Dražen Balen

Geodynamic and petrogenetic evolution of Alpine ophiolites from the central and NW Dinarides: an overview

Abstract Dismembered ophiolites occur in the Dinaride Ophiolite Zone (DOZ) that is related to the open-ocean Tethyan realm, whereas highly dismembered ophiolites occur in the Vardar Zone (VZ) related to a back-arc basin. The ophiolites of DOZ are associated with a Jurassic olistostrome melange (DOZM), the youngest component of which are Tithonian limestone exotics and with the Mesozoic bed-to-bed Radiolarite Formation. Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous to Late Cretaceous clastic sequences, comprising redeposited fragments of ophiolites, disconformably overlie the DOZM. Ophiolites of VZ are associated with tectonized ophiolite melange (VZM), the youngest component of which are Late Cretaceous–Paleogene limestone exotics. The VZM is associated with the Late Cretaceous–Paleogene flysch formation. Ophiolites of both the DOZ and the VZ are predominantly peridotite tectonites, represented mainly by fertile spinel lherzolite in the western and central part of DOZ and VZ, and by depleted harzburgites in their southeastern parts. Cumulate ultramafics and gabbros are subordinate and are in some places overlain by massive or sheeted dyke complexes, capped by metabasaltic pillow lavas. Metamorphic soles of ophiolites are represented by varieties of amphibolites with subordinate pyroxenite schists and scarce eclogites with ultramafic interlayers, which were progressively metamorphosed under P–T conditions of eclogite (?), granulite, amphibolite and greenschist facies. The according protoliths are cumulate gabbros in the DOZ, medium-grade bimineralic epidote–amphibolite facies amphibolites derived from diabase–dolerites, and low- to medium-grade metapelites and metapsammites. K–Ar and Sm–Nd measurements yield ages of 174±14–136±15 Ma on ophiolites from DOZ and 109.6±6.6–62.2±2.5 Ma on ophiolites from VZ. Basic petrological and geochemical features for all Dinaridic ophiolites and associated amphibolites are correlatively presented both for DOZ and VZ. Dinaridic ophiolites were generated in the Dinaridic Tethys over the period of about 150 Ma. The bulk of oceanic crust was generated during the Late Triassic to pre-Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous when oceanic subduction processes, accompanied by DOZ ophiolite obduction onto the Apulian margin, started. Generation of the oceanic crust continued during the Cretaceous–Early Paleogene in a reduced Dinaridic Tethys under back-arc setting. Eocene closure of the Dinaridic Tethys was accompanied by the second emplacement of VZ ophiolites and the final structuration of the Dinarides and their uplift. At the end, geological and petrological similarities and dissimilarities of ophiolites from both DOZ and VZ are presented.

Tourmaline nodules: products of devolatilization within the final evolutionary stage of granitic melt?

Abstract The origin of tourmaline nodules, and of their peculiar textures found in peripheral parts of the Moslavačka Gora (Croatia) Cretaceous peraluminous granite are connected with the separation of a late-stage boron-rich volatile fluid phase that exsolved from the crystallizing magma. Based on field, mineralogical and textural observations, tourmaline nodules were formed during the final stage of granite evolution when undersaturated granite magma intruded to shallow crustal horizons, become saturated and exsolved a fluid phase from residual melt as buoyant bubbles, or pockets. Calculated P–T conditions at emplacement level are c. 720 °C, 70–270 MPa, and water content in the melt up to 4.2 wt%. Two distinct occurrence types of tourmalines have been distinguished: disseminated and nodular tourmalines. Disseminated tourmaline, crystallized during magmatic stage, is typical schorl while nodular tourmaline composition is shifted toward dravite. The increase of dravite in nodular tourmaline is attributed to mixing of the fluid phase from the residual melt with fluid from the wall rocks. The pressure decrease and related cooling at shallow crustal levels can be considered as a major factor controlling fluid behaviour, formation of a volatile phase, and the crystallization path in the Moslavačka Gora granite body.

Jabuka Shoal, a New Location with Igneous Rocks in the Adriatic Sea

Petrographic and XRF analyses of the magmatic rock from Jabuka Shoal, 2300 m west of Jabuka Islet (central Adriatic Sea) revealed that the rock is gabbro. This new location of magmatic rocks in the Adriatic confirms their linear arrangement, and indicates the presence of an important fault line which predisposed the occurrences of magmatic rocks.

Eoalpine (Cretaceous) very low- to low-grade metamorphism recorded on the illite-muscovite-rich fraction of metasediments from South Tisia (eastern Mt Papuk, Croatia)

Eoalpine (Cretaceous) very low- to low-grade metamorphism recorded on the illite-muscovite-rich fraction of metasediments from South Tisia (eastern Mt Papuk, Croatia) Eoalpine very low- to low-grade metamorphism related to Cretaceous orogenesis has been investigated in the Slavonian Mts, Croatia. Samples belonging to the Psunj metamorphic complex (PMC), the Radlovac metamorphic complex (RMC) and Permian-Triassic and Triassic sedimentary sequences (PTSS) were studied. The Kübler and Árkai indices of all the analysed samples indicate high-anchizonal to epizonal metamorphism. The degree of Eoalpine metamorphism tends to be constant in all samples implying that the different complexes passed through and recorded the same event. Measurements of illite-white K-mica b0-parameter of the RMC samples imply transitional low- to medium-pressure character of the metamorphism. These data together with K-Ar ages (~100-80 Ma) measured on illite-white K-mica rich < 2 μm grain-size fractions point to Late Cretaceous very low- to low-grade regional metamorphism presumably related to the main nappe-forming compressional events in the Pannonian Basin and the Carpathians. The P-T-t (pressure-temperature-time) evolution of the studied area is in good agreement with similar scenarios in the surrounding areas of Tisia, but also in Eastern Alps, Carpathians and Pannonian Basin (ALCAPA).

Preliminary results on degree of thermal alteration recorded in the eastern part of Mt. Papuk, Slavonia, Croatia

In order to improve present knowledge of metamorphic conditions to which rocks of the Mt. Papuk have been subjected, selected samples belonging to the Radlovac metamorphic complex as well as overlying sedimentary rocks and parts of Psunj metamorphic complex beneath it were studied. Rocks from Mt. Papuk were investigated, in order to determine thermal conditions, by Kubler index (illite “crystallinity”) and Arkai index (chlorite “crystallinity”) while b0-parameter of K-white mica was used for pressure conditions estimation. Treatment with dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) was used in order to extend application of chlorite “crystallinity” measurements to kaolinite containing samples. Obtained results are: T=250-300°C and P=2-3 kb. Similar T data recorded on various lithologies imply the existence of unknown post lower Triassic thermal event (Alpine very low to low grade metamorphism) affecting different complexes on Mt. Papuk. New data presented and discussed in this paper will set fundament for further research and interpretation of tectono-metamorphic history of the studied area and its correlation with other similar European metamorphic complexes.

Provenance of Paleozoic very low- to low-grade metasedimentary rocks of South Tisia (Slavonian Mountains, Radlovac Complex, Croatia)

Abstract Monazite age dating, detrital heavy mineral content and whole-rock geochemistry provided insight into the provenance, depositional history and paleogeological setting of the Radlovac Complex very low- to low-grade metasedimentary rocks (South Tisia, Slavonian Mountains, Croatia). Electron microprobe based Th-U-Pb dating of detrital monazite indicates a Variscan age of the protolith (330 ± 10 Ma). The detrital heavy mineral assemblages of representative metasedimentary rocks are dominated by apatite, zircon, tourmaline and rutile accompanied by minor quantity of epidote/zoisite, monazite and titanite. Judging from the heavy mineral assemblage, felsic igneous rocks served as the source material. This is consistent with the major and trace element spectrum of studied metasedimentary rocks characterized by high concentration of Th, high L + MREEs and high ratios of La/Sc, Th/Sc, La/Co, Th/Co and Th/Cr. The occurrence of magmatic monazite, zircon and xenotime and the absence of metamorphic heavy minerals suggest that granitoids, migmatites and migmatitic gneisses served as one major source for the metapsammites. Such rock types are commonly exposed in the Papuk Complex of the older surrounding complexes, while the Psunj Complex also contains metamorphic rocks. This is in good correlation with the monazite ages presented here which fits better with ages of Papuk Complex representative rocks than with those of the Psunj Complex known from the literature. Overall, data show that the Radlovac Complex represents the detritus of the local Variscan crust characterized by granitoid bodies, migmatites and migmatitic gneisses typical for the Papuk Complex.

Hedyphane from Nezilovo, Macedonia

Two different members of lead calcium arsenate series of apatite group from Nezilovo are found. According to the chemical formula (calculated on the basis of 10 cations), infra red absorption powder spectra, X-ray powder patterns and unit cell dimensions these are two distinct members of one mineral species. Unit cell dimensions are a=10.157(3), c=7.256(6) and a=10.154(2), c=7.191(3) A. The first sample has Pb:Ca ratio 7.35:2.59 and the second one 6.54:3.45, what is closer to ideal hedyphane formula (6:4).

Alpine metamorphism of low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Croatia): new P-T and geochronological constraints

ABSTRACT Low-grade schists from the Slavonian Mountains (Tisia Mega-Unit, Mt Papuk, Croatia), previously assigned to Precambrian to Lower Palaeozoic metamorphism, have been subjected to geochemical investigations, P-T modelling, and in situ age dating of monazite. The studied fine-grained metasediments consist of chlorite (5–15 vol.%), K white-mica (40–55 vol.%), quartz (20–35 vol.%), feldspar (albite 15–20 vol.%), opaques (<2 vol.%), and accessory minerals. According to their whole-rock geochemistry, the detritus of the former sediments came from upper crustal felsic rocks as they occur, for instance, at Mt Papuk. The schists show a complex microtectonic fabric, including well-developed schistosity systems. P-T pseudosections in the system MnNCKFMASHTO, constructed for typical schists of the study area, resulted in peak P-T conditions of 445–465 °C and 4.6–6.0 kbar for a sample from Kutjevo (eastern part of the study area) and 450–460 °C and 5.2–6.0 for a Vranovo sample (western part). Electron microprobe (EMP) dating of monazite in the schists gave a weighted average age of 109.0 ± 13.1 Ma (2σ) eventually with three subgroups of ages at 225 ± 63 (two analyses), 114 ± 24 and 83 ± 22 Ma. We conclude that the metamorphism of the studied schists at depths of c. 20 km is due to an Alpine collisional event.

Copper and Zinc Fractionation in Apple Orchard Soil in the Village of Bukevje (Croatia) Using the Revised Four-Step BCR Extraction Procedure

Abstract The aim of this study was to establish the fractionation of copper and zinc in a small apple orchard using the revised (four-step) Bureau Communautaire de Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure and assess their potential mobility in soil. Soil samples were collected at the depth of 10 cm to 25 cm, sixteen from the orchard and five control samples from a meadow located some 200 m away from the orchard. As the distribution of trace-element concentrations in the control samples was normal, they were used for comparison as background levels. We also determined soil mineralogical composition, carbonate content, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, and soil organic matter. The extraction yields of Cu and Zn from the control soil were lower than from the orchard soil (25 % vs. 34 % and 47 % vs. 52 %, respectively), which pointed to natural processes behind metal bonding in the control soil and greater influence of man-made activities in the orchard soil. Compared to control, the orchard soil had significantly higher concentrations of total Cu (P=0.0009), possibly due to the application of Cu-based fungicides. This assumption was further supported by greater speciation variability of Cu than of zinc, which points to different origins of the two, Cu from pesticides and Zn from the parent bedrock. Copper levels significantly better (P=0.01) correlated with the oxidisable fraction of the orchard soil than of control soil. Residual and organically bound copper and zinc constituted the most important fractions in the studied soils. However, the use of Cu-based fungicides in the apple orchard did not impose environmental and health risk from Cu exposure. Sažetak Analizirani su uzorci tla iz obiteljskog voćnjaka u selu Bukevju kako bi se utvrdilo ponašanje metala u tragovima u okolišu u kontekstu poljoprivrednih postupaka proteklih nekoliko desetljeća. Unos kemijskih sredstava za zaštitu bilja navodno je nizak. Nakon provedene tzv. BCR sekvencijske ekstrakcijske analize, kemijski oblici bakra i cinka razmotreni su iz geokemijskoga/geološkoga gledišta. Uzeto je šesnaest uzoraka tla iz voćnjaka te pet uzoraka kontrolnog tla s obližnje livade. Analize su obuhvaćale određivanje mineralnog sastava tla, kationsko izmjenjivačkog kompleksa (KIK), pH tla i gubitka žarenjem. Koncentracije mjerenih varijabli u kontrolnim uzorcima, određene XRF metodom, upućuju na njihove prirodne razine na temelju normalnosti raspodjela. Tlo iz voćnjaka neznatno je onečišćeno bakrom, moguće od primjene fungicida na bazi bakra, što je utvrđeno Mann-Whitneyevim U testom, koji je pokazao statistički značajno više koncentracije ukupnog Cu (P = 0.0009) u tlu voćnjaka u usporedbi s uzorcima kontrolnog tla. Učinkovitost BCR ekstrakcije bakra i cinka izračunata za kontrolno tlo (25 % odnosno 47 %) bila je niža nego ona izračunata za tlo iz voćnjaka (34 % odnosno 52 %). Bakar, potječući djelomice od fungicida, pokazao je veću specijacijsku varijabilnost u istraživanim tlima u usporedbi s cinkom, za koji se pretpostavlja da potječe uglavnom od trošenja stijenske podloge. Mann-Whitneyev U test pokazao je statistički značajno (P = 0,01) više vrijednosti Cu povezane s frakcijom tla iz voćnjaka podložnoj oksidaciji u odnosu na istu frakciju kontrolnih uzoraka. Bakar i cink u istraživanim tlima čvrsto su vezani za rezidualnu i organsku frakciju, a ukupne im vrijednosti ne premašuju maksimalno dopuštenu količinu onečišćujućih tvari u poljoprivrednom zemljištu, pa ne bi trebali predstavljati toksikološku opasnost za ljudsko zdravlje.

Compositional Zoning in Amphibole from Amphibole Bearing Parageneses of West Psunj (Croatia): Evidence for Progressive Metamorphism?

Amphibole bearing parageneses from the western part of Mt. Psunj (Croatia) record evidence of prograding metamorphism. Optical and microprobe analyses, together with thermobarornetric evaluations on amphibole bearing parageneses, show a zonation with Si- and Mg- concentrations decreasing from core to rim along with increasing Al-, Na- and Ti- content. Changes in the chemical composition of amphibole grains are interpreted through coupled substiutions and reactions with co-ex isting minerals during an increase in metamorphic conditions from greenschist to amphibolite facies. The change in P-T conditions recorded in the growth of amphibole grains (general prograding pattern) together with changes in the modal compositions in related parageneses could be interpreted in a model of a subduction zone.