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The Sheahan Diamond Literature Reference Compilation - Scientific and Media Articles based on Major Keyword - Chromite
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 announcements called 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 Keyword Index
Sheahan Diamond Literature Reference Compilation - Scientific Articles by Author for all years
Each article reference in the SDLRC is tagged with one or more key words assigned by Pat Sheahan to highlight the main topics of the article. In an effort to make it easier for users to track down articles related to a specific topic, KRO has extracted these key words and developed a list of major key words presented in this Key Word Index to which individual key words used in the article reference have been assigned. In most of the individual Key Word Reports the references are in crhonological order, though in some such as Deposits the order is first by key word and then chronological. Only articles classified as "technical" (mainly scientific journal articles) and "media" (independent media articles) are included in the Key Word Index. References that were added in the most recent monthly update are highlighted in yellow.
Chromite is an iron chromium oxide of the spinel group which forms within the mantle in peridotite. It is relevant to diamonds as an indicator mineral because ascending magmas entrain chromite bearing material from the mantle.
Gonzalez-Jimienez, J.M., Marchesi, C., Griffin, W.L., Gutierrez-Narbona, R., Lorand, J-P., O'Reilly, S.Y., Garrido, C.J., Gervilla, F., Pearson, N.J., Hidas, K.
Transfer of Os isotopic signatures from peridotite to chromitite in the subcontinental mantle: insights from in situ analysis of platinum-group and base metal minerals (Ojen peridotite massif, southern Spain.
Abstract: Various combinations of diamond, moissanite, zircon, corundum, rutile and titanitehave been recovered from the Bulqiza chromitites. More than 10 grains of diamond have been recovered, most of which are pale yellow to reddish–orange to colorless. The grains are all 100–300 ?m in size and mostly anhedral, but with a range of morphologies including elongated, octahedral and subhedral varieties. Their identification was confirmed by a characteristic shift in the Raman spectra between 1325 cm?1 and 1333 cm?1, mostly at 1331.51 cm?1 or 1326.96 cm?1. This investigation extends the occurrence of diamond and moissanite to the Bulqiza chromitites in the Eastern Mirdita Ophiolite. Integration of the mineralogical, petrological and geochemical data of the Bulqiza chromitites suggests their multi–stage formation. Magnesiochromite grains and perhaps small bodies of chromitite formed at various depths in the upper mantle, and encapsulated the ultra–high pressure, highly reduced and crustal minerals. Some oceanic crustal slabs containing the magnesiochromite and their inclusion were later trapped in suprasubduction zones, where they were modified by tholeiitic and boninitic arc magmas, thus changing the magnesiochromite compositions and depositing chromitite ores in melt channels.
Abstract: Podiform chromitites occur in mantle peridotites of the Late Triassic Puerto Nuevo Ophiolite, Baja California Sur State, Mexico. These are high-Cr chromitites [Cr# (Cr/Cr + Al atomic ratio = 0.61-0.69)] that contain a range of minor- and trace-elements and show whole-rock enrichment in IPGE (Os, Ir, Ru). That are similar to those of high-Cr ophiolitic chromitites crystallised from melts similar to high-Mg island-arc tholeiites (IAT) and boninites in supra-subduction-zone mantle wedges. Crystallisation of these chromitites from S-undersaturated melts is consistent with the presence of abundant inclusions of platinum-group minerals (PGM) such as laurite (RuS2)-erlichmanite (OsS2), osmium and irarsite (IrAsS) in chromite, that yield TMA ? TRD model ages peaking at ~ 325 Ma. Thirty-three xenocrystic zircons recovered from mineral concentrates of these chromitites yield ages (2263 ± 44 Ma to 278 ± 4 Ma) and Hf-O compositions [?Hf(t) = ? 18.7 to + 9.1 and 18O values < 12.4‰] that broadly match those of zircons reported in nearby exposed crustal blocks of southwestern North America. We interpret these chromitite zircons as remnants of partly digested continental crust or continent-derived sediments on oceanic crust delivered into the mantle via subduction. They were captured by the parental melts of the chromitites when the latter formed in a supra-subduction zone mantle wedge polluted with crustal material. In addition, the Puerto Nuevo chromites have clinopyroxene lamellae with preferred crystallographic orientation, which we interpret as evidence that chromitites have experienced high-temperature and ultra high-pressure conditions (< 12 GPa and ~ 1600 °C). We propose a tectonic scenario that involves the formation of chromitite in the supra-subduction zone mantle wedge underlying the Vizcaino intra-oceanic arc ca. 250 Ma ago, deep-mantle recycling, and subsequent diapiric exhumation in the intra-oceanic basin (the San Hipólito marginal sea) generated during an extensional stage of the Vizcaino intra-oceanic arc ca. 221 Ma ago. The TRD ages at ~ 325 Ma record a partial melting event in the mantle prior to the construction of the Vizcaino intra-oceanic arc, which is probably related to the Permian continental subduction, dated at ~ 311 Ma.
Akaogi, M., Kawahara, A., Kojitani, H., Yoshida, K., Anegawa, Y., Ishii, T.
High pressure phase transitions in MgCr2O4 MgSiO4 composition: reactions between olivine and chromite with implications for ultrahigh pressure chromitites.
Abstract: Phase relations in the system Mg2SiO4-MgCr2O4 were studied at 10-24 GPa and 1600°C using a high-pressure Kawai-type multi-anvil apparatus. We investigated the full range of starting compositions for the forsterite-magnesiochromite system to derive a P-X phase diagram and synthesize chromium-bearing phases, such as garnet, wadsleyite, ringwoodite, and bridgmanite of a wide compositional range. Samples synthesized at 10 GPa contain olivine with small chromium content and magnesiochromite. Mg2SiO4 wadsleyite is characterized by the pressure-dependent higher chromium solubility (up to 7.4 wt% Cr2O3). The maximal solubility of chromium in ringwoodite in the studied system (~18.5 wt% Cr2O3) was detected at P = 23 GPa, which is close to the upper boundary of the ringwoodite stability. Addition of chromium to the system moves the boundaries of olivine/wadsleyite and wadsleyite/ring-woodite phase transformations to lower pressures. Our experiments simulate Cr-rich phase assemblages found as inclusions in diamonds, mantle xenoliths, and UHP podiform chromitites.
Abstract: The Neoproterozoic peridotite-chromitite complexes in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, being a part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield, are outcropped along the E-W trend from Wadi Sayfayn, Wadi Bardah, and Jabal Al-Faliq to Wadi Al-Barramiyah, from east to west. Their peridotites are completely serpentinized, and the abundance of bastite after orthopyroxene suggests harzburgite protoliths with subordinate dunites, confirmed by low contents of Al2O3, CaO and clinopyroxene (< 3 vol%) in bulk peridotites. The primary olivine is Fo89.3-Fo92.6, and the residual clinopyroxene (Cpx) in serpentinites contains, on average, 1.1 wt% Al2O3, 0.7 wt% Cr2O3, and 0.2 wt% Na2O, similar in chemistry to that in Izu-Bonin-Marian forearc peridotites. The wide range of spinel Cr-number [Cr/(Cr + Al)], 0.41-0.80, with low TiO2 (0.03 wt%), MnO (0. 3 wt%) and YFe [(Fe3 +/(Cr + Al + Fe3 +) = 0.03 on average)] for the investigated harzburgites-dunites is similar to spinel compositions for arc-related peridotites. The partial melting degrees of Bardah and Sayfayn harzburgites range mainly from 20 to 25% and 25 to 30% melting, respectively; this is confirmed by whole-rock chemistry and Cpx HREE modelling (~ 20% melting). The Barramiyah peridotite protoliths are refractory residues after a wide range of partial melting, 25-40%, where more hydrous fluids are available from the subducting slab. The Neoproterozoic mantle heterogeneity is possibly ascribed mainly to the wide variations of partial melting degrees in small-scale areas, slab-derived inputs and primordial mantle compositions. The Sayfayn chromitites were possibly crystallized from island-arc basaltic melts, followed by crystallization of Barramiyah chromitites from boninitic melt in the late stage of subduction. The residual Cpx with a spoon-shape REE pattern is rich in both LREE and fluid-mobile elements (e.g., Pb, B, Li, Ba, Sr), but poor in HFSE (e.g., Ta, Nb, Zr, Th), similar to Cpx in supra-subduction zone (SSZ) settings, where slab-fluid metasomatism is a prevalent agent. The studied chromitites and their host peridotites represent a fragment of sub-arc mantle, and originated in an arc-related setting. The systematic increase in the volume of chromitite pods with the increasing of their host-peridotite thickness from Northern to Southern Eastern Desert suggests that the thickness of wall rocks is one factor controlling the chromitite size. The factors controlling the size of Neoproterozoic chromitite pods are the thickness, beside the composition, of the host refractory peridotites, compositions and volumes of the supplied magmas, the amount of slab-derived fluids, and possibly the partial melting degree of the host peridotites.
Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Vol. 159, pp. 109-129.
China, Tibet
chromitites
Abstract: The Purang harzburgite massif in SW Tibet (China) hosts abundant chrome ore deposits. Ores consist of 20 to >95% modal chromian spinel (Cr-spinel) with mylonitic fabric in imbricate shaped pods. The composition of Cr-spinel in these ores ranges from Al-rich [Cr#Sp or Cr/(Cr?+?Al)?×?100?=?47.60-57.56] to Cr-rich (Cr#Sp: 62.55-79.57). Bulk platinum-group element (PGE) contents of chromitites are also highly variable ranging from 17.5?ppb to ?2.5?ppm. Both metallurgical and refractory chromitites show a general enrichment in the IPGE (Os, Ir and Ru) with respect to the PPGE (Rh, Pt and Pd), resulting mostly in right-sloping primitive mantle (PM)-normalized PGE profiles. The platinum-group mineral (PGM) assemblages of both chromitite types are dominated by heterogeneously distributed, euhedral Os-bearing laurite inclusions in Cr-spinel. The Purang chromitites have quite inhomogeneous 187Os/188Os ratios (0.12289-0.13194) that are within the range of those reported for mantle-hosted chromitites from other peridotite massifs. Geochemical calculations demonstrate that the parental melts of high-Cr chromitites were boninitic, whereas those of high-Al chromitites had an arc-type tholeiitic affinity. Chromite crystallization was most likely stimulated by changes in magma compositions due to melt-peridotite interaction, leading to the establishment of a heterogeneous physicochemical environment during the early crystallization of the PGM. The highly variable PGE contents, inhomogeneous Os-isotopic compositions and varying Cr#Sp ratios of these chromitites imply a polygenetic origin for them from spatially distinct melt inputs. The generally low ?Os values (<1) of chromitites indicate that their parental melts originated within different sections of a heterogeneously depleted mantle source region. These melts were most likely produced in the mantle wedge above a downgoing lithospheric slab.
Abstract: In this paper an improved prediction-area plot has been developed. This type of plot includes performance measures similar to other existing methods (receiver operating characteristics, success-rate curves and ordinary prediction-area plots) and, therefore, offers a reliable method for evaluating the performance of spatial evidence maps and prospectivity models. To demonstrate the reliability of the improved prediction-area plot proposed, we investigated the benefits of augmented targeting criteria through remotely sensed exploration features, compared to only geological map-derived criteria, for mineral prospectivity analysis using as an example the podiform chromite deposits of the Sabzevar Ophiolite Belt, Iran. The application of the newly developed improved prediction-area plot to the prospectivity models generated in this study indicated that the augmented targeting criteria by using remote sensing data perform better than non-updated geological map-derived criteria, and that model effectiveness can be improved by using an integrated approach that entails geologic remote sensing.
Abstract: Peridotites occur as lensoid bodies within the Mesoarchaean orthogneiss in the Akia terrane of Southern West Greenland. The Ulamertoq peridotite body is the largest of these peridotites hosted within the regional orthogneiss. It consists mainly of olivine, orthopyroxene, and amphibole-rich ultramafic rocks exhibiting metamorphic textural and chemical features. Chromitite layers from different localities in Ulamertoq show contrasting characteristics. In one locality, zoned chromites are hosted in orthopyroxene-amphibole peridotites. Compositional zonation in chromites is evident with decreasing Cr and Fe content from core to rim, while Al and Mg increase. Homogeneous chromites from another locality are fairly uniform and Fe-rich. The mineral chemistry of the major and accessory phases shows metamorphic signatures. Inferred temperature conditions suggest that the zoned chromites, homogeneous chromites, and their hosts are equilibrated at different metamorphic conditions. In this paper, various mechanisms during the cumulus to subsolidus stages are explored in order to understand the origin of the two contrasting types of chromites.
Abstract: Komatiitic magmatism is a characteristic feature of Archean cratons, diagnostic of the addition of juvenile crust, and a clue to the thermal evolution of early Earth lithosphere. The Slave craton in northwest Canada contains >20 greenstone belts but no identified komatiite. The reason for this dearth of komatiite, when compared to other Archean cratons, remains enigmatic. The Central Slave Cover Group (ca. 2.85 Ga) includes fuchsitic quartzite with relict detrital chromite grains in heavy-mineral laminations. Major and platinum group element systematics indicate that the chromites were derived from Al-undepleted komatiitic dunites. The chromites have low 187Os/188Os ratios relative to chondrite with a narrow range of rhenium depletion ages at 3.19 ± 0.12 Ga. While these ages overlap a documented crust formation event, they identify an unrecognized addition of juvenile crust that is not preserved in the bedrock exposures or the zircon isotopic data. The documentation of komatiitic magmatism via detrital chromites indicates a region of thin lithospheric mantle at ca. 3.2 Ga, either within or at the edge of the protocratonic nucleus. This study demonstrates the applicability of detrital chromites in provenance studies, augmenting the record supplied by detrital zircons.
