The occurrence of moissanite(SiC), as xenocrysts in mantle-derived basaltic and kimberlitic rocks sheds light on the interplay between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. SiC is...The occurrence of moissanite(SiC), as xenocrysts in mantle-derived basaltic and kimberlitic rocks sheds light on the interplay between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. SiC is stable only at fO2< △IW-6, while the lithospheric mantle and related melts commonly are considered to be much more oxidized. SiC grains from both basaltic volcanoclastic rocks and kimberlites contain metallic inclusions whose shapes suggest they were entrapped as melts. The inclusions consist of Si^0+ Fe3Si7± FeSi2 Ti ± CaSi2Al2± FeSi2Al3± CaSi2, and some of the phases show euhedral shapes toward Si^0. Crystallographically-oriented cavities are common in SiC, suggesting the former presence of volatile phase(s), and the volatiles extracted from crushed SiC grains contain H2+ CH4± CO2± CO.Our observations suggest that SiC crystalized from metallic melts(Si-Fe-Ti-C ± Al ± Ca), with dissolved H2+ CH4± CO2± CO derived from the sublithospheric mantle and concentrated around interfaces such as the lithosphere-asthenosphere and crust-mantle boundaries. When mafic/ultramafic magmas are continuously fluxed with H2+ CH4 they can be progressively reduced, to a point where silicide melts become immiscible, and crystallize phases such as SiC. The occurrence of SiC in explosive volcanic rocks from different tectonic settings indicates that the delivery of H2+ CH4 from depth may commonly accompany explosive volcanism and modify the redox condition of some lithospheric mantle volumes. The heterogeneity of redox states further influences geochemical reactions such as melting and geophysical properties such as seismic velocity and the viscosity of mantle rocks.展开更多
In order to distinguish the primary microstructures developed under mantle conditions from the secondary phenomena after xenolith entrainment in the host magma, this study intends to discuss the genesis of spongy, sie...In order to distinguish the primary microstructures developed under mantle conditions from the secondary phenomena after xenolith entrainment in the host magma, this study intends to discuss the genesis of spongy, sieve-textured, and reaction rims on mineral grains of mantle xenoliths in the Cenozoic basalts from the western North China craton. The spongy rims on primary clinopyroxene show neither obvious compositional zoning nor preferential development towards the host basalt and probably suggest an origin via partial melting within the lithospheric mantle or pressure release as the xenoliths were carried upwards. The sieve-textured rims on primary spinel show clear chemical zoning with increasing Cr# and decreasing AI towards the host basalt. They are interpreted as the result of partial melting due to heating of the host basaltic magma and decreasing pressure during ascent proc- ess. Post-entrainment reaction mainly generated secondary minerals at contacts between the host ba- saltic melt and xenoliths. The secondary clinopyroxene in reaction rims develops on primary clinopy- roxene and has higher Ti, Ca, and Fe contents and lower Mg# and Si contents than primary one, while the secondary spinel on primary Cr-AI spinel is titanomagnetite. The secondary olivine and clinopy- roxene in the reaction rims on primary orthopyroxene are enriched in Fe, Al, and Ti. The occurrence of reaction rims in mantle xenoliths reflects disequilibrium processes after xenolith entrainment in the basaltic melt. The spongy rims on primary clinopyroxene may not be related to the interaction with thehost basaltic melt, while the sieve-textured rims on primary spinel and reactions rims on primary clinopyroxene, spinel, and orthopyroxene may result from post-entrainment reaction between the host basaltic melt and xenolith minerals.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems。
文摘The occurrence of moissanite(SiC), as xenocrysts in mantle-derived basaltic and kimberlitic rocks sheds light on the interplay between carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. SiC is stable only at fO2< △IW-6, while the lithospheric mantle and related melts commonly are considered to be much more oxidized. SiC grains from both basaltic volcanoclastic rocks and kimberlites contain metallic inclusions whose shapes suggest they were entrapped as melts. The inclusions consist of Si^0+ Fe3Si7± FeSi2 Ti ± CaSi2Al2± FeSi2Al3± CaSi2, and some of the phases show euhedral shapes toward Si^0. Crystallographically-oriented cavities are common in SiC, suggesting the former presence of volatile phase(s), and the volatiles extracted from crushed SiC grains contain H2+ CH4± CO2± CO.Our observations suggest that SiC crystalized from metallic melts(Si-Fe-Ti-C ± Al ± Ca), with dissolved H2+ CH4± CO2± CO derived from the sublithospheric mantle and concentrated around interfaces such as the lithosphere-asthenosphere and crust-mantle boundaries. When mafic/ultramafic magmas are continuously fluxed with H2+ CH4 they can be progressively reduced, to a point where silicide melts become immiscible, and crystallize phases such as SiC. The occurrence of SiC in explosive volcanic rocks from different tectonic settings indicates that the delivery of H2+ CH4 from depth may commonly accompany explosive volcanism and modify the redox condition of some lithospheric mantle volumes. The heterogeneity of redox states further influences geochemical reactions such as melting and geophysical properties such as seismic velocity and the viscosity of mantle rocks.
基金supported by GEMOC and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences,Macquarie University,Australia
文摘In order to distinguish the primary microstructures developed under mantle conditions from the secondary phenomena after xenolith entrainment in the host magma, this study intends to discuss the genesis of spongy, sieve-textured, and reaction rims on mineral grains of mantle xenoliths in the Cenozoic basalts from the western North China craton. The spongy rims on primary clinopyroxene show neither obvious compositional zoning nor preferential development towards the host basalt and probably suggest an origin via partial melting within the lithospheric mantle or pressure release as the xenoliths were carried upwards. The sieve-textured rims on primary spinel show clear chemical zoning with increasing Cr# and decreasing AI towards the host basalt. They are interpreted as the result of partial melting due to heating of the host basaltic magma and decreasing pressure during ascent proc- ess. Post-entrainment reaction mainly generated secondary minerals at contacts between the host ba- saltic melt and xenoliths. The secondary clinopyroxene in reaction rims develops on primary clinopy- roxene and has higher Ti, Ca, and Fe contents and lower Mg# and Si contents than primary one, while the secondary spinel on primary Cr-AI spinel is titanomagnetite. The secondary olivine and clinopy- roxene in the reaction rims on primary orthopyroxene are enriched in Fe, Al, and Ti. The occurrence of reaction rims in mantle xenoliths reflects disequilibrium processes after xenolith entrainment in the basaltic melt. The spongy rims on primary clinopyroxene may not be related to the interaction with thehost basaltic melt, while the sieve-textured rims on primary spinel and reactions rims on primary clinopyroxene, spinel, and orthopyroxene may result from post-entrainment reaction between the host basaltic melt and xenolith minerals.
