Petrogenesis of silica-rich carbonatites from continental rift settings: a missing link between carbonatites and carbonated silicate melts?

[摘要] Four carbonatite bodies (Sukulu and Tororo – Uganda, Lemitar Mts. and Iron Hill – USA) from two intracontinental riftsystems containing a prominent silicocarbonatite–carbonatite association were studied in detail in terms of petrography,major-/trace-element chemistry, and Sr–Nd–C–O isotope systematics to provide constraints on their petrogenesis andmutual relationship. The Sukulu and Tororo carbonatites (<30 Ma) within the East African Rift System are characterizedby the wide range of SiO2 contents and presence of phlogopite±olivine and aegirine–augite+K-feldspar, respectively.These different mineral parageneses correspond to the Mg–K-rich nature of the former and Na–Fe–K-rich compositionof the latter. Overall, these signatures can be best explained by progressive fractionation of parental carbonated silicatemelts and liquid immiscibility documented by the chemical variation of clinopyroxene and the presence of silicate–carbonate pockets. However, at Tororo, this process was likely accompanied by assimilation of local crustal lithologies toaccount for its different Sr–Nd isotopic signatures and Na-rich nature of carbonatites. Despite their spatial and temporaldifference, the Lemitar Mts. and Iron Hill from the Cambro–Ordovician North American Rift resemble similar petrographyand mineralogy as Sukulu and Tororo bodies, expressed by the presence of phlogopite and clinopyroxene +K-feldspar.We present a general model explaining the origin of silicocarbonatite–carbonatite association involving segregation ofsilicate and carbonate melts from parental carbonated silicate melts through a process of liquid immiscibility. Subsequentdistinct evolutionary paths are related to differences in Si–Na–K–Fe–Mg and H2O–F contents, oxygen fugacity, and meltascent efficiency, perhaps related to crustal assimilation. Therefore, we emphasize that relatively silica-rich carbonatitesrepresent a crucial linkage between silicate and carbonate melts.

[学科分类] 自动化工程

[关键词] carbonatite;silicate melt;rift system;Sr–Nd isotopes;C–O isotopes