Frederick A. Frey

Ultramafic inclusions from San Carlos, Arizona: Petrologic and geochemical data bearing on their petrogenesis

Ultramafic inclusions from San Carlos, Arizona, are classified into two groups. Group I inclusions are dominated by magnesian (Mg/Mg + ΣFe= 0.86 – 0.91), olivine-rich peridotites containing Cr-rich clinopyroxene and spinel. The less abundant Group I pyroxenites (containing Mg- and Cr-rich pyroxenes) occur as discrete inclusions and as portions of composite inclusions where they have a sharp, planar interface with lherzolite. Group II inclusions are dominated by clinopyroxene-rich peridotites containing Al- and Ti-rich augite and commonly abundant, Al-rich spinel. Compared to Group I inclusions, they are more Fe-rich (Mg/Mg + ΣFe= 0.62 – 0.78) and more hetereogeneous in composition and modal proportions. Similar groups occur at many ultramafic inclusion localities. Our petrographic and geochemical results lead to the following conclusions. Olivine-rich Group I inclusions are not genetically related to the host basanite, and they are formed from two components. Component A is a partial melting residue; it comprises the major portion of these inclusions and determines the modal mineralogy and major and compatible trace element composition. Component B results from a small degree (<5%) of garnet peridotite melting (probably, within the low-velocity zone). This highly LIL-element-enriched melt has migrated upwards into the overlying component A where it crystallized primarily as clinopyroxene and amphibole, and thus, introduced LIL elements into the residual component A. Subsequent cooling and subsolidus recrystallization have removed textural evidence of this mixing. This model has also been proposed for olivine-rich Group I inclusions from Victoria, Australia. At Victoria and San Carlos some relatively clinopyroxene-rich Group I lherzolites are not contaminated by component B, and they represent the best estimates of upper mantle composition prior to melting. Group I orthopyroxenites may be fragments of tectonic layers formed in lherzolite, but they could also be early cumulates (now metamorphosed) from the melt in equilibrium with component A. Group I clinopyroxenites have geochemical features of clinopyroxene in equilibrium with a magma. Thus, they could also represent early cumulates (now metamorphosed) from a magma unrelated to the host basanite. Alternatively, their geochemical characteristics could result from more complex models such as residues from partial remelting of pyroxenite dikes and veins or intradike segregation processes such as filter pressing. All Group II inclusions studied appear to be cumulates derived from a SiO2-undersaturated magma, possibly an early magma in the same volcanic episode which culminated with eruption of the host basanite. The poikilitic texture of amphibole-rich (kaersutite) inclusions is consistent with a cumulate origin. The bulk compositions of Group II inclusions are not equivalent to typical basaltic compositions.

The Amount of Recycled Crust in Sources of Mantle-Derived Melts

One proposed strategy for controlling the transmission of insect-borne pathogens uses a drive mechanism to ensure the rapid spread of transgenes conferring disease refractoriness throughout wild populations. Here, we report the creation of maternal-effect selfish genetic elements in Drosophila that drive population replacement and are resistant to recombination-mediated dissociation of drive and disease refractoriness functions. These selfish elements use microRNA-mediated silencing of a maternally expressed gene essential for embryogenesis, which is coupled with early zygotic expression of a rescuing transgene.The phosphoinositide phosphatase PTEN is mutated in many human cancers. Although the role of PTEN has been studied extensively, the relative contributions of its numerous potential downstream effectors to deregulated growth and tumorigenesis remain uncertain. We provide genetic evidence in Drosophila melanogaster for the paramount importance of the protein kinase Akt [also called protein kinase B (PKB)] in mediating the effects of increased phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) concentrations that are caused by the loss of PTEN function. A mutation in the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of Akt that reduces its affinity for PIP3 sufficed to rescue the lethality of flies devoid of PTEN activity. Thus, Akt appears to be the only critical target activated by increased PIP3 concentrations in Drosophila.Using genomic and mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods, we evaluated gene expression, identified key activities, and examined partitioning of metabolic functions in a natural acid mine drainage (AMD) microbial biofilm community. We detected 2033 proteins from the five most abundant species in the biofilm, including 48% of the predicted proteins from the dominant biofilm organism, Leptospirillum group II. Proteins involved in protein refolding and response to oxidative stress appeared to be highly expressed, which suggests that damage to biomolecules is a key challenge for survival. We validated and estimated the relative abundance and cellular localization of 357 unique and 215 conserved novel proteins and determined that one abundant novel protein is a cytochrome central to iron oxidation and AMD formation.

The mineralogy, geochemistry and origin of Iherzolite inclusions in Victorian basanites

The mineralogy of Iherzolite inclusions in Victorian basanites indicates an upper mantle origin, but a range of temperatures from igneous to metamorphic (subsolidus) is indicated by the mineral compositions. Pyroxene textural features exhibit a slow cooling history consistent with isotopic evidence that these inclusions are accidental xenoliths. Clinopyroxene-rich inclusions (10–20 vol. % cpx) have higher abundances of Ca, Na, AI, Sc, V, Cr and heavy REE, lower Mg/Mg + Fe2+, lower Ni abundances, and more fayalitic olivines than clinopyroxene-poor inclusions (<5 vol. % cpx). A surprising result is that the refractory Mg-rich, clinopyroxenepoor inclusions contain the highest abundances of incompatible elements such as P, K, Ti, light REE, Th and U. We believe these inclusions are composed of two components (A and B). Component A determines the major element abundances and primary mineralogy of the inclusions. Based on Ni abundances component A is interpreted as a melting residue rather than a crystallization accumulate. Component B forms a small and varying portion of the inclusions, and it contributes P, K, Ti, light REE, Th and U. This component has the geochemical characteristics of a liquid formed in equilibrium with garnet. The following model is presented for the origin of Iherzolite inclusions. Residual Iherzolite (Component A) is left in the lithosphere after partial fusion, and it is later modified by a melt which has migrated to the top of the low velocity zone. Because this liquid (Component B) results from a small degree ( <6 per cent) of melting (probably limited by water abundance), and has equilibrated with garnet, it will be very enriched in P, K, Ti, light REE, Th and U. Subsequent cooling and recrystallization forms the present mineralogy. Finally, explosive volcanism, characteristic of silica-undersaturated magmas, incorporates mantle fragments (Iherzolite inclusions), and the increasing temperature and decreasing pressure during ascent causes incongruent melting of minor hydrous phases such as phlogopite and amphibole.

Geochemical characteristics of boninite series volcanics: implications for their source

Abstract Boninites are unusual high MgO-high SiO2 volcanic rocks found in several western Pacific island arcs. Their high Mg/(Mg + ΣFe) (0.55–0.83) and compatible element contents (Ni = 70–450 ppm, Cr = 200–1800 ppm) indicate equilibration with mantle peridotite, but their low TiO2 contents (0.1–0.5%) indicate severe depletion of this source. K, Rb, Sr and Ba abundances in boninites are typical of primitive arc basalts, but ratios such as Ti/Zr and La/Yb are variable (Ti/Zr = 23–67, (La/Yb)e.f. = 0.6–4.7). Evidence for both enrichment and depletion of incompatible elements suggests that boninites are derived from refractory peridotite which has been metasomatically enriched in LREE, Zr, Sr, Ba and alkalis. Wide variations in 143 Nd 144 Nd (0.51262–0.51296) are correlated with La/Sm, Sm/Nd and Ti/Zr, which enables identification of components in the boninite source. Possible LREE depleted components have relative REE and Ti abundances like those in depleted peridotites and high 143 Nd 144 Nd ratios which reach MORB-like values. Possible LREE enriched components have relative REE abundances similar to those in metasomatized mantle peridotite nodules, and low 143 Nd 144 Nd ratios which indicate either sedimentary sources or mantle sources with recent to ancient LREE enrichment. Relative abundances of Ba and Sr in boninites decrease with increasing LREE enrichment and suggest a non-sedimentary source for the LREE enriched material. Enrichment in Ba, Sr and alkalis may result from a third component derived from subducted oceanic crust. Two models can account for the successive generation of boninites and arc tholeiites within a single area: 1. 1) boninites can be derived from the peridotite residue of earlier arc tholeiite generation which is metasomatically enriched in LREE before boninite volcanism, or 2. 2) arc tholeiites and boninites can be derived from a variably depleted peridotite source which has been pervasively enriched in LREE. Areas of fertile peridotite would yield tholeiites while refractory areas would yield boninites.

The Ronda high temperature peridotite: Geochemistry and petrogenesis

The Ronda peridotite in southern Spain is a large (~300 km2) exposure of upper mantle which provides direct information about mantle processes on a scale much larger than that provided by mantle xenoliths in basalt. Ronda peridotites range from harzburgite to lherzolite, and vary considerably in major element content, e.g., Al2O3 from 0.9 to 4.8%, and trace element abundances, e.g., Sr, Zr and La abundances vary by factors of 20 to 40. These compositional variations are systematic and correlate with (pyroxene + garnet)/olivine ratios and olivine compositions. The data are consistent with formation of residual peridotites by variable degrees of melting (~0 to 30%) of a compositionally homogeneous peridotite. None of the peridotites have geochemical characteristics of residues formed by extensive (⪢5%) fractional melting and the data can be explained by equilibrium (batch) melting, possibly with incomplete melt segregation in some samples. Based on compositional differences between Ronda peridotites, the segregated melts were picritic (12–22% MgO) with relative rare earth element abundances similar to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). Prior to the melting event the Ronda peridotite body was a suitable source for MORB. The compositional characteristics of Ronda peridotites are consistent with diapiric rise of a fertile mantle peridotite with relatively small degrees of melting near the diapir-wall rock interface yielding residues of garnet iherzolite, and larger degrees of melting in the diapir interior yielding residues of garnet-free peridotite. Subsequently these residual rocks were recrystallized at sub-solidus conditions (Obata, 1980), and emplaced in the crust by thrusting (Lundeen, 1978).

Distribution of trace elements between garnet megacrysts and host volcanic liquids of kimberlitic to rhyolitic composition

Abstract Abundances of rare earth elements, Hf, Sc, Co, Cr and Th in garnet megacrysts and their volcanic hosts or matrices are used to estimate garnet/liquid partition coefficients for these elements. Samples include pyropes from kimberlite and highly alkalic basalts, almandines from basalt andesite, dacite, rhyodacite and rhyolite and a spessartine-almandine from alaskite. The pyrope/host partition coefficients are fairly uniform and agree with experimental data within a factor of 2. The almandine/matrix data show more scatter (due in part to impurities in the garnet separates) but the partition coefficients tend to increase with increasing Si O ratio of the matrix. The almandine/matrix partition coefficients are up to a factor of 10 higher than the pyrope/host partition coefficients. The spessartine-almandine is strongly enriched in heavy rare earths (~ 5000 times chondrites), Y, Sc and Co. The wide variation in garnet/liquid partition coefficients from kimberlites to rhyolites cannot be explained as an effect of temperature and we conclude that a major factor is the composition of the melt from which the garnet crystallized.

Geologic, geochemical, and geophysical consequences of plume involvement in the Emeishan flood-basalt province

Prevolcanic kilometer-scale lithospheric doming in the Emeishan large igneous province, southwest China, allows us to evaluate the spatial and temporal consequences of uplift on the paleogeography, geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of the region. Systematic spatial variations are observed across the domal structure in the distribution and thickness of clastic and carbonate sediments, the extent of erosion, thickness, and chemistry of volcanic rocks, and the crust-mantle structure. These features, which are best explained by a mantle plume, may be used to track older plume sites in the geologic record.

Geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths in basalt from Hannuoba, Eastern China: Implications for subcontinental mantle heterogeneity

Based on geochemical studies of six anhydrous spinel peridotite xenoliths in basanite, the upper mantle beneath Hannuoba, eastern China is compositionally heterogeneous. These samples range in Sr and Nd isotopic ratios from MORB-like to near bulk-earth estimates. The low 87Sr86Sr and high 143Nd144Nd samples contain the largest amount of a basaltic component (e.g., CaO and Al2O3), but they are relatively depleted in light rare earth elements compared to chondrites. Other samples have U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns. Trace element and radiogenic isotopic data require enrichment processes acting on depleted mantle. Constraints on these processes are: (a) inverse correlations between basaltic constituents, such as CaO and Al2O3, and LaSm; and, (b) samples most depleted in CaO and Al2O3 have the highest 87Sr86Sr and lowest 143Nd144Nd. These trends can be explained by a model whereby garnet peridotite zoned in isotopic composition undergoes partial melting. Because of a gradient in degree of melting, e.g., from the wall-rock contact to hotter interior, or as a function of depth in a diapir, melts initially segregate from regions where the degree of melting is high. Subsequently, the recently created residues are infiltrated by slower segregating incipient melts. Preferential mixing of these incipient melts with residues from high degrees of melting can explain the observed complex geochemical trends seen in Hannuoba and many other peridotite xenolith suites. Clinopyroxene-rich veins in some of the peridotites may reflect pathways of ascending melt.

Geochemical characteristics of Koolau Volcano: Implications of intershield geochemical differences among Hawaiian volcanoes

The voluminous shields of Hawaiian volcanoes are dominantly composed of tholeiitic basalts, but there are important intershield geochemical differences. The subaerial lavas forming the ~2–3 Ma Koolau shield have several extreme characteristics: relatively high abundances of SiO2, low abundances of total iron and CaO, and high ratios of LaNb and SrNb. In addition, they range to near bulk-earth strontium, neodymium, and lead isotopic ratios. Although postmagmatic alteration has significantly affected the compositions of some Koolau lavas (decreases in SiO2, K2O, and rubidium contents, increases in total iron and in unusual cases, increases in yttrium and REE abundances), the geochemical charac teristics of unaltered Koolau lavas reflect a distinctive primary magma composition. Within a stratigraphic sequence of lavas, Koolau lavas vary significantly in incompatible element abundance and isotopic ratios, but these variations are not systematic with eruption age, and they are smaller than the differences between Hawaiian shields. Intershield differences in some incompatible element abundance ratios, LaNb and SrNb, are correlated with intershield differences in isotopic ratios, thereby indicating that each shield formed from a compositionally distinct source. However, other intershield compositional differences are not correlated with differences in radiogenic isotope ratios. Some of these compositional differences probably reflect variations in the melting process; e.g., inverse correlations between SiO2 and total iron contents may reflect differences in the pressure of melt segregation, differences in abundances of incompatible elements may reflect variations in mean degree of melting, and variations in ratios like SmNd may reflect the presence of residual garnet. Each shield appears to reflect a unique combination of source components and variables, such as extent of melting and pressure of melt segregation. Consequently, the intershield geochemical differences have important implications for plume structure. Either a relatively large plume has a spatially systematic distribution of geochemical heterogeneities which are sampled by the overlying shields, or each shield is derived from a small radius (<20 km) conduit composed of geochemically distinct diapirs or solitary waves.

Geochemistry of tholeiitic and alkalic lavas from the Koolau Range, Oahu, Hawaii: implications for Hawaiian volcanism

Lavas of the post-erosional, alkalic Honolulu Volcanics have significantly lower 87Sr/86Sr and higher 143Nd/144Nd than the older and underlying Koolau tholeiites which form the Koolau shield of eastern Oahu, Hawaii. Despite significant compositional variation within lavas forming the Honolulu Volcanics, these lavas are isotopically (Sr, Nd, Pb) very similar which contrasts with the isotopic heterogeneity of the Koolau tholeiites. Among Hawaiian tholeiitic suites, the Koolau lavas are geochemically distinct because of their lower iron contents and Sr and Nd isotopic ratios which range to bulk earth values. These geochemical data preclude simple models such as derivation of the Honolulu Volcanics and Koolau tholeiites from a common source by different degrees of melting or by mixing of two geochemically distinct sources. There may be no genetic relationship between the origin and evolution of these two lava suites; however, the trend shown by Koolau Range lavas of increasing 143Nd/144Nd and decreasing 87Sr/86Sr with decreasing eruption age and increasing alkalinity also occurs at Haleakala, East Molokai and Kauai volcanoes. A complex mixing model proposed for Haleakala lavas can account for the variations in Sr and Nd isotopic ratios and incompatible element abundances found in lavas from the Koolau Range. This model may reflect mixing and melting processes occurring during ascent of relatively enriched mantle through relatively depleted MORB-related lithosphere. Although two isotopically distinct components may be sufficient to explain Sr and Nd isotopic variations at individual Hawaiian volcanoes, more than two isotopically distinct materials are required to explain variations of Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios in all Hawaiian lavas.