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Geochemistry of polymetamorphic ultramafics (Major, Trace, Noble and Rare Earth Elements): An example from the Helvetic basement, Central Alps, Switzerland

Geochemie von polymetamorphen Ultramafiten (Haupt-, Spuren-Elemente, Edelmetalle und Seltene Erden): Ein Beispiel vom Helvetischen Grundgebirge (Zentralalpen, Schweiz)

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Summary

Polymetamorphic ultramafic rocks in orogenic terranes rarely preserve relic structures or minerals from their former mantle stages. The determination of their protoliths and their tectonic evolution by chemical discrimination methods is often difficult due to possible metasomatic processes. Ultramafics of the pre-Variscan Helvetic basement (Central Alps, Switzerland) have been investigated geochemically to address these problems. These ultramafics are partially to completely serpentinised. According to field observations several ultramafic lenses were part of an ophiolite suite, but distinct cumulate ultramafic lenses were also recognized. CIPW norms indicate that large parts of the ultramafics are harzburgites, but metasomatic CaO depletion may have produced an overestimation of the importance of the harzburgite protoliths. Major element distributions suggest a depleted mantle protolith. Close to chondritic or slightly depleted REE patterns are characteristics of the studied samples. The REE normalized patterns confirm the presence of harzburgites, lherzolites und cumulates. In some samples light REE enrichment processes have occurred. The noble metal concentrations are both affected (Pt-Pd-Au) und unaffected (Ir-Os-Ru) by melt infiltration processes. They suggest the presence of undepleted or slightly enriched harzburgites und more differentiated, probably cumulate ultramafics. Information obtained by different chemical elements leads to contrasting results. REE and noble metals show enrichment inconsistent with the major element depletion. Refertilization of depleted ultramafics is proposed.

Zusarnmenfassung

Ultramafische Gesteine aus polymetamorphen orogenetischen Terrains enthalten selten Strukturen und Mineralien als Relikte aus ihren Mantelstadien. Bestimmung ihrer Protolithe und deren tektonischen Entwicklung durch geochemische Parameter wird durch metasomatische Prozesse erschwert. Ultramafite aus dem prävariszischen Sockel der Schweizer Zentralalpen wurden geochemisch untersucht, um die Aussagekraft dieser Parameter zu bestimmen. Die untersuchten Gesteine sind teilweise bis völlig serpentinisiert. Aufgrund der Felduntersuchungen wurden die Ultramafite als Teile einer ophiolithischen Suite klassifiziert, aber ultramafische Kumulate anderer Entstehungsgeschichte konnten unterschieden wurden. CIPW-Norm Berechnungen zeigen, daß Harzburgite den größten Anteil der Proben ausmachen, aber metasomatische Abreicherung an Caokönnte die Bedeutung der Harzburgite als Protolithe überbewerten. Haupt- und Spurenelemente weisen auf einen abgereicherten Mantel als Ausgangsgesteinhin. Fast chondritische bzw. leicht abgereicherte Seltene Erden verteilungsmuster sind charakteristisch. Sic belegen auch die harzburgitische, lherzolithische bzw. kumulative Natur der untersuchten Gesteine. Die Edelmetallkonzentrationen sind teilweise primär (Ir, Os, Ru) sowie beeinflußt durch Schmelzinfiltrationen (Pr, Pd und Au). Die Verteilungsmuster der Edelmetalle bezeugen die Natur des abgereicherten Mantels sowie die Gegenwart von höher differenzierten—vermutlich kumulativen—Gesteinen. Die Hinweise aus den geochemischen Untersuchungen führen zu konsistenten Ergebnissen. Die Anreicherung der Seltenen Erden und Edelmetalle ist mit der verarmten Signatur der Hauptelemente nicht vereinbar, daher wird eine sekundäre Elementanreicherung durch Schmelzinfiltration der Ultramafite vorgeschlagen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mineralogisch-petrographisches Institut, Universität Bern, Switzerland

    G. G. Büno

  2. Mineralogisch-petrographisches Institut, Universität Freiburg, Pérolles Freiburg

    G. G. Büno

  3. Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität Bern, Switzerland

    T. Meisel

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  1. G. G. Büno
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  2. T. Meisel
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Büno, G.G., Meisel, T. Geochemistry of polymetamorphic ultramafics (Major, Trace, Noble and Rare Earth Elements): An example from the Helvetic basement, Central Alps, Switzerland. Mineralogy and Petrology 49, 189–212 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01164594

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