Evolution of ultrapotassic volcanism on the Kaapvaal craton: deepening the orangeite versus lamproite debate

Orangeites are a significant source of diamonds, yet ambiguity surrounds their status among groups of mantle-derived potassic rocks. This study reports mineralogical and geochemical data for a ca. 140 Ma orangeite dyke swarm that intersects the Bushveld Complex on the Kaapvaal craton in South Africa. The dykes comprise distinctive petrographic varieties that are linked principally by olivine fractionation, with the most evolved members containing minor amounts of primary carbonate, sanidine and andradite garnet in the groundmass. Although abundant groundmass phlogopite and clinopyroxene have compositions that are similar to those of cratonic lamproites, these phases show notable Ti-depletion, which we consider a hallmark feature of type orangeites from the Kaapvaal craton. Ti-depletion is also characteristic for the bulk rock compositions and is associated with strongly depleted Th-U-Nb-Ta contents at high Cs-Rb-Ba-K concentrations. The resultant high LILE/HFSE ratios of orangeites suggest that mantle source enrichment occurred by metasomatic processes in the proximity of ancient subduction zones.The Bushveld-intersecting orangeite dykes have strongly enriched Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic compositions (initial 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70701-0.70741; εNd = −10.6 to −5.8; εHf = −14.4 to −2.5), similar to those of other orangeites from across South Africa. Combined with the strong Ti-Nb-Ta depletion, this ubiquitous isotopic feature points to the involvement of ancient metasomatized mantle lithosphere in the origin of Kaapvaal craton orangeites, where K-rich metasomes imparted a ‘fossil’ subduction geochemical signature. Previous geochronology studies identified ancient K-enrichment events within the Kaapvaal cratonic mantle lithosphere, possibly associated with collisional tectonics during the 1.2-1.1 Ga Namaqua-Natal orogeny of the Rodinia supercontinent cycle. It therefore seems permissible that the cratonic mantle root was preconditioned for ultrapotassic magma production by tectonomagmatic events that occurred along convergent plate margins during the Proterozoic. However, reactivation of the K-rich metasomes had to await establishment of an extensional tectonic regime, such as that during the Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana, which was accompanied by widespread (1000 × 750 km) small-volume orangeite volcanism between 200 and 110 Ma.Although similarities exist between orangeites and lamproites, these and other potassic rocks are sufficiently distinct in their compositions such that different magma formation processes must be considered. In addition to new investigations of the geodynamic triggers of K-rich ultramafic magmatism, future research should more stringently evaluate the relative roles of redox effects and volatile components such as H2O-CO2-F in the petrogeneses of these potentially diamondiferous alkaline rocks.Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5440652

Origin of potassic postcollisional volcanic rocks in young, shallow, blueschist-rich lithosphere

Potassium-rich volcanism occurring throughout the Alpine-Himalayan belt from Spain to Tibet is characterized by unusually high Th/La ratios, for which several hypotheses have brought no convincing solution. Here, we combine geochemical datasets from potassic postcollisional volcanic rocks and lawsonite blueschists to explain the high Th/La. Source regions of the volcanic melts consist of imbricated packages of blueschist facies mélanges and depleted peridotites, constituting a new mantle lithosphere formed only 20 to 50 million years earlier during the accretionary convergence of small continental blocks and oceans. This takes place entirely at shallow depths (<80 km) without any deep subduction of continental materials. High Th/La in potassic rocks may indicate shallow sources in accretionary settings even where later obscured by continental collision as in Tibet. This mechanism is consistent with a temporal trend in Th/La in potassic postcollisional magmas: The high Th/La signature first becomes prominent in the Phanerozoic, when blueschists became widespread.

Structure and spatial-temporal relationship of potassic magmatism linked to a continental-scale strike-slip shear zone and post-collisional Cenozoic extension

&lt;p&gt;Adakite&amp;#8208;like potassic rocks are widespread in post-collisional settings and provide potential insights into deep crustal or crust-mantle interaction processes including asthenosphere upwelling, partial melting, lower crustal flow, thickening and collapse of the overthickened orogen. However, petrogenesis and compositional variation of these adakite&amp;#8208;like potassic rocks and their implications are still controversial. Potassic magmatic rocks are abundant developed in the Jinshajiang&amp;#8211;Ailaoshan tectono-magmatic belt that stretches from eastern Tibet over western Yunnan to Vietnam. Integrated studies of structure, geochronology, mineral compositions and geochemistry indicate adakite-like potassic rocks with different deformation are exposed along the Ailaoshan-Red River shear zone. The potassic felsic rocks formed by mixing and partial melting between enriched mantle-derived ultrapotassic and thickened ancient crust-derived magmas. The mixing of the mafic and felsic melts and their extended fractional crystallization of plagioclase, K-feldspar, hornblende and biotite gave rise to the potassic magmatic rocks. Zircon geochronology provide chronological markers for emplacement at 35&amp;#8211;37 Ma of these adakite-like potassic rocks along the shear zone. Temperature and pressure calculated by amphibole-plagioclase thermobarometry range from 3.5 to 5.9 kbar and 650 to 750 &amp;#8451;, respectively, and average emplacement depths of ca. 18 km for granodiorite within this suite. In combination with the results of the Cenozoic potassic magmatism in the Jinshajiang&amp;#8211;Ailaoshan tectono-magmatic belt, we suggest that in addition to partial melting of the thickened ancient continental crust, magma underplating and subsequent crust-mantle mixing beneath the ancient continental crust have also played an important role in crustal reworking and strongly affected the rheological properties and density of rocks. The exhumation underlines the role of lateral motion of the Ailaoshan-Red River shear zone initiation by potassic magma-assisted rheological weakening and exhumation at high ambient temperatures within the shear zone.&lt;/p&gt;

The geochemical consequences of mixing melts from contrast sources beneath the Jiaodebushan and Xiaogushan volcanoes, Wudalianchi volcanic field, Northeast China

&lt;p&gt;Potassic rocks from the Wudalianchi field are considered by some authors as derivatives of the mantle transition layer. However, this opinion is contradicted by the contrasting component composition of melts erupted in different volcanoes. From data of lead isotope compositions, the initial eruptions of lava flows 2.5&amp;#8211;2.0 Ma ago were derived from the lithospheric Laoshantou and Gelaqiu model sources of about 1.88 Ga, while subsequent eruptions were derived from the Wohu source of about 0.15 Ga and the recent Molabu source (Rasskazov et al., 2020). Detailed sampling of volcanoes yielded geochemical evidence on both the individualization of sources beneath volcanoes and mixing of melts from contrasting sources. We present evidence on mixing of melts from the Gelaqiu, Wuhu, and Molabu sources beneath the Jiaodebushan Volcano and partial similarity of rock components from this volcano to material erupted in the Xiaogushan Volcano.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This work is supported by the RSF grant 18-77-10027.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Rasskazov S., Sun Y-M., Chuvashova I., Yasnygina T., Yang C., Xie Z., Saranina E., Gerasimov N., Vladimirova T. Trace-element and Pb isotope evidence on extracting sulfides from potassic melts beneath Longmenshan and Molabushan volcanoes, Wudalianchi, Northeast China. Minerals. 2020. V. 10: 319; doi:10.3390/min10040319&lt;/p&gt;

Microbial fertilizer from PK rocks on lettuce nutrients and soil attributes in consecutive crops

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a microbial fertilizer, produced from phosphate and potassic rocks and earthworm compost, as an alternative to conventional fertilizers, on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) nutrients and soil attributes. The experiment was conducted in consecutive cycles (30 and 60 days) in a soil from the Lorca region, in the municipality of Murcia, Spain. The fertilization treatments were: conventional fertilizer, 100% of the recommended rate (RR); microbial fertilizer, 50% of the RR (5 Mg ha-1); microbial fertilizer, 100% of the RR (10 Mg ha-1); microbial fertilizer, 150% of the RR (15 Mg ha-1); and control, without N-P2O5-K2O fertilization. The microbial fertilizers applied at 100 and 150% of the RR showed significant and positive effects, as well as the best results for plant characteristics. The microbial fertilizer increased total N and available P and K compared with the conventional fertilizer. A residual effect was observed in the successive cycle. The effectiveness of the microbial fertilizer shows it is a viable alternative to conventional fertilizers, with positive effects on plant productivity and soil attributes.

Nutrient availability in phosphate and potassic rocks induced by Acidithiobacillus oxidizing bacteria to produce biofertilizers

Production of conventional fertilizers requires significant energy consumption which increases the price of the product. In recent years, a growing interest on the application of natural products has been shown by public. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the sulfur bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans to promote mineralogy changes and increase nutrient availability, using phosphate and potassic rocks to produce PK biofertilizers. The study was set up in Petri dishes using 30 g of phosphate rock + 30 g of potassium rock, each rock mixed with elemental sulfur applied at two levels 10% and 20% (3 g and 6 g) in dish. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with eight replications (each rock). The bacterium was inoculated applying 1 ml per g of elemental sulfur. The rocks were incubated during 180 days and mineralogical analysis by XRD and chemical analysis were processed at 30, 60, 120, 150 and 180 days after inoculation. The Acidithiobacillus produced sulfuric acid, which promoted mineralogical changes especially at 180 days after inoculation, compared with the initial time. The inoculation of Acidithiobacillus reduced pH and promoted mineralogical changes in P and K rocks with a significant increase in P and K availability, becoming a viable alternative to plant nutrition instead of soluble PK fertilizers. In addition, it showed great potential for a sustainable agriculture system.