The origin of U-shaped rare earth patterns in ophiolite peridotites: assessing the role of secondary alteration and melt/rock reaction

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

8

Scientific paper

Ten samples of serpentinized harzburgite and lherzolite from the Trinity ophiolite complex (California) can be classified into two groups using their REE patterns and initial neodymium and strontium isotopic ratios. Samples with the most refractory major element compositions (Al 2 O 3 = 0.6-1.8%; CaO < 1.2%) have U-shaped REE patterns and show low to very low Nd (T) values (+2 to -7), but high to very high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(T) ratios (up to 0.715), whereas rocks with more fertile major element compositions (Al 2 O 3 = 2-3.2%; CaO = 2-2.6%) give REE patterns showing increasing depletion from Lu to La and have high Nd (T) values (+6 to +8), but low 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(T) ratios (0.703-0.704). The low neodymium and high strontium isotopic ratios of those peridotites having U-shaped REE patterns demonstrate that the LREE enrichments observed in these rocks are the result of contamination by continental crust and not the consequence of peculiar fractionation during melting or chromatographic effects during mantle ascent. A clinopyroxene concentrate prepared from a bulk sample of lherzolite with Nd (T) = -7 and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(T) = 0.708 gives MORB-like isotopic signatures: Nd (T) = +14 and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(T) = 0.7035. Furthermore, two highly serpentinized samples with U-shaped REE patterns show strongly negative D values (-95 and -110 ) much typical of peridotites altered by continental metamorphic fluids or/and meteoritic waters. From these results, we conclude that the crustal contamination corresponds to a low-temperature alteration event which took place during or after obduction of the Trinity ophiolite complex onto the continent and is not the consequence of any high-temperature invasion of the ultramafic rocks by melts/fluids derived from subducted continental materials.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

The origin of U-shaped rare earth patterns in ophiolite peridotites: assessing the role of secondary alteration and melt/rock reaction does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The origin of U-shaped rare earth patterns in ophiolite peridotites: assessing the role of secondary alteration and melt/rock reaction, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The origin of U-shaped rare earth patterns in ophiolite peridotites: assessing the role of secondary alteration and melt/rock reaction will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1075457

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.