University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Immiscible sulfide melts in primitive oceanic magmas: evidence and implications from picrite lavas (Eastern Kamchatka, Russia)

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 18:31 authored by Savelyev, DP, Vadim Kamenetsky, Leonid Danyushevsky, Botcharnikov, RE, Maya KamenetskyMaya Kamenetsky, Park, J-W, Portnyagin, MV, Paul Olin, Krasheninnikov, SP, Hauff, F, Zelenski, ME
Silicate-sulfide liquid immiscibility in mantle-derived magmas has important control on the budget of siderophile and chalcophile metals, and is considered to be instrumental in the origin orthomagmatic sulfide deposits. Data on primitive sulfide melts in natural samples, even those representing most voluminous magmatism in oceanic rifts, are very scarce due to the small size and poor preservation of incipient sulfide melt globules. Here we present the first detailed report of the crystallized sulfides melts in the oceanic picrites of the (presumably) Cretaceous age Kamchatsky Mys ophiolite complex in Eastern Kamchatka (Far East Russia). Sulfide melts are present in three forms; (1) as inclusions in olivine (87.1–89.6 mol% Fo), (2) interstitial to the groundmass minerals (clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and Ti-magnetite) of studied picrites, and (3) as daughter phases in silicate melt inclusions hosted by olivine and Cr-spinel phenocrysts. The sulfide melt inclusions in olivine and the groundmass of studied rocks are composed of several sulfide phases that correspond to the monosulfide (Fe–Ni; Mss) and intermediate (Fe–Cu–Ni; Iss) solid solutions. Several <0.5 μm Pd–Sn, Pt–Ag, and Au–Ag phases are recorded within the matrix sulfides, commonly along phase boundaries and fractures. Major elements (S, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co), platinum group elements (PGE), and gold analyzed in the homogenized olivine-hosted sulfide melt inclusions, and phases identified in the matrix sulfides record the range of magmatic sulfide compositions. The most primitive sulfide liquids are notably enriched in Ni and Cu [(Ni+Cu)/Fe, at% > 0.5], continuously evolve with crystallization of (e.g., increasing Cu/Ni and Au/PGE) and demonstrate metal fractionation between Mss and Iss. Although the compositional systematics found in this study are consistent with those previously recorded, the compositions of individual sulfide phases are strongly affected by the noble metal (PGE, Au) “nuggets” that exsolve at subsolidus temperatures and form during serpentinization of the rocks. We conclude that the budget of noble metals in the studied picrites is controlled by sulfides, but the abundances of Pt and Au are influenced by mobility in post-magmatic alteration. Our data can be also used for modeling sulfide saturation at crustal pressures and understanding behavior of the noble metals in primitive oceanic magmas.

History

Publication title

American Mineralogist

Volume

103

Issue

6

Pagination

886-898

ISSN

0003-004X

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Mineralogical Soc Amer

Place of publication

1015 Eighteenth St, Nw Suite 601, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036

Rights statement

Copyright 2018 American Mineralogist

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the earth sciences