Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes of ultramafic xenoliths in volcanic rocks of Eastern China: Enriched components EMI and EMII in subcontinental lithosphere

Earth and Planetary Science Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

The U-Th-Pb, Sm-Nd, and Rb-Sr isotopic systematics of mafic and ultramafic xenolithic rocks and associated megacrystic inclusions of aluminous augite and garnet, that occur in three alkalic volcanic suites: Kuandian in eastern Liaoning Province, Hanluoba in Hebei Province, and Minxi in western Fujian Province, China are described. In various isotopic data plots, the inclusion data invariably fall outside the isotopic ranges displayed by the host volcanic rocks, testifying to the true xenolithic nature of the inclusions. The major element partitioning data on Ca, Mg, Fe, and Al among the coexisting silicate minerals of the xenoliths establish their growth at ambient mantle temperatures of 1000–1100°C and possible depths of 70–80 km in the subcontinental lithosphere. Although the partitioning of these elements reflects equilibrium between coexisting minerals, equilibria of the Pb, Nd, and Sr isotopic systems among the minerals were not preserved. The disequilibria are most notable with respect to the206Pb/204Pb ratios of the minerals. On a Nd-Sr isotopic diagram, the inclusion data plot in a wider area than that for oceanic basalts from a distinctly more depleted component than MORB with higher143Nd/144Nd and a much broader range of87Sr/86Sr values, paralleling the theoretical trajectory of a sea-water altered lithosphere in Nd-Sr space. The garnets consistently show lowerμ andκ values than the pyroxenes and pyroxenites, whereas a phlogopite shows the highestμ andκ values among all the minerals and rocks studied.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes of ultramafic xenoliths in volcanic rocks of Eastern China: Enriched components EMI and EMII in subcontinental lithosphere
Series title Earth and Planetary Science Letters
DOI 10.1016/0012-821X(92)90214-G
Volume 113
Issue 1-2
Year Published 1992
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 22 p.
First page 107
Last page 128
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