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Geochemistry and origin of the Mirny field kimberlites, Siberia

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Abstract

Here we present new data from a systematic Sr, Nd, O, C isotope and geochemical study of kimberlites of Devonian age Mirny field that are located in the southernmost part of the Siberian diamondiferous province. Major and trace element compositions of the Mirny field kimberlites show a significant compositional variability both between pipes and within one diatreme. They are enriched in incompatible trace elements with La/Yb ratios in the range of (65–300). Initial Nd isotope ratios calculated back to the time of the Mirny field kimberlite emplacement (t = 360 ma) are depleted relative to the chondritic uniform reservoir (CHUR) model being 4 up to 6 ɛNd(t) units, suggesting an asthenospheric source for incompatible elements in kimberlites. Initial Sr isotope ratios are significantly variable, being in the range 0.70387–0.70845, indicating a complex source history and a strong influence of post-magmatic alteration. Four samples have almost identical initial Nd and Sr isotope compositions that are similar to the prevalent mantle (PREMA) reservoir. We propose that the source of the proto-kimberlite melt of the Mirny field kimberlites is the same as that for the majority of ocean island basalts (OIB). The source of the Mirny field kimberlites must possess three main features: It should be enriched with incompatible elements, be depleted in the major elements (Si, Al, Fe and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (REE) and it should retain the asthenospheric Nd isotope composition. A two-stage model of kimberlite melt formation can fulfil those requirements. The intrusion of small bodies of this proto-kimberlite melt into lithospheric mantle forms a veined heterogeneously enriched source through fractional crystallization and metasomatism of adjacent peridotites. Re-melting of this source shortly after it was metasomatically enriched produced the kimberlite melt. The chemistry, mineralogy and diamond grade of each particular kimberlite are strongly dependent on the character of the heterogeneous source part from which they melted and ascended.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Yuji Orihashi for discussions. Reviews by Montgarry Castillo-Oliver and Larry Heaman greatly helped to improve the manuscript. The editorial handling by Andrea Giuliani and Lutz Nasdala is highly appreciated. The research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grants 15-05-07758a and 16-05-00811a and by state assignment project (project 0330-2016-0006). This work was partially supported by the Earthquake Research Institute of the University of Tokyo Cooperative Research Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Koptyuga pr.-3, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

    Aleksey M. Agashev

  2. Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan

    Shun’ichi Nakai

  3. ALROSA Co Ltd., Lenina st. 6, Mirny, 678174, Russia

    Ilya V. Serov, Aleksander V. Tolstov, Konstantin V. Garanin & Oleg E. Kovalchuk

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  1. Aleksey M. Agashev
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  2. Shun’ichi Nakai
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  3. Ilya V. Serov
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  4. Aleksander V. Tolstov
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  5. Konstantin V. Garanin
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  6. Oleg E. Kovalchuk
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Correspondence to Aleksey M. Agashev.

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Editorial handling: A. Giuliani

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Agashev, A.M., Nakai, S., Serov, I.V. et al. Geochemistry and origin of the Mirny field kimberlites, Siberia. Miner Petrol 112 (Suppl 2), 597–608 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-018-0617-4

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