Mineralogical composition of and trace-element accumulation in lower Toarcian anoxic sediments: a case study from the Bilong Co. oil shale, eastern Tethys

AbstractThe sediments of organic-rich oil shales in the Bilong Co. area can be correlated with those of the early Toarcian anoxic black-shale events in Europe. The Bilong Co. sediments are rich in trace elements Se, Mo, Cd, As and Ni, and, to a lesser extent, Li, F, V, Co, Cu, Cs, Hg and Bi, in comparison to the upper continental crust. Thirty-two oil shale samples were collected from the Bilong Co. oil shale to evaluate the controlling factors of trace-element enrichment in the lower Toarcian anoxic sediments. Minerals identified in the Bilong Co. oil shale include calcite, quartz, illite, feldspar and dolomite, and trace amounts of siderite, magnesite, halite, haematite, zeolite, amphibole, gypsum, anhydrite, apatite, pyrite, sphalerite, barite and mixed-layer illite/smectite. Mineralogical and geochemical data show that seawater and hydrothermal activities are the dominant influences on the mineralogical composition and elevated trace-element concentrations in the oil shale. The clay minerals, quartz and feldspar in the Bilong Co. oil shale were derived from the Nadi Kangri volcanic rocks. Input of sediment from this source may have led to enrichment of trace elements Li, Cr and Cs in the oil shale. Carbonate minerals and nodular- and framboidal-pyrite are authigenic phases formed from seawater. The enrichment of V, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, As, Se, Bi and U in the oil shale was owing to marine influence. Barite, sphalerite and fracture-filling pyrites were derived from hydrothermal solutions. High concentrations of F, Zn and Cd were probably derived from hydrothermal fluids.

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Pyrite Textures, Trace Elements and Sulfur Isotope Chemistry of Bijaigarh Shales, Vindhyan Basin, India and Their Implications

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min10070588 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 588

Author(s):

Indrani Mukherjee ◽

Mihir Deb ◽

Ross R. Large ◽

Jacqueline Halpin ◽

Sebastien Meffre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Sulfur Isotope ◽

Volcanic Rocks ◽

Central India ◽

High Energy ◽

Vindhyan Basin ◽

Mean Values ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Sedimentary Pyrite

The Vindhyan Basin in central India preserves a thick (~5 km) sequence of sedimentary and lesser volcanic rocks that provide a valuable archive of a part of the Proterozoic (~1800–900 Ma) in India. Here, we present an analysis of key sedimentary pyrite textures and their trace element and sulfur isotope compositions in the Bijaigarh Shale (1210 ± 52 Ma) in the Vindhyan Supergroup, using reflected light microscopy, LA-ICP-MS and SHRIMP-SI, respectively. A variety of sedimentary pyrite textures (fine-grained disseminated to aggregates, framboids, lags, and possibly microbial pyrite textures) are observed reflecting quiet and strongly anoxic water column conditions punctuated by occasional high-energy events (storm incursions). Key redox sensitive or sensitive to oxidative weathering trace elements (Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, Se) and ratios of (Se/Co, Mo/Co, Zn/Co) measured in sedimentary pyrites from the Bijaigarh Shale are used to infer atmospheric redox conditions during its deposition. Most trace elements are depleted relative to Proterozoic mean values. Sulfur isotope compositions of pyrite, measured using SHRIMP-SI, show an increase in δ34S as we move up stratigraphy with positive δ34S values ranging from 5.9‰ (lower) to 26.08‰ (upper). We propose limited sulphate supply caused the pyrites to incorporate the heavier isotope. Overall, we interpret these low trace element signatures and heavy sulfur isotope compositions to indicate relatively suppressed oxidative weathering on land during the deposition of the Bijaigarh Shale.

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Geochemical contrasts between late Caledonian granitoid plutons of northern, central and southern Scotland

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Earth Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0263593300013894 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 259-273 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

W. E. Stephens ◽

A. N. Halliday

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Incompatible Element ◽

Geochemical Data ◽

Wide Sense ◽

Trace Element Data ◽

Isotopic Data ◽

Element Data ◽

High K ◽

Mantle Component

ABSTRACTNew major- and trace-element data for granitoid plutons from the Grampian Highlands, the Midland Valley and the Southern Uplands of Scotland are presented and discussed. The study is restricted to ‘late granitoids’ (all younger than 430 Ma); the term ‘granitoid’ is used in a wide sense to encompass all plutonic components of a zoned intrusion of this age, sometimes including diorites and ultrabasic cumulate rocks. The data indicate that as a whole the province is chemically high-K calc-alkalic. Other notable enrichments are in Sr and Ba, and a marked geographical difference in these trace-elements is found between plutons of the SW Grampian Highlands and those of the Southern Highlands, the Midland Valley, and the Southern Uplands. Plutons of the NE Highlands tend to be more geochemically evolved than those further SW and those of the Midland Valley and Southern Uplands.When petrographical and geochemical data are considered, three plutonic suites are recognised: (1) the Cairngorm suite comprising plutons of the NE Highlands, (2) the Argyll suite comprising plutons from the SW Highlands, and (3) the S of Scotland suite comprising plutons from the Southern Highlands, Midland Valley and the Southern Uplands excluding Criffell and the Cairnsmore of Fleet. It is proposed that the more acidic granitoids are dominantly the products of I-type crustal sources, but certain diorites and the more basic members of zoned plutons have a substantial mantle component. The elevated Sr and Ba levels in granitoids of the Argyll suite may reflect the influence of incompatible-element-rich fluids from the mantle in the petrogenesis of this suite. The relatively anhydrous pyroxene-mica diorites of the S of Scotland suite are richer in Ni and Cr and appear to represent mantle-derived melts. The relationships between these data and already published isotopic data are discussed.

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Immobile trace elements and Archean volcanic stratigraphy in the Timmins mining area, Ontario

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e79-029 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 305-311 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

J. F. Davies ◽

R. W. E. Grant ◽

R. E. S. Whitehead

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

No Value ◽

Volcanic Rocks ◽

Mining Area ◽

Stratigraphic Correlation ◽

Trace Element Data ◽

Volcanic Stratigraphy ◽

Lithostratigraphic Units ◽

Hydrolysis Of

Carbonate alteration and hydrolysis of mafic volcanic rocks in the Timmins area have been accompanied by mobilization and redistribution of alkalies, CaO, MgO, and FeO. These major oxides are of dubious value in classifying the volcanic rocks, and are of no value in identifying and correlating lithostratigraphic units. The trace elements Y, Zr, TiO2, and Cr, whose fractionation tendencies parallel those of the alkalies, FeO and MgO, are relatively immobile and display characteristic patterns within different volcanic units. The trace-element patterns are highly diagnostic, and their distribution corresponds to the distribution of lithostratigraphic units. Immobile trace-element data represent a potentially valuable tool in stratigraphic correlation of Archean volcanic rocks, whether altered or unaltered.

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Ophiolitic peridotites in Xigaze (Tibet): Constraints on modes of melt transport in the mantle

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-8372 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lingquan Zhao ◽

Sumit Chakraborty ◽

Hans-Peter Schertl

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Primitive Mantle ◽

Melt Extraction ◽

Chemical Signatures ◽

Element Enrichment ◽

Spider Diagrams ◽

Incompatible Trace Elements ◽

Reverse Zoning

The Xigaze ophiolite (Tibet), which occurs in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone, exposes a complete portion of a mantle sequence that consists essentially of fresh as well as serpentinized peridotites. We studied a sequence beneath the crustal section that exposes fresh, Cpx-bearing harzburgites and dunites that are underlain by serpentinized Cpx-bearing harzburgites and dunites. The rocks at the bottom are crosscut by dykes that have undergone different degrees of rodingitization. The modal compositions of peridotite from both fresh and serpentinized sections plot in abyssal upper mantle fields, with clinopyroxene modes less than 5 vol. %. Although harzburgites and dunites indicate that melt has been lost relative to primitive mantle compositions, the trace element patterns carry signatures of enrichment in incompatible elements, such as (i) &#8220;bowl-shaped&#8221; patterns of trace elements in silicate-Earth normalized spider diagrams, (ii) positive anomalies in highly incompatible trace elements such as Rb, Th, U, Ta, and (iii) enrichment of LREE in the clinopyroxenes from dunites and harzburgites. These features are indicative of complex melt transfer processes and cannot be produced by simple melt extraction. Petrographic studies reveal that harzburgite and dunite contain interstitial polyphase aggregates of olivine + Cpx + spinel + Opx and olivine + Cpx + Spinel, respectively. Experimental studies (e.g. Morgan and Liang, 2003) suggest that these aggregates represent frozen melt-rich components, indicating that fertile melt was percolating through the depleted harzburgite &#8211; dunite matrix. Presence of such &#8220;melt pods&#8221; would explain the trace element enrichment patterns of the bulk rock, as well as features such as reverse zoning (core: Cr, Fe2+ rich, rim: Al, Mg rich) of spinels in polyphase aggregates in fresh dunites. These results show that melt extraction from the mantle is not a single stage process, and that evidence of multiple melt pulses that propagated through a rock are preserved in the petrographic features as well as in the form of chemical signatures that indicate refertilization of initially depleted rocks.

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Trace Metal Distribution in Sulfide Minerals from Ultramafic-Hosted Hydrothermal Systems: Examples from the Kairei Vent Field, Central Indian Ridge

Minerals ◽

10.3390/min8110526 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 526 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yejian Wang ◽

Xiqiu Han ◽

Sven Petersen ◽

Matthias Frische ◽

Zhongyan Qiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Massive Sulfide ◽

Sulfide Minerals ◽

Hydrothermal Systems ◽

The Other ◽

Central Indian Ridge ◽

Sulfide Deposits ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Seafloor Massive Sulfide

The ultramafic-hosted Kairei vent field is located at 25°19′ S, 70°02′ E, towards the Northern end of segment 1 of the Central Indian Ridge (CIR-S1) at a water depth of ~2450 m. This study aims to investigate the distribution of trace elements among sulfide minerals of differing textures and to examine the possible factors controlling the trace element distribution in those minerals using LA-ICP-MS spot and line scan analyses. Our results show that there are distinct systematic differences in trace element distributions throughout the different minerals, as follows: (1) pyrite is divided into three types at Kairei, including early-stage euhedral pyrite (py-I), sub-euhedral pyrite (py-II), and colloform pyrite (py-III). Pyrite is generally enriched with Mo, Au, As, Tl, Mn, and U. Pyrite-I has high contents of Se, Te, Bi, and Ni when compared to the other types; py-II is enriched in Au relative to py-I and py-III, but poor in Ni; py-III is enriched in Mo, Pb, and U but is poor in Se, Te, Bi, and Au relative to py-I and py-II. Variations in the concentrations of Se, Te, and Bi in pyrite are most likely governed by the strong temperature gradient. There is generally a lower concentration of nickel than Co in pyrite, indicating that our samples precipitated at high temperatures, whereas the extreme Co enrichment is likely from a magmatic heat source combined with an influence of serpentinization reactions. (2) Chalcopyrite is characterized by high concentrations of Co, Se, and Te. The abundance of Se and Te in chalcopyrite over the other minerals is interpreted to have been caused by the high solubilities of Se and Te in the chalcopyrite lattice at high temperatures. The concentrations of Sb, As, and Au are relatively low in chalcopyrite from the Kairei vent field. (3) Sphalerite from Zn-rich chimneys is characterized by high concentrations of Sn, Co, Ga, Ge, Ag, Pb, Sb, As, and Cd, but is depleted in Se, Te, Bi, Mo, Au, Ni, Tl, Mn, Ba, V, and U in comparison with the other minerals. The high concentrations of Cd and Co are likely caused by the substitution of Cd2+ and Co2+ for Zn2+ in sphalerite. A high concentration of Pb accompanied by a high Ag concentration in sphalerite indicates that Ag occurs as Pb–Ag sulfosalts. Gold is generally low in sphalerite and strongly correlates with Pb, suggesting its presence in microinclusions of galena. The strong correlation of As with Ge in sphalerite from Kairei suggests that they might precipitate at medium temperatures and under moderately reduced conditions. (4) Bornite–digenite has very low concentrations of most trace elements, except for Co, Se, and Bi. Serpentinization in ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems might play an important role in Au enrichment in pyrite with low As contents. Compared to felsic-hosted seafloor massive sulfide deposits, sulfide minerals from ultramafic-hosted deposits show higher concentrations of Se and Te, but lower As, Sb, and Au concentrations, the latter often attributed to the contribution of magmatic volatiles. As with typical ultramafic-hosted seafloor massive sulfide deposits, Se enrichment in chalcopyrite from Kairei indicates that the primary factor that controls the Se enrichment is temperature-controlled mobility in vent fluids.

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The Chengwatana Volcanics, Wisconsin and Minnesota: petrogenesis of the southernmost volcanic rocks exposed in the Midcontinent rift

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e17-043 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 536-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Karl R. Wirth ◽

Zachary J. Naiman ◽

Jeffrey D. Vervoort

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

Volcanic Rocks ◽

Crustal Contamination ◽

Geothermal Gradient ◽

Limited Range ◽

Geochemical Data ◽

Rift System ◽

Midcontinent Rift ◽

Element Abundances ◽

Isotopic Compositions

The southernmost exposed rocks of the North American Midcontinent rift system (1100 Ma) consist of 3000 m of mafic volcanic flows and minor interflow sediment exposed along the St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The flows are mostly high-Fe tholeiitic basalt with plagioclase phenocrysts and ophitic to subophitic clinopyroxene. Abundant secondary chlorite, epidote, and actinolite indicate the group was metamorphosed to greenschist facies (~350 °C). Low sodium (M4 site) and tetrahedral aluminum (AlIV) contents of actinolite indicate low-pressure metamorphism (0.25 GPa) and imply a geothermal gradient of 45 – 50 °C/km. Low magnesium (Mg# = 0.37–0.58) and Ni contents (36–185 ppm) indicate the basalts have undergone significant fractionation and are not primary mantle melts. Incompatible element abundances are inversely correlated with Mg#, and most samples plot within either high or low trace element groups (e.g., Ti, P, Zr). The basalts are enriched in the light rare earth elements and Th, and are variably depleted in Ta and Nb relative to La and Th. Initial 143Nd/144Nd compositions of the group range from 0.51099 to 0.51122 (initial εNd = −4.5 to +0.1). Most flows have isotopic compositions within a relatively limited range (initial εNd = −2.5 to −1.6), but exhibit variable trace element abundances. Flows with the highest and lowest initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios have isotopic compositions that are inversely correlated with trace element abundances and ratios (e.g., La/Yb, Th/La, Th/Ta). The combined geochemical data suggest that the Chengwatana basalts originated from plume-derived melts and underwent variable fractional crystallization and crustal contamination. These melts may have interacted with lithospheric mantle enriched during Penokean subduction.

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Trace elements in New Zealand ferromanganese nodules: implications for deep sea environments

10.26686/wgtn.17131868 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Andrea Davies

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

New Zealand ◽

Trace Element ◽

Pore Water ◽

Deep Sea ◽

Sediment Composition ◽

Ferromanganese Nodules ◽

Sediment Profiles ◽

Element Enrichment ◽

Trace Element Enrichment

Ferromanganese nodules are authigenic marine sediments that form over millions of years from the precipitation of Fe oxyhydroxides and Mn oxides from seawater (hydrogenetic-type growth) and sediment pore-water (diagenetic-type growth). Fe-Mn (oxyhydr)oxides grow in layers about nuclei, effectively scavenging minor metals such as Ni, Cu and Co from the waters they grow in. The uptake of different elements into the ferromanganese nodules reflects their environment and mechanism of growth, and these deposits are of interest both as a potential source of metals of economic interest, and as records of changing ocean conditions. This study investigates the composition of 77 ferromanganese nodules from the seafloor around New Zealand. Samples analysed come from locations several thousand kilometres apart under the same water mass (Lower Circumpolar Deep Water – LCDW), but with varying depth, current velocity, and sediment type. The outermost 1 mm rim of each nodule, representing near-modern growth, was sampled to compare with modern environmental parameters including substrate sediment composition and chemical and physical oceanography. Major, minor, and trace element analysis of nodule rims were undertaken, and the authigenic and detrital components examined via leaching experiments to evaluate their relative influence on growth mechanisms. Overall, New Zealand ferromanganese nodules are hydrogenetic in origin. However, there are systematic variations in composition that reflect variable diagenetic influence. Hydrogenetic endmember compositions are defined by samples from two localities in the Southern Ocean that have no evidence for diagenetic influence. Diagenetic influence on nodule composition is exemplified by samples from the two locations in the Tasman Sea, but also include nodules from the Campbell nodule field. Nodules from the Campbell nodule field come from two transects perpendicular to the Campbell Plateau, and the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Both sediment composition and nodule rim chemistry vary systematically across both transects. Areas closest to the slope have sediment profiles indicating high energy, erosive environments, continental-sourced sand components, and are dominated by nodules with hydrogenetic chemical characteristics similar to those of the Southern Ocean. Further from the slope, the sediment profiles indicate silt dominated sediments of a more oceanic crustal provenance, lower energy environment, and increased influence of oxic diagenetic processes on the major, minor and trace element profiles of the nodules. No hydrothermal contribution was identified in the chemistry of any of the nodules analysed. The physical and chemical properties of the sediment, along with current velocities, were found to be the key influences in diagenetic enrichment in the nodules. The influence of seawater chemistry was difficult to determine due to the lack of direct analyses in the area. Ferromanganese nodule chemistry is a function of the nodule environment, including water body, sediment composition and depth. The authigenic components of nodules can therefore be used to investigate the deep-sea environment. The redox conditions of sediments and the productivity of the overlying water will affect the trace metal constituents of the pore-waters of a sediment (Kuhn et al., 2017). Sediments with a larger fraction of labile organic matter may result in trace element enrichment of the pore-water. Sediments below the CCD will be higher in trace elements than sediments below the CCD (U1413, U1406B, U1402, U1398, U1398, and U1378) due to carbonate matter acting as a dilutant that can limit the supply of trace elements mobilised in the pore-water during diagenesis (Glasby, 2006). Terrigenous clasts such as quartz (Chester, 1990), will also reduce trace element enrichment in the pore-water due to their low reactivity, e.g. for the sediment U1406B, which has a high lithic component (Table 3.2). Sediments with a higher biogenic silica component (such as U1373, U1374, and U1378) (Table 3.2, Table 3.4) are predicted to produce nodules with higher trace element contents (ISA, 2010). In contrast to both the CCZ and Indian Ocean nodules, the Campbell nodule field samples formed above the CCD, and hence in sediments that include a significant carbonate component. This minimises the trace element pore-water enrichment and can account for the lower Cu+Ni+Co contents observed in the Campbell nodule field nodules compared with those that formed below the CCD (CCZ and Indian Ocean).

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The retrograde hydration of the continental granitoid crust as seen from epidote-bearing veins: Trace elements and microstructures

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-6785 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Veronica Peverelli ◽

Alfons Berger ◽

Thomas Pettke ◽

Holger Stunitz ◽

Pierre Lanari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Continental Crust ◽

Host Rock ◽

Geochemical Characteristics ◽

Geochemical Data ◽

Massif Central ◽

Eu Anomaly ◽

Aar Massif ◽

Ree Patterns

The widespread presence of epidote-bearing veins and hydrous minerals such as micas in meta-granitoid rocks attests to the large extent of hydration of the exhuming continental crust. The ability of epidote (Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH) &#8211; Ca2Al2Fe3+Si3O12(OH)) to incorporate a wide variety of trace elements renders this mineral a promising geochemical tracer of circulating fluid(s).We report trace element and microstructural data on epidote-bearing veins from the Aar Massif (Central Alps) and from the Albula Pass (Eastern Alps). We characterized and classified the epidote-bearing veins based on their extent of deformation, shape and size of the epidote grains, coexisting minerals, and degree of dynamic recrystallization of associated quartz. Laser ablation ICP-MS data of individual epidote crystals reveal prominent zoning, confirmed by electron probe maps for Sr and Mn. Overall, low to very low Th/U ratios (down to 0.0005 in the Aar Massif veins and 0.001 in the Albula ones) with Th often below limits of detection (< 0.1 &#181;g/g at 16 &#181;m beam size) go along with variably LREE-depleted patterns (and CI Chondrite-normalized LaN/YbN ~0.35 in the Aar Massif veins and ~0.60 in the Albula Pass veins). Strontium contents are variable (hundreds to thousands of &#181;g/g) and mostly high (up to 10100 &#181;g/g in the Aar Massif samples and 12800 &#181;g/g in the Albula Pass samples). The in-situ geochemical data are linked to the microstructures in order to assess whether microstructures can be related to variations in trace elements, also considering the role of coexisting phases. Moreover, trace element data of samples from the Aar Massif are compared to metamorphic host-rock epidotes and cleft epidotes from the same massif.We find that REE patterns of Aar Massif vein epidotes are clearly different than those of metamorphic host-rock epidotes and of cleft epidotes. In addition, REE patterns vary based on the microstructural characteristics of veins. Overall REE patterns of the Albula Pass vein epidotes resemble those from the Aar Massif. Different veins and microstructures define clusters in Sr vs. Y, Eu anomaly vs. Th/U ratios, and Eu anomaly vs. U values. Geochemical heterogeneities are observed among sampling localities within the Aar Massif.The fact that the geochemical characteristics of retrograde hydrothermal vein epidotes are clearly different than those of high-grade metamorphic and metamorphic host-rock epidotes, and the relationship between geochemical characteristics and microstructures support the hypothesis that the deformation did not alter the original geochemical record through neomineralization. Our data argue for the potential of epidote as a powerful fluid tracer in the granitoid continental crust.

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Tectono-magmatic Interplay and Related Metasomatism in Gabbros of the Chenaillet Ophiolite (Western Alps)

Journal of Petrology ◽

10.1093/petrology/egaa015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (12) ◽

pp. 2483-2508 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R Tribuzio ◽

G Manatschal ◽

M R Renna ◽

L Ottolini ◽

A Zanetti

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Western Alps ◽

Fine Grained ◽

Ductile Shearing ◽

Trace Element Signature ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Incompatible Trace Elements ◽

Detachment Faulting ◽

Ocean Ridge

Abstract The Jurassic Chenaillet ophiolite in the Western Alps consists of a gabbro–mantle association exhumed to the seafloor through detachment faulting and partly covered by basaltic lavas. One of the Chenaillet gabbroic bodies includes mylonites that are transected by a network of felsic veins, thereby testifying to the interplay of ductile shearing and magma emplacement. The deformed gabbros preserve clinopyroxene porphyroclasts of primary magmatic origin, which are typically mantled by amphibole (titanian edenite) and minor secondary clinopyroxene. Titanian edenite and secondary clinopyroxene also occur as fine-grained syn-kinematic phases locally associated with fine-grained plagioclase. The felsic veins are made up of anorthite-poor plagioclase and minor titanian edenite. Geothermometric investigations document that the ductile gabbro deformation and the crystallization of the felsic veins occurred at 765 ± 50 °C and 800 ± 55 °C, respectively. With respect to undeformed counterparts, the deformed gabbros are variably enriched in SiO2 and variably depleted in Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na). In addition, the deformed gabbros show relatively high concentrations of incompatible trace elements such as rare earth elements (REE), Y, Zr and Nb. The felsic veins are characterized by low Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na), high SiO2 and high concentrations of incompatible trace elements. Relict clinopyroxene porphyroclasts from the deformed gabbros display a rather primitive, mid-ocean ridge-type geochemical signature, which contrasts with the trace element fingerprint of titanian edenite from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins. For instance, titanian edenite typically has relatively high REE abundances, with chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. A similar trace element signature is shown by secondary clinopyroxene from the deformed gabbros. Amphibole from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins displays high F/Cl values. We show that the SiO2-rich hydrous melts feeding the felsic veins were involved in the high-temperature gabbro deformation and that melt–gabbro reactions led to major and trace element metasomatism of the deforming gabbros.

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The geochemical nature of the igneous rocks of the Sharbot Lake domain, Central Metasedimentary Belt, Ontario

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e01-001 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 38 (7) ◽

pp. 1037-1057 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

T E Smith ◽

M J Harris ◽

C H Huang ◽

P E Holm

Keyword(s):

Trace Element ◽

Volcanic Rocks ◽

Tholeiitic Basalt ◽

Igneous Rocks ◽

Igneous Complex ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Granitoid Rocks ◽

High Concentrations ◽

Back Arc ◽

Low K

Two bimodal mafic-silicic suites of igneous rocks, the Sharbot Lake volcanic rocks and the Lavant Igneous Complex, are identified geochemically in the Sharbot Lake domain of the Central Metasedimentary Belt in Ontario, and their genesis and thermotectonic environment are evaluated. The Sharbot Lake volcanic rocks comprise a series of basalts characterized by light rare-earth element (LREE) depletion and relatively high concentrations of Σ Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO, V, and Y, together with rhyolites and silicic pyroclastic rocks. They are intruded by rocks of the Lavant Igneous Complex, which comprises tholeiitic gabbros characterized by LREE enrichment and low concentrations of Σ Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO, V, and Y, and granitoid rocks. The trace element signatures of the mafic rocks of the Sharbot Lake volcanic sequences are most like those of back-arc tholeiitic basalts, and those of the Lavant Igneous Complex are comparable to those of low-K tholeiitic basalt suites. The trace element signatures of the silicic rocks associated with both suites are typical of those formed by crustal melting. Volcanic sequences with trace-element signatures very similar to those of the Sharbot Lake suites have been previously described in the Belmont and Grimsthorpe domains of the Central Metasedimentary Belt, suggesting that the three domains all belong to the Bancroft Elzevir Mazinaw Sharbot Lake superterrane. The lithological, structural, and igneous characteristics of this superterrane suggest that it represents part of a complex back-arc basin underlain by areas of rifted and attenuated continental crust and oceanic crust.

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