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    HFSE and REE Geochemistry and Nd-Sr-Os Systematics of Peridotites in the Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle of the Siberian Craton and Central Asian Fold Belt Junction Area: Data on Mantle Xenoliths
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    In this study, we compare the major- and trace-element compositions of olivine, garnet, and clinopyroxene that occur as single crystals (142 grains), with those derived from xenoliths (51 samples) from six kimberlites in the Lucapa area, northeastern Angola: Tchiuzo, Anomaly 116, Catoca, Alto Cuilo-4, Alto Cuilo-63 and Cucumbi-79. The samples were analyzed using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The results suggest different paragenetic associations for these kimberlites in the Lucapa area. Compositional overlap in some of the macrocryst and mantle xenolith samples indicates a xenocrystic origin for some of those macrocrysts. The presence of mantle xenocrysts suggests the possibility of finding diamond. Geothermobarometric calculations were carried out using EPMA data from xenoliths by applying the program PTEXL.XLT. Additional well calibrated single-clinopyroxene thermobarometric calculations were also applied. Results indicate the underlying mantle experienced different equilibration conditions. Subsequent metasomatic enrichment events also support a hypothesis of different sources for the kimberlites. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the petrogenetic evolution of the kimberlites in northeastern Angola and have important implications for diamond exploration.
    Xenolith
    Metasomatism
    Trace element
    Primitive mantle
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    Garnet, diopside and Mg-ilmenite have been analyzed from the Vargem diatreme, near Coromandel, State of Minas Gerais, and conlirmed to be comparable to similar minerals from kimberlites in South Africa, Siberia and the United States. Similar minerals occur downstream from the Vargem kimberlite in placer deposits in which diamond is found. The Redondão diatreme in southwest State of Piaul also contairs kimberlitic garnets as well as several xenoliths of crustal and mantle rocks. One xenolith, although extensively serpentinized, was originally a garnetJherzolite comparable in texture and garnet chemistry to those from kimberlites in Southern Africa.
    Diatreme
    Xenolith
    Ilmenite
    Diopside
    Country rock
    Cluster analysis of 458 pyroxenes from kimberlites, associated xenoliths and diamonds has allowed recognition of 5 chemically distinct orthopyroxene groups and 10 distinct clinopyroxene groups from the $$TiO_{2}, Al_{2}O_{3}, Cr_{2}O_{3}$$, FeO, MgO, CaO, and $$Na_{2}O$$ contents. Names assigned to these groups convey their distinctive chemical features. Because many groups contain cases from both kimberlite and xenoliths, some kimberlite pyroxenes may derive from fragmented xenoliths. However from size alone, large discrete orthopyroxene crystals, discrete sub-calcic diopside nodules and low-Cr diopsides intergrown with ilmenite are apparently not xenolithic; nor are the minute diopside crystals growing in the kimberlite matrix. Pyroxene inclusions in diamonds and pyroxenes coexisting with diamond in eclogite and peridotite xenoliths range widely in chemical composition.
    Xenolith
    Diopside
    Pyroxene
    Ilmenite
    Peridotite
    Pyrope
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    The mantle paleogeotherm under the Obnazhennaya kimberlite pipe (Kuoika field, Siberian craton) was reconstructed using the chemical composition of clinopyroxene xenocrystals and the FITPLOT program. The lithosphere thickness 187–193 km and surface heat flow 41–42 mW/m 2 were measured for the Obnazhennaya pipe at the time of kimberlite magmatism in the Mesozoic. The lithosphere thickness was found to be much smaller than that in the central part of the Siberian craton (210–230 km), where Paleozoic diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes-deposits are located. It is however comparable to the highly diamond-bearing Kimberley field in the Kaapvaal craton (South Africa). The absence of diamonds in the pipes of the Kuoika field, but poor diamondiferous Dyanga pipe, might be associated with the more intense metasomatic alteration of the rocks within the lithospheric mantle of this region in the Mesozoic time, as compared to the central part of the Siberian craton in the Middle Paleozoic time.
    Metasomatism
    Citations (3)