Experimental study on reactions between alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes: constraints on the evolution of lithospheric mantle in the North China Craton

The experimental results of the reactions between an alkaline basaltic melt and mantle orthopyroxenes under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of 1300–1400℃ and 2.0–3.0 GPa using a six-anvil apparatus are reported in this paper.The reactions are proposed to simulate the interactions between melts from the asthenospheric mantle and the lithospheric mantle.The starting melt in the experiments was made from the alkaline basalt occurring in Fuxin,Liaoning Province,and the orthopyroxenes were separated from the mantle xenoliths in Damaping,Hebei Province.The results show that clinopyroxenes were formed in all the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes under the studied P–T conditions.The formation of clinopyroxene in the reaction zone is mainly controlled by dissolution–crystallization,and the chemical compositions of the reacted melt are primarily infl uenced by the diff usion eff ect.Temperature is the most important parameter controlling the reactions between the melt and orthopyroxenes,which has a direct impact on the melting of orthopyroxenes and the diff usion of chemical components in the melt.Temperature also directly controls the chemical compositions of the newly formed clinopyroxenes in the reaction zone and the reacted melt.The formation of clinopyroxenes from the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt and orthopyroxenes can result in an increase of CaO and Al_(2)O_(3) contents in the rocks containing this mineral.Therefore,the reactions between the alkaline basaltic melt from the asthenospheric mantle and orthopyroxenes from the lithospheric mantle can lead to the evolution of lithospheric mantle in the North China Craton from refractory to fertile with relatively high CaO and Al 2 O 3 contents.In addition,the reacted melts in some runs were transformed from the starting alkaline basaltic into tholeiitic after reactions,indicating that tholeiitic magma could be generated from alkaline basaltic one via reactions between the latter and orthopyroxene.

The Genesis Mechanism of the Mantle Fluid Action and Evolution in the Ore-Forming Process: A Case Study of the Laowangzhai Gold Deposit in Yunnan, China

Based on petrological studies of the wall rocks, mineralizing rocks, ores and veins from the Laowangzhai gold deposit, it is discovered that along with the development of silication, carbonation and sulfidation, a kind of black opaque ultra-microlite material runs through the spaces between grains, fissures and cleavages. Under observations of the electron microprobe, scanning electronic microscopy and energy spectrum, this kind of ultra-microlite material is confirmed to consist of ultra microcrystalline quartz, silicate, sulfides and carbonates, as well as rutile, scheelite and specularite （magnetite）, showing characters of liquation by the analyses of SEM and energy spectrum. The coexistence of immiscibility and precipitating co-crystallization strongly suggests that the mineralizing fluid changed from the melt to the hydrothermal fluid. Combined with the element geochemical researches, it is realized that the ultra-microlite aggregate is the direct relics of the mantle fluid behaving like a melt and supercritical fluid, which goes along with the mantle-derived magma and will escape from the magma body at a proper time. During the alteration process, the nature of the mantle fluid changed and it is mixed with the crustal fluid, which are favorable for mineralization in the Loawangzhai gold deposit.

Petrography and Geochemistry of Peridotite Xenoliths from Hannuoba and Significance for Lithospheric Mantle Evolution

The compositions of the whole rocks and trace elements of minerals in peridotites can reflect the characteristics of the lithospheric mantle. The nature and evolution of the Cenozoic lithospheric mantle beneath Hannuoba （汉诺坝）, located on the north edge of the intra-North China orogenic belt, are discussed based on the in-situ LAM-ICPMS detected trace element compositions of clinopyroxenes in the Hannuoba peridotitic xenoliths combined with detailed petrography and geochemistry studies. The Hannuoba lithospheric mantle was formed by different partial meltings of the primitive mantle. Most of the samples reflect the partial melting degree of lower than 5% with a few samples of 15%-20%. Major element compositions of the whole rocks and geochemical compositions of clinopyroxenes reveal the coexistence of both fertile and depleted mantle underneath the Hannuoba region during the Cenozoic. This was probably caused by the asthenospheric mantle replacing the aged craton mantle through erosion, intermingling and modification. Our conclusion is further supported by the existence of both carbonatitic magmatic material and silicate melt/ fluid metasomatism as magnified by the trace elements of the clinopyroxencs from the Hannuoba lithospherJc mantle.

Evolution History of Mantle Peridotites in the Xigaze Ophiolite: Constraints from Whole-rock and Mineral Geochemistry

Ophiolites along the E-W trending Yarlung-Tsangpo Suture(YTS),which separates the Indian plate from the Eurasian plate,have been regarded as relics of the NeoTethyan Ocean.The Xigaze ophiolite in the central YTS

Compositions & Melt Evolution of Upper Mantle Peridotites in the Tethyan Ophiolites

The Jurassic–Cretaceous ophiolites in the Alpine–Himalayan orogenic belt represent fragments of oceanic lithosphere,developed in different seaways separated by Gondwana–derived ribbon continents within a broad

Geochemical constraints on komatiite volcanism from Sargur Group Nagamangala greenstone belt,western Dharwar craton,southern India:Implications for Mesoarchean mantle evolution and continental growth

We present field, petrographic, major and trace element data for komatiites and komatiite basalts from Sargur Group Nagamangala greenstone belt, western Dharwar craton. Field evidences such as crude pillow structure indicate their eruption in a marine environment whilst spinifex texture reveals their komatiite nature. Petrographic data suggest that the primary mineralogy has been completely altered during post-magmatic processes associated with metamorphism corresponding to greenschist to lower amphibolite facies conditions. The studied komatiites contain serpentine, talc, tremolite, actinolite and chlorite whilst tremolite, actinolite with minor plagioclase in komatiitic basalts. Based on the published Sm-Nd whole rock isochron ages of adjoining Banasandra komatiites （northern extension of Naga- mangala belt） and further northwest in Nuggihafli belt and Kalyadi belt we speculate ca. 3.2-3.15 Ga for komatiite eruption in Nagamangala belt. Trace element characteristics particularly HFSE and REE patterns suggest that most of the primary geochemical characteristics are preserved with minor influ- ence of post-magmatic alteration and[or contamination. About 1[3 of studied komatiites show AI- depletion whilst remaining komatiites and komatiite basalts are Al-undepleted. Several samples despite high MgO, （Gd]Yb）N ratios show low CaO/AI203 ratios. Such anomalous values could be related to removal of CaO from komatiites during fluid-driven hydrothermal alteration, thus lowering CaOJAI203 ratios. The elemental characteristics of Al-depleted komatiites such as higher （Gd/Yb）N （〉 1.0）, CaO/AI203 （〉1.0）, Al203frio2 （〈18） together with lower HREE, Y, Zr and Hf indicate their derivation from deeper upper mantle with minor garnet （majorite？） involvement in residue whereas lower （GdIYb）N （〈1.0）, CaO/AI203 （〈0.9）, higher A1203]TiO2 （〉18） together with higher HREE, Y, Zr suggest their derivation from shallower upper mantle without garnet involvement in residue. The observed chemical characteristics （CaO/AI203, AI203]TiO2, MgO, Ni, Cr, Nb, Zr, Y, Hf, and REE） indicate derivation of the komatiite and komatiite basalt magmas from heterogeneous mantle （depleted to primitive mantle） at different depths in hot spot environments possibly with a rising plume. The low content of incompatible elements in studied komatiites suggest existence of depleted mantle during ca. 3.2 Ga which in turn imply an earlier episode of mantle differentiation, greenstone volcanism and continental growth probably during ca. 3.6-3.3 Ga which is substantiated by Nd and Pb isotope data of gneisses and komatiites in western Dharwar craton （WDC）.

Redox Evolution of the Lithospheric Mantle beneath the North China Craton

Objective The North China Craton （NCC） is a large Archean craton with a long geological history, yet very few studies have been carried out on the evolution of the redox conditions of its underlying mantle. Oxidation state of the mantle is critical in controlling the formation of metallic mineral deposits because metals can be readily released from the mantle to partial melt under oxidized conditions. In contrast, highly reduced and stable conditions are essential for the crystallization of diamond. The subcontinental lithospheric mantle （SCLM） beneath major cratons in the world has been stable since their formation and highly reduced in its oxidation state, but the SCLM below the NCC is different.

A great thermal divergence in the mantle beginning 2.5 Ga:Geochemical constraints from greenstone basalts and komatiites

Greenstone basalts and komatiites provide a means to track both mantle composition and magma generation temperature with time. Four types of mantle are characterized from incompatible element distributions in basalts and komatiites： depleted, hydrated, enriched and mantle from which komatiites are derived. Our most important observation is the recognition for the first time of what we refer to as a Great Thermal Divergence within the mantle beginning near the end of the Archean, which we ascribe to thermal and convective evolution. Prior to 2.5 Ga, depleted and enriched mantle have indistinguishable thermal histories, whereas at 2.5-2.0 Ga a divergence in mantle magma generation temperature begins between these two types of mantle. Major and incompatible element distributions and calculated magma generation temperatures suggest that Archean enriched mantle did not come from mantle plumes, but was part of an undifferentiated or well-mixed mantle similar in composition to calculated primitive mantle. During this time, however, high-temperature mantle plumes from dominantly depleted sources gave rise to komatiites and associated basalts. Recycling of oceanic crust into the deep mantle after the Archean may have contributed to enrichment ofTi, A1, Ca and Na in basalts derived from enriched mantle sources. After 2.5 Ga, increases in Mg# in basalts from depleted mantle and decreases in Fe and Mn reflect some combination of growing depletion and cooling of depleted mantle with time. A delay in cooling of depleted mantle until after the Archean probably reflects a combination of greater radiogenic heat sources in the Archean mantle and the propagation of plate tectonics after 3 Ga.

Post-collisional mafic magmatism:Record of lithospheric mantle evolution in continental orogenic belt

In order to better understand the role of post-collisional mafic magmatism at convergent plate boundaries in revealing the earth’s evolution,this paper has systematically summarized the research history of post-collisional mafic magmatism,different types of collision and their influence on the nature of orogenic mantle,the concept and implication of post-collisional magmatism,and the relationship between post-collisional mafic magmatism and orogenic mantle evolution and mineralization.Post-collisional mafic igneous rocks are not only the direct records for studying the nature and evolution of orogenic mantle,but also the important carriers for regional mineralization.However,the type and quantity of the crustal materials involved in modifying the overlying lithospheric mantle during collisional orogeny,the process and mechanism of such modification,and the major control factors and mechanism of mafic magmatism-related mineralization during the post-collisional period are the main contents and direction of future researches in this field.Therefore,the study of post-collisional mafic magmatism is of significant implications for developing the theory of plate tectonics.