Petrogeochemical characteristics of chrome-bearing ultramafites in the Kurtushibinsky ophiolite belt (Western Sayan)

Research subject . The metamorphic ultramafites of the Kalninsky and Ergaksky massifs located in the northeastern part of Western Sayan (Russia) constitute the Kurtushibinsky ophiolite belt. These rocks are considered to be potentially interesting as bearing chromium and noble metals, which fact determines the relevance of this research. Materials and methods . Thin and polished sections of silicate and ore minerals from the ultramafic rocks under study were investigated using a polarizing microscope AxioScop, Carl Zeiss. The chemical composition of minerals was determined by the method of X-ray spectrum microanalysis using a scanning electron microscope Tescan Vega II LMU equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer INCA Energy 350 and a wave-dispersive spectrometer INCA Wave 700. The petrochemical composition of the rocks was studied by the methods of XRF analysis using an X-ray fluorescence energy-dispersive spectrometer Oxford ED-2000. A quantitative ICP-MS analysis was carried out using an Agilent 7500 spectrometer. Results . The massifs are found to be composed of dunites and harzburgites, which were formed during an uneven depletion of the mantle. As a result of depyroxenization, the ultramafites were enriched with chromospinelides. Subsequent intense plastic deformations contributed to their segregation into ore bodies. Regenerated olivinites predominate in the northern part of the Ergaksky massif. The microstructural features of ultramafites and the composition of minerals indicate them to have been subjected to inhomogeneous high-temperature plastic deformations, which occurred during their migration in the upper mantle and crust. Conclusions. The petrochemical studies have shown that the ultramafites of the Ergaksky massif are least depleted, frequently featuring clinopyroxene. The most depleted ultramafites of the Kalninsky massif are characterized by a more extensive distribution of dunites, the absence of clinopyroxene and lower contents of REE and rare elements in comparison with the ultramafites of the Ergaksky massif. The obtained geochemical data indicate a fluid-magmatic effect of boninite melts on depleted ultramafites, which apparently occurred under mantle conditions over the subduction zone and consequently led to their enrichment with incompatible LREE (La, Ce) and Sr, Zr and Hf, as well as to the formation of high-chromium chromitites.