Nb–Ta Behaviour during Magma-to-Pegmatite Transformation Process: Record from Zircon Megacrysts in Pegmatite

Due to the absence of early magma records in pegmatites, it is difficult to investigate the behavior of Nb and Ta during the transformation from magma to pegmatite melt. Zircon megacrysts in an NYF-type (Nb-Y-HREE-F) pegmatite from the Arabian Shield could be divided into three phases from core to margin. The Phase Ι zircon in the core of the zircon megacrysts had typical magma oscillatory zonation with ∑REE content from 300 to 400 ppm, Th/U ratios of less than 0.1 and Nb/Ta ratios of less than 1.0. Phase ΙΙ zircon had oscillatory zonation and was enriched with LREEs mostly with Th/U ratios of 0.1–0.2 and Nb/Ta ratios of 1.0–3.0. Phase ΙΙΙ unzoned zircon had the highest ∑REE content, from 8000 to 15,000 ppm, with Th/U ratios higher than 3.0 and Nb/Ta ratios higher than 5.0. The Hf-O isotopic composition was similar in the different phases of zircon with initial 176Hf/177Hf ratios of 0.28258–0.28277, εHf(t) values from 8.0 to 12.0 and δ18OVSMOW from +4.0‰ to +5.0‰. Zircon megacrysts in the NYF-type pegmatite from the Arabian Shield record the transformation from magma to pegmatite melt. Similar Hf-O isotopic compositions mean a closed magmatic system without contamination by external melt, rock or fluid. The proposed modeling shows that magma with low Nb and Ta concentrations and Nb/Ta ratios could evolve into residual pegmatite melt with a high Nb content and superchondrite Nb/Ta ratio during several stages of melt extraction and fractional crystallization of Ti-rich minerals, such as rutile and titanite. The Nb/Ta ratio can be used as an effective indicator of the transformation process from magma to pegmatite melt.

Helvine-group minerals from Norwegian granitic pegmatites and some other granitic rocks: Cases of significant Sc and Sn contents

ABSTRACT Helvine-group minerals from two granitic pegmatites have disparate compositions, from nearly pure helvine (Ågskardet, northern Norway; Devonian) to helvine close to ternary compositions (Heftetjern, southern Norway; Precambrian). Metagranite from Høgtuva (northern Norway; Precambrian with Caledonian metamorphic overprint) contains Zn-rich danalite. The Ågskardet helvine contains up to 0.46 wt.% SnO2, and the Heftetjern ternary helvine shows a maximum of 1.74 wt.% Sc2O3. Helvine minerals were also analyzed from three occurrences connected to peralkaline granite (ekerite) of the Permian Oslo Rift. Nearly pure genthelvite (99.19 mol.%) occurs in miarolitic cavities at Gjerdingselva. Two mineralogically different granitic pegmatites derived from the same ekerite pluton in the southern part of the Oslo Rift show quite distinct helvine compositions, from nearly continuous solid solution between helvine and genthelvite in crystals with oscillatory zonation (Rundemyr) to solid solutions midway between danalite and genthelvite (Bakstevalåsen). The Rundemyr crystals have a maximum SnO2 content of 1.28 wt.%. The incorporation of minor elements (Ca, Mg, Al, Sn, Sc) in helvine-group minerals is discussed with emphasis on their chalcophilicity characteristics. For stereochemical reasons, Sn in helvine minerals must be tetravalent, even if Sn2+ is more chalcophile than Sn4+.

Microstructural controls on the chemical heterogeneity of cassiterite revealed by cathodoluminescence and elemental X-ray mapping

Quantitative X-ray element maps of cassiterite crystals from four localities show that Ti, Fe, Nb, Ta, and W define oscillatory zonation patterns and that the cathodoluminescent response is due to a complex interplay between Ti activated emission paired with quenching effects from Fe, Nb, Ta, and W. Sector zonation is commonly highlighted by domains of high Fe, incorporated via a substitution mechanism independent of Nb and Ta. A second form of sector zonation is highlighted by distributions of W separate to the Fe-dominant sector zone. Both sector zones show quenched cathodoluminescence and are indistinguishable under routine SEM CL imaging. For cassiterite already high in Fe (and Nb or Ta), such as in pegmatitic or granitic samples, the internal structure of the grain may remain obscured when imaged by cathodoluminescence techniques, regardless of the presence of sector zonation. Careful petrogenetic assessments using a combination of panchromatic and hyperspectral CL, aided by quantitative elemental X-ray mapping, is a prerequisite step to elucidate cassiterite petrogenetic history and properly characterize these grains for in situ microanalysis. The absence of a clear petrogenetic framework may lead to unknowingly poor spot selection during in situ analyses for geochronology and trace element geochemistry, and/or erroneous interpretations of U-Pb and O isotopic data.

Komplexní magmaticko-hydrotermální vývoj columbitu, mikrolitu a fersmitu z beryl-columbitového pegmatitu D6e u Maršíkova, Česká republika

The recently rediscovered small D6e granitic pegmatite body, enclosed in amphibole gneiss of the Sobotín amfibolite massif (Jeseníky Mountains, Czech Republic), is characterized by numerous accessory minerals, including common columbite group minerals (CGM) and minor microlite and fersmite related to blocky K-feldspar unit. The CGM show complex internal zoning. Primary magmatic columbite-(Mn) occurs as corroded domains of prevailing homogeneous pattern, followed by less evolved oscillatory zonation. Primary CGM were overprinted by extensive recrystallization controlled by late-magmatic to post-magmatic fluids and leading to a formation of complex patchy and convolute oscillatory domains of secondary (hydrothermal) CGM. Primary columbite-(Mn) shows significantly limited Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) ratios, whereas secondary columbite-(Fe) to -(Mn) show slightly wider Fe-Mn and Nb-Ta compositional variations. Complex textures and the element fluctuations indicate a partial dissolution-reprecipitation of primary CGM caused by late- to post-magmatic fluids. Moreover, late calciomicrolite I, II and fersmite precipitated on the cracks of columbite crystals. Rare U-rich calciomicrolite I was extensively replaced by fersmite and oscillatorily zoned U-poor calciomicrolite II, slightly enriched in F. Their formation sequestrated part of hydrotermally released Na, Ca, U and represents the final subsolidus fluid-driven stage of the pegmatite evolution. Textural and compositional variations of Nb-Ta mineralization point to a complex magmatic to hydrothermal evolution of the D6e beryl-columbite pegmatite similar to other pegmatites in this region.

Tracing the chemical evolution of primary pyrochlore from plutonic to volcanic carbonatites: the role of fluorine

Three Angolan carbonatites were selected to evaluate the change in composition of pyrochlores during magmatic evolution: the Tchivira carbonatites occur in a plutonic complex, the Bonga carbonatites represent hypabyssal carbonatites and the Catanda carbonatites are volcanic in origin. In Tchivira pyrochlore, zoning is poorly developed; fluorine is dominant at the Y site; chemical zoning may arise as a result of substitutions for Nb in the B site; and the rare earth element (REE), U, Th and large-ion lithophile element (LILE) contents are very low. Pyrochlores from Bonga show oscillatory zonation; the F and Na contents are lower than those in the pyrochlores from Tchivira; and as substitution of Na at the A site increases, the Th, U, REE contents and inferred vacancies also increase. Pyrochlores from Catanda display complex textures. They generally have a rounded corroded core, which is mantled by two or three later generations. The core composition is similar to the Bonga pyrochlores. The rims are enriched in Zr, Ta, Th, Ce and U, but depleted in F and Na. In pyrochlores from the Angolan carbonatites, the F and Na contents decrease from plutonic to volcanic settings and there is enrichment of Th, U and REE in the A site and Ta and Zr in the B site. Zoning may be explained by changes in the activity of F, due to the crystallization of fluorite or apatite in the plutonic and hypabyssal carbonatites, or to volatile exsolution in the volcanic carbonatites.