are often interpreted as direct precipitates of primary carbonate-bearing fluids in the lithospheric mantle, sourced directly from common reservoirs of “mantle” carbon and nitrogen. Here we have examined fibrous growth layers in five diamonds (as three rims or “coats” and two whole-crystal cuboids) from the Diavik Diamond Mine, Canada, using in situ C- and N-isotope and N-abundance measurements to investigate the origin and evolution of their parental fluids, and in particular, to test for isotopic variability within a suite of fibrous diamonds. High-resolution growth structure information was gleaned from cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging and, in combination with the isotopic data, was used to assess the nature of the transition from gem to fibrous growth in the coated diamonds. The two cuboids are characterized by fine concentric bands of fibrous and/or milky opaque diamond, with one sample (S1719) having intermittent gem-like growth layers that are transparent and colourless. The three coated diamonds comprise octahedral gem cores mantled by massive or weakly zoned fibrous rims, with sharp and well-defined gem-fibrous boundaries. For the two cuboid samples, d 13C and d 15N values were -7.7 to -3.2 ‰ (mean -6.3 ± 1.3 ‰; 1 SD; n = 84) and -5.6 to -2.1 ‰ (mean -4.0 ± 0.8 ‰; 1 SD; n = 48), respectively. The three fibrous rims have combined d 13C values of -8.3 to -4.8 ‰ (mean -6.9 ± 0.7 ‰; 1 SD; n = 113) and d 15N values of -3.8 to -1.9 ‰ (mean -2.7 ± 0.4 ‰; 1 SD; n = 43). N-abundances of the combined cuboid-fibrous rim dataset range from 339 to 1714 at. ppm. The gem cores have d 13C and d 15N values of -5.4 to -3.5 ‰ and -17.7 to +4.5 ‰, respectively, and N-abundances of 480 to 1699 at. ppm. Broadly uniform C- and N-isotope compositions were observed in each of the gem cores (variations of ~<1 ‰ for carbon and ~<3 ‰ for nitrogen). This limited C- and N- isotope variability implies that the gem cores formed from separate pulses of fluid that remained isotopically uniform throughout the duration of growth. Significant isotopic and abundance differences were observed between the gem and fibrous growth zones, including in one detailed isotopic profile d 13C and d 15N offsets of ~-2.4 and ~-3.7 ‰, respectively, and a ~230 at. ppm increase in N-abundance. Combined with the well-defined gem-fibrous boundaries in plane light and CL, these sharp isotopic differences indicate separate parental fluid histories. Notably, in the combined fibrous diamond dataset prominent C- and N-isotope differences between the whole-crystal cuboid and fibrous rim data were observed, including a consistent ~1.3 ‰ offset in d 15N values between the two growth types. This bimodal N-isotope distribution is interpreted as formation from separate parental fluids, associated with distinct nitrogen sources. The bimodal N-isotope distribution could also be explained by differences in N-speciation between the respective parental fluids, which would largely be controlled by the oxidation state of the fibrous rim and cuboid growth environments (i.e., N2 vs. NH4 + or NH3). We also note that this C- and N-isotope variability could indicate temporal changes to the source(s) of the respective parental fluids, such that each stage of fibrous diamond growth reflects the emplacement of separate pulses of proto-kimberlitic fluid—from distinct carbon and nitrogen sources, and/or with varying N-species—into the lithospheric mantle.
Society of Economic Geology Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits, Special Publication no. 20, pp. 287-318.
Ventura Santos, R., Souza de Alvarenga, C.J., Babinski, M., Ramos, M.L.S., Cukrov, N., Fonsec, M.A., Da Norbrega
Carbon isotopes of Mesoproterozoic Neoproterozoic sequences from southern Sao Francisco craton and Aracuai Belt, Brazil: paleogeorgraphic implications.
Journal of South American Earth Sciences, Vol. 18, 1, Dec. 30, pp. 27-39.
Abstract: The peridotite xenoliths of the Letlhakane kimberlite (Botswana), which intrude the Proterozoic Magondi Belt on the western margin of the Zimbabwe craton, represent highly depleted melting residues. These residues suffered subsequent variable metasomatic overprinting, evidenced by cryptic trace element enrichments in the spinel peridotites to modal addition of phlogopite, clinopyroxene and spinel within the garnet peridotites. In order to assess the robustness of the Re–Os chronometer in such highly metasomatised peridotites, detailed investigations of base metal sulphide (BMS) petrography and single-BMS grain 187Os/188Os analyses have been undertaken in three representative peridotites.
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 447, pp. 60-71.
Africa, South Africa
Deposit - Bultfontein
Abstract: Understanding the mineralogical controls on radiogenic chronometers is a fundamental aspect of all geochronological tools. As with other common dating tools, it has become increasingly clear that the Re -Os system can be impacted by multiple mineral formation events. The accessory and micrometric nature of the Re -Os-bearing minerals has made assessing this influence complex. This is especially evident in cratonic peridotites, where long residence times and multiple metasomatic events have created a complex melting and re-enrichment history. Here we investigate a harzburgitic peridotite from the Bultfontein kimberlite (South Africa) which contains sub-micron Pt -Fe-alloy inclusions within base metal sulphides (BMS). Through the combination of the focused ion beam lift-out technique and low blank mass spectrometry we were able to remove and analyse the Pt -Fe-alloy inclusions for their Re -Os composition and highly siderophile element (HSE) systematics. Six repeats of the whole-rock yield 187Os/188Os compositions of 0.10893 -0.10965, which correspond to Re depletion model ages (TRD) of 2.69 -2.79 Ga. The Os, Ir and Pt concentrations are slightly variable across the different digestions, whilst Pd and Re remain constant. The resulting HSE pattern is typical of cratonic peridotites displaying depleted Pt and Pd. The Pt -Fe-alloys have PUM-like 187Os/188Os compositions of 0.1294±24 (2-s.d.) and 0.1342±38, and exhibit a saw-tooth HSE pattern with enriched Re and Pt. In contrast, their BMS hosts have unradiogenic 187Os/188Os of 0.1084±6 and 0.1066±3, with TRD ages of 2.86 and 3.09 Ga, similar to the whole-rock systematics. The metasomatic origin of the BMS is supported by (i) the highly depleted nature of the mantle peridotite and (ii) their Ni-rich sulphide assemblage. Occurrence of Pt -Fe-alloys as inclusions within BMS grains demonstrates the genetic link between the BMS and Pt -Fe-alloys and argues for formation during a single but continuous event of silicate melt percolation. While the high solubility of HSE within sulphide mattes rules out early formation of the alloys from a S-undersaturated silicate melt and subsequent scavenging in a sulphide matte, the alignment of the Pt -Fe-alloy inclusions attests that they are exsolutions formed during the sub-solidus re-equilibration of the high temperature sulphide phases. The significant difference in 187Os/188Os composition between the included Pt -Fe-alloys and their BMS host can only be accounted for by different Re/Os. This suggests that the formation of Pt -Fe-alloy inclusions within a BMS can result in the fractionation of Re from Os. A survey experiment examining the partitioning of Re and Os confirmed this observation, with the Re/Os of the Pt -Fe-alloy inclusion up to ten times higher than the co-existing BMS. This fractionation implies that, when Re is present in the sulphide melt, the TRD ages of BMS containing alloy inclusions do not date the loss of Re due to partial melting, but rather its fractionation into the Pt -Fe-alloys. As such, BMS ages should be used with caution when dating ancient partial melting events.
Geochimica et Cosmochimia Acta, Vol. 216, pp. 264-285.
Canada, Nunavut, Somerset Island
Geochronology
Abstract: We report detailed petrographic investigations along with 187Os/188Os data in Base Metal Sulfide (BMS) on four cratonic mantle xenoliths from Somerset Island (Rae Craton, Canada). The results shed light on the processes affecting the Re-Os systematics and provide time constraints on the formation and evolution of the cratonic lithospheric mantle beneath the Rae craton. When devoid of alteration, BMS grains mainly consist of pentlandite + pyrrhotite ± chalcopyrite. The relatively high BMS modal abundance of the four investigated xenoliths cannot be reconciled with the residual nature of these peridotites, but requires addition of metasomatic BMS. This is especially evident in the two peridotites with the highest bulk Pd/Ir and Pd/Pt. Metasomatic BMS likely formed during melt/fluid percolation in the Sub Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) as well as during infiltration of the host kimberlite magma, when djerfisherite crystallized around older Fe-Ni-sulfides. On the whole-rock scale, kimberlite metasomatism is visible in a subset of bulk xenoliths, which defines a Re-Os errorchron that dates the host magma emplacement. The 187Os/188Os measured in the twenty analysed BMS grains vary from 0.1084 to >0.17 and it shows no systematic variation depending on the sulfide mineralogical assemblage. The largest range in 187Os/188Os is observed in BMS grains from the two xenoliths with the highest Pd/Ir, Pd/Pt, and sulfide modal abundance. The whole-rock TRD ages of these two samples underestimate the melting age obtained from BMS, demonstrating that bulk Re-Os model ages from peridotites with clear evidence of metasomatism should be treated with caution. The TRD ages determined in BMS grains are clustered around 2.8-2.7, ~2.2 and ~1.9 Ga. The 2.8-2.7 Ga TRD ages document the main SCLM building event in the Rae craton, which is likely related to the formation of the local greenstone belts in a continental rift setting. The Paleoproterozoic TRD ages can be explained by addition of metasomatic BMS during (i) major lithospheric rifting at ~2.2 Ga and (ii) the Taltson-Thelon orogeny at ~1.9 Ga. The data suggest that even metasomatic BMS can inherit 187Os/188Os from their original mantle source. The lack of isotopic equilibration, even at the micro-scale, allowed the preservation of different populations of BMS grains with distinct 187Os/188Os, providing age information on multiple magmatic events that affected the SCLM.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, in press available 49p.
Canada, Nunavut, Somerset Island
peridotite
Abstract: We report detailed petrographic investigations along with 187Os/188Os data in Base Metal Sulfide (BMS) on four cratonic mantle xenoliths from Somerset Island (Rae Craton, Canada). The results shed light on the processes affecting the Re-Os systematics and provide time constraints on the formation and evolution of the cratonic lithospheric mantle beneath the Rae craton. When devoid of alteration, BMS grains mainly consist of pentlandite + pyrrhotite ± chalcopyrite. The relatively high BMS modal abundance of the four investigated xenoliths cannot be reconciled with the residual nature of these peridotites, but requires addition of metasomatic BMS. This is especially evident in the two peridotites with the highest bulk Pd/Ir and Pd/Pt. Metasomatic BMS likely formed during melt/fluid percolation in the Sub Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) as well as during infiltration of the host kimberlite magma, when djerfisherite crystallized around older Fe-Ni-sulfides. On the whole-rock scale, kimberlite metasomatism is visible in a subset of bulk xenoliths, which defines a Re-Os errorchron that dates the host magma emplacement.
The 187Os/188Os measured in the twenty analysed BMS grains vary from 0.1084 to >0.17 and it shows no systematic variation depending on the sulfide mineralogical assemblage. The largest range in 187Os/188Os is observed in BMS grains from the two xenoliths with the highest Pd/Ir, Pd/Pt, and sulfide modal abundance. The whole-rock TRD ages of these two samples underestimate the melting age obtained from BMS, demonstrating that bulk Re-Os model ages from peridotites with clear evidence of metasomatism should be treated with caution.
The TRD ages determined in BMS grains are clustered around 2.8-2.7, ~2.2 and ~1.9 Ga. The 2.8-2.7 Ga TRD ages document the main SCLM building event in the Rae craton, which is likely related to the formation of the local greenstone belts in a continental rift setting. The Paleoproterozoic TRD ages can be explained by addition of metasomatic BMS during (i) major lithospheric rifting at ~2.2 Ga and (ii) the Taltson-Thelon orogeny at ~1.9 Ga. The data suggest that even metasomatic BMS can inherit 187Os/188Os from their original mantle source. The lack of isotopic equilibration, even at the micro-scale, allowed the preservation of different populations of BMS grains with distinct 187Os/188Os, providing age information on multiple magmatic events that affected the SCLM.
Brown, R.J., Buisman, M.I., Fontana, G., Field, M., Mac Niocaill, C., Sparks, R.S.J., Stuart, F.M.
Eruption of kimberlite magmas: physical volcanology, geomorphology and age of the youngest kimberlitic volcanoes known on Earth ( the Upper Pleistocene/Holocene Igwisi Hills volcanoes, Tanzania).
Brown, R.J., Manya, S., Buisman, I., Fontana, G., Field, M., MacNiocaill, C., Sparks, R.S.J., Stuart, F.M.
Eruption of kimberlite magmas: physical volcanology, geomrphology and age of the youngest kimberlitic volcanoes known on Earth ( the Upper Pleistocene-Holocene Igwisi Hills, volcanoes, Tanzania.
Bulletin of Volcanology, Vol. 74, 7, pp. 1621-1643.
Brown, R.J., Manya, S., Buisman, I., Sparks, R.S.J., Field, M., Stuart, F.M., Fontana, G.
Physical volcanology, geomorphology, and cosmogenic 3HE dating of the youngest kimberlite volcanoes on Earth ( The Holocene Igwisi Hills, Volcanoes, Tanzania.
10th. International Kimberlite Conference Feb. 6-11, Bangalore India, Abstract
Emplacement temperatures of pyroclastic and colcaniclastic deposits in kimberlite pipes in southern Africa: new constraints from paleomagnetic measurements
GAC/MAC/AGU Meeting held May 23-27 Toronto, Abstract only
geochemicalperspectives.org, Vol. 6, 1, April, 187p. Pdf 28 MB
Global
geochemistry
Abstract: Some scientists and journalists, and many members of the general public, have been led to believe that the world is rapidly running out of the metals on which our modern society is based. Advocates of the peak metal concept have predicted for many decades that increasing consumption will soon lead to exhaustion of mineral resources. Yet, despite ever-increasing production and consumption, supplies of minerals have continued to meet the needs of industry and society, and lifetimes of reserves remain similar to what they were 30-40 years ago. In this volume, we discuss the reasons for this apparent paradox using our broad experience and expertise on both academic and industrial sides of the minerals sector. Many misconceptions arise from flawed estimates of the size of global mineral resources which stem from a lack of understanding of the critical difference between reserves and resources. Some authors use quoted reserves – the amount of metal proven to exist and to be economic for mining at present – when predicting imminent shortages. Resources – the amount that may be accessible in the upper few kilometres of the crust – are far larger.Over the last 150 years, improved technologies, economies of scale and increased efficiency have combined to reduce costs hence allowing lower-grade ore to be mined economically. The net result is that the long-term inflation-adjusted price of most metals has decreased more or less in parallel with increasing production, a second apparent paradox that frequently is not well understood. Using copper as the principal example and other metals as appropriate, we summarise the latest research on ore deposits and the activities of the minerals industry. Following a description of the numerous geological processes that form ore deposits, we outline the scientific methods used by the minerals industry to explore for new deposits. We also discuss how resources are mined and how minerals are processed, as well as recent efforts to reduce related environmental impacts. Economic and societal factors influence supply, and these are as important as the actual presence of a resource. Finally, we discuss the critical roles that geoscientists will play in assuring continued supplies of minerals. These include the development of new concepts and techniques that will assist the discovery, mining, processing, remediation, and management of mineral resources. It is essential that researchers help to educate the general public about the need for continued exploration to find new resources to meet growth in world living standards. We demonstrate that global resources of copper, and probably of most other metals, are much larger than most currently available estimates, especially if increasing efficiencies and higher prices allow lower-grade ores to be mined. These observations indicate that supplies of important mineral commodities will remain adequate for the foreseeable future.
Tectonic insight into a pericratonic subcrustal lithosphere affected by anorogenic Cretaceous magmatism in Brazil inferred from long period magnetotellurices.
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 241, 3-4, pp. 603-616.
Abstract: The Ongole Domain in the southern Eastern Ghats Belt of India formed during the final stages of Columbia amalgamation at ca. 1600 Ma. Yet very little is known about the protolith ages, tectonic evolution or geographic affinity of the region. We present new detrital and igneous U-Pb-Hf zircon data and in-situ monazite data to further understand the tectonic evolution of this Columbia-forming orogen. Detrital zircon patterns from the metasedimentary rocks are dominated by major populations of Palaeoproterozoic grains (ca. 2460, 2320, 2260, 2200-2100, 2080-2010, 1980-1920, 1850 and 1750 Ma), and minor Archaean grains (ca. 2850, 2740, 2600 and 2550 Ma). Combined U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf zircon isotopic data suggest that the sedimentary protoliths were not sourced from the adjacent Dharwar Craton. Instead they were likely derived from East Antarctica, possibly the same source as parts of Proterozoic Australia. Magmatism occurred episodically between 1.64 and 1.57 Ga in the Ongole Domain, forming felsic orthopyroxene-bearing granitoids. Isotopically, the granitoids are evolved, producing eHf values between - 2 and - 12. The magmatism is interpreted to have been derived from the reworking of Archaean crust with only a minor juvenile input. Metamorphism between 1.68 and 1.60 Ga resulted in the partial to complete resetting of detrital zircon grains, as well as the growth of new metamorphic zircon at 1.67 and 1.63 Ga. In-situ monazite geochronology indicates metamorphism occurred between 1.68 and 1.59 Ga. The Ongole Domain is interpreted to represent part of an exotic terrane, which was transferred to proto-India in the late Palaeoproterozoic as part of a linear accretionary orogenic belt that may also have included south-west Baltica and south-eastern Laurentia. Given the isotopic, geological and geochemical similarities, the proposed exotic terrane is interpreted to be an extension of the Napier Complex, Antarctica, and may also have been connected to Proterozoic Australia (North Australian Craton and Gawler Craton).
Abstract: The role of fluid(s) in the formation of different lithological facies of kimberlites is still poorly understood. The uncertainty in the composition of kimberlite melts hampers understanding the composition of volatiles, the depth of exsolution, and the effect on magma ascent and fragmentation. Recent estimates of H2O and CO2 solubility in kimberlite-like magmas suggest very shallow exsolution of fluid, while many features of kimberlites indicate the presence of significant fluid fraction at depth. Deep magmatic fluid produces negative trigonal etch pits on natural diamonds, the characteristics of which depend on the temperature and composition of the fluid. Positively oriented trigonal etch pits are very rare on natural diamonds and are likely a feature of resorption events unique to only some kimberlite magmas. Here we present the first systematic study of positively oriented trigonal etch pits on natural diamonds from Snap Lake kimberlite dike, Northwest Territories, Canada. The study used 91 micro-diamonds selected from a population of 251 diamonds representative of all six kimberlite litho-facies identified in the Snap Lake dike. We established that unlike the majority of diamonds from kimberlite pipes in the Northwest Territories, every studied Snap Lake diamond shows positively oriented trigons. These trigons cover the whole diamond surface starting from the {111} faces and continuing over the resorbed edges. They overprint negatively oriented trigons and modify them into hexagons. Atomic force microscopy obtained detailed geometry of 154 positive trigons on 14 diamonds. Three distinct trigon morphologies dependent on the type of the crystal lattice defect were recognized. The point-bottomed shape and positive correlation between the depth and diameter of the individual pits suggest a high CO2 content in the fluid. Comparison with the existing experimental data on positive trigons implies resorption at low-pressure conditions in the 800-1000 °C temperature range by trapped magmatic fluid after the dike emplacement. The intensity of this late resorption event (and the size of the positive trigons) increases from the dike contact with the country rock into the interior of the dike. Such a late resorption event is absent in the majority of kimberlites, which form pipes, and might be a specific feature of hypabyssal kimberlite bodies (dikes). The absence of positive trigons on diamonds from the majority of kimberlites suggests very quick magma cooling below ~800 °C after the pipe emplacement, precluding the development of any late resorption features. Our study shows that for kimberlitic magmas, for which mineral chemistry is unable to provide a robust record of magmatic fluid, morphological details of dissolution features on the surface of diamond and other mantle-derived minerals can serve as a fluid proxy. Better constraints of the pressure, temperature, and oxygen fugacity of the reversal in the trigon orientation on diamond may help to reconstruct the emplacement path of geologically diverse kimberlite bodies.
Society of Economic Geology Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits, Special Publication no. 20, pp. 89-118.
Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 121, 9, pp. 6675-6697.
United States, Canada
Geophysics
Abstract: The observation of widespread seismic discontinuities within Archean and Proterozoic lithosphere is intriguing, as their presence may shed light on the formation and early evolution of cratons. A clear explanation for the discontinuities, which generally manifest as a sharp decrease in seismic velocity with depth, remains elusive. Recent work has suggested that midlithospheric discontinuities (MLDs) may correspond to a sharp gradient in seismic anisotropy, produced via deformation associated with craton formation. Here we test this hypothesis beneath the Archean Superior and Wyoming Provinces using anisotropic Ps receiver function (RF) analysis to characterize the relationship between MLDs and seismic anisotropy. We computed radial and transverse component RFs for 13 long-running seismic stations. Of these, six stations with particularly clear signals were analyzed using a harmonic regression technique. In agreement with previous studies, we find evidence for multiple MLDs within the cratonic lithosphere of the Wyoming and Superior Provinces. Our harmonic regression results reveal that (1) MLDs can be primarily explained by an isotropic negative velocity gradient, (2) multiple anisotropic boundaries exist within the lithospheric mantle, (3) the isotropic MLD and the anisotropic boundaries do not necessarily occur at the same depths, and (4) the depth and geometry of the anisotropic boundaries vary among stations. We infer that the MLD does not directly correspond to a change in anisotropy within the mantle lithosphere. Furthermore, our results reveal a surprising level of complexity within the cratonic lithospheric mantle, suggesting that the processes responsible for shaping surface geology produce similar structural complexity at depth.
Abstract: Igneous intrusions, notably carbonatitic-alkalic intrusions, peralkaline intrusions, and pegmatites, represent significant sources of rare-earth metals. Geophysical exploration for and of such intrusions has met with considerable success. Examples of the application of the gravity, magnetic, and radiometric methods in the search for rare metals are presented and described. Ground gravity surveys defining small positive gravity anomalies helped outline the shape and depth of the Nechalacho (formerly Lake) deposit within the Blatchford Lake alkaline complex, Northwest Territories, and of spodumene-rich mineralization associated with the Tanco deposit, Manitoba, within the hosting Tanco pegmatite. Based on density considerations, the bastnaesite-bearing main ore body within the Mountain Pass carbonatite, California, should produce a gravity high similar in amplitude to those associated with the Nechalacho and Tanco deposits. Gravity also has utility in modelling hosting carbonatite intrusions, such as the Mount Weld intrusion, Western Australia, and Elk Creek intrusion, Nebraska. The magnetic method is probably the most successful geophysical technique for locating carbonatitic-alkalic host intrusions, which are typically characterized by intense positive, circular to sub-circular, crescentic, or annular anomalies. Intrusions found by this technique include the Mount Weld carbonatite and the Misery Lake alkali complex, Quebec. Two potential carbonatitic-alkalic intrusions are proposed in the Grenville Province of Eastern Quebec, where application of an automatic technique to locate circular magnetic anomalies identified several examples. Two in particular displayed strong similarities in magnetic pattern to anomalies accompanying known carbonatitic or alkalic intrusions hosting rare-metal mineralization and are proposed to have a similar origin. Discovery of carbonatitic-alkalic hosts of rare metals has also been achieved by the radiometric method. The Thor Lake group of rare-earth metal deposits, which includes the Nechalacho deposit, were found by follow-up investigations of strong equivalent thorium and uranium peaks defined by an airborne survey. Prominent linear radiometric anomalies associated with glacial till in the Canadian Shield have provided vectors based on ice flow directions to source intrusions. The Allan Lake carbonatite in the Grenville Province of Ontario is one such intrusion found by this method. Although not discovered by its radiometric characteristics, the Strange Lake alkali intrusion on the Quebec-Labrador border is associated with prominent linear thorium and uranium anomalies extending at least 50 km down ice from the intrusion. Radiometric exploration of rare metals hosted by pegmatites is evaluated through examination of radiometric signatures of peraluminous pegmatitic granites in the area of the Tanco pegmatite.
Geophysical Prospecting, Vol. 64, 5, pp. 1275-1304.
Geophysics
Abstract: Igneous intrusions, notably carbonatitic-alkalic intrusions, peralkaline intrusions, and pegmatites, represent significant sources of rare-earth metals. Geophysical exploration for and of such intrusions has met with considerable success. Examples of the application of the gravity, magnetic, and radiometric methods in the search for rare metals are presented and described. Ground gravity surveys defining small positive gravity anomalies helped outline the shape and depth of the Nechalacho (formerly Lake) deposit within the Blatchford Lake alkaline complex, Northwest Territories, and of spodumene-rich mineralization associated with the Tanco deposit, Manitoba, within the hosting Tanco pegmatite. Based on density considerations, the bastnaesite-bearing main ore body within the Mountain Pass carbonatite, California, should produce a gravity high similar in amplitude to those associated with the Nechalacho and Tanco deposits. Gravity also has utility in modelling hosting carbonatite intrusions, such as the Mount Weld intrusion, Western Australia, and Elk Creek intrusion, Nebraska. The magnetic method is probably the most successful geophysical technique for locating carbonatitic-alkalic host intrusions, which are typically characterized by intense positive, circular to sub-circular, crescentic, or annular anomalies. Intrusions found by this technique include the Mount Weld carbonatite and the Misery Lake alkali complex, Quebec. Two potential carbonatitic-alkalic intrusions are proposed in the Grenville Province of Eastern Quebec, where application of an automatic technique to locate circular magnetic anomalies identified several examples. Two in particular displayed strong similarities in magnetic pattern to anomalies accompanying known carbonatitic or alkalic intrusions hosting rare-metal mineralization and are proposed to have a similar origin. Discovery of carbonatitic-alkalic hosts of rare metals has also been achieved by the radiometric method. The Thor Lake group of rare-earth metal deposits, which includes the Nechalacho deposit, were found by follow-up investigations of strong equivalent thorium and uranium peaks defined by an airborne survey. Prominent linear radiometric anomalies associated with glacial till in the Canadian Shield have provided vectors based on ice flow directions to source intrusions. The Allan Lake carbonatite in the Grenville Province of Ontario is one such intrusion found by this method. Although not discovered by its radiometric characteristics, the Strange Lake alkali intrusion on the Quebec-Labrador border is associated with prominent linear thorium and uranium anomalies extending at least 50 km down ice from the intrusion. Radiometric exploration of rare metals hosted by pegmatites is evaluated through examination of radiometric signatures of peraluminous pegmatitic granites in the area of the Tanco pegmatite.
Mantle conditions and geochemical environment as controls of diamond survival and grade variation in kimberlitic diamond deposits: Lunda Province NE Angola.
30th. International Conference on Ore Potential of alkaline, kimberlite and carbonatite magmatism. Sept. 29-, http://alkaline2014.com
The American Mineralogist, in press available 59p. Pdf
South America, Guyana
diamond crystallography
Abstract: Diamonds have long been mined from alluvial terrace deposits within the rainforest of Guyana, South America. No primary kimberlite deposits have been discovered in Guyana, nor has there been previous studies on the mineralogy and origin of the diamonds. Paleoproterozoic terranes in Guyana are prospective to diamond occurrences because the most productive deposits are associated spatially with the eastern escarpment of the Paleoproterozoic Roraima Supergroup. Geographic proximity suggests that the diamonds are detrital grains eroding from the <1.98 Ga conglomerates, metamorphosed to zeolite and greenschist facies. The provenance and paragenesis of the alluvial diamonds are described using a suite of placer diamonds from different locations across the Guiana Shield. Guyanese diamonds are typically small, and those in our collection range from 0.3 to 2.7 mm in diameter; octahedral and dodecahedral, with lesser cubic and minor macle forms. The diamonds are further subdivided into those with abraded and non-abraded surfaces. Abraded diamonds show various colors in cathodoluminescence whereas most non-abraded diamonds appear blue. In all populations, diamonds are predominantly colorless, with lesser brown to yellow and very rare white. Diamonds are predominantly Type IaAB and preserve moderate nitrogen aggregation and total nitrogen concentrations ranging from trace to ~1971 ppm. The kinetics of nitrogen aggregation indicate mantle-derived residence temperatures of 1124 ± 100 ºC, assuming residence times of 1.3 Ga and 2.6 Ga for abraded and non-abraded diamonds respectively. The diamonds are largely sourced from the peridotitic to eclogitic lithospheric upper mantle based on both d13C values of -5.82 ± 2.45‰ (VPDB-LSVEC) and inclusion suites predominantly comprised of forsterite, enstatite, Cr-pyrope, chromite, rutile, clinopyroxene, coesite, and almandine garnet. Detrital, accessory minerals are non-kimberlitic. Detrital zircon geochronology indicates diamondiferous deposits are predominantly sourced from Paleoproterozoic rocks of 2079 ± 88 Ma.
Symposium on critical and strategic materials, British Columbia Geological Survey Paper 2015-3, held Nov. 13-14, pp. 97-108.
Europe, Sweden
Rare earths
Abstract: The Norra Kärr peralkaline complex is about 300 km southwest of Stockholm in southern Sweden (Fig. 1). As the only heavy REE deposit in the European Union, Norra Kärr is signifi cant for the security of future REE, zirconium (Zr) and hafnium (Hf) supply (European Commission’s European Rare Earths Competency Network; ERECON, 2015). The project is well serviced by power and other infrastructure that will allow year-round mining and processing. A four-lane highway links Scandinavia to mainland Europe and passes with 1km of Norra Kärr. The skill-rich cities of Linköping and Jönköping, lie within daily commuting distances from Norra Kärr. A rail line that passes within 30 km of the site may be used to transport feed stocks and products. If Norra Kärr is developed, European REE users will no longer require substantial material stockpiles to deal with market uncertainties.
Abstract: A comprehensive petrographic and in situ major and trace element study of rutile, ilmenite and Ti-magnetite was undertaken in six lower crustal xenoliths of metabasaltic (?underplate) and metasedimentary (subduction) origin from the Diavik kimberlites (central Slave Craton, Canada). The aims of the study were to improve our understanding of trace element incorporation into these Ti-minerals, and to use these systematics to obtain insights into lower continental crust formation and evolution. Abundant (oxy)exsolution of titanomagnetite lamellae, blocky rutile, as well as minor pleonaste and zircon in ilmenite from metabasaltic granulites are proposed to reflect cooling from magmatic or metamorphic temperatures and subsequent secular mantle cooling. This explains the large spread in Zr-in-rutile temperatures (>200°C) and may partly be responsible for the substantial heterogeneity of other trace element concentrations in rutile and ilmenite. Even after accounting for trace element heterogeneity and modal uncertainties, mass-balance calculations indicate that both Ti and Nb in lower crustal granulites are largely controlled by rutile and ilmenite. Rutile U-Pb data define discordia arrays that yield upper intercept ages broadly coincident with the 1•27 Ga giant Mackenzie dike swarm event, suggesting reheating of the lower crust above the rutile U-Pb closure temperature, whereas lower intercept ages roughly correspond to the age of Cretaceous to Eocene kimberlite magmatism. Subsequent cooling led to partial resetting and data spread along the concordia. Closer inspection reveals that inter-grain concentrations of elements that are compatible in rutile (Nb, Ta, W, U), but highly incompatible in the abundant silicate minerals (in equilibrium with melt), are heterogeneous and contrast with the more homogeneous concentrations of the transition metals (NiO, V). This may indicate that local reaction partners for diffusive homogenization of these element concentrations were absent. Nb/Ta is also highly variable at the sample scale. This may be explained by prograde growth from high-Nb/Ta mineral precursors (e.g. biotite) in the metasedimentary granulites and crystallization of the protoliths to the metabasaltic granulites from a mafic magma that had experienced fractionation of ilmenite with low Nb/Ta in a crustal magma chamber. Thus, (Fe)-Ti minerals represent high field strength element ‘islands’ in the granulite silicate matrix. The lack of homogenization and persistence of high-energy grain boundaries, such as exsolution lamellae, further indicate that the lower continental crust remained essentially dry and did not recrystallize, possibly since Neoarchaean metamorphism.
Abstract: Tectonically young, orogenic settings are commonly the sites of post-collisional silica-rich ultrapotassic magmas with extreme K2O-contents of up to 9 wt% and K2O/Na2O > 2. Many experimental studies investigating the generation of these melts have concentrated on melting of homogenous phlogopite bearing peridotites, whereas geochemical signatures indicate the involvement of at least two types of source rocks: ultra-depleted and K and trace elements-enriched ones. We report the results of melting experiments at 1-2 GPa of mixed glimmerite and harzburgite, in which these rock types make up two halves each capsule. Melting begins in the glimmerite, and its metasomatic effects on the harzburgite are apparent at 1100 °C even before melt pools are visible. The first melts are Na-rich, seen in zoning of olivines and as growth of clinopyroxene in the harzburgite, but change at higher degrees of melting to produce a typical lamproite-like melt with K2O > 10 wt%. A major advantage of this study is the preservation of distinct melts in different parts of the capsule, which reflect a process of dynamic metasomatism: within the harzburgite matrix, the infiltrating melt derived from melting of the glimmerite changes consistently with the distance of travel through the harzburgite, enabling quantification of the metasomatic effects as an increase in SiO2 and K2O. This results principally from assimilation of orthopyroxene, which increases the Ol/Opx ratio of the residual harzburgite. The effects of quench olivine growth are recognizable and can be quantified due to a step-change in composition at the glimmerite/harzburgite border: the large total surface area of olivine and small melt fraction mean that the amount of quench olivine is high within the harzburgite, but negligible in the almost completely molten glimmerite. Melts of the glimmerite contain up to 8-10 wt% K2O and 53 wt% SiO2, which increase to 55-56 wt% after interaction with the harzburgite. Mediterranean lamproites resemble melts of glimmerite, whereas melts that have interacted with harzburgite are more similar to less potassic, but more SiO2-rich shoshonites of the Mediterranean region.
Abstract: Tectonically young, orogenic settings are commonly the sites of post-collisional silica-rich ultrapotassic magmas with extreme K2O-contents of up to 9 wt% and K2O/Na2O > 2. Many experimental studies investigating the generation of these melts have concentrated on melting of homogenous phlogopite bearing peridotites, whereas geochemical signatures indicate the involvement of at least two types of source rocks: ultra-depleted and K and trace elements-enriched ones. We report the results of melting experiments at 1–2 GPa of mixed glimmerite and harzburgite, in which these rock types make up two halves each capsule. Melting begins in the glimmerite, and its metasomatic effects on the harzburgite are apparent at 1100 °C even before melt pools are visible. The first melts are Na-rich, seen in zoning of olivines and as growth of clinopyroxene in the harzburgite, but change at higher degrees of melting to produce a typical lamproite-like melt with K2O > 10 wt%. A major advantage of this study is the preservation of distinct melts in different parts of the capsule, which reflect a process of dynamic metasomatism: within the harzburgite matrix, the infiltrating melt derived from melting of the glimmerite changes consistently with the distance of travel through the harzburgite, enabling quantification of the metasomatic effects as an increase in SiO2 and K2O. This results principally from assimilation of orthopyroxene, which increases the Ol/Opx ratio of the residual harzburgite. The effects of quench olivine growth are recognizable and can be quantified due to a step-change in composition at the glimmerite/harzburgite border: the large total surface area of olivine and small melt fraction mean that the amount of quench olivine is high within the harzburgite, but negligible in the almost completely molten glimmerite. Melts of the glimmerite contain up to 8–10 wt% K2O and 53 wt% SiO2, which increase to 55–56 wt% after interaction with the harzburgite. Mediterranean lamproites resemble melts of glimmerite, whereas melts that have interacted with harzburgite are more similar to less potassic, but more SiO2-rich shoshonites of the Mediterranean region.
Abstract: In this study, we show how veined lithospheric mantle is involved in the genesis of ultrapotassic magmatism in cratonic settings. We conducted high pressure experiments to simulate vein + wall rock melting within the Earth's lithospheric mantle by reacting assemblages of harzburgite and phlogopite-rich hydrous mantle xenoliths. These comprised a mica-, amphibole-, rutile-, ilmenite-, diopside (MARID) assemblage at 3-5 GPa and 1325-1450 °C. Melting of the MARID assemblages results in infiltration of melt through the harzburgite, leading to its chemical alteration. At 3 and 4 GPa, melts are high in K2O (> 9 wt%) with K2O/Na2O > > 2 comparable to anorogenic lamproites. Higher pressures and temperatures (5 GPa/1450 °C) lead to increasing MgO contents of the melt and to some extent lower K2O contents (5-7 wt%) at equally high K2O/Na2O ratios. Our experiments provide insights into the role of alkalis in nickel-partitioning (DNi) between olivine and ultrapotassic melt. We observe that the high contents of Na, K, and Al are indicative of high DNi values, implying that the melt polymerization is the dominant factor influencing the olivine/melt nickel partitioning. The change of DNi as a function of melt composition results in a pressure independent, empirical geothermometer: Element oxides represent the composition of the glass (in wt%), and DNi is the liquid/olivine Ni-partitioning coefficient. We propose that this geothermometer is applicable to all natural silicate melts that crystallized olivine in a temperature interval between 1000 and 1600 °C. Application to glass-olivine pairs from calc-alkaline settings (Mexico), MORB (East Pacific Rise), and OIB (Hawaii) yielded reasonable values of 996-1199 °C, 1265 °C, and 1330 °C, respectively.
Ph.d Thesis Macquarie University, researchgate.com 250p. Pdf available
Mantle
lamproites
Abstract: In total, subduction zones span 40,000 km across Earth’s surface and recycle an average thickness of 500 m of sediment. During burial and heating these sediments eventually start melting at T >675 °C, following which Si-rich hydrous melts infiltrate the peridotites of the mantle wedge above the subducting slab. In this thesis, a high-pressure experimental approach is used to examine the reaction of sediments and peridotites at 2-6 GPa in subduction zones and its consequences on the generation of K-rich magmatism and on deep nitrogen cycling. All experiments are conducted in a layered arrangement, where the depleted peridotite is placed above the sediments in a 1:1 ratio. At 2-3 GPa, the reaction of melts of sediment with depleted peridotite, simulating the fore-arc of a subduction zone, leads to the formation of layered phlogopite pyroxenites and selective incorporation of major and trace elements in these metasomatic layers. Partial melting of these phlogopite pyroxenites produces melts rich in K2O (>9 wt%) with K/Na >>2 and a trace element pattern comparable to “orogenic lamproites”. At similar pressures, the reaction of hydrous mantle melts with depleted peridotites produces metasomatic layers that show K/Na ~1 and a trace element pattern that closely resembles “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, K-enrichment is facilitated by the crystallization of an eclogitic residue rich in Na, poor in K, and consequently with low K/Na. At 4-6 GPa, the reaction of melts of sediment with depleted peridotite is does not produce mica, instead resulting in alkali chlorides with K/Na ratios similar to saline fluid inclusions in diamonds. Besides the chlorides, magnesite also crystallises in the peridotite. Both phases are important ingredients for the generation of salty kimberlites such as Udachnaya East. The change in metasomatic style from mica- to chloride formation between 3 to 4 GPa corresponds to the depth of the mid-lithospheric discontinuity, a zone of low seismic velocities that is found intermittently beneath all continents at a depth of 80-100 km. The subduction of sediment is the main mechanism that recycles nitrogen back to Earth’s mantle. The partitioning of nitrogen between fluid and melt (DN(Fluid/Melt)) and fluid and bulk residue (melt+mica) (DN(Fluid/Bulk)) was found to increase linearly with temperature normalized to pressure. Using the new partition coefficients, the amount of N recycled to Earth’s mantle since the onset of subduction is calculated as 50 ±6 %.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Vol. 177, pp. 76-88.
Mantle
lamproite
Abstract: Potassium-rich lavas with K/Na of >2 are common in orogenic and anorogenic intraplate magmatic provinces. However, in the primitive mantle, the concentration of Na exceeds that of K by 10 times. The source of K-rich lavas thus needs to be either K-enriched or Na-depleted to account for high K/Na ratios. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of high 87Sr/86Sr post-collisional lavas show that their mantle source contains a recycled crustal component. These highly K-enriched lavas with crustal like trace element patterns are termed “orogenic lamproites” and are compositionally distinct from K-rich “anorogenic lamproites” that show lower 87Sr/86Sr and a trace element pattern that resembles that of primary mantle melts. For both groups the processes of K-enrichment within their source are uncertain and are thought to be linked to melts of sedimentary rocks for “orogenic lamproites” and low-degree melts of ultramafic mantle rocks for “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere is the precursor to K-rich magmatism. In this study we experimentally determine the effects of mantle metasomatism by sediment- and hydrous mantle melts. The experiments simulate the interaction of refractory lithospheric mantle and metasomatizing melt in a 2-layer reaction experiment. The sediment/dunite reaction experiments lead to formation of a strongly K-enriched phlogopite-pyroxenite layer sandwiched between the two starting materials. The low temperature of the sediment/dunite reaction runs at <1000?°C simulates a fore-arc subduction environment, in which the melts of sediment are consumed during interaction with dunite as the temperature is below the solidus of the produced phlogopite-pyroxenites. The hydrous mantle melt/dunite reaction run is simulated by reacting a hydrated basanite with dunite. Since the temperature of the reaction is higher than the solidus of the resulting phlogopite-pyroxenites (1200?°C), the hydrous melt is not consumed but flows further, increasing in K2O and K/Na as it reacts with the refractory peridotite. In both cases, melts are enriched in K and K/Na increases by crystallizing a low K and low K/Na eclogitic residue. Compositions of glass and phlogopite from both types of reactions are comparable to glasses and phlogopites found within post-collisional lavas. Since the enrichment of K within the reaction zone is strongly controlled by the formation of low K/Na and low-K residues, metasomatic enrichment of the mantle lithosphere in K does not need a highly K-enriched metasomatic agent.
Abstract: Diamonds growing in the Earth’s mantle often trap inclusions of fluids that are highly saline in composition. These fluids are thought to emerge from deep in subduction zones and may also be involved in the generation of some of the kimberlite magmas. However, the source of these fluids and the mechanism of their transport into the mantle lithosphere are unresolved. Here, we present experimental results showing that alkali chlorides are stable solid phases in the mantle lithosphere below 110 km. These alkali chlorides are formed by the reaction of subducted marine sediments with peridotite and show identical K/Na ratios to fluid inclusions in diamond. At temperatures >1100°C and low pressures, the chlorides are unstable; here, potassium is accommodated in mica and melt. The reaction of subducted sediments with peridotite explains the occurrence of Mg carbonates and the highly saline fluids found in diamonds and in chlorine-enriched kimberlite magmas.
Abstract: The subduction of sediment connects the surface nitrogen cycle to that of the deep Earth. To understand the evolution of nitrogen in the atmosphere, the behavior of nitrogen during the subduction and melting of subducted sediments has to be estimated. This study presents high-pressure experimental measurements of the partitioning of nitrogen during the melting of sediments at sub-arc depths. For quantitative analysis of nitrogen in minerals and glasses, we calibrated the electron probe micro-analyzer on synthetic ammonium feldspar to measure nitrogen concentrations as low as 500?µg?g-1. Nitrogen abundances in melt and mica are used together with mass balance calculations to determine DN(Mica/Melt), DN(Fluid/Mica), and DN(Fluid/Melt). Calculated partition coefficients correspond to expected values for NH4+, which behaves similarly to Rb+ due to its nearly identical size. Nitrogen partitioning between fluid and melt (DN(Fluid/Melt)) and fluid and bulk residue (melt+mica) (DN(Fluid/Bulk)) increase linearly with temperature normalized to pressure. This linear relationship can be used to calculate DN(Fluid/Melt) and DN(Fluid/Bulk) for slab melts from 800 to 1200?°C following: and [nasty equation that did not copy]. We used these partition coefficients to quantify the amount of N recycled into the mantle as 50?±?6% of today's atmospheric N. Depending on the rate of mantle N degassing we calculated 4 different scenarios for atmospheric pN2 evolution. All 4 scenarios estimate pN2 to be 8-12% higher at the beginning of the Phanerozoic. These estimates diverge towards the past due to uncertainties in the mechanism and magnitude of N degassing from the mantle. Assuming degassing of N in the past was close to modern degassing rates from MORB, pN2 was up to 40% higher at the onset of plate tectonics at 3-4?Ga. However, degassing rates were probably higher than this: assuming 10× and 20× times higher rates at the onset of plate tectonics leads to pN2 within 20% of modern values. If N degassing from the mantle is increased to 40× the modern MORB rate, pN2 in the Archean would have been 50% lower than today's, which is in accordance with observations from paleoatmospheric studies.
Abstract: In total, subduction zones span 40,000 km across Earth’s surface and recycle an average thickness of 500 m of sediment. During burial and heating these sediments eventually start melting at T >675 °C, following which Si-rich hydrous melts infiltrate the peridotites of the mantle wedge above the subducting slab. In this thesis, a high-pressure experimental approach is used to examine the reaction of sediments and peridotites at 2-6 GPa in subduction zones and its consequences on the generation of K-rich magmatism and on deep nitrogen cycling. All experiments are conducted in a layered arrangement, where the depleted peridotite is placed above the sediments in a 1:1 ratio. At 2-3 GPa, the reaction of melts of sediment with depleted peridotite, simulating the fore-arc of a subduction zone, leads to the formation of layered phlogopite pyroxenites and selective incorporation of major and trace elements in these metasomatic layers. Partial melting of these phlogopite pyroxenites produces melts rich in K2O (>9 wt%) with K/Na >>2 and a trace element pattern comparable to “orogenic lamproites”. At similar pressures, the reaction of hydrous mantle melts with depleted peridotites produces metasomatic layers that show K/Na ~1 and a trace element pattern that closely resembles “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, K-enrichment is facilitated by the crystallization of an eclogitic residue rich in Na, poor in K, and consequently with low K/Na. At 4-6 GPa, the reaction of melts of sediment with depleted peridotite is does not produce mica, instead resulting in alkali chlorides with K/Na ratios similar to saline fluid inclusions in diamonds. Besides the chlorides, magnesite also crystallises in the peridotite. Both phases are important ingredients for the generation of salty kimberlites such as Udachnaya East. The change in metasomatic style from mica- to chloride formation between 3 to 4 GPa corresponds to the depth of the mid-lithospheric discontinuity, a zone of low seismic velocities that is found intermittently beneath all continents at a depth of 80-100 km. The subduction of sediment is the main mechanism that recycles nitrogen back to Earth’s mantle. The partitioning of nitrogen between fluid and melt (DN(Fluid/Melt)) and fluid and bulk residue (melt+mica) (DN(Fluid/Bulk)) was found to increase linearly with temperature normalized to pressure. Using the new partition coefficients, the amount of N recycled to Earth’s mantle since the onset of subduction is calculated as 50 ±6 %.
MDPI Minerals, Vol. 10, 41;doe.10.3390/min10010041 21p. Pdf
Mantle
metasomatism
Abstract: The generation of strongly potassic melts in the mantle requires the presence of phlogopite in the melting assemblage, while isotopic and trace element analyses of ultrapotassic rocks frequently indicate the involvement of subducted crustal lithologies in the source. However, phlogopite-free experiments that focus on melting of sedimentary rocks and subsequent hybridization with mantle rocks at pressures of 1-3 GPa have not successfully produced melts with K2O >5 wt%-6 wt%, while ultrapotassic igneous rocks reach up to 12 wt% K2O. Accordingly, a two-stage process that enriches K2O and increases K/Na in intermediary assemblages in the source prior to ultrapotassic magmatism seems likely. Here, we simulate this two-stage formation of ultrapotassic magmas using an experimental approach that involves re-melting of parts of an experimental product in a second experiment. In the first stage, reaction experiments containing layered sediment and dunite produced a modally metasomatized reaction zone at the border of a depleted peridotite. For the second-stage experiment, the metasomatized dunite was separated from the residue of the sedimentary rock and transferred to a smaller capsule, and melts were produced with 8 wt%-8.5 wt% K2O and K/Na of 6-7. This is the first time that extremely K-enriched ultrapotassic melts have been generated experimentally from sediments at low pressure applicable to a post-collisional setting.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Vol. 177, pp. 76-88.
Mantle
metasomatism
Abstract: Potassium-rich lavas with K/Na of >2 are common in orogenic and anorogenic intraplate magmatic provinces. However, in the primitive mantle, the concentration of Na exceeds that of K by 10 times. The source of K-rich lavas thus needs to be either K-enriched or Na-depleted to account for high K/Na ratios. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of high 87Sr/86Sr post-collisional lavas show that their mantle source contains a recycled crustal component. These highly K-enriched lavas with crustal like trace element patterns are termed “orogenic lamproites” and are compositionally distinct from K-rich “anorogenic lamproites” that show lower 87Sr/86Sr and a trace element pattern that resembles that of primary mantle melts. For both groups the processes of K-enrichment within their source are uncertain and are thought to be linked to melts of sedimentary rocks for “orogenic lamproites” and low-degree melts of ultramafic mantle rocks for “anorogenic lamproites”. In both cases, metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere is the precursor to K-rich magmatism. In this study we experimentally determine the effects of mantle metasomatism by sediment- and hydrous mantle melts. The experiments simulate the interaction of refractory lithospheric mantle and metasomatizing melt in a 2-layer reaction experiment. The sediment/dunite reaction experiments lead to formation of a strongly K-enriched phlogopite-pyroxenite layer sandwiched between the two starting materials. The low temperature of the sediment/dunite reaction runs at <1000?°C simulates a fore-arc subduction environment, in which the melts of sediment are consumed during interaction with dunite as the temperature is below the solidus of the produced phlogopite-pyroxenites. The hydrous mantle melt/dunite reaction run is simulated by reacting a hydrated basanite with dunite. Since the temperature of the reaction is higher than the solidus of the resulting phlogopite-pyroxenites (1200?°C), the hydrous melt is not consumed but flows further, increasing in K2O and K/Na as it reacts with the refractory peridotite. In both cases, melts are enriched in K and K/Na increases by crystallizing a low K and low K/Na eclogitic residue. Compositions of glass and phlogopite from both types of reactions are comparable to glasses and phlogopites found within post-collisional lavas. Since the enrichment of K within the reaction zone is strongly controlled by the formation of low K/Na and low-K residues, metasomatic enrichment of the mantle lithosphere in K does not need a highly K-enriched metasomatic agent.
Abstract: Colombia is synonymous with fine emerald, and production is believed to date back well over a thousand years. Over the centuries the beautiful verdant gemstone, which emerges from areas that are also a lush green, has been linked to violence and human exploitation. Nevertheless, the desire of the Colombian people to mine for this treasure and strike it rich has endured, with enough dreams coming true to drive their passion. In recent years, industry changes have accelerated, perhaps more profoundly than ever before. While government ownership and regulation, criminal activity, and violence have affected production over the years, the industry’s greatest opportunities may still be ahead. Multinational companies are investing heavily in Colombian emerald mining, which has led to modernization. The government’s position on emerald mining has also improved dramatically in this period. Calls for transparency and traceability have led to branding and a revamping of the industry’s image. The loose system of independent miners (figure 1) is seeing efforts at formalization. These landmark changes are occurring at a time when most of the country’s emerald reserves have yet to be mined. In October 2015, a joint GIA and Colombian team met at the First International Emerald Symposium in Bogotá to interview industry leaders and government officials. Many topics involving industry change were discussed at the symposium. Afterward, the team traveled to Colombia’s major mines and visited dealers and cutters in Bogotá to document the current state of the mine-to-market industry. We were also able to collect rough emerald samples for the GIA laboratory’s country-of-origin reference collection.
Joint seismic geodynamic mineral physical modeling of African geodynamics: a reconciliation of deep mantle convection with surface geophysical constraints.
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 295, 3-4, pp. 329-341.
Time dependent convection models of mantle thermal structure constrained by seismic tomography and geodynamics: implications for mantle plume dynamics and CMB heat flow.
Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 190, 2, pp. 785-815.
Abstract: The parallelism between older collisional belts and younger rift systems is widely known and particularly well portrayed along the Atlantic Ocean. How tectonic inherited and new-formed shear zones control rift nucleation and the final architecture of rifted conjugate passive margins is still poorly understood. Here we present lithospheric-scale thermo-mechanical numerical models that self-consistently create extensional and contractional tectonic inheritance, where prior extension and contraction are systematically varied. Our results show that (1) initial reactivation occurs along the former lithospheric suture zones; (2) upper crustal thick-skinned basement thrusts are partially or fully reactivated depending on the amount of prior contraction and size of the orogen; (3) with a small amount of contraction, thick-skinned thrusts are efficiently reactivated in extension and provide the template for rifted margin formation; (4) with larger amounts of contraction, thick-skinned thrusts distal to the lithospheric suture zone do not reactivate in extension; and (5) reactivation of prior contractional shear zones dominates during the early stages of rifting, while during the final stage of margin formation new-formed extensional shear zones dominate. Force balance analysis predicts an inverse relation between midcrustal viscosity and the maximum offset for reactivation of weak upper crustal structures. Force balance also predicts that the degree of weakening or healing of the weak suture and the thermal thinning of the necking area control at which stage suture reactivation is deactivated and extension proceeds by mantle lithosphere thermal necking. Two rifted conjugate margins with orogenic inheritance in the North and South Atlantic are used for comparison.
Pressure-temperature conditions of Early Proterozoic metamorphism During the Trans-Hudson Orogen as determined rocks straddling the Flin Flon-Kisseynewboundary
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 29, No. 11, November, pp. 2497-2507
Proterozoic evolution of the western margin of the Wyoming Craton: implications for the tectonic and magmatic evolution of the northern Rocky Mountains.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 43, 10, pp. 1601-1619,
Abstract: North America provides an important test for assessing the coupling of large continents with heterogeneous Archean- to Cenozoic-aged lithospheric provinces to the mantle flow. We use the unprecedented spatial coverage of the USArray seismic network to obtain an extensive and consistent data set of shear wave splitting intensity measurements at 1436 stations. Overall, the measurements are consistent with simple shear deformation in the asthenosphere due to viscous coupling to the overriding lithosphere. The fast directions agree with the absolute plate motion direction with a mean difference of 2° with 27° standard deviation. There are, however, deviations from this simple pattern, including a band along the Rocky Mountain front, indicative of flow complication due to gradients in lithospheric thickness, and variations in amplitude through the central United States, which can be explained through varying contributions of lithospheric anisotropy. Thus, seismic anisotropy may be sourced in both the asthenosphere and lithosphere, and variations in splitting intensity are due to lithospheric anisotropy developed during deformation over long time scales.
Abstract: Two prominent features separate the Archean Wyoming and Hearne cratons: the Paleoproterozoic Great Falls tectonic zone (GFTZ) and the Medicine Hat block (MHB), neither of which is well defined spatially because of Phanerozoic sedimentary cover. Based on limited data, the MHB is thought to be a structurally complex mix of Archean (2.6-3.1?Ga) and Proterozoic (1.75?Ga) crust, but is recognized primarily by its geophysical signature, and its influence on the geochemistry of younger igneous rocks. Similarly, the GFTZ was recognized on the basis of broad differences in geophysical patterns, isopachs of Paleozoic sedimentary sections, and lineaments; however, juvenile arc rocks in the Little Belt Mountains (LBM) and strongly overprinted Archean rocks in southwestern Montana show it to be a dominantly Paleoproterozoic feature. The Little Rocky Mountains (LRM) of Montana provide access to exposures of the northeastern-most Precambrian crust in the MHB-GFTZ region. U/Pb ages of zircons from Precambrian rocks of the LRM range from 2.4 to 3.3?Ga, with most ages between 2.6 and 2.8?Ga. Whole-rock analyses yield Sm-Nd TDM from 3.1 to 4.0?Ga and initial eNd(T) values calculated at U-Pb zircon crystallization ages range from -0.9 to -10.5, indicating significant contributions from older Archean crust. The high proportion of 2.6-2.8?Ga U/Pb ages differentiates LRM crust from arc-related Paleoproterozoic magmatic rocks exposed in the LBM to the southwest. The age and isotopic composition of the LRM gneisses are similar to crust in the northern Wyoming Province (2.8-2.9?Ga), but Paleoproterozoic K-Ar cooling ages suggest crust in the LRM experienced the Paleoproterozoic metamorphism and deformation that characterizes the GFTZ. Consequently, its history differs markedly from the adjacent Beartooth-Bighorn magmatic zone of the northern Wyoming Province, which does not record Paleoproterozoic tectonism, but has a strong correlation with the Montana metasedimentary terrane that was strongly overprinted during the Paleoproterozoic Great Falls orogeny that defines the GFTZ. The LRM, therefore, likely provides a unique, and perhaps the only, opportunity to characterize Archean crust of the MHB.
Coupled Rhenium- Osmium (Re-Os) isotopic and fluid dynamic constraints on the genesis of Archean komatiite Association iron nickel copper (platinum group elements (PGE)
Geological Society of Australia 13th. held Feb, No. 41, abstracts p. 147
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 274, pp. 118-135.
India
carbonatite
Abstract: Carbonatites crystallise along a wide range of solidus temperatures and are commonly affected by post-magmatic textural re-equilibration and diagenesis. Further insights into the formation and modification of carbonatites are provided using carbon, oxygen and clumped isotope (?47) data of rocks from spatially associated Amba Dongar and Siriwasan alkaline complexes in the north-western Deccan igneous province, India. We derive apparent equilibrium blocking temperatures to help constrain the thermal evolution of the different rock types found within the alkaline complexes in a petrographic context. The apparent temperatures for the carbonatites are significantly low but are consistent with reports on other global carbonatites and model predictions. Rapidly cooled Oldoinyo Lengai natrocarbonatite yielded similar low temperatures, even in the absence of bulk isotopic alteration. The isotopic proxies and petrographic observations favour both isotopic exchange reactions and diagenesis in altering ?47 values in calciocarbonatites. Diagenetic reactions are however strongly favoured, as secondary calcites in nephelinites and ferrocarbonatites record much lower temperatures than in the calciocarbonatites, highlighting the effect of fluids and diagenetic reactions in 13C18O bond ordering in carbonatites. Variations in the CO isotope data reveal the coupling of fractional crystallisation and post-magmatic fluid-rock interactions on bulk rock composition. After emplacement, the resetting of clumped isotope signatures in carbonatites is facilitated by post-magmatic processes in both open and closed systems.
Geological Society of America Special Paper, No. 514, pp. SPE514-08.
Mantle
Hotspots
Abstract: Thorne et al. (2004), Torsvik et al. (2010; 2006) and Burke et al. (2008) have suggested that the locations of melting anomalies ("hot spots") and the original locations of large igneous provinces ("LIPs") and kimberlite pipes, lie preferentially above the margins of two "large lower-mantle shear velocity provinces", or LLSVPs, near the bottom of the mantle, and that the geographical correlations have high confidence levels (> 99.9999%) (Burke et al., 2008, Fig. 5). They conclude that the LLSVP margins are "Plume-Generation Zones", and that deep-mantle plumes cause hot spots, LIPs, and kimberlites. This conclusion raises questions about what physical processes could be responsible, because, for example, the LLSVPs are apparently dense and not abnormally hot (Trampert et al., 2004). The supposed LIP-hot spot-LLSVP correlations probably are examples of the "Hindsight Heresy" (Acton, 1959), of performing a statistical test using the same data sample that led to the initial formulation of a hypothesis. In this process, an analyst will consider and reject many competing hypotheses, but will not adjust statistical assessments correspondingly. Furthermore, an analyst will test extreme deviations of the data, , but not take this fact into account. "Hindsight heresy" errors are particularly problematical in Earth science, where it often is impossible to conduct controlled experiments. For random locations on the globe, the number of points within a specified distance of a given curve follows a cumulative binomial distribution. We use this fact to test the statistical significance of the observed hot spot-LLSVP correlation using several hot-spot catalogs and mantle models. The results indicate that the actual confidence levels of the correlations are two or three orders of magnitude smaller than claimed. The tests also show that hot spots correlate well with presumably shallowly rooted features such as spreading plate boundaries. Nevertheless, the correlations are significant at confidence levels in excess of 99%. But this is confidence that the null hypothesis of random coincidence is wrong. It is not confidence about what hypothesis is correct. The correlations probably are symptoms of as-yet-unidentified processes.
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, in press available, 19p.
Africa, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo
carbonatites
Abstract: The South Atlantic Igneous Province comprises the Paraná Basalts, Rio Grande Rise, Tristan archipelago and surrounding guyot province,Walvis Ridge, Etendeka basalts and, in somemodels, the alkaline igneous lineament in the Lucapa corridor, Angola. Although these volcanics are often considered to have a single generic origin, complexities that suggest otherwise are observed. The Paraná Basalts erupted ~5 Ma before sea-floor spreading started in the neighborhood, and far more voluminous volcanic margins were emplaced later. A continental microcontinent likely forms much of the Rio Grande Rise, and variable styles of volcanism built the Walvis Ridge and the Tristan da Cunha archipelago and guyot province. Such complexities, coupled with the northward-propagating mid-ocean ridge crossing amajor transverse transtensional intracontinental structure, suggest that fragmentation of Pangaea was complex at this latitude and that the volcanism may have occurred in response to distributed extension. The alternative model, a deep mantle plume, is less able to account for many observations and no model variant can account for all the primary features that include eruption of the Paraná Basalts in a subsiding basin, continental breakup by rift propagation that originated far to the south, the absence of a time-progressive volcanic chain between the Paraná Basalts and the Rio Grande Rise, derivation of the lavas from different sources, and the lack of evidence for a plume conduit in seismic-tomography- and magnetotelluric images. The region shares many common features with the North Atlantic Igneous Province which also features persistent, widespread volcanismwhere a propagating mid-ocean ridge crossed a transverse structural discontinuity in the disintegrating supercontinent.
Lecuyer, C., Gruau, G., Anhaeusser, C.R., Fourcade, S.
The origin of fluids and the effects of metamorphism on the primary chemical compositions of Barberton komatiites: new evidence from geochemistry, isotopes
Economic Geology Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Inf. Circular No. 272, 32p
Abstract: Pangea results from the progressive amalgamation of continental blocks achieved at 320?Ma. Assuming that the ancient concept of “active” versus “passive” rifting remains pertinent as end-members of more complex processes, we show that the progressive Pangea breakup occurred through a succession of rifting episodes characterized by different tectonic evolutions. A first episode of passive continental rifting during the Upper Carboniferous and Permian led to the formation of the Neo-Tethys Ocean. Then at the beginning of Triassic times, two short episodes of active rifting associated to the Siberian and Emeishan large igneous provinces (LIPs) failed. The true disintegration of Pangea resulted from (1) a Triassic passive rifting leading to the emplacement of the central Atlantic magmatic province (200?Ma) LIP and the subsequent opening of the central Atlantic Ocean during the lowermost Jurassic and from (2) a Lower Jurassic active rifting triggered by the Karoo-Ferrar LIP (183?Ma), which led to the opening of the West Indian Ocean. The same sequence of passive then active rifting is observed during the Lower Cretaceous with, in between, the Parana-Etendeka LIP at 135?Ma. We show that the relationships between the style of rifts and their breakdown or with the type of resulting margins (as magma poor or magma dominated) are not straightforward. Finally, we discuss the respective role of mantle global warming promoted by continental agglomeration and mantle plumes in the weakening of the continental lithosphere and their roles as rifting triggers.
Abstract: Hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) have probably been delivered to the Earth mainly during accretion processes at High Temperature (HT) and High Pressure (HP) and at variable redox conditions. We performed HP (1-15?GPa) and HT (1600-2300°C) experiments, combined with state-of-the-art analytical techniques to better understand the behavior of H and C during planetary differentiation processes. We show that increasing pressure makes H slightly siderophile and slightly decreases the highly siderophile nature of C. This implies that the capacity of a growing core to retain significant amounts of H or C is mainly controlled by the size of the planet: small planetary bodies may retain C in their cores while H may have rather been lost in space; larger bodies may store both H and C in their cores. During the Earth's differentiation, both C and H might be sequestrated in the core. However, the H content of the core would remain one or two orders of magnitude lower than that of C since the (H/C)core ratio might range between 0.04 and 0.27.
The Canadian Mineralogist, Vol. 54, pp. 1285-1291.
China, Mongolia
carbonatite - Bayan Obo
Abstract: Fluorcalciopyrochlore, ideally (Ca,Na)2Nb2O6F, cubic, is a new mineral species (IMA2013-055) occurring in the Bayan Obo Fe-Nb-REE deposit, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China. The mineral is found in a dolomite-type niobium rare-earth ore deposit. Associated minerals are dolomite, aegirine, riebeckite, diopside, fluorite, baryte, phlogopite, britholite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(Ce), zircon, magnetite, pyrite, fersmite, columbite-(Fe), monazite-(Ce), rutile, and others. Crystals mostly form as octahedra {111}, dodecahedra {110}, and cubes {100}, or combinations thereof, and generally range in size from 0.01 to 0.3 mm. It is brownish-yellow to reddish-orange in color with a light yellow streak. Crystals of fluorcalciopyrochlore are translucent to transparent with an adamantine to greasy luster on fractured surfaces. It has a conchoidal fracture. No parting or cleavage was observed. The Mohs hardness is 5, and the calculated density is 4.34(1) g/cm3. The empirical formula is (Ca1.14Na0.74Ce0.06Sr0.03Th0.01Fe0.01Y0.01La0.01Nd0.01)S2.02(Nb1.68Ti0.29Zr0.02Sn0.01)S2.00O6.00(F0.92O0.08)S1.00 on the basis of 7(O,F) anions pfu. The simplified formula is (Ca,Na)2Nb2O6F. The strongest four reflections in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [d in Å (I) hkl] are: 6.040 (9) 1 1 1, 3.017 (100) 2 2 2, 2.613 (17) 0 0 4, 1.843 (29) 0 4 4, and 1.571 (15) 2 2 6. The unit-cell parameters are a 10.4164(9) Å, V 1130.2(2) Å3, Z = 8. The structure was solved and refined in space group FdEmbedded Image m with R = 0.05. The type material is deposited in the Geological Museum of China, Beijing, People's Republic of China, catalogue number M12182.
Lithospheric structure, evolution and diamond prospectivity of the Rehoboth Terrane and western Kaapvaal Craton, southern Africa: constraints from broadband
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 173, pp. 76- doi.org/10.1007/ s00410-018-1502-1
Africa, Lesotho
deposit - Letseng
Abstract: The Letšeng-la-Terae kimberlite (Lesotho), famous for its large high-value diamonds, has five distinct phases that are mined in a Main and a Satellite pipe. These diatreme phases are heavily altered but parts of a directly adjacent kimberlite blow are exceptionally fresh. The blow groundmass consists of preserved primary olivine with Fo86-88, chromite, magnesio-ulvöspinel and magnetite, perovskite, monticellite, occasional Sr-rich carbonate, phlogopite, apatite, calcite and serpentine. The bulk composition of the groundmass, extracted by micro-drilling, yields 24-26 wt% SiO2, 20-21 wt% MgO, 16-19 wt% CaO and 1.9-2.1 wt% K2O, the latter being retained in phlogopite. Without a proper mineral host, groundmass Na2O is only 0.09-0.16 wt%. However, Na-rich K-richterite observed in orthopyroxene coronae allows to reconstruct a parent melt Na2O content of 3.5-5 wt%, an amount similar to that of highly undersaturated primitive ocean island basanites. The groundmass contains 10-12 wt% CO2, H2O is estimated to 4-5 wt%, but volatiles and alkalis were considerably reduced by degassing. Mg# of 77.9 and 530 ppm Ni are in equilibrium with olivine phenocrysts, characterize the parent melt and are not due to olivine fractionation. 87Sr/86Sr(i)?=?0.703602-0.703656, 143Nd/144Nd(i)?=?0.512660 and 176Hf/177Hf(i)?=?0.282677-0.282679 indicate that the Letšeng kimberlite originates from the convective upper mantle. U-Pb dating of groundmass perovskite reveals an emplacement age of 85.5?±?0.3 (2s) Ma, which is significantly younger than previously proposed for the Letšeng kimberlite.
Harvey, S., Read, G., DesGagnes, B., Shimell, M., Danoczi, J., Van Breugel, B., Fourie, L., Stilling, A.
Utilization of olivine macrocryst grain size and abundance dat a as a proxy for diamond size and grade in pyroclastic deposits of the Orion South kimberlite Fort a la Corne, Sasakatchewan, Canada.
10th. International Kimberlite Conference Feb. 6-11, Bangalore India, Abstract
Harvey, S., Read, G., DesGagnes, B., Shimell, M., van Breugel, B., Fourie, L.
Utilization of olivine macrocryst grain size and abundance dat a as a proxy for diamond size and grade in pyroclastic deposits of the Orion South kimberlite, Fort a la Corne, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Proceedings of the 10th. International Kimberlite Conference, Vol. 2, pp. 79-96.
Provenance and reconnaissance study of detrital zircons of the Paleozoic Cape Supergroup: revealing the interaction of Kalahari and Rio de la Plat a cratons.
International Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 100, 2, pp. 527-541.
Gems & Gemology, Sixth International Gemological Symposium Vol. 54, 3, 1p. Abstract p. 306-7.
Mantle
diamond inclusions
Abstract: Nitrogen is one of the most common impurities in diamond, and its aggregation styles have been used as criteria for diamond classification. Pure type IaB diamonds (with 100% nitrogen in B aggregation) are rather rare among natural diamonds. The occurrence of the B center is generally associated with high temperature and a long residence time of the host diamond, which would potentially provide information on the earth’s deep interior. Seawater circulation is the unique process that shapes the surface of our planet and potentially has a profound effect on its interior due to slab subduction. In about 50 type IaB diamonds with detectable micro-inclusions submitted to GIA for screening, we found that more than 70% of them contained a typical mineral assemblage from the sublithosphere. Jeffbenite (TAPP), majorite garnet, enstatite, and ferropericlase have been observed, which could be retrograde products of former bridgmanite. CaSiO3-walstromite with larnite and titanite is the dominant phase present in approximately 40% of all diamond samples. Direct evidence from oxygen isotope ratios measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry, or SIMS, (d18OVSMOWin the range +10.7 to +12.5‰) of CaSiO3-walstromite with coexisting larnite and titanite that retrograde from CaSiO3-perovskite suggest that hydrothermally altered oceanic basalt can subduct to depths of >410 km in the transition zone. Incorporation of materials from subducted altered oceanic crust into the deep mantle produced diamond inclusions that have both lower mantle and subduction signatures. Ca(Si,Al)O3-perovskite was observed with a high concentration of rare earth elements (>5 wt.%) that could be enriched under P-Tconditions in the lower mantle. Evidence from ringwoodite with a hydroxide bond, coexisting tuite and apatite, precipitates of an NH3phase, and cohenite with trace amounts of Cl imply that the subducted brines can potentially introduce hydrous fluid to the bottom of the transition zone. In the diamonds with subducted materials, the increasing carbon isotope ratio from the core to the rim region detected by SIMS (d13C from -5.5‰ to -4‰) suggests that an oxidized carbonate-dominated fluid was associated with recycling of the subducted hydrous material. The deep subduction played an important role in balancing redox exchange with the reduced lower mantle indicated by precipitated iron nanoparticles and coexisting hydrocarbons and carbonate phases.
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Vol. 20, 9, pp. 4426-4456.
Russia
xenoliths
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study of rare rock fragments (xenoliths) that were transported from the Earth's deep interior to the surface during an eruption of Kharchinsky volcano, Kamchatka. The chemical compositions, mineralogy, and textures of the samples were studied with the goal of understanding the processes that affected rocks, which may play a role in the formation of magmas in the Kamchatka subduction zone. The key process that affected the xenoliths involved the addition of fluids and dissolved elements to the samples at temperatures of 500-700 °C. These fluids are derived from seawater that was transported to 30- to 50-km depths by subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath Kamchatka. Subsequent to the addition of fluid, there was a shift in the position of the Kamchatka-Pacific Plate boundary that led to an increase in temperature and the formation of small quantities of melt that crystallized to a distinctive group of secondary minerals that are present in the samples and that postdate (overprint) the initial effects of fluid addition. The final step in the evolution of the samples was infiltration by an Fe- and Mg-rich magma that crystallized principally amphibole-group minerals.
Nonlinear Processes Geophysics, Vol. 25, pp. 99-123. pdf
Mantle
convection
Abstract: Recent advances in mantle convection modeling led to the release of a new generation of convection codes, able to self-consistently generate plate-like tectonics at their surface. Those models physically link mantle dynamics to surface tectonics. Combined with plate tectonic reconstructions, they have the potential to produce a new generation of mantle circulation models that use data assimilation methods and where uncertainties in plate tectonic reconstructions are taken into account. We provided a proof of this concept by applying a suboptimal Kalman filter to the reconstruction of mantle circulation (Bocher et al., 2016). Here, we propose to go one step further and apply the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) to this problem. The EnKF is a sequential Monte Carlo method particularly adapted to solve high-dimensional data assimilation problems with nonlinear dynamics. We tested the EnKF using synthetic observations consisting of surface velocity and heat flow measurements on a 2-D-spherical annulus model and compared it with the method developed previously. The EnKF performs on average better and is more stable than the former method. Less than 300 ensemble members are sufficient to reconstruct an evolution. We use covariance adaptive inflation and localization to correct for sampling errors. We show that the EnKF results are robust over a wide range of covariance localization parameters. The reconstruction is associated with an estimation of the error, and provides valuable information on where the reconstruction is to be trusted or not.
Devriese, S.G.R., Corcoran, N., Cowan, D., Davis, K., Bild-Enkin, D., Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Kang, S., Marchant, D., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Magnetic inversion of three airborne dat a sets over the Tli Kwi Cho kimberlite complex.
SEG Annual Meeting Denver, pp. 1790-1794 extended abstract
Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Corcoran, N., Devriese, S.G.R., Bild-Enkin, D., Davis, K., Kang, S., Marchant, D., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Multi-EM systems inversion - towards a common conductivity model for Tli Kwi Cho complex.
SEG Annual Meeting Denver, pp. 1795-1798. Extended abstract
Devriese, S.G.R., Corcoran, N., Cowan, D., Davis, K., Bild-Enkin, D., Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Kang, S., Marchant, D., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Abstract: The magnetic and electromagnetic responses from airborne systems at Tli Kwi Cho, a kimberlite complex in the Northwest Territories, Canada, have received considerable attention over the last two decades but a complete understanding of the causative physical properties is not yet at hand. Our analysis is distributed among three papers. In the first, we find a 3D magnetic susceptibility model for the area; in the second, we find a 3D conductivity model; and in the third paper, we find a 3D chargeability model. Our goal is to explain all the geophysical results within a geologic framework. In this first paper, we invert three independent airborne magnetic data sets flown over the Tli Kwi Cho kimberlite complex located in the Lac de Gras kimberlite field in Northwest Territories, Canada. The complex consists of two kimberlites known as DO-27 and DO-18. An initial airborne DIGHEM survey was flown in 1992 and AeroTEM and VTEM data subsequently acquired in 2003 and 2004, respectively. In this paper, we invert each magnetic data set in three dimensions. Both kimberlites are recovered in each model, with DO-27 as a more susceptible body than DO-18. Our goal is to simultaneously invert the three data sets to generate a single susceptibility model for Tli Kwi Cho. This project is part of a larger, on-going investigation by UBC-GIF on inverting magnetic, electromagnetic, and induced polarization data from the Tli Kwi Cho area.
Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Corcoran, N., Cowan, D., Devriese, S.G.R., Bild-Enkin, D., Davis, K., Kang, S., Marchant, D., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Abstract: The magnetic and electromagnetic responses from airborne systems at Tli Kwi Cho, a kimberlite complex in the Northwest Territories, Canada, have received considerable attention over the last two decades but a complete understanding of the causative physical properties is not yet at hand. Our analysis is distributed among three posters. In the first we find a 3D magnetic susceptibility model for the area; in the second we find a 3D conductivity model; and in the third we find a 3D chargeability model that can explain the negative transient responses measured over the kimberlite pipes. In this second paper we focus upon the task of finding a conductivity model that is compatible with three airborne data sets flown between 1992 and 2004: one frequency-domain data set (DIGHEM) and two time-domain systems (AeroTEM and VTEM). The goal is to obtain a 3D model from which geologic questions can be answered, but even more importantly, to provide a background conductivity needed to complete the 3D IP inversion of airborne EM data. We begin by modifying our pre-existing 1D frequency and time domain inversion codes to produce models that have more lateral continuity. The results are useful in their own right but we have also found that 1D analysis is often very effective in bringing to light erroneous data, assisting in estimating noise floors, and providing some starting information for developing a background model for the 3D EM inversion. Here we show some results from our Laterally Constrained Inversion (LCI) framework. The recovered conductivity models seem to agree on the general location of the kimberlite pipes but disagree on the geometry and conductivity values at depth. The complete 3D inversions in time and frequency, needed to resolved these issues, are currently in progress.
Devriese, S.G.R., Corcoran, N., Cowan, D., Davis, K., Bild-Enkin, D., Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Kang, S., Marchant, D., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Abstract: The magnetic and electromagnetic responses from airborne systems at Tli Kwi Cho, a kimberlite complex in the Northwest Territories, Canada, have received considerable attention over the last two decades but a complete understanding of the causative physical properties is not yet at hand. Our analysis is distributed among three papers. In the first, we find a 3D magnetic susceptibility model for the area; in the second, we find a 3D conductivity model; and in the third paper, we find a 3D chargeability model. Our goal is to explain all the geophysical results within a geologic framework. In this first paper, we invert three independent airborne magnetic data sets flown over the Tli Kwi Cho kimberlite complex located in the Lac de Gras kimberlite field in Northwest Territories, Canada. The complex consists of two kimberlites known as DO-27 and DO- 18. An initial airborne DIGHEM survey was flown in 1992 and AeroTEM and VTEM data subsequently acquired in 2003 and 2004, respectively. In this paper, we invert each magnetic data set in three dimensions. Both kimberlites are recovered in each model, with DO-27 as a more susceptible body than DO-18. Our goal is to simultaneously invert the three data sets to generate a single susceptibility model for Tli Kwi Cho. This project is part of a larger, on-going investigation by UBC-GIF on inverting magnetic, electromagnetic, and induced polarization data from the Tli Kwi Cho area.
Fournier, D., Heagy, L., Corcoran, N., Cowan, D., Devriese, S.G.R., Bild-Enkin, D., Davis, K., Marchant, M., McMillan, M.S., Mitchell, M., Rosenkjar, G., Yang, D., Oldenburg, D.W.
Abstract: The magnetic and electromagnetic responses from airborne systems at Tli Kwi Cho, a kimberlite complex in the Northwest Territories, Canada, have received considerable attention over the last two decades but a complete understanding of the causative physical properties is not yet at hand. Our analysis is distributed among three posters. In the first we find a 3D magnetic susceptibility model for the area; in the second we find a 3D conductivity model; and in the third we find a 3D chargeability model that can explain the negative transient responses measured over the kimberlite pipes. In this second paper we focus upon the task of finding a conductivity model that is compatible with three airborne data sets flown between 1992 and 2004: one frequency-domain data set (DIGHEM) and two time-domain systems (AeroTEM and VTEM). The goal is to obtain a 3D model from which geologic questions can be answered, but even more importantly, to provide a background conductivity needed to complete the 3D IP inversion of airborne EM data. We begin by modifying our pre-existing 1D frequency and time domain inversion codes to produce models that have more lateral continuity. The results are useful in their own right but we have also found that 1D analysis is often very effective in bringing to light erroneous data, assisting in estimating noise floors, and providing some starting information for developing a background model for the 3D EM inversion. Here we show some results from our Laterally Constrained Inversion (LCI) framework. The recovered conductivity models seem to agree on the general location of the kimberlite pipes but disagree on the geometry and conductivity values at depth. The complete 3D inversions in time and frequency, needed to resolved these issues, are currently in progress.
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Interpretation, August T 313, 13p.
Canada, Northwest Territories
deposit - Tli Kwi Cho
Abstract: We focus on the task of finding a 3D conductivity structure for the DO-18 and DO-27 kimberlites, historically known as the Tli Kwi Cho (TKC) kimberlite complex in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Two airborne electromagnetic (EM) surveys are analyzed: a frequency-domain DIGHEM and a time-domain VTEM survey. Airborne time-domain data at TKC are particularly challenging because of the negative values that exist even at the earliest time channels. Heretofore, such data have not been inverted in three dimensions. In our analysis, we start by inverting frequency-domain data and positive VTEM data with a laterally constrained 1D inversion. This is important for assessing the noise levels associated with the data and for estimating the general conductivity structure. The analysis is then extended to a 3D inversion with our most recent optimized and parallelized inversion codes. We first address the issue about whether the conductivity anomaly is due to a shallow flat-lying conductor (associated with the lake bottom) or a vertical conductive pipe; we conclude that it is the latter. Both data sets are then cooperatively inverted to obtain a consistent 3D conductivity model for TKC that can be used for geologic interpretation. The conductivity model is then jointly interpreted with the density and magnetic susceptibility models from a previous paper. The addition of conductivity enriches the interpretation made with the potential fields in characterizing several distinct petrophysical kimberlite units. The final conductivity model also helps better define the lateral extent and upper boundary of the kimberlite pipes. This conductivity model is a crucial component of the follow-up paper in which our colleagues invert the airborne EM data to recover the time-dependent chargeability that further advances our geologic interpretation.
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Interpretation, August T 327, 14p.
Canada, Northwest Territories
deposit -Tli Kwi Cho
Abstract: The geologically distinct DO-27 and DO-18 kimberlites, often called the Tli Kwi Cho (TKC) kimberlites, have been used as a testbed for airborne geophysical methods applied to kimberlite exploration. This paper, which is the last of a three-part series, focuses on extracting chargeability information from time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) data. Three different TEM surveys, having similar coincident-loop geometry, have been carried out over TKC. Each records negative transients over the main kimberlite units and this is a signature of induced polarization (IP) effects. By applying a TEM-IP inversion workflow to a VTEM data set we decouple the EM and IP responses in the observations and then recover 3D pseudo-chargeability models at multiple times. A subsequent analysis is used to recover Cole-Cole parameters. Our models demonstrate that both DO-18 and DO-27 pipes are chargeable, but they have different Cole-Cole time constants: 110 and 1160 µs, respectively. At DO-27, we also distinguish between two adjacent kimberlite units based on their respective Cole-Cole time constants. Our chargeability models are combined with the den-sity, magnetic susceptibility and conductivity models from Papers I and II and allow us to build a 3D petrophysical model of TKC using only information obtained from airborne geophysics. Comparison of this final petrophysical model to a 3D geological model derived from the extensive drilling program demonstrates that we can characterize the three main kimberlite units at TKC: HK, VK, and PK in 3D by using airborne geophysics.
Abstract: Much of the secular record of sulfur mass independet fractionation (S-MIF) is based on pyrites extracted from a limited number of formations from Western Australia and Southern Africa. Here we present multiproxy evidence for an episodic loss of S-MIF in sulfides from a 2.7 Ga sedimentary record in the São Francisco craton, Brazil. Based on combined proxies, we assigned three phases, in a continous drill core, that track evolving water column redox conditions and changes in ecology. In Phase-I, the stratigraphically older rocks, reactive iron ratios suggest ferruginous conditions. The pyrites have modest S-MIF values (D33S from -0.7 to 2.6‰) and the carbon isotope composition of the iron formations is indicative of carbon fixation by anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria that oxidized Fe2+ (d13Corg from -27.7 to -17.5‰). Within Phase-II, an intermediate phase characterized by graphite schist, the iron ratios, expansion of the S-MIF (D33S from 2.15 to 3.4‰) and an excess of Mo relative to Corg suggest deposition in an anoxic environment with periodic development of euxinic conditions. Phase-III culminates in fully oxic conditions with a loss of S-MIF and emergence of sulfur mass dependent fractionation (S-MDF) with homogeneous d34S pyrite values (average = 3.3 ± 0.5‰). The loss of S-MIF in the Archean sulfides of Phase-III was interpreted as a response to increased oxygen levels that lead to an intensification of oxidative weathering. Based on the continous deposition within this drillcore, the development of more oxidizing conditions may have been relatively rapid, reinforcing the model that the transition from S-MIF to S-MDF can happen on rapid geological time scales and was recorded about 400 million years prior to the GOE in the Brazilian craton.
Minerals MDPI, Vol. 10, 267 doi: 10.23390/min10030267 14p. Pdf
Mantle
Melililite, carbon
Abstract: Understanding the viscosity of mantle-derived magmas is needed to model their migration mechanisms and ascent rate from the source rock to the surface. High pressure-temperature experimental data are now available on the viscosity of synthetic melts, pure carbonatitic to carbonate-silicate compositions, anhydrous basalts, dacites and rhyolites. However, the viscosity of volatile-bearing melilititic melts, among the most plausible carriers of deep carbon, has not been investigated. In this study, we experimentally determined the viscosity of synthetic liquids with ~31 and ~39 wt% SiO2, 1.60 and 1.42 wt% CO2 and 5.7 and 1 wt% H2O, respectively, at pressures from 1 to 4.7 GPa and temperatures between 1265 and 1755 °C, using the falling-sphere technique combined with in situ X-ray radiography. Our results show viscosities between 0.1044 and 2.1221 Pa•s, with a clear dependence on temperature and SiO2 content. The atomic structure of both melt compositions was also determined at high pressure and temperature, using in situ multi-angle energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction supported by ex situ microFTIR and microRaman spectroscopic measurements. Our results yield evidence that the T-T and T-O (T = Si,Al) interatomic distances of ultrabasic melts are higher than those for basaltic melts known from similar recent studies. Based on our experimental data, melilititic melts are expected to migrate at a rate ~from 2 to 57 km•yr-1 in the present-day or the Archaean mantle, respectively.
Diamond mining and sustainability at De Beers' Canadian mines.
Proceedings of the 10th. International Kimberlite Conference, Vol. 2, Special Issue of the Journal of the Geological Society of India,, Vol. 2, pp. 289-294.
Society of Economic Geology Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits, Special Publication no. 20, pp. 359-378.
Abstract: A fundamental goal of mineralogy and petrology is the deep understanding of mineral phase relationships and the consequent spatial and temporal patterns of mineral coexistence in rocks, ore bodies, sediments, meteorites, and other natural polycrystalline materials. The multi-dimensional chemical complexity of such mineral assemblages has traditionally led to experimental and theoretical consideration of 2-, 3-, or n-component systems that represent simplified approximations of natural systems. Network analysis provides a dynamic, quantitative, and predictive visualization framework for employing “big data” to explore complex and otherwise hidden higher-dimensional patterns of diversity and distribution in such mineral systems. We introduce and explore applications of mineral network analysis, in which mineral species are represented by nodes, while coexistence of minerals is indicated by lines between nodes. This approach provides a dynamic visualization platform for higher-dimensional analysis of phase relationships, because topologies of equilibrium phase assemblages and pathways of mineral reaction series are embedded within the networks. Mineral networks also facilitate quantitative comparison of lithologies from different planets and moons, the analysis of coexistence patterns simultaneously among hundreds of mineral species and their localities, the exploration of varied paragenetic modes of mineral groups, and investigation of changing patterns of mineral occurrence through deep time. Mineral network analysis, furthermore, represents an effective visual approach to teaching and learning in mineralogy and petrology.
Abstract: The Geological and Geodiversity Mapping binational program along the Brazil-Guyana border zone allowed reviewing and in- tegrating the stratigraphy and nomenclature of the Roraima Supergroup along the Pakaraima Sedimentary Block present in northeastern Brazil and western Guyana. The area mapped corresponds to a buffer zone of approximately 25 km in width on both sides of the border, of a region extending along the Maú-Ireng River between Mount Roraima (the tri- ple-border region) and Mutum Village in Brazil and Monkey Mountain in Guyana. The south border of the Roraima basin is overlain exclusively by effusive and volcaniclastic rocks of the Surumu Group of Brazil and its correlated equivalent the Burro-Burro Group of Guyana.
Anais Do 15 Simposio Geologia da Amazonia, Belem , Dec. 5p. Abstract pdf
South America, Guiana
craton
Abstract: The Orocaima Igneous Belt (OIB) is a huge plutono-volcanic belt at the central part of Guiana Shield, consisting mainly of 1.99-1.96 Ga volcano-plutonic rocks with high-K calc-alkaline, A-type and shosho-nitic geochemical signatures. Three A-type granitic bodies from the central part of the OIB have been dated using U-Pb SHRIMP and LA-ICPMS methods. A 1985±11 Ma age was calculated for the Macucal Mountain Granite of the Saracura Suite (Brazil) and ages of 1977±3.9 Ma and 1975±5 were calculated for the alkaline riebeckite granites respectively of the Lontra (Brazil) and Makarapan (Guyana) bodies. These ages are in the same range of those reported for the Aricamã A-type granitoids and the results indicate that different A-type magmatism took place in the 1.993-1.975 Ma interval along the OIB, coeval to high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic magmatism. This scenario fits well to a post-collisional setting.
Brazilian Journal of Geology, Vol. 47, 1, pp. 43-57.
South America, Brazil, Guyana
craton
Abstract: The Geological and Geodiversity Mapping binational program along the Brazil-Guyana border zone allowed reviewing and in- tegrating the stratigraphy and nomenclature of the Roraima Supergroup along the Pakaraima Sedimentary Block present in northeastern Brazil and western Guyana. The area mapped corresponds to a buffer zone of approximately 25 km in width on both sides of the border, of a region extending along the Maú-Ireng River between Mount Roraima (the tri- ple-border region) and Mutum Village in Brazil and Monkey Mountain in Guyana. The south border of the Roraima basin is overlain exclusively by effusive and volcaniclastic rocks of the Surumu Group of Brazil and its correlated equivalent the Burro-Burro Group of Guyana.
Netherlands Journal of Geolsciences, Vol. 95, 4, pp. 491-522.
South America, Suriname
Guiana shield
Abstract: The Proterozoic basement of Suriname consists of a greenstone-tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite belt in the northeast of the country, two high-grade belts in the northwest and southwest, respectively, and a large granitoid-felsic volcanic terrain in the central part of the country, punctuated by numerous gabbroic intrusions. The basement is overlain by the subhorizontal Proterozoic Roraima sandstone formation and transected by two Proterozoic and one Jurassic dolerite dyke swarms. Late Proterozoic mylonitisation affected large parts of the basement. Almost 50 new U-Pb and Pb-Pb zircon ages and geochemical data have been obtained in Suriname, and much new data are also available from the neighbouring countries. This has led to a considerable revision of the geological evolution of the basement. The main orogenic event is the Trans-Amazonian Orogeny, resulting from southwards subduction and later collision between the Guiana Shield and the West African Craton. The first phase, between 2.18 and 2.09 Ga, shows ocean floor magmatism, volcanic arc development, sedimentation, metamorphism, anatexis and plutonism in the Marowijne Greenstone Belt and the adjacent older granites and gneisses. The second phase encompasses the evolution of the Bakhuis Granulite Belt and Coeroeni Gneiss Belt through rift-type basin formation, volcanism, sedimentation and, between 2.07 and 2.05 Ga, high-grade metamorphism. The third phase, between 1.99 and 1.95 Ga, is characterised by renewed high-grade metamorphism in the Bakhuis and Coeroeni belts along an anticlockwise cooling path, and ignimbritic volcanism and extensive and varied intrusive magmatism in the western half of the country. An alternative scenario is also discussed, implying an origin of the Coeroeni Gneiss Belt as an active continental margin, recording northwards subduction and finally collision between a magmatic arc in the south and an older northern continent. The Grenvillian collision between Laurentia and Amazonia around 1.2-1.0 Ga caused widespread mylonitisation and mica age resetting in the basement.
Brazilian Journal of Geology, Vol. 41, 1, pp. 43-57.
South America, Brazil, Guyana
Guiana shield
Abstract: The Geological and Geodiversity Mapping binational program along the Brazil-Guyana border zone allowed reviewing and integrating the stratigraphy and nomenclature of the Roraima Supergroup along the Pakaraima Sedimentary Block present in northeastern Brazil and western Guyana. The area mapped corresponds to a buffer zone of approximately 25 km in width on both sides of the border, of a region extending along the Maú-Ireng River between Mount Roraima (the triple-border region) and Mutum Village in Brazil and Monkey Mountain in Guyana. The south border of the Roraima basin is overlain exclusively by effusive and volcaniclastic rocks of the Surumu Group of Brazil and its correlated equivalent the Burro-Burro Group of Guyana.
Abstract: The subparallel maflc dykes of the Aorida-Durazno-S.José region (SW Uruguay) trend N60-80W and vary in thickness from 0.6 to 50 m. They are part of the mafic dyke swarms intrudlng granitic-gnelssic basement that were mappecl by BOSSI et ai. (1989), In an ares approximately 200 km In length and 100 km in bresdth. Plagioclass, augite, subcalclc augite (plgeonite) and opaques are the maln components of the dykes. Orthopyroxene and oIlvine are very rare. Blotite and homblende are secondary minerais. Quartz-feldspar Intergrowths occur In the coarser gralnecl dykes. The characterlstlc textures are subophitic and intersertal.
Brazil Journal of Geology, Vol. 47, 3, pp. 383-401. pdf
South America, Brazil
kimberlites, kamafugites, Tres Ranchos, Coromandel
Abstract: Magmatism associated with the Alto Paranaíba structural high comprises kimberlites, kamafugites, and alkaline complexes, forming an approximately 400 x 150 km NW-SE belt in the southern São Francisco Craton. Dating of some intrusions reveals ages between 120 and 75 Ma. Chemical analyses of garnet recovered in alluvium from traditional diamond digging areas indicate peridotitic garnet windows in Três Ranchos and Coromandel. Six hundred and eighty (680) diamonds acquired or recovered during mineral exploration in the digging areas of Romaria, Estrela do Sul, Três Ranchos and Coromandel show unique characteristics, certain populations indicating young, proximal and primary sources (YPP). Analyses of 201 stones from Santo Antônio do Bonito, Santo Inácio and Douradinho rivers alluvium, Coromandel, present no evidence of transport, characterizing a proximal source. Within these river basins, exposures of the Late Cretaceous Capacete Formation basal conglomerate contain mainly small rounded and/or angular quartzite pebbles and of basic and ultrabasic rocks, as well as kimberlite minerals (garnet, ilmenite, spinel, sometimes diamond). A magnetotelluric profile between the Paraná and Sanfranciscana basins shows that the thick underlying lithosphere in the Coromandel region coincides with the peridotitic garnet window and with a diamond population displaying proximal source characteristics. Diamond-bearing kimberlite intrusions occur in different areas of Alto Paranaíba.
Abstract: Pyroxenites and garnet pyroxenites are mantle heterogeneities characterized by a lower solidus temperature than the enclosing peridotites; it follows that they are preferentially involved during magma genesis. Constraining their origin, composition, and the interactions they underwent during their subsequent evolution is therefore essential to discuss the sources of magmatism in a given area. Pyroxenites could represent either recycling of crustal rocks in mantle domains or mantle originated rocks (formed either by olivine consuming melt-rock reactions or by crystal fractionation). Petrological and geochemical (major and trace elements, Sr-Nd and O isotopes) features of xenoliths from various occurrences (French Massif-Central, Jordan, Morocco and Cameroon) show that these samples represent cumulates crystallized during melt percolation at mantle conditions. They formed in mantle domains at pressures of 1-2 GPa during post-collisional magmatism (possibly Hercynian for the French Massif-Central, and Panafrican for Morocco, Jordan and Cameroon). The thermal re-equilibration of lithospheric domains, typical of the late orogenic exhumation stages, is also recorded by the samples. Most of the samples display a metasomatic overprint that may be either inherited or likely linked to the recent volcanic activity that occurred in the investigated regions. The crystallization of pyroxenites during late orogenic events has implications for the subsequent evolution of the mantle domains. The presence of large amounts of mantle pyroxenites in old orogenic regions indeed imparts peculiar physical and chemical characteristics to these domains. Among others, the global solidus temperature of the whole lithospheric domain will be lowered; in turn, this implies that old orogenic regions are refertilized zones where magmatic activity would be enhanced.
Abstract: Carbonatites are rare magmas containing almost no silica; the corresponding crystallized rocks represent the main rare earth elements (REE) deposits in production. Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania) is the only active carbonatite volcano on Earth, and may be used as a natural laboratory to identify the parameters responsible for the genesis of the >500 reported fossil occurrences of carbonatite magmas. Nevertheless the carbonatites emitted at Oldoinyo Lengai are unique as alkalirich (natrocarbonatites), and their origin may not be representative of the fossil carbonatites (calcio-, ferro-, magnesio-carbonatites). Here we use three-phases melt inclusions trapped in clinopyroxenes and nephelines from cognate cumulates – that sample the active magma chamber of Oldoinyo Lengai – emitted during the 2007-08 sub-plinian explosive eruption to track the carbonatite presence within the plumbing system, and to eventually quantify its composition at depth. We show that although natrocarbonatites are emitted at Oldoinyo Lengai summit, more classical calciocarbonatites are present at magma chamber depth, consistent with rare natrocarbonatites being derived from more classical calciocarbonatites by further magma differentiation. Those unique cognate samples allows us to provide the first direct measurements of partition coefficients for major and trace elements of natural coexisting in equilibrium carbonatite and silicate melts. Partition coefficients suggests that natrocarbonatites derive from calciocarbonatites by fractionating Ca-rich, and Na-poor phases. The Oldoinyo Lengai can therefore be used as a perfect analogue of fossil igneous systems that are now exhumed, commonly lacking any relation with the initial geodynamic setting, and form REE mineral deposits.
Mollex, G., France, L., Furi, E., Bonnet, R., Botcharnikov, R.E., Zimmermann, L., Wilke, S., Deloule, E., Chazot, G., Kazimoto. E.O., Marty, B., Burnard, P.
Abstract: Cognate xenoliths that have been emitted during the last sub-plinian eruption in 2007-08 at Oldoinyo Lengai (OL) represent a unique opportunity to document the igneous processes occuring within the active magma chamber. Detailed petrographic descriptions coupled to a thermobarometric approach, and to the determination of volatile solubility models, allow us to identify the melt evolution at magma chamber conditions, and the storage parameters (P, T). Results indicate that a fresh phonolite melt (~1060°C) was injected into a crustal magma chamber at 11.5 ±3.5 km depth, in agreement with geophysical surveys performed during the eruption. The phonolite contains high volatile contents: 3.2 wt.% H2O and 1.4 wt.% CO2. The liquid line of descent highlights an evolution to nephelinite compositions by cooling down to 880°C. Our results support previous results related to this eruption, and are similar to the historical products emitted during the whole volcano history, allowing us to suggest that no major modification in the plumbing system has occured during the OL evolution. New noble gas results show that: i. fumaroles display constant He isotopic signature since 1988; ii. Cognate xenoliths documenting the active magma chamber and fumaroles display similar He isotopic values (6.58±0.46RA, and 7.31±0.40RA, respectively); iii. OL He isotopic composition is similar to that of other silicate volcanoes of the Arusha region, and comparable to the typical subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) range (5.2 to 7.0 RA); iv. Ne isotopic ratio of OL is following the MORB signature. Those results are interpreted as showing that 1/ no major modification in the hydrothermal system architecture has occured since 1988 despite major modification of the summit crater morphology, 2/ no contamination by either the atmospheric gases, or crustal material assimilation has occured between the magma chamber and the surface, and 3/ the source of OL and of the other silicate volcanoes in the Arusha region is a SCLM metasomatized by asthenospheric fluids.
Abstract: Mantle metasomatism by percolating melts/fluids can significantly modify the geochemical and mineralogical compositions of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). We present a detailed study of water contents and Li concentrations and isotopic compositions in mantle minerals from a suite of peridotite xenoliths entrained by a Cenozoic Strombolian volcano in the southern French Massif Central (FMC). Wide ranging clinopyroxene trace element distributions (e.g., (La/Yb)N from 0.25 to 22.21; Ti/Eu ratios from 453 to 4892) suggest that the SCLM has undergone metasomatism by carbonatitic melts/fluids or melts/fluids related to subducted materials. Two amphibole-bearing samples exhibit depletion of light rare earth elements (LREE; (La/Yb)N = 0.26 and 0.30, respectively) in amphiboles, similar to that in co-existing clinopyroxenes; these samples indicate that amphiboles grew during a separate modally metasomatic event predating the cryptic metasomatism accounting for LREE enrichment and negative HFSE anomalies in other samples. Mineral Li concentrations are similar to those in the normal mantle, with inter-mineral Li partitioning nearly equilibrated and intragranular Li distributions nearly homogeneous. However, negative d7Li values of pyroxenes in some samples (as low as - 8.8‰ in clinopyroxene of sample MC38) can be attributed to diffusive exchange with a small-volume melt of moderate Li concentration and light Li isotopic composition, originally associated with a recycled component. Preservation of the currently observed large inter-mineral Li isotopic variations indicates that melt percolation occurred shortly before entrainment of the peridotite xenoliths by the host magma. Mineral water contents vary from 41 to 428 ppm in clinopyroxenes and from 28 to 152 ppm in orthopyroxenes, and their roughly negative co-variation with coexisting olivine Fo contents imply that partial melting was the main control over mineral water content variations in most samples. Varied water contents in LREE-enriched metasomatized samples indicate the involvement of metasomatic agents of different origins. The aqueous agent responsible for generation of amphiboles in two samples did not produce a notable increase in the water contents of coexisting nominally anhydrous minerals.
Abstract: Carbonatites are rare magmas containing almost no silica; their igneous counterparts represent the main rare earth element deposits inoperation. No consensus exists on their origin, genesis and evolution. Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania) is the only active carbonatite volcano, but the alkali-rich natrocarbonatites it erupts are unique among the >500 reported fossil carbonatite occurrences. Here, we use threephase melt inclusions hosted in minerals from cognate cumulates (clinopyroxene, nepheline, Ti-garnet, interstitial melt)— which sampled the active Oldoinyo Lengai magma chamber during the 2007-08 sub-Plinian explosive eruption—to track the carbonatite presence within the plumbing system, and to eventually quantify its composition at depth. We show that although natrocarbonatites are emitted at the Oldoinyo Lengai summit, more classical calciocarbonatites are present at magma chamber depth (~3.5 kbar, 1050 to 900°C), which is consistent with the model of rare natrocarbonatites deriving from calciocarbonatites by further magma differentiation. We also show that those calciocarbonatites are not isolated but rather conjugated with alkali-rich silica melt suggesting a joint evolution. We eventually present the first direct measurements of major and trace element partition coefficients between natural coexisting carbonate and silicate melts. Partitioning behaviour and recent experiments support our conclusion that natrocarbonatites derive from calciocarbonatites by fractionating Ca-rich, Na-poor phases. As natrocarbonatites are highly unstable at surface conditions, they were likely erupted but not preserved in association with fossil calciocarbonatites worldwide. Oldoinyo Lengai can then be considered as representative of other carbonatite systems, and provide us with the unique opportunity to observe the plumbing system architecture, and to constrain the protracted differentiation path of a carbonatite system.
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 175, 15p. Pdf
Africa, Tanzania
deposit - Oldoinyo Lengai
Abstract: Trace element partitioning between minerals and liquids provides crucial constraints on igneous processes. We quantified trace element concentrations in clinopyroxene (Cpx) phenocrysts and their phonolite melt inclusions from the 2007-08 eruption of Oldoinyo Lengai (Tanzania), and report Cpx-melt partition coefficients (D) and corresponding partitioning equations for rare earth elements (REE) and high field strength elements (HFSE) in alkaline magmas. Heavy REE (HREE: Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) are enriched relative to middle REE in alkaline Cpx and display a specific partitioning behavior that is characteristic of alkaline systems. HFSE (Ti, Zr, Hf) and HREE have similar D values (DHf?=?0.25; DLu?=?0.4) that are significantly higher than MREE (DSm?=?0.06). High DHREE/DMREE are strongly correlated with the high values of DZr and DHf relative to the low DMREE values. In this study, REE partitioning between phonolite melt and Cpx is not consistent with standard models assuming incorporation of all REE in the Cpx M2 site, but rather highlights HREE substitution in both the M1 and M2 sites. Here we highlight the preferential incorporation of HREE in the VI-coordinated M1 site, whereas light REE and MREE remain mostly distributed in the VIII-coordinated M2 site. REE partitioning is strongly dependent on Cpx chemistry: the ideal ionic radius and HREE incorporation in the M1 site increase with increasing Fe3+ content and decrease with increasing Mg2+ and AlVI content. In our study, we focus on alkaline evolved magmas, and update existing models to obtain adequate DHREE for alkaline evolved melts. We provide equations to quantify REE and HFSE partitioning, and HREE enrichment in Cpx that are based on Cpx major element composition and temperature. We propose a new model based on the lattice strain approach that predicts HREE partitioning between Cpx and alkaline magmas. The knowledge of the melt composition or of the trace element contents is not required to obtain DREE from the new model. An improved parameterization of HFSE partitioning between Cpx and phonolite and trachy-phonolite melts is also provided herein. We discuss the potential implications of the new data on our understanding of REE deposits that are commonly associated with igneous alkaline complexes.
Abstract: Carbonatites are unusual, carbon-rich magmas thought to form either by the melting of a carbon-rich mantle source or by low-degree partial melting of a carbon-poor (<80 ppm C) mantle followed by protracted differentiation and/or immiscibility. Carbonate-bearing mantle xenoliths from Oldoinyo Lengai (East African Rift), the only active volcano erupting carbonatites, have provided key support for a C-rich mantle source. Here, we report unique microscale O and C isotopic analyses of those carbonates, which are present as interstitial grains in the silicate host lava, veins in the xenoliths, and pseudo-inclusions in olivine xenoliths. The d18O values vary little, from 19‰ to 29‰, whereas d13C values are more variable, ranging from -23‰ to +0.5‰. We show that such carbonate d18O values result from the low-temperature precipitation of carbonate in equilibrium with meteoric water, rather than under mantle conditions. In this framework, the observed d13C values can be reproduced by Rayleigh distillation driven by carbonate precipitation and associated degassing. Together with petrological evidence of a physical connection between the three types of carbonates, our isotopic data support the pedogenic formation of carbonates in the studied xenoliths by soil-water percolation and protracted crystallization along xenolith cracks. Our results refute a mechanism of C enrichment in the form of mantle carbonates in the mantle beneath the Natron Lake magmatic province and instead support carbonatite formation by low-degree partial melting of a C-poor mantle and subsequent protracted differentiation of alkaline magmas.
Abstract: Carbonatites are unusual, carbon-rich magmas thought to form either by the melting of a carbon-rich mantle source or by low-degree partial melting of a carbon-poor (<80 ppm C) mantle followed by protracted differentiation and/or immiscibility. Carbonate-bearing mantle xenoliths from Oldoinyo Lengai (East African Rift), the only active volcano erupting carbonatites, have provided key support for a C-rich mantle source. Here, we report unique microscale O and C isotopic analyses of those carbonates, which are present as interstitial grains in the silicate host lava, veins in the xenoliths, and pseudo-inclusions in olivine xenoliths. The d18O values vary little, from 19‰ to 29, whereas d13C values are more variable, ranging from -23‰ to +0.5‰. We show that such carbonate d18O values result from the low-temperature precipitation of carbonate in equilibrium with meteoric water, rather than under mantle conditions. In this framework, the observed d13C values can be reproduced by Rayleigh distillation driven by carbonate precipitation and associated degassing. Together with petrological evidence of a physical connection between the three types of carbonates, our isotopic data support the pedogenic formation of carbonates in the studied xenoliths by soil-water percolation and protracted crystallization along xenolith cracks. Our results refute a mechanism of C enrichment in the form of mantle carbonates in the mantle beneath the Natron Lake magmatic province and instead support carbonatite formation by low-degree partial melting of a C-poor mantle and subsequent protracted differentiation of alkaline magmas.
Implications of HFS/LIL trace element variations for the mantle sources of recent alkaline volcanism in northern British Columbia and the Yukon, Canada
Eos Transactions, Vol. 73, No. 14, April 7, supplement abstracts p.325
Toft, P.B., Scowen, A.H., Arkani-Hamed, J., Francis, D.
Demagnetization by hydration in deep crustal rocks in the Grenville Province of Quebec, Canada: implications for magnetic anomalies of continental collision zones
Kent, A.J.R., Stolper, E.M., Francis, D., Woodhead, J., Frei, R., Eiler, J.
Mantle heterogeneity during the formation of the North Atlantic igneous province: constraints from trace element and Sr Nd Os O isotope - Baffin Island picrites
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems: G3, Vol. 5, pp. Q11004 10.1029/2004GC000743
Proterozoic mantle xenoliths in ultramafic dykes near Wawa, Ontario: implications for the lithospheic mantle underneath the central North American craton.
Geological Society of America Annual Meeting ABSTRACTS, Nov. 7-10, Paper 17-7, Vol. 36, 5, p. 47.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, in press available 20p.
Canada, Ontario, Quebec
Ungava craton
Abstract: Although terrestrial picritic magmas with FeOTOT ?13 wt.% are rare in the geological record, they were relatively common ca. 2.7 Ga during the Neoarchean episode of enhanced global growth of continental crust. Recent evidence that ferropicritic underplating played an important role in the ca. 2.74–2.70 Ga reworking of the Ungava craton provides the impetus for a comparison of ca. 2.7 Ga ferropicrite occurrences in the global Neoarchean magmatic record. In addition to the Fe-rich plutons of the Ungava craton, volumetrically minor ferropicritic flows, pyroclastic deposits, and intrusive rocks form parts of the Neoarchean greenstone belt stratigraphy of the Abitibi, Wawa, Wabigoon and Vermillion domains of the southern and western Superior Province. Neoarchean ferropicritic rocks also occur on five other Archean cratons: West Churchill, Slave, Yilgarn, Kaapvaal, and Karelia; suggesting that ca. 2.7 Ga Fe-rich magmatism was globally widespread. Neoarchean ferropicrites form two distinct groups in terms of their trace element geochemistry. Alkaline ferropicrites have fractionated REE profiles and show no systematic HFSE anomalies, broadly resembling the trace element character of modern-day ocean island basalt (OIB) magmas. Magmas parental to ca. 2.7 Ga alkaline ferropicrites also had high Nb/YPM (>2), low Al2O3/TiO2 (<8) and Sc/Fe (-3 × 10-4) ratios, and were enriched in Ni relative to primary pyrolite mantle-derived melts. The high Ni contents of the alkaline ferropicrites coupled with the low Sc/Fe ratios are consistent with derivation from olivine-free garnet-pyroxenite sources. The second ferropicrite group is characterized by decisively non-alkaline primary trace element profiles that range from flat to LREE-depleted, resembling Archean tholeiitic basalts and komatiites. In contrast to the alkaline ferropicrites, the magmas parental to the subalkaline ferropicrites had flat HREE, lower Nb/YPM (<2), higher Al2O3/TiO2 (8-25) and Sc/Fe (-4 × 10-4) ratios, and were depleted in Ni relative to melts of pyrolitic peridotite; suggesting they were derived from garnet-free peridotite sources. Neodymium isotopic evidence indicates that the source of alkaline ferropicrites was metasomatically enriched shortly before magma generation (-3.0 Ga), but the subalkaline ferropicrites do not show evidence of precursor metasomatism. The metasomatic enrichment of the alkaline ferropicrite sources may have been accompanied by conversion of Fe-rich peridotite to secondary garnet-pyroxenite. Melting experiments on "pyrolitic" compositions and consideration of the dependence of the density of silicate liquids on pressure and temperature, suggest that ferropicrites cannot originate by melting of normal terrestrial mantle (Mg-number = 0.88-0.92) at high pressures and temperatures. The geochemical similarity between the subalkaline ferropicrites and the shergottite-nakhlite-chassigny (SNC) and howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) differentiated meteorites suggests, however, that the Fe-rich mantle may originate from the infall of Fe-rich chondritic meteorites. The occurrence of ca. 2.7 Ga Fe-rich rocks on at least six cratons that are commonly coeval with the more ubiquitous komatiites and Mg-tholeiites is consistent with the existence of heterogeneous Fe-rich "plums" throughout the Neoarchean mantle. The paucity of ferropicrites in the post-2.7 Ga geological record suggests that majority of these Fe-rich plums have been melted out during the global Neoarchean melting of the mantle.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, in press available, 14p.
Canada, Africa, Russia
Melting
Abstract: Although terrestrial picritic magmas with FeOTOT ?13 wt.% are rare in the geological record, they were relatively common ca. 2.7 Ga during the Neoarchean episode of enhanced global growth of continental crust. Recent evidence that ferropicritic underplating played an important role in the ca. 2.74-2.70 Ga reworking of the Ungava craton provides the impetus for a comparison of ca. 2.7 Ga ferropicrite occurrences in the global Neoarchean magmatic record. In addition to the Fe-rich plutons of the Ungava craton, volumetrically minor ferropicritic flows, pyroclastic deposits, and intrusive rocks form parts of the Neoarchean greenstone belt stratigraphy of the Abitibi, Wawa, Wabigoon and Vermillion domains of the southern and western Superior Province. Neoarchean ferropicritic rocks also occur on five other Archean cratons: West Churchill, Slave, Yilgarn, Kaapvaal, and Karelia; suggesting that ca. 2.7 Ga Fe-rich magmatism was globally widespread.
Abstract: How much of Earth's compositional variation dates to processes that occurred during planet formation remains an unanswered question. High-precision tungsten isotopic data from rocks from two large igneous provinces, the North Atlantic Igneous Province and the Ontong Java Plateau, reveal preservation to the Phanerozoic of tungsten isotopic heterogeneities in the mantle. These heterogeneities, caused by the decay of hafnium-182 in mantle domains with high hafnium/tungsten ratios, were created during the first ~50 million years of solar system history, indicating that portions of the mantle that formed during Earth’s primary accretionary period have survived to the present
Petrology and pyroxene chemistry of Montregian dykes-the origin of concentric zoning and green cores in clinopyroxenes from alkali basalts andlamprophyres
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 25, No. 12, December pp. 2041-2058
Volcanoes of the central Andes.Section of the book -large silicic systemsxeroxed. Not well in black and white as the photographs are in colour in thebook
Abstract: Since the commercialisation of ground penetrating radar (GPR) in the 1970s, radar technology has been employed for niche applications in the mining industry. Although reliant on electrically resistive environments, GPR has gained acceptance in recent years as a standard exploration method for a number of deposit types, ranging from paleochannel delineation to iron ore mapping and kimberlite imaging. Numerous case studies have been published on GPR's applications to specific mineral exploration projects. Provided herein is an overview of commercialised GPR applications for surface mineral resource evaluations, covering examples of alluvial channels, nickel and bauxitic laterites, iron ore deposits, mineral sands, coal, kimberlite and massive sulphide examples.
Abstract: The consumption of mineral resources and energy has increased exponentially over the last 100 years. Further growth is expected until at least the middle of the 21st century as the demand for minerals is stimulated by the industrialization of poor countries, increasing urbanization, penetration of rapidly evolving high technologies, and the transition to low-carbon energies. In order to meet this demand, more metals will have to be produced by 2050 than over the last 100 years, which raises questions about the sustainability and conditions of supply. The answers to these questions are not only a matter of available reserves. Major effort will be required to develop new approaches and dynamic models to address social, economic, environmental, geological, technological, legal and geopolitical impacts of the need for resources.
Abstract: Raman spectroscopy has been foreseen as a simple and non-destructive characterization method to determine the boron concentration in heavily boron-doped diamond with metallic conductivity. However, currently available empirical studies are not fully satisfactory for enabling accurate determination of the boron concentration in diamond. Here, we study Raman spectra of epitaxial boron-doped diamond as a function of the boron concentration and the excitation wavelength. The zone center phonon and the phonon density of state maximum (at ca. 1200?cm-1) lines are analyzed using a decoupled double Fano-function. This analysis method accurately describes the observed variation of the asymmetric parameters with atomic boron concentration and the photon excitation energy and enables the determination of the atomic boron concentration from the parameters of the examined Raman lines.
Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 45, no. 158, pp. 522-540.
Africa, Sierra Leone
history
Abstract: This article explores the relationship between the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak and the political economy of diamond mining in Kono District, Sierra Leone. The authors argue that foreign companies have recycled colonial strategies of indirect rule to facilitate the illicit flow of resources out of Sierra Leone. Drawing on field research conducted during the outbreak and in its aftermath, they show how this ‘indirect rule redux’ undermines democratic governance and the development of revenue-generation institutions. Finally, they consider the linkages between indirect rule and the Ebola outbreak, vis-à-vis the consequences of the region’s intentionally underdeveloped health care infrastructure and the scaffolding of outbreak containment onto the paramount chieftaincy system.
