40Ar/39Ar Ages and Geochemistry of Seamount Basalts from the Western Pacific Province

Seamounts are features generated by hot spots and associated intraplate volcanic activity. The geochemical characteristics of igneous rocks constituting seamounts provide evidence of important details of dynamic processes in the Earth, such as mantle magma source areas, and are key to understanding how mantle plume processes control the formation and evolution of seamounts and their resulting geochemical characteristics. The Pacific Ocean contains a large number of hitherto unstudied seamounts, whose ages and geochemical characteristics remain poorly known. This study presents the geochemical characteristics of six basalt samples from five seamounts in the Western Pacific and the 40Ar/9Ar ages of three samples are determined. The new analysis yielded 40Ar/39Ar ages for seamounts samples MP3D21, MP5D11, and MP5D15A of 95.43 ± 0.33, 62.4 ± 0.26, and 99.03 ± 0.4 Ma, respectively. The geochemical profiles of seamounts samples MP3D04, MP3D21, MP5D11, MP5D15A, MPID201, and MPID202 are consistent with alkaline basalts, as evidence by alkali-rich, silicon-poor compositions along with high titanium concentrations. The primitive mantle normalized rare-earth elements and trace elements spider pattern are similar to those of ocean island basalts. The Ta/Hf and Nb/Zr ratios and La/Zr-Nb/Zr discriminant diagrams indicate that the six seamounts formed from magma that originated in the deep mantle.

Petrography and Geochemistry of Gabbroic Rock from the Penjwin Ophiolite, Kurdistan Region, Northeastern Iraq

The gabbroic rocks as a part of Zagros ophiolite are exposed in northeastern Iraq, Penjwin area. These rocks with granular to ophitic textures are widely distributed without metamorphic halos. The main minerals are plagioclase (An90-99), olivine, clinopyroxene (Wo27-47 En 45-64 Fs8-14) and orthopyroxene (Wo2 En78 Fs20) respectively based on the abundances. The major elements show a broad range of compositional variations, with SiO2 (46.2–50.9 wt. %), and low concentrations Na2O (0.15–0.62 wt. %), K2O (0.01–0.03 wt. %) and TiO2 (0.06–0.2) and high concentrations, Al2O3 (6.4–19.75 wt. %), total Fe2O3 (6.29–11.6 wt. %), MgO (9.63–24.5 wt. %), CaO (8.02–18 wt. %) and low alkali contents (Na2O + K2O = 0.16–0.65 wt. %). On Ti-V diagram, all of the gabbroic samples have Ti/V less than 10 and consequently fall in the low Ti- Island arc tholeiitic. Whole rocks chemistry shows a depletion of High field strength elements in comparison with the primitive mantle with an arched upward rare earth elements pattern, characterized by light rare earth elements depletion (La N/Sm N = 0.05–0.8) and enrichment in the High field strength elements. Whole rocks chemistry, mineral paragenesis and chemistry of these rocks are more consistent with tholeiitic magma series. Based on our findings in this research, the primary magma has been produced from the depleted mantle with a high degree of partial melting.

Mesoscopic and Microscopic Magmatic Structures in the Quxu Batholith of the Gangdese Belt, Southern Tibet: Implications for Multiple Hybridization Processes

The Quxu batholith of the Gangdese magmatic belt, southern Tibet, comprises predominantly Early Eocene calc-alkaline granitoids that feature a variety of types of magmatic microgranular enclaves and dikes. Previous studies have demonstrated that magma mixing played a crucial role in the formation of the Quxu batholith. However, the specific processes responsible for this mixing/hybridization have not been identified. The magmatic microgranular enclaves and dikes preserve a record of this magma mixing, and are therefore an excellent source of information about the processes involved. In this study, mesoscopic and microscopic magmatic structures have been investigated, in combination with analyses of mineral textures and chemical compositions. Texturally, most of the enclaves are microporphyritic, with large crystals such as clinopyroxene, hornblende, and plagioclase in a groundmass of hornblende, plagioclase, and biotite. Two types of enclave swarms can be distinguished: polygenic and monogenic swarms. Composite dikes are observed, and represent an intermediate stage between undisturbed mafic dike and dike-like monogenic enclave swarms. Our results reveal three distinct stages of magma mixing in the Quxu batholith, occurring at depth, during ascent and emplacement, and after emplacement, respectively. At depth, thorough and/or partial mixing occurred between mantle-derived mafic and crust-derived felsic magmas to produce hybrid magma. The mafic magma was generated from the primitive mantle, whereas the felsic end-member was produced by partial melting of the preexisting juvenile crust. Many types of enclaves and host granitoids are thus cogenetic, because all are hybrid products produced by the mixing of the two contrasting magmas in different proportions. In the second stage, segregation and differentiation of the hybrid magma led to the formation of the host granitoids as well as various types of magmatic microgranular enclaves. At this stage, mingling and/or local mixing happened during ascent and emplacement. In the final stage, mafic or hybrid magma was injected into early fractures in the crystallizing and cooling pluton to form dikes. Some dikes remained undisturbed, whereas others experienced local mingling and mixing to form composite dikes and eventually disturbed dike-like monogenic enclave swarms. In summary, our study demonstrates the coupling between magmatic texture and composition in an open-system batholith and highlights the potential of magmatic structures for understanding the magma mixing process.

Pyrrhotite–silicate melt partitioning of rhenium and the deep rhenium cycle in subduction zone

The Re-Os isotopic system serves as an important tracer of recycled crust in Earth’s deep mantle because of the large Re/Os ratios and time-integrated enrichment of radiogenic Os in Earth’s crust. However, the Re distribution in Earth’s known reservoirs is mass imbalanced, and the behavior of Re during subduction remains little understood. We performed laboratory experiments to determine the partition coefficients of Re between pyrrhotite and silicate melt (DRepo/sm) at 950–1080 °C, 1–3 GPa, and oxygen fugacities (in log units relative to the fayalite-magnetite-quartz [FMQ] buffer) of FMQ –1.3 to FMQ +2. The obtained DRepo/sm values are 200–25,000, which increase with decreasing oxygen fugacity and the total iron content (FeOtot) of silicate melt but decrease with increasing temperature or decreasing pressure. Applying DRepo/sm to constrain the behavior of Re during slab melting demonstrates that slab melts contribute minimal Re to the sub-arc mantle, with most Re dissolved in sulfides subducted into Earth’s deep mantle. Deep storage of recycled oceanic basalts and sediments can explain the mass imbalance of Re in Earth’s primitive mantle, depleted mantle, and crust.

PGE distribution in Merensky wide-reef facies of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: Evidence for localized hydromagmatic control

ABSTRACT The wide-reef facies of the Merensky Reef in the eastern part of the western lobe of the Bushveld Complex was sampled in order to better resolve otherwise spatially constrained variation in highly siderophile elements across this geological unit. The platinum group element mineralogy and whole-rock highly siderophile element concentrations were measured across two vertical sections in close proximity. In one section, the Merensky Reef unit was bound by top and bottom platinum group elements-enriched horizons (reefs) with a well-developed pegmatoidal phase in the top third of the intrareef pyroxenite, but with neither a top nor a bottom chromitite present. The other drill core section featured a thin (<1 cm thick) chromitite layer associated with the highest platinum group element concentrations of any rock in this study as the bottom reef, but with a chromitite-absent top reef, and very poor development of the pegmatoid. Primitive mantle-normalized profiles of the main lithological units show relatively flat, primitive mantle-like highly siderophile element abundances (Cr, V, Co, Ni, platinum group elements, Au and Cu) in the Merensky pyroxenite, with modest depletion in Ir-affiliated platinum group elements. The platinum group element-rich top and bottom reefs, and the pegmatoidal upper pyroxenites, display characteristic enrichment in the Pt-affiliated platinum group elements and undepleted Ir-affiliated platinum group elements. The leuconoritic hanging wall and footwall rocks show comparable highly siderophile element profiles, distinguished from one another by relative depletion in the Pt-affiliated platinum group elements of the footwall samples. The vertical variation in highly siderophile element abundances through both sections is characterized by low platinum group element abundances through the lower reef pyroxenite, with platinum group element, Au, and Cu ± Ni concentrations increasing through the upper pegmatoidal pyroxenite, and main enrichment peaks at the top and bottom reefs. Significant localized (centimeter-scale) zones of chalcophile metal depletion are present immediately above the top reef and below the bottom reef. In addition, a wider zone of Pt-affiliated platinum group elements (with Pd more depleted than Pt)-depletion was identified within the pegmatoidal pyroxenite around one meter below the top reef. The platinum group element mineralogy of the bottom reef consists mainly of platinum group element sulfides, with minor arsenides and antimonides. In contrast, the platinum group element mineralogy of the top reef, and the small amount of data from the intrareef pyroxenite, mainly consist of Pt-affiliated platinum group elements-Bi-tellurides. The Pt-sulfides are mainly equant, relatively coarse crystals (many grains between 50 to 100 μm2 area), contrasting with the Pt-affiliated platinum group elements-Sb-As and -Bi-Te minerals that tend be high aspect-ratio grains, occurring in veinlets or as rims on earlier-forming platinum group element phases. These Te-As-Bi-Sb compounds are closely associated with chlorite, actinolite, quartz, and chalcopyrite, consistent with secondary deposition at lower temperatures and association with aqueous fluids. A model is proposed involving the emplacement of the Merensky unit as a magma pulse into at least semi-crystallized host rock, followed by aqueous fluid saturation and local migration, combined with concentration of late magmatic fluids around the top and bottom contacts of the magma pulse. Late remobilization of Pt-affiliated platinum group elements from the zones immediately (centimeter-scale) above the top reef, and from the underlying meter or two of pyroxenite, and from the centimeters underlying the bottom reef, have added additional platinum group elements to the reefs as late platinum group elements-Te-As-Bi-Sb minerals, independent of whether or not chromite is present in the reef initially.

Redox-controlled chalcophile element geochemistry of the Polaris Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex, British Columbia, Canada

ABSTRACT The Early Jurassic Polaris Alaskan-type intrusion in the Quesnel accreted arc terrane of the North American Cordillera is a zoned, mafic-ultramafic intrusive body that contains two main styles of magmatic mineralization of petrologic and potential economic significance: (1) chromitite-associated platinum group element (PGE) mineralization hosted by dunite (±wehrlite); and (2) sulfide-associated Cu-PGE-Au mineralization hosted by olivine (±magnetite) clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, and gabbro-diorite. Dunite-hosted PGE mineralization is spatially associated with thin discontinuous layers and schlieren of chromitite and chromitiferous dunite and is characterized by marked enrichments in iridium-subgroup PGE (IPGE) relative to palladium-subgroup PGE (PPGE). Discrete grains of platinum group minerals (PGM) are exceedingly rare, and the bulk of the PGE are inferred to reside in solid solution within chromite±olivine. The absence of Pt-Fe alloys in dunite of the Polaris intrusion is atypical, as Pt-enrichment of dunite-hosted chromitite is widely regarded as a characteristic feature of Alaskan-type intrusions. This discrepancy appears to be consistent with the strong positive dependence of Pt solubility on the oxidation state of sulfide-undersaturated magmas. Through comparison with experimentally determined PGE solubilities, we infer that the earliest (highest temperature) olivine-chromite cumulates of the Polaris intrusion crystallized from a strongly oxidized ultramafic parental magma with an estimated log f(O2) > FMQ+2. Parental magmas with oxygen fugacities more typical of volcanic arc settings [log f(O2) ∼ FMQ to ∼ FMQ+2] are, in turn, considered more favorable for co-precipitation of Pt-Fe alloys with olivine and chromite. More evolved clinopyroxene- and hornblende-rich cumulates of the Polaris intrusion contain low abundances of disseminated magmatic sulfides, consisting of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite with minor pentlandite, pyrite, and rare bornite (≤12 wt.% total sulfides), which occur interstitially or as polyphase inclusions in silicates and oxides. The sulfide-bearing rocks are characterized by strong primitive mantle-normalized depletions in IPGE and enrichments in Cu-PPGE-Au, patterns that resemble those of other Alaskan-type intrusions and primitive arc lavas. The absolute abundances and sulfur-normalized whole-rock concentrations (Ci/S, serving as proxy for sulfide metal tenor) of chalcophile elements, including Cu/S, in sulfide-bearing rocks are highest in olivine clinopyroxenite. Sulfide saturation in the relatively evolved magmas of the Polaris intrusion, and Alaskan-type intrusions in general, appears to be intimately tied to the appearance of magnetite. Fractional crystallization of magnetite during the formation of olivine clinopyroxenite at Polaris resulted in reduction of the residual magma to log f(O2) ≤ FMQ+2, leading to segregation of an immiscible sulfide melt with high Cu/Fe and Cu/S, and high PGE and Au tenors. Continued fractionation resulted in sulfide melts that were progressively more depleted in precious and base chalcophile metals. The two styles of PGE mineralization in the Polaris Alaskan-type intrusion are interpreted to reflect the evolution of strongly oxidized, hydrous ultramafic parental magma(s) through intrinsic magmatic fractionation processes that potentially promote sulfide saturation in the absence of wallrock assimilation.

Relationships among the Geordie Lake Cu-Pd deposit, alkaline basalt, and syenites in the Coldwell Complex, Midcontinent Rift, Canada

ABSTRACT The Geordie Lake Cu-Pd deposit is associated with troctolite at the base of the Geordie Lake intrusion, located near the center of the Coldwell Complex (1106.5 + 1.2 Ma). It is the only platinum group element deposit in the Midcontinent Rift associated with alkaline rocks. This study focuses on the long-standing questions regarding genetic relationships among the Geordie Lake gabbros, the Wolfcamp basalt, and the various syenites that make up the east-central portion of the Coldwell Complex. Primitive mantle-normalized trace-element patterns for the Geordie Lake intrusion are nearly flat from Th to Ce and show negative Sr, Eu, and Zr anomalies. Characteristic ratios for the Geordie Lake gabbro and troctolite include Th/Nb (0.12), La/Nb (1.1), La/Lu (150), La/Sm (6.9), Zr/Sm (18), and Gd/Yb (2.8). Trace-element patterns that are useful for determining petrogenesis for gabbros are similar to the Wolfcamp basalt and augite syenite with some key exceptions, notably the middle rare earth element and Zr abundances. Affects due to metasomatism or crustal contamination in Wolfcamp basalt and Geordie Lake gabbros and syenites are negligible. Results of Rayleigh fractionation modeling show (1) the Geordie Lake intrusion and Wolfcamp basalt are very similar but not directly related by crystallization, (2) the gabbros and basalt are not related to the syenites, (3) the lower augite syenite can be related to the upper augite syenite and amphibole quartz syenite by fractionation of a hypothetical crystal cumulate composed of orthoclase (78%), clinopyroxene (15%), olivine (1%), and titanomagnetite (6%). We conclude that the Geordie Lake intrusion, Wolfcamp basalt, and saturated syenites in the Coldwell were derived by separate partial melting events in a common mantle source. The origin of the sulfide mineralization is enigmatic because it exhibits characteristics of both magmatic and hydrothermal processes. The sulfide assemblage changes from disseminated bornite and chalcopyrite in the basal zone to pyrrhotite plus chalcopyrite in the upper zones. Sulfides occur as coarse blebs interstitial to fresh or partly altered silicates, or as very fine grains intergrown with clusters of biotite and actinolite. Primitive mantle-normalized platinum group element patterns exhibit a W-shape for Pd-Pt-Rh-Ir-Ni, indicating a relative depletion of Pt and Ir. The Cu/Pd ratios in the mineralized zones are within the range of mantle values (1000–10,000), Pd/Pt is 14–19, Pd/Rh is 91 + 37, and Pd/Ir >16,000. The Pd/Pt, Pd/Rh, and Pd/Ir are considerably higher than in the Wolfcamp basalt (<1, 17, and 75, respectively). If the sulfides are magmatic in origin, then either the Geordie Lake magma was, unlike the Wolfcamp basalt magma, depleted in Pt, Rh, and Ir, or these elements were selectively removed from the sulfide assemblage. Alternatively, Pd was enriched by late-stage hydrothermal processes. Additional work is recommended to constrain petrogenesis of the sulfides by detailed base-metal and TABS (Te, As, Bi, Sb, and Sn) element analysis.

Petrology of lamprophyric in northern Jirandeh, Iran

This study was performed on the outcrops of lamprophyric lavas found in the north of Jirandeh and east of Lushan in the mountain of Alborz (north of Iran). These lavas has been placed discordantly on the middle Eocene lime..Petrographic observation indicates olivine phenocrysts, green-core alkaline clinopyroxenes, nepheline, abundant biotite, and apatites with flakes. and in the matrix it also contains biotite, olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase.The presence of carbonates, plagioclase and xenocrystals with rounded margins asserts the contamination with continental crust Petrologically, these rocks classify as alkaline lamprophyres of comptonite variety.These rocks can be subsumed under alkaline sodic categories at K2O/Na2O<1 ratio. The rare elements patterns in the rocks, normalized with the primitive mantle, causing partial negative Nb anomalies and showing no blades at the surface. It, therefore, can be indicative of the evidence for an intraplate magmatism with the different degree in the crustal contamination. Geochemistry states the first cause of asthenospheric flow can be occurred at La/Nb<1 and La/Ta 13 ratios, and the presence of garnet can be assumed at 1/8< (Tb/Yb) N ratio in the rocks origin area. In tectonic discrimination diagrams, these rocks fall in the range of intra-continental rift zones. Geochemical analyses indicate that these lamprophyres originate from partial (1%) melting of an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source of lherzolite garnet nature.

Formation of ultrapotassic magma via crustal contamination and hybridization of mafic magma: an example from the Stomanovo monzonite, Central Rhodope Massif, Bulgaria

Generally all orogenic ultrapotassic rocks are formed after melting of metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle via subducted crustal mica-bearing lithologies. Here we present another possible model, based on the study of the small Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite porphyry intrusion in the Central Rhodope Massif, Bulgaria. The monzonite dated at 30.50 ± 0.46 Ma is intruded into the voluminous Oligocene (31.63 ± 0.40 Ma) Bratsigovo–Dospat ignimbrite. The monzonite hosts both normally and reversely zoned clinopyroxene phenocrysts. The normally zoned clinopyroxene is characterized by gradually diminishing core-to-rim Mg no. (89–74), whereas the reversely zoned clinopyroxene has green Fe-rich cores (Mg no. 71–55) mantled by normally zoned clinopyroxene (Mg no. 87–74). Neither the core of the normally zoned clinopyroxene nor the Fe-rich green cores are in equilibrium with the host monzonite. This ultrapotassic monzonite shows more radiogenic Sr isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.71066) and ϵNd(t) = −7.8 to −8.0 that are distinct from the host ignimbrites with (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70917–0.70927 and ϵNd(t) = −4.6 to −6.5. The Sr–Nd isotopic data and the presence of copious zircon xenocrysts from the underlying metamorphic basement suggest extensive crustal assimilation. Our observations indicate that the Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite formed after extensive lower or middle crustal fractional crystallization from an evolved magma producing cumulates. The process was followed by hybridization with primitive mantle-derived magma and subsequent continuous crustal contamination. We suggest that instead of inheriting their high K2O and large-ion lithophile element enrichments from slab-derived/metasomatic fluids, the Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite may owe some of its unusually high alkalinity to the assimilation of potassium-rich phases from the Rhodope Massif basement rocks.

Signature Geochimique des Granitoides de la Branche Est du Sillon de Boundiali-Korhogo (Nord de la Cote D’ivoire)

Cet article résume les données relatives à la pétrographie et aux compositions en éléments majeurs et en traces des granitoïdes du sillon de Korhogo. Le sillon de Korhogo est situé au Nord de la Côte d’Ivoire, dans le domaine birimien. Ce sillon qui constitue la branche Est du sillon de Boundiali-Korhogo est à cheval sur les régions du Poro et du Tchologo. La méthodologie employée a permis à l’issue des observations macroscopiques, de recueillir des échantillons pour les études microscopiques et géochimiques. Les études pétrographiques indiquent que les granitoïdes du sillon de Korhogo sont des granodiorites et granites. Ces granitoïdes ont été affectés par une intense altération pervasive et fissurale témoignant ainsi de l’intensité de l’altération hydrothermale dans le sillon de Korhogo. Ces roches ont été affectées par un le métamorphisme de faciès schiste vert. Les données géochimiques montrent que les granitoïdes sont calco-alcalins, potassiques, métalumineux à peralumineux et de Type « I ». Ces roches sont enrichies en LREE [Granodiorite ((La/Sm)N = 3,36 – 4,45 ; (Gd/Yb)N = 1,56 – 2,51 ; et (La/Yb)N = 7,29 – 20,92) ; Granite ((La/Sm)N = 4,51 - 4,69 ; (Gd/Yb)N = 1,00– 3,13 et (La/Yb)N = 7,63 - 26,53] et présentent des anomalies négatives à quasiment nulles en cérium [Granite (Ce/Ce*= 0,60 -0,92) ; Granodiorite (Ce/Ce* = 0,80 -1,01)]. Les anomalies en europium varient des granodiorites [(Eu/Eu* = 0,81 – 1,53)] aux granites [(Eu/Eu*= 0,90 - 1,11)]. Ces granitoïdes ont de faibles taux de TiO2 (<2 %). Les arachnogrammes des éléments en trace normalisés au manteau primitif sont généralement enrichis en LILE (Cs, Ba, Rb, K) associés à une anomalie négative en Nb-Ta. Les tendances géochimiques indiquent que les granitoïdes du sillon de Korhogo proviendraient d’un mélange crustal et mantellique et se seraient mis en place dans un contexte de subduction. This paper summarizes the data available on petrography and the concentrations of major and trace elements in granitoids from Korhogo greenstone belt province. The Korhogo greenstone belt is localed in the north of Côte d’Ivoire, in the birimian domain. This belt which constitutes the eastern branch of the Boundiali-Korhogo greenstone belt straddles the Poro and Tchologo areas. The methodology started by the macroscopic to microscopic observations then it continued to the geochemical studies. Petrographic studies indicate that the granitoids of Korhogo greenstone belt are granodiorites and granites. These granitoids were affected by intense pervasive and fissural alteration thus testifying the intensity of hydrothermal alteration in the Korhogo greenstone belt. These rocks were affected by regional greenschist facies. Geochemical datas show that the granitoids are calc-alkaline, potassic, metaluminous to peraluminous and “I” Type. These rocks are enriched in LREE [Granodiorite (La/Sm)N = 3,36 – 4,45 ; (Gd/Yb)N = 1,56 – 2,51 ; et (La/Yb)N = 7,29 – 20,92) ; Granite (La/Sm)N = 4,51 - 4,69 ; (Gd/Yb)N = 1,00 – 3,13 et (La/Yb)N = 7,63 - 26,53] and present negative to non-exixting cerium anomalies [Granite (Ce / Ce * = 0.60 -0.92); Granodiorite (Ce/Ce * = 0.80 -1.01)]. The europium anomalies vary from granodiorites [(Eu/Eu * = 0.81 - 1.53)] to granites [(Eu/ Eu * = 0.90 - 1.11)]. These granitoids have low levels of TiO2 (<2%). Primitive mantle normalized, trace element patterns show that granitoids have geochemical patterns characterized by enrichment in LILE (Cs, Ba, Rb, K) associated with negative Nb –Ta anomalies. Geochemical trends indicate that the granitoids of Korhogo greenstone belt originate from a crustal and mantle mixture and were set up in a context of subduction.