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Platinum-group minerals and other solid inclusions in chromite of ophiolitic complexes: Occurrence and petrological significance

Minerale der Platin-Gruppe und andere feste Einschlüsse in Chromiten aus Ophiolit-Komplexen: Vorkommen und petrologische Bedeutung

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Summary

Platinum-group mineral, silicate and other solid and fluid inclusions occur in disseminated and massive chromite in a variety of lithologies from ophiolitic and other mafic-ultramafic complex-types. The inclusions are small (<250 microns) and randomly distributed throughout their host. Silicate inclusions are modally more abundant than the other inclusion types. Platinum-group mineral phases are ruthenium-rich sulphides and PGE alloys are osmium-rich. Mafic silicates (olivine, pyroxenes, pargasitic-amphiboles, micas) are magnesium-, titanium-, and alkali-rich and felsic silicates are sodium-rich (albite, nepheline).

The intimate association of these inclusions with chromite suggests that their origin must be considered within a chromite crystallization model. A hypothesis of origin is suggested wherein the platinum-group minerals and silicates are trapped as discrete, crystalline euhedral phases and silicate liquid during the precipitation of chromite. The similarity of physical characteristics, modal mineralogy and chemical compositions indicates that this model may be applicable to all mafic-ultramafic complex-types.

Zusammenfassung

Minerale der Platin-Gruppe, Silikate und andere feste und flüssige Einschlüsse kommen in disseminierten und massiven Chromiten in einer Vielzahl von Gesteinen in ophiolitischen und anderen mafisch-ultramafischen Komplexen vor. Die Einschlüsse sind klein (<250 microns) und unregelmäßig im Chromit verteilt. Silikat-Einschlüsse sind modal weiter verbreitet als andere Arten von Einschlüssen. Minerale der Platin-Gruppe sind durch Ruthenium-reiche Sulfide und Osmium-reiche Legierungen vertreten. Mafische Silikate (Olivin, Pyroxen, pargasitische Amphibole, Glimmer) sind Magnesium-, Titan- und Alkali-reich; felsische Silikate sind Natrium-reich (Albit, Nephelin).

Die ausgeprägte Assoziation dieser Einschlüsse mit Chromit weist darauf hin, daß ihre Herkunft im Zusammenhang mit einem Kristallisations-Modell für Chromit zu sehen ist. Ein genetisches Konzept wird vorgelegt, wobei die Platin-Gruppen-Minerale als gut ausgebildete, idiomorphe kristalline Phasen, und die Silikate als Silikatschmelze während des Ausfallens des Chromites eingeschlossen werden. Die Ähnlichkeit der physikalischen Eigenschaften, der modalen mineralogischen Zusammensetzung und der chemischen Zusammensetzung weisen darauf hin, daß dieses Modell auf alle mafisch-ultramafischen Komplexe anzuwenden ist.

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Author notes

  1. D. H. Watkinson, P. J. Whittaker & P. C. Jones

    Present address: Department of Geology, Ottawa-Carleton Centre for Geoscience Studies, Carleton University, K1S 5B6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

  2. R. W. Talkington

    Present address: Geology Department, Stockton State College, 08240, Pomona, NJ, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Stockton State College, New Jersey, USA

    R. W. Talkington, D. H. Watkinson, P. J. Whittaker & P. C. Jones

  2. Department of Geology, Ottawa-Carleton Centre for Geoscience Studies, Carleton University, K1S 5B6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    R. W. Talkington

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Talkington, R.W., Watkinson, D.H., Whittaker, P.J. et al. Platinum-group minerals and other solid inclusions in chromite of ophiolitic complexes: Occurrence and petrological significance. TMPM Tschermaks Petr. Mitt. 32, 285–301 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01081619

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