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Postcumulus processes in oceanic-type olivine-rich cumulates: the role of trapped melt crystallization versus melt/rock interaction

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Abstract

Combined microstructural and geochemical investigations on MORB-type primitive olivine-rich cumulates intruded in the Erro–Tobbio (ET) mantle peridotites (Voltri Massif, Ligurian Alps, Italy) revealed that significant chemical changes in minerals were caused by postcumulus crystallization. This is indicated by the occurrence of accessory interstitial minerals (Ti-pargasite, orthopyroxene and Fe–Ti oxides) and by systematic chemical zoning in intercumulus clinopyroxene, resulting in marked trace element (e.g. REE, Ti and Zr) enrichment at constant high Mg-numbers (0.88–0.91) and LREE depletion. Geochemical modelling shows that low trapped melt amounts (<5%) are sufficient to produce the observed trace element enrichments. Chemical zoning in large (mm-size) clinopyroxenes was dominantly caused by in situ fractional crystallization of trapped interstitial liquid rather then porous flow migration of externally derived evolved melts. Zr enrichment relative to REEs in vermicular clinopyroxene and pargasitic amphibole point to small-scale migration and interaction between residual evolved low melt fractions and the olivine cumulus matrix at final stage of crystallization.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge A. Zanetti (Pavia) and L. Negretti (Genova) for assistance with the LAM-ICP-MS and EDS analyses. M. Godard (Montpellier) and M. Mazzucchelli (Modena) are greatly thanked for providing ICP–MS and XRF bulk-rock analyses. Reviews from D. Ionov and an anonymous referee are gratefully acknowledged for constructive criticisms and suggestions, which improved an early version of the paper. We also thank R. Tribuzio for stimulating discussion. We acknowledge funding by the University of Genova and Italian PRIN-COFIN to the project “The role of melt-peridotite interaction in the modification and evolution of the lithospheric mantle”.

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  1. Dipartimento per lo Studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa 26, 16132, Genova, Italy

    G. Borghini & E. Rampone

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  1. G. Borghini
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  2. E. Rampone
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Correspondence to G. Borghini.

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Communicated by J. Hoefs.

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Borghini, G., Rampone, E. Postcumulus processes in oceanic-type olivine-rich cumulates: the role of trapped melt crystallization versus melt/rock interaction. Contrib Mineral Petrol 154, 619–633 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-007-0217-5

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