Vol 58, No 7 (2016)

The paper presents data on the geochemical and geochronological characteristics of zircons from mafic rocks of part of the Monchegorsk layered complex represented by the Vurechuaivench massif. Ages of zircons (SHRIMP-II) from samples V-l-09 (anorthosite) and V-2-09 (gabbronorite) are dated back to 2508 ± 7 and 2504 ± 8 Ma, respectively. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns confirm the magmatic nature of zircons. The data unequivocally indicate that the U–Pb age of zircon from both gabbronorite and anorthosite corresponds to the age of melt crystallization in a magmatic chamber. The mantle origin of gabbroic rocks of the Vurechuaivench massif is confirmed by the REE patterns of three zircon generations with different crystallization sequences. The wide range of the Ce/Ce* ratio (9.96–105.24) established for zircons from gabbroic rocks of the Vurechuaivench massif indicates sharply oxidative conditions of zircon crystallization. For deepseated mantle rocks, these data can only be explained by significant contamination of the melt with country rock material.

Zircon is an accessory mineral in alkali and nepheline syenites of the Neoarchean Sakharjok intrusion. Zircon in association with britholite and pyrochlore forms orebodies in nepheline syenite of this massif. Zircon crystals reveal an inhomogeneous zonal, occasionally mosaic structure comprising fragments and zones related to magmatic, hydrothermal, and metamorphic stages of mineral formation. Magmatic zircon differs by a high REE concentration (1769 ppm, on average), distinct Ce maximum (Ce/Ce* = 105, on average), and Eu minimum (Eu/Eu* = 0.19) as compared with other genetic types. No correlation between these parameters has been established. Hydrothermal zircon is characterized by a low Ce/Ce* ratio (0.7–3.9 and 2.0, on average), elevated LREE contents, and lowered ratios of MREE and HREE to La. Metamorphic zircon differs from magmatic by a sharply lower REE concentration (385 ppm, on average), lowered Th/U (0.32) and Ce/Ce* (31.9, on average) ratios. In the Ce/Ce* versus MREE/La plot, the lowest values of these ratios are typical of hydrothermal zircon, while the intermediate and maximum values are inherent to metamorphic and magmatic zircons, respectively. These variations make it possible to delineate reliable fields of their compositions. The distribution of data points in the above-mentioned plots shows that REE chemical activity depends on the redox conditions of zircon crystallization.

The objective of this study is to provide insights into the REE and Y behavior during garnet porphyroblast formation in staurolite-bearing schists as a constituent of Late Paleoproterozoic metapelites of the Ladoga Complex. The MnNCKFMASH P–T pseudosection for a single sample and Grt–Bt thermometry indicate that the garnet core grew at 520°C and under 7.0–7.2 kbar in the Grt–Bt–Pl–Chl–Ms–Zo field, whereas the garnet rim was equilibrated at 590–600°C and under 3.5–4.0 kbar. The measured zoning profiles are strongly depleted in REE + Y in the garnet core containing high Mn and Ca concentrations. The intermediate zone of garnet is enriched in La, Ce, Pr, and Nd (inner LREE + Nd annulus), as well as in Dy, Er, Yb, Lu, and Y (outer HREE + Y + Dy annulus). According to pseudosection analysis, these peaks were probably produced owing to breakdown of epidote-group minerals (allanite, REE-rich epidote) at T < 535°C and P > 6.5 kbar. Towards the rim, the HREE + Y contents gradually decrease, whereas MREE (Sm, Eu, Gd) display an inverse trend. The rim also exhibits a negative Eu anomaly. The former tendency reflects an increase in temperature during garnet crystallization and partitioning of elements between garnet and monazite. It is thought that the latter is linked to oppositely directed change in garnet-monazite partition coefficients for HREE and MREE with increasing temperature.

The unnamed mineral CuFe₂S₄ has been found from sulfide Cu–Ni ores of the Lovnoozero deposit in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. It occurs in norite composed of orthopyroxene (bronzite), Ca-rich plagioclase (66% An), pargasite, and phlogopite. The last two minerals are replaced by talc, chlorite and carbonates. Monoclinic pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite are associated ore minerals. Phase CuFe₂S₄ is enclosed predominantly in chalcopyrite, probably replacing it, and occurs in later carbonate veinlets together with redeposited sulfides. It is light yellow with a brownish tint and metallic luster. The Mohs hardness is 5–5.5; VHN 654 ± 86 kgs/mm². Density (calc.) = 4.524 g/cm³. The mineral is anisotropic, internal reflections are absent. Reflectance values (λ, nm R′_g and R′_p %) are: 440 30.3 29.5, 500 43.7 42.8, 560 50.9 49.6, 620 52.4 51.2, 640 52.6 51.4, 680 52.8 51.6, 700 52.7 51.4. CuFe₂S₄ is monoclinic, a = 6.260(4), b = 5.39(1), c = 13.19(1) Å, β = 94.88(7)°, V = 443(1) ų, Z = 4. The strongest reflections in the powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I) (hkl)]: 4.150 (10) (012), 3.559 (4) (\(11\bar 2\) ), 3.020 (4) (\(10\bar 4\) ), 2.560 (3) (\(21\bar 2\)), 2.500 (3) (\(10\bar 5\)), 2.340 (3) (\(12\bar 2\)), 1.817 (3) (215), 1.489 (3) (402). The chemical composition is as follows, wt %: 20.44 Cu, 35.85 Fe, 0.65 Ni, 0.14 Co, 43.15 S, total is 100.23. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 7 atoms is Cu_0.969(Fe_1.934Ni_0.034Co_0.007)_1.975S_4.056. According to its mode of occurrence, the mineral was formed as a result of low temperature processes involving metamorphic hydrothermal solutions.

On the basis of U–Pb, Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic data, it is shown that formation of uranium mineralization in the Paleoproterozoic Salla-Koulajarvinsky belt (Northern Karelia) was a long-lasting mult-stage process that developed over more than 1 Ga: from the Paleoproterozoic to the Paleozoic. The first stage, 1.75 Ga ago, corresponds to the Svekofennian metamorphic event—regional albitization. The process was dated by the Rb–Sr (isochronic age of albitites is 1754 ± 39 Ma) and U–Pb methods (the age of rutile is 1756 ± 8 Ma). At this stage, with a lower temperature limit of 400–450°C, conditions were favorable for the mobilization and migration of uranium, but not for its deposition in minerals. The second stage, 1.62 Ga ago, was a time of alteration of rocks at the regressive stage of the Svekofennian metamorphic event, when carbonate and chlorite rocks formed after albitites. The age of this stage was estimated as 1627 ± 42 Ma according to ThO₂, UO₂, and PbO contents in uraninite. Probably, the deposition of uraninite took place at this stage at temperature not higher than 300–350°C. The final, third stage, 385 Ma ago, corresponds to the Paleozoic tectonic activation and formation of Caledonian alkaline intrusions. Uranium minerals were probably redeposited at this stage; the U–Pb age of brannerite is 385 ± 2 Ma.