V. A. Kononova

Kimberlites and lamproites of the East European Platform: Petrology and geochemistry

Several episodes of kimberlite magmatism occurred in the East European Province (EEP) during a long (about 1.5 Gyr) time period, from the Late Paleoproterozoic (ca. 1.8 Ga) in the Archean Ukrainian and Baltic shields to the Middle Paleozoic (ca. 0.36 Ga) mainly in the Arkhangelsk, Timan, and adjacent regions. Based on the analysis of data on 16 kimberlite occurrences and four lamproite occurrences within the EEP, five time stages can be distinguished; one of them, the Middle Paleozoic stage (Middle Ordovician and Devonian), is the most productive epoch for diamond in the northern hemisphere (EEP, Siberian Craton, and part of the China Craton). The analysis of petrological and geochemical characteristics of kimberlites (lamproites were studied less thoroughly) revealed variations in rock composition and their correlation with a number of factors, including the spatial confinement to the northern or southern Archean blocks of the craton, time of formation of the source of kimberlite melts, contents of volatiles and autoliths, etc. Three petrogeochemical types of kimberlites were distinguished: high-, medium-, and low-Ti (TiO2 > 3 wt %, 1–3 wt %, and <1 wt %, respectively). There are two time intervals of the formation of kimberlite and lamproite sources in the EEP, corresponding to TNd(DM) values of about 2 Ga (up to 2.9 Ga in the Por’ya Guba occurrence) and 1 Ga. The latter interval includes two groups of occurrences with model source ages of about 1 Ga (low-and medium-Ti kimberlites of the Zolotitsa and Verkhotina occurrences) and about 0.8 Ga (high-Ti kimberlites of the Kepino and a number of other occurrences); i.e., there seems to be an evolutionary trend in the composition of kimberlites. Concentric zoning patterns were recognized. The role of the crust in kimberlite sources is discussed; it is assumed that buried remnants of the oceanic lithosphere (megaliths) may underlie whole continents. A unique feature of the composition of low-Ti kimberlites, for instance, kimberlites of the Zolotitsa occurrence (to a smaller extent, medium-Ti kimberlites of the V. Grib pipe) is the distinct depletion of highly charged elements and pronounced negative anomalies of Ti, Zr, Th, U, Nb, and Ta in trace-element distribution patterns, which indicates a contribution of crustal material to the source of these kimberlites. It was shown that autoliths exert a significant influence on the differentiation of kimberlite material, resulting in the enrichment of rocks in the whole spectrum of incompatible elements. It was argued that geochemical criteria can be used together with traditional criteria (including those based on indicator minerals) for the assessment of diamond potential in EEP occurrences. We hope that such a combined approach will yield important outcomes in the future.

Diamond resource potential of kimberlites from the Zimny Bereg field, Arkhangel’sk oblast

Kimberlites with different diamond grades from the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences of the Zimny Bereg field (Arkangel’sk oblast) have been compared in order to ascertain geochemical criteria of their diamond resource potential. A new collection of 21 core samples taken within a depth interval of 207–940 m from nine boreholes drilled in the central and western portions of the high-grade diamond-bearing Grib kimberlite pipe was subjected to comprehensive petrographic and geochemical examination, including Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes and trace elements determined with ICP-MS. The compositional variations in kimberlites are controlled by the structural types of rocks. Porphyritic kimberlite (PK) distinctly differs from autolithic kimberlite breccia (AKB). Autoliths (Av) and PK are enriched in Th, U, Nb, Ta, La, Ce, Pr, P, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ti, LREE, and MREE, whereas HREE contents are rather uniform in all types of kimberlites. No lateral zoning was observed in pipes pertaining to the same structural type. The composition of kimberlites in the Zimny Bereg field and their diamond resource potential are variable. In the series of the Zolotitsa, Verkhotina, and Kepina occurrences, the Ti content increases, the La/Yb ratio grows from 18–44 to 70–130, and the diamond grade diminishes in the Kepina occurrence. The variations in kimberlite compositions are considered in terms of the degree of partial melting in the mantle, the role of volatiles, etc. As follows from the variation in the Ce/Y ratio, kimberlites from the Zolotitsa occurrence were formed at a lower degree of partial melting in comparison with the Kepina occurrence. Products of different degrees of partial melting are recognized within the Grib pipe; Av were likely formed at a somewhat higher degree of melting than AKB. An appreciable isotopic heterogeneity of the mantle is recorded in variable Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of kimberlites. The Kepina kimberlites were derived from a source slightly depleted relative to CHUR (ɛNd(t) reaches +4) and are close to kimberlites of group I in South Africa. Kimberlites from the Grib pipe with transitional Nd isotopic composition plotted near the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) value in the ɛNd(t)-ɛSr(t) diagram adjoin the first group. The source of kimberlites of the Zolotitsa occurrence falls in the field of enriched mantle and is considered to be a product of interaction of an asthenospheric plume with the ancient enriched lithospheric mantle. Kimberlites depleted in Ti, Zr, and Th are related to a source formed as a result of a multistage process that included mantle metasomatism with participation of fluids. Devonian kimberlites derived from sources that involve crustal material (a shift of 206Pb/204Pb, minimums of Th, U, Nb, and Ta contents) are diamond-bearing both in the East European Platform (the Zolotitsa and Verkhotina occurrences) and in the Siberian Craton (the Nakyn field).

Mesoproterozoic orangeites (Kimberlites II) of West Karelia: Mineralogy, geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotope composition

Mineralogical and petrological-geochemical features of the Mesoproterozoic (1.23–1.20 Ga) alkaline ultrabasic rocks from the Kostomuksha-Taloveis (Russia) and Lentiira-Kuhmo (Finland) areas, West Karelia, have been studied. In terms of mineralogy and geochemistry, these rocks more resemble group II kimberlites of South Africa (orangeites) than olivine lamproites or ultramafic lamprophyres. On the basis of phenocryst composition, the studied orangeites are divided into three types: Cpx-Phl-Ol, Phl-Ol, and Phl-Carb orangeites. The Cpx-Phl-Ol orangeites from the Kostomuksha cluster clearly differ from analogous rocks from the Lentiira cluster. The composition of Phl-Ol orangeites is indicative of derivation by intense fractional crystallization; Cpx-Phl-Ol orangeites from the Kostomuksha area display evidence of intense lithosphere assimilation. The Phl-Carb orangeites from the Taloveis cluster and Cpx-Ol orangeites from the Lentiira cluster most closely approximate primary melts. The Kostomuksha orangeites are characterized by lowto moderate-radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr)1220 ratio varying from 0.7038 to 0.7067. The Phl-Carb orangeites of Taloveis have less radiogenic Nd isotope composition (ɛNd from −11 to −12) as compared to the Cpx-Phl-Ol and Phl-Ol orangeites of Kostomuksha (ɛNd from −6.9 to −9.4). The Cpx-Phl-Ol orangeites from Lentiira contain fresh olivine. By morphology and composition, there are three olivine generations: (1) large rounded, usually zoned crystals with Fo92 core, 0.33–0.37 wt % NiO, and 0.03–0.04 wt% CaO, which are interpreted as xenocrysts from depleted peridotites; (2) anhedral rounded zoned olivines of intermediate size with Fo82–83 cores, 0.03–0.05 wt % CaO, 0.12–0.17 wt % NiO, and up to 0.40 wt % MnO. These olivines were entrapped by orangeite melt and presumably represent a cumulate of basaltic melts or were derived from metasomatized peridotites; (3) fine euhedral olivines and xenocryst rims corresponding to Fo88–89 with 0.10–0.42 wt % CaO, 0.14–0.35 wt % NiO, and up to 0.07–0.21 wt % MnO; their origin was presumably related to the crystallization from kimberlite melt. The calculation of

Kimberlites of the Daldyn-Alakit Region (Yakutia): Spatial Distribution of the Rocks with Different Chemical Characteristics

f_{O_2 }

Petrogenesis of Autoliths from Kimberlitic Breccias in the V. Grib Pipe (Arkhangelsk District)

of kimberlite melt during crystallization of perovskites using Nb-Fe perovskite oxyba-rometer showed that Cpx-Phl-Ol orangeites of Kostomuksha and orangeites of Lentiira crystallized at similar oxygen fugacities corresponding to ΔNNO from −3.3 to −1.1 and from −3.3 to −0.9, respectively. The Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotope study provided evidence for the contribution from ancient enriched source in the genesis of the orangeites. It was proposed that their mantle source was formed in two stages: (1) metasomatic reworking of previously depleted lithospheric source at the Karelian Craton base during Paleoproterozoic orogenic events 2.1–2.0 Ga ago; (2) extension-related generation of orangeite melts 1.27–1.20 Ga ago.

Kimberlites and lamproites: Criteria for similarity and differences

New high-precision (ICP-MS, Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic) data together with previously obtained data [1, 2] were used to examine compositional variations in kimberlites, including diamondiferous varieties, of the East European platform (EEP). One of the reasons for these variations is a supposed relation to an ancient megalith, which bears the remains of subducted oceanic lithosphere and has been retained beneath the EEP since ~2 Ga ago.

Within-Plate (Intracontinental) and Postorogenic Magmatism of the East European Craton as Reflection of the Evolution of Continental Lithosphere

New petrogeochemical data on a collection of 138 samples taken from 101 kimberlite bodies of the Alakit region of Yakutia have been interpreted. It was concluded that all studied kimberlites are homogenous in geochemical composition and comparable with Group I kimberlites of South Africa. Based on cluster analysis, kimberlites of the region are subdivided into six clusters. From the first to sixth clusters, kimberlites show a decrease in carbonate material and increase in magnesian component. The spatial distribution of clusters allowed us to distinguish zoned areas with central parts consisting of kimberlites with elevated CaO, CO2, Rb, Sr, Ba, and lowered contents of SiO2, TiO2, Fe2O3, FeO, MgO, V, Cr, and Ni. From the center outward, the values of δNd and (87Sr/86Sr)i decrease, which indicate increasing contribution of the lithospheric source. The formation of magnesian kimberlites at the periphery was related to the intense interaction of protokimberlite melt with lithospheric mantle, which was accompanied by metasomatic reworking of mantle rocks with formation of minerals of megacryst assemblage and assimilation of mantle material. Economically viable diamondiferous kimberlites are confined to the peripheral parts of distinguished zones, i.e., to the kimberlites of 5–6 clusters.

Nature of Rare Earth Element Heterogeneity in Intricate Pipes of the Daldyn-Alakit Region, Yakutia

The petrological and geochemical characteristics of kimberlites from two Russian provinces of the northern East European craton (EEP) and the Siberian craton (SC) (especially the Yakutian diamondiferous province, YDP), and aphanitic kimberlites from the Jericho pipe (Canada) were compared for the elucidation of some aspects of the genesis of these rocks. The comparison of the EEP and YDP showed that they comprise identical rock associations with some variations in kimberlite composition between particular fields and regions, which are clearly manifested in the TiO2-K2O, TiO2-(Y, Zr, HREE), SiO2-MgO, SiO2-Al2O3, MgO-Ni, MgO-CO2, and MgO-H2O diagrams and in variations in light element ratios (Li/Yb, Be/Nd, and B/Nb). The compositions of YDP kimberlites are confined mainly to quadrant III; i.e., their source was mainly the depleted mantle, whereas the compositions of EEP kimberlites fall within all four quadrants in the fields of both enriched and slightly depleted mantle reservoirs. The initial (143Nd/144Nd)i ratio of kimberlites from the Yakutian collection is 0.5121–0.5126. The lead isotopic characteristics of the EEP and YDP kimberlites are similar to mantle values: 206Pb/204Pb of 16.19–19.14, 207Pb/204Pb of 15.44–15.61, and 208Pb/204Pb of 34.99–38.55. In the 207Pb/204Pb-206Pb/204Pb diagram, part of the kimberlites, including those from the Botuobiya pipe, fall within the lower part of the field of group I kimberlites from southern Africa near the Pb isotopic composition of the depleted mantle. It was shown that the chemical compositions of the aphanitic kimberlites of the Jericho pipe (supposedly approaching the composition of primary magmas) are similar to those of some individual kimberlite samples from the YDP and EEP. It was supposed that the initial kimberlite melt arrived from the asthenosphere and was enriched in water and other volatile components (especially CO2). During its ascent to the surface, the melt assimilated mantle components, primarily MgO; as a result, it acquired the compositional characteristics observed in kimberlites. Subsequent compositional modifications were related to diverse factors, including the type of mantle metasomatism, degree of melting, etc. We emphasized the importance of petrological and geochemical criteria (low contents of HREE and Ti in the rocks and a kimberlite source similar to BSE or EMI) for the estimation of the diamond potential of rocks.