Geochemistry of radioactive elements in the rocks of the Guli Massif,Polar Siberia

The study of radioactive element distribution in the rocks of the Guli Complex revealed an increase of uranium and thorium contents in the final products of magmatic differentiation. In the carbonatite complex, the radioactive elements are mainly accumulated in the early rocks—phoscorites, while their contents in the late phases, dolomitic carbonatites, decrease. The Th/U ratio increases from near-chondritic values in the weakly differentiated highly-magnesian primary magmas to the late rocks—phoscorites, calcitic carbonatites, and dolomitic carbonatites. The majority of radioactive elements are hosted in rare-metal accessory minerals: perovskite, pyrochlore, calzirtite, and apatite. Rock-forming minerals are characterized by extremely low contents of radioactive elements.     

The First Precise Data on the Age of Charoite Mineralization (Eastern Siberia,Russia)

Charoite is a unique mineral and a rock of the same name. It is known from the only deposit in the world at the contact with Early Cretaceous syenite and other alkaline rocks of the Malyi Murun massif. The data on ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of tinaksite, tokkoite, and frankamenite associated with charoite are reported in this paper. All these minerals, except for frankamenite, have shown clear plateau ages overlapping with each other within the analytical errors. The weighted mean of the plateau ages of tinaksite, tokkoite, and microcline is 135.86 ± 0.26 Ma. Considering that these minerals are syngenetic to charoite, this age is the time of charoite crystallization. Frankamenite with an older age (137.55 ± 0.46 Ma) may reflect the polychronous crystallization of the charoite association.     

First Data on the Age of Metamorphic Schists from the Taz Peninsula (Arctic,Western Siberia)

Doklady Earth Sciences - The 40Ar/39Ar dating of metamorphic schists from the basement of the West Siberian Platform exposed by Lenzitskaya well no. 77 on the Taz Peninsula was performed. The...     

Geochemistry and Fractionation of Zr and Hf in the Magmatic System of the Kugda Massif (Polar Siberia)

The patterns of the distribution and fractionation of strategic metals (Zr, Hf) in the Kugda intrusion (Polar Siberia) have been studied. The contents of these elements significantly exceed their concentrations in other rocks (Zr, 246 ppm; Hf, 7.4 ppm). A significant increase in Zr and Hf from early rocks (olivinite and melilite rocks) to later differentiation products, syenites with up to 570 ppm of Zr and 16 ppm of Hf, has been revealed. During the evolution of the Kuga magmatic system, notable fractionation of Zr and Hf occurred. The Zr/Hf ratios in the dyke rock, similar in composition to the primary Kugda Massif magma, and the early intrusions are fairly close to that of chondrite (Zr/Hf = 37 [1]), while in the latest phases this ratio increases by almost 5-fold.     

新疆古伦沟地区古仍格萨拉东岩体的地球化学及锆石U-Pb年龄

古伦沟地区古仍格萨拉东花岗闪长斑岩体位于中天山构造带北缘。地球化学和锆石U-P年龄测定结果显示: 岩石高碱富Na、贫Fe和Mg、弱过铝质(ACNK=0.98~1.11), 稀土总量较低(∑REE=61.28×10-6~99.50×10-6)且分异明显(LaN/YbN=7.82~22.80)、铕弱负异常(δEu=0.72~0.97), 相对富集Rb、Ba、Th、U、K等, 亏损Nb、Ta、P、Ti等, 具火山弧花岗岩的特征。岩体具有较均一的Sr、Nd同位素组成: (87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70677~0.70685, εSr(t)=40.10~41.21, (143Nd/144Nd)i=0.51190~0.51191, εNd(t)= –2.62 ~ –2.30, tDM＝1.31~1.38 Ga。其锆石U-Pb年龄为(488.9±1.7)~(470.5±3.1) Ma。表明古仍格萨拉东岩体形成于早奥陶世陆缘弧环境, 可能是先存的中元古代幔源基性下地壳部分熔融的产物, 其形成与古准噶尔洋向伊犁—中天山板块下的俯冲作用有关, 标志着中天山北缘于早奥陶世时期已进入与俯冲消减有关的活动陆缘演化阶段。此次岩浆活动导致区内发生斑岩型铜矿化。     

大兴安岭南段前进场岩体锆石U-Pb年龄、地球化学及其地质意义

前进场岩体位于大兴安岭南段,主要岩石类型为黑云母二长花岗岩,是道伦达坝铜钨锡银矿床的赋矿围岩之一.本文对前进场岩体开展了岩石地球化学、LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年、锆石Lu-Hf同位素及矿物地球化学研究.锆石U-Pb定年结果表明前进场岩体形成于278～279 Ma,为早二叠世岩浆活动产物.岩石地球化学特征显示其S...     

Isotope composition and magma sources of the Kresty volcanopluton in Polar Siberia

The first data are presented on the distribution of rare elements and isotope composition of neodymium and strontium in the rocks of the alkaline-ultramafitic association of the Kresty volcanoplutonic structure (one of the probable satellites of the Gulinian massif being the largest in the Maimecha-Kotui alkaline province in Polar Siberia). On the basis of the results of geochemical studies performed and formerly obtained geophysical and isotope data, a new model is proposed for the plume nature of magmatism in the region, based on the action of a single mantle source of the PREMA type and its active interaction with the matter of the Earth’s crust.     

Geochemistry and origin of the Mirny field kimberlites,Siberia

Here we present new data from a systematic Sr, Nd, O, C isotope and geochemical study of kimberlites of Devonian age Mirny field that are located in the southernmost part of the Siberian diamondiferous province. Major and trace element compositions of the Mirny field kimberlites show a significant compositional variability both between pipes and within one diatreme. They are enriched in incompatible trace elements with La/Yb ratios in the range of (65–300). Initial Nd isotope ratios calculated back to the time of the Mirny field kimberlite emplacement (t = 360 ma) are depleted relative to the chondritic uniform reservoir (CHUR) model being 4 up to 6 ɛNd(t) units, suggesting an asthenospheric source for incompatible elements in kimberlites. Initial Sr isotope ratios are significantly variable, being in the range 0.70387–0.70845, indicating a complex source history and a strong influence of post-magmatic alteration. Four samples have almost identical initial Nd and Sr isotope compositions that are similar to the prevalent mantle (PREMA) reservoir. We propose that the source of the proto-kimberlite melt of the Mirny field kimberlites is the same as that for the majority of ocean island basalts (OIB). The source of the Mirny field kimberlites must possess three main features: It should be enriched with incompatible elements, be depleted in the major elements (Si, Al, Fe and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (REE) and it should retain the asthenospheric Nd isotope composition. A two-stage model of kimberlite melt formation can fulfil those requirements. The intrusion of small bodies of this proto-kimberlite melt into lithospheric mantle forms a veined heterogeneously enriched source through fractional crystallization and metasomatism of adjacent peridotites. Re-melting of this source shortly after it was metasomatically enriched produced the kimberlite melt. The chemistry, mineralogy and diamond grade of each particular kimberlite are strongly dependent on the character of the heterogeneous source part from which they melted and ascended.

     

Uranium and thorium in carbonatitic minerals from the Guli massif, Polar Siberia

This paper reports a geochemical and mineralogical study on carbonatites from the Guli massif, which hosts rare-metal mineralization. The principal carriers of radioactive elements in the carbonatites are pyrochlore-group minerals, zirconolite, and thorianite, which are described here. They are characterized by elevated concentrations (wt %) of radioactive elements: up to 17.89 UO₂ and 20.01 ThO₂ in pyrochlore, up to 6.49 UO₂ and 94.29 ThO₂ in thorianite, and up to 6.74 ThO₂ in zirconolite. The pyrochlore-group minerals, zirconolite, and thorianite from the early calcite carbonatites occur in intimate association with Ti-Zr oxides calzirtite, perovskite, and baddeleyite. Significant radioactive element fractionation in early-stage derivatives results in the depletion of the residual magmatic products in these elements. The dolomite carbonatites are reported to contain only trace amounts of pyrochlore-group minerals. It was shown that the distribution of U, Th, Nb, and Ta in the calcite and dolomite carbonatites is correlated with the evolutionary trends of pyrochlore composition. Typical schemes of isomorphic substitution are proposed for pyrochlore-group minerals and zirconolite. The pyrochlore-group minerals show an apparent evolutionary trend from U-rich towards more Th- and Ta-rich varieties, and Ba-Sr cation-deficient varieties originate during the latest stage of the evolution. The pyrochlore-group minerals, zirconolite, and thorianite may also accumulate in placers, together with gold. Because of the relative ease of extraction of the accessory minerals, the carbonatites of the Guli massif can be considered as commercial sources of radioactive raw materials.     

Geochemical evidence for meimechite magma generation in the subcontinental lithosphere of Polar Siberia

New data have been obtained on the distribution of the petrogenetic and rare-earth elements in the meimechite-series of rocks in Polar Siberia. It is shown that the meimechites, alkali picrites, and khatangites are comagmatic. The compositions of the primitive melts for the meimechite series have been estimated. It is suggested that the primary meimechite magmas were produced during the melting of lithosphere harzburgites that were enriched in incompatible elements due to infiltration of diapir melts with a low degree of partial melting.     

Manifestation of Late Devonian Post-Accretionary Magmatism on the Eastern Slope of the Northern Urals: New Data on the Age and Geochemistry

Doklady Earth Sciences - A study of the geochemical features and isotopic (Sm‒Nd and U‒Pb) age of dolerites of the Ivdel complex on the eastern slope of the Northern Urals within the...     

Geochemistry of obsidian from Krasnoe Lake on the Chukchi Peninsula (Northeastern Siberia)

Doklady Earth Sciences - This report considers features of the geochemical composition of obsidian from beach sediments of Krasnoe Lake along the lower course of the Anadyr River, as well as from...     

Absolute Age of Formation and Relative Age of Intrusion of the Kimberlites of Yakutia

Phlogopite from Kimberlite pipes of the Arbarastakhsky massif is 661 million years or Riphean. However, the age of intrusion is shown to be post-Jurassic, i.e. less than 140 million years, on basis of an Upper Jurassic belemnite found in a xenolith. Previous theories of kimberlite formation are reviewed. It is concluded that kimberlite is intruded as a cold solid acting as a fluid under gravitational and tectonic pressures at great depth.–M. Russell     

Geochemistry of Rare and Rare-Earth Elements in Manganiferous Sediments of the Polar Urals and Pai-Khoi

Lithology and Mineral Resources - Data on the concentration of rare and rare-earth elements in the Devonian manganese-rich metasediments of the Polar Urals and Pai-Khoi Ridge are presented. It is...     

Initial Os-isotopic composition of Os-Ir-Ru alloys from ultramafic massifs of the Polar Siberia

This study firstly presents chemical and initial Os-isotopic compositions of Os-Ir-Ru minerals of two ultramafic formations of Polar Siberia, which are exemplified by Guli clinopyroxene-dunite massif of the Maimecha-Kotui Province and the Kunar dunite-harzburgite massif from the Chelyuskin ultramafic belt of the Taimyr Peninsula. The study employed a range of methods, including electron microprobe analysis, negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry (N-TIMS) and laser ablation attached to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA MC-ICP-MS). The majority of platinum-group minerals (PGM) from the Guli massif are Os-(Ir-Ru) solid solutions or Os-rich minerals. At Kunar, minerals of Ru-Os-Ir system (i.e., osmium, ruthenium, iridium and rutheniridosmine) dominate the PGM assemblage. The ruthenium trend in the mineral compositions is due to the formation of these minerals under high pressures and temperatures at considerable depths. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values of Os-rich minerals from the Guli massif range from 0.12309 ± 0.00002 to 0.12606 ± 0.00003 (n = 168). The initial Os-isotopic composition of PGM from the central block of the Guli massif is characterized by the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values, varying in the range 0.12404–0.12606. Osmiumrich minerals from the southwestern block of the Guli massif are characterized by the least “radiogenic” ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values (i.e., 0.12309–0.12341). Low relative to the chondritic universal reservoir (CHUR) ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values are indicative of a near-to-chondritic source of platinum-group elements (PGE). The most “productive” stage of PGM formation at Guli (n = 121) is recorded in the time interval of 545–615 Ma. The older model ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ages of osmium minerals are characteristic of the southwestern block of the Guli massif (e.g., 745–760 Ma). The results of the initial Os-isotopic composition for Os-rich alloys are consistent with a model, in which PGM were formed during multi-stage melt depletion events in the mantle. This agrees well with the suggestion that the Guli massif consists of heterogeneous blocks of ultramafic rocks. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio in the investigated PGM from the Kunar massif varies in a wider range (0.1094–0.1241, n = 28). For the dominant set of PGM samples (n = 25), regardless of their chemical composition, four groups of the initial osmium isotopic compositions can be estimated, with average ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values of 0.1217 ± 0.0002 (n = 7), 0.1223 ± 0.0002 (n = 7), 0.1230 ± 0.0002 (n = 6) and 0.1238 ± 0.0003 (n = 6), respectively. The average model Re-Os ages for the defined groups of the Kunar massif are consistent with Late Riphean age interval (e.g., 975 ± 42 Ma, 892 ± 42 Ma, 791 ± 28 Ma and 681 ± 42 Ma, respectively). Significant variations in the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os values and model ages for Ru-Os-Ir alloys at Kunar are close to those from other duniteharzburgite massifs of the Earth, pointing out for their prolonged multi-stage evolution within the upper mantle.     

Geochemistry of Riphean terrigenous rocks in the Southern Urals and Siberia and variations of the continental-crust maturity

We consider the general and specific features of the evolution of the composition of fine-grained terrigenous rocks in the Riphean sedimentary megasequences of the Southern Urals, Uchur-Maya region, and Yenisei Ridge. It has been established that the crust on the southwestern (in the modern frame of references) periphery of the Siberian craton was geochemically the most mature segment of the Riphean continental crust. For example, the fine-grained clastic rocks and metapelites of all Riphean lithostratigraphic units of the Yenisei Ridge have higher median contents of Th than the most mature Paleoproterozoic crust, and in median contents of Y and Cr/Th values they are the most similar to it. In the Southern Urals and Uchur-Maya region, some units of the Riphean sedimentary sequences show median contents of Y and Th and Cr/Th values close to those of primitive Archean crust. Analysis of Cr/Th variations in the fine-grained terrigenous rocks of all three megasequences shows that the minimum Cr/Th values, evidencing a predominance or the abundance of felsic rocks in provenances, are typical of the Riphean argillaceous shales and metapelites of the Yenisei Ridge. The distinct Cr/Th and Cr/Sc increase in the fine-grained clastic rocks of the Chingasan Group of the ridge reflects the large-scale destruction of continental crust during the formation of rift troughs as a result of the Rodinia breakup in the second half of the Late Riphean. The Cr/Th variations in the Lower and Middle Riphean argillaceous shales and mudstones of the Bashkirian mega-anticlinorium and Uchur-Maya region are in agreement, which evidences the subglobal occurrence of rifting in the early Middle Riphean (so-called “Mashak rifting”).     

南天山英买来花岗岩的地质、地球化学特征及其地质意义

新疆英买来岩体位于南天山中段, 其主体由黑云母钾长花岗岩组成, 局部有二云母钾长花岗岩, 形成于晚二叠世.岩体中有两种少量椭球状的包体, 一是暗色细粒包体, 二是浅色包体.花岗岩和包体的地球化学特征基本相似, 它们在主量元素特征上以高Si、富K、富碱, 贫Mg、Ca为特征, 微量元素特征上表现为富Rb、Ba、Th以及轻重稀土的高度分馏和Nb、Ta、Zr、Hf等的负异常.花岗岩和包体的Harker图解显示出一致的变化趋势, 表明它们是同源岩浆演化的产物.其A/CNK值为0.99~1.08, 显示出准铝-过铝的特点, 而稀土元素配分曲线则显示出强烈富集轻稀土和明显的负Eu异常.结合其高的(87Sr/86Sr)_t值(0.71036~0.71585)和负的ε_Nd(t)值(-1.67~-6.45), 推测岩浆起源于壳源含斜长石的角闪石质岩石脱水条件下的部分熔融(深度＜50km), 其母岩浆在就位前发生了以黑云母和斜长石为主伴随有磁铁矿等副矿物的分离结晶作用.英买来花岗岩体的岩石类型以及地球化学特征表明其是介于A型和S型之间的一种过渡类型花岗岩类, 其形成时的构造环境为碰撞晚期或接近碰撞结束向后碰撞过渡阶段.      

Foidite and Meimechite Lavas of Polar Siberia (Some Questions of Petrogenesis)

Doklady Earth Sciences - For the Permian–Triassic foidite and meimechite lavas of Polar Siberia, both the whole-rock petrochemistry and geochemistry and that of melt inclusions in olivine...