Solid inclusions in chrome-spinels and platinum group element concentrations from the hochgrössen and kraubath ultramafic massifs (Austria) |
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| Authors: | O A R Thalhammer W Prochaska H W Mühlhans |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Mineralogy and Petrology, Mining University Leoben, Austria;(2) Department of Geology, The University of Newcastle, 2308 Newcastle, NSW, Australia |
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| Abstract: | A great variety of platinum group mineral, sulfide and silicate inclusions in chrome spinel from Hochgrössen and Kraubath ultramafic massifs, and platinum group element contents of three different rock types have been investigated. Both ultramafic massifs are tectonically isolated bodies, variably serpentinized and metamorphosed (greenschist to lower amphibolite facies), and show ophiolitic geochemical affinities. The chromite from massive chromitites and disseminated in serpentinized dunites and serpentinites, exhibits compositional zonation as the result of alteration during serpentinization and metamorphism. Three distinctive alteration stages are indicated in the chrome-spinels from the Hochgrössen, whereas alteration is less significant in chromites from Kraubath: The core of chrome spinel represents the least altered part, surrounded by an inner rim characterized by slight compositional differences in Cr, Mn, Fe2+ and Al with respect to the core. The outer rim is formed by ferritchromite with a sharp boundary to the inner rim and shows a significant decrease of Al, Mg, Cr and increase of Fe2+, Fe3+ and Ni compared to the core. Two different groups of inclusions in chrome-spinel are present: the first group occurs within the chromite core, and comprises olivine, orthopyroxene, amphibole, sulfides and platinum-group minerals, i.e. dominated by Ru-Os-Ir-sulfides. The second group is formed by chlorite, serpentine, galena, pyrite, arsenopyrite, Pt-Pd-Rh-dominated sulfarsenides and sperrylite. In particular the abundance of Pt-Pd-Rh-sulfarsenides and arsenides is typical of both ultramafic massifs and is very unusual for chromitites from ophiolites. Morphology, paragenesis and chemical composition indicate a different origin for these two groups of inclusions. The first group is intimately related to the crystallisation of the chromite host. The second group of inclusions clearly displays a secondary formation during serpentinization and metamorphism, closely related to the alteration of chrome-spinel and the development of ferritchromite. The distribution patterns of the platinum group elements from massive chromitites, disseminated chrome-spinel bearing serpentinites and serpentinites exhibit variable enrichment of Rh, Pt and Pd, Rh, Pt for the Hochgrössen and Kraubath massifs, respectively. These results are in accordance with the occurrence and distribution of platinum-group mineral phases. A remobilisation of Pt, Pd, and Rh, together with Ni, Cu and possibly Fe as bisulfide and/or hydroxide complexes and deposition of metals by the reaction of the metal bearing hydrothermal fluid with chromite is proposed. |
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