Discovery of an albite gneiss from the Ile de Groix (Armorican Massif, France): geochemistry and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology of its Ordovician protolith

For the first time, an albite orthogneiss has been recognised and dated within the HP-LT blueschist facies metabasites and metapelites of the Ile de Groix. It is characterised by a peraluminous composition, high LILE, Th and U contents, MORB-like HREE abundances and moderate Nb and Y values. A U-Pb age of 480.8±4.8Ma was obtained by LA-ICP-MS dating of zircon and titanite. It is interpreted as the age of the magmatic emplacement during the Early Ordovician. Morphologically different zircon grains yield late Neoproterozoic ages of 546.6-647.4Ma. Zircon and titanite U-Pb ages indicate that the felsic magmatism from the Ile de Groix is contemporaneous with the acid, pre-orogenic magmatism widely recognised in the internal zones of the Variscan belt, related to the Cambro-Ordovician continental rifting. The magmatic protolith probably inherited a specific chemical composition from a combination of orogenic, back-arc and anorogenic signatures because of partial melting of the Cadomian basement during magma emplacement. Besides, the late Devonian U-Pb age of 366±33Ma obtained for titanite from a blueschist facies metapelite corresponds to the age of the HP-LT peak metamorphis

Trace Element Partitioning in HP-LT Metamorphic Assemblages during Subduction-related Metamorphism, Ile de Groix, France: a Detailed LA-ICPMS Study

Devolatilization reactions and subsequent transfer of fluid from subducted oceanic crust into the overlying mantle wedge are important processes, which are responsible for the specific geochemical characteristics of subduction-related metamorphic rocks, as well as those of arc magmatism. To better understand the geochemical fingerprint induced by fluid mobilization during dehydration and rehydration processes related to subduction zone metamorphism, the trace element and rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns in HP-LT metamorphic assemblages in eclogite-, blueschist- and greenschist-facies rocks of the Ile de Groix were obtained by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) analysis. This study focuses on 10 massive basic rocks representing former hydrothermally altered mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), four banded basic rocks of volcano-sedimentary origin and one micaschist. The main hosts for incompatible trace elements are epidote (REE, Th, U, Pb, Sr), garnet [Y, heavy REE (HREE)], phengite (Cs, Rb, Ba, B), titanite [Ti, Nb, Ta, REE; HREE > LREE (light REE)], rutile (Ti, Nb, Ta) and apatite (REE, Sr). The trace element contents of omphacite, amphibole, albite and chlorite are low. The incompatible trace element contents of minerals are controlled by the stable metamorphic mineral assemblage and directly related to the appearance, disappearance and reappearance of minerals, especially epidote, garnet, titanite, rutile and phengite, during subduction zone metamorphism. Epidote is a key mineral in the trace element exchange process because of its large stability field, ranging from lower greenschist- to blueschist- and eclogite-facies conditions. Different generations of epidote are generally observed and related to the coexisting phases at different stages of the metamorphic cycle (e.g. lawsonite, garnet, titanite). Epidote thus controls most of the REE budget during the changing P-T conditions along the prograde and retrograde path. Phengite also plays an important role in determining the large ion lithophile element (LILE) budget, as it is stable to high P-T conditions. The breakdown of phengite causes the release of LILE during retrogression. A comparison of trace element abundances in whole-rocks and minerals shows that the HP-LT metamorphic rocks largely retain the geochemical characteristics of their basic, volcano-sedimentary and pelitic protoliths, including a hydrothermal alteration overprint before the subduction process. A large part of the incompatible trace elements remained trapped in the rocks and was recycled within the various metamorphic assemblages stable under changing metamorphic conditions during the subduction process, indicating that devolatilization reactions in massive basic rocks do not necessarily imply significant simultaneous trace element and REE releas

Iron isotope fractionation in subduction-related high-pressure metabasites (Ile de Groix, France)

Characterisation of mass transfer during subduction is fundamental to understand the origin of compositional heterogeneities in the upper mantle. Fe isotopes were measured in high-pressure/low-temperature metabasites (blueschists, eclogites and retrograde greenschists) from the Ile de Groix (France), a Variscan high-pressure terrane, to determine if the subducted oceanic crust contributes to mantle Fe isotope heterogeneities. The metabasites have δ56Fe values of +0.16 to +0.33‰, which are heavier than typical values of MORB and OIB, indicating that their basaltic protolith derives from a heavy-Fe mantle source. The δ56Fe correlates well with Y/Nb and (La/Sm)PM ratios, which commonly fractionate during magmatic processes, highlighting variations in the magmatic protolith composition. In addition, the shift of δ56Fe by +0.06 to 0.10‰ compared to basalts may reflect hydrothermal alteration prior to subduction. The δ56Fe decrease from blueschists (+0.19 ± 0.03 to +0.33 ± 0.01‰) to eclogites (+0.16 ± 0.02 to +0.18 ± 0.03‰) reflects small variations in the protolith composition, rather than Fe fractionation during metamorphism: newly- formed Fe-rich minerals allowed preserving bulk rock Fe compositions during metamorphic reactions and hampered any Fe isotope fractionation. Greenschists have δ56Fe values (+0.17 ± 0.01 to +0.27 ± 0.02‰) similar to high-pressure rocks. Hence, metasomatism related to fluids derived from the subducted hydrothermally altered metabasites might only have a limited effect on mantle Fe isotope composition under subsolidus conditions, owing to the large stability of Fe-rich minerals and low mobility of Fe. Subsequent melting of the heavy-Fe metabasites at deeper levels is expected to generate mantle Fe isotope heterogeneities

Permian magmatism and metamorphism in the Dent Blanche nappe: constraints from field observations and geochronology

In the Dent Blanche Tectonic System, the Mont Morion biotite-bearing granite is a km- scale intrusion preserved in a low-strain volume. Zircon saturation thermometry suggests that it crystallised from a melt that reached about 800 °C. U–Pb zircon and allanite geochronology indicates crystallization of the magma in the Permian (290 ± 3 Ma; 280 ± 8 Ma, respectively). Migmatitic biotite-gneiss and amphibolite are found as xenoliths within the Mont Morion granite and constitute its country-rocks. In two samples of migmatitic biotite-gneiss zircon has metamorphic overgrowths that yield U–Pb ages of 285 ± 3 Ma and 281 ± 4 Ma, and are thus contemporaneous with the intrusion of the granite. The Mont Morion granite with its country-rocks of migmatitic biotite-bearing gneiss and amphibolite was thus emplaced at middle crustal levels while amphibolite facies metamorphism affected its country rocks. The magmatic and metamorphic record in the Mont Morion area reflects the high-temperature regime and lithospheric thinning of the Adriatic continental margin during Permian

Geochemical fingerprints of devolatilization reactions in the high-pressure rocks of Ile de Groix, France

La composition en éléments en trace incompatibles des assemblages métamorphiques des roches de HP-BT et des veines de l'Ile de Groix a été analysée par LA-ICPMS. Les éléments en trace sont majoritairement redistribués et recyclés entre les minéraux néoformés aux différentes étapes du cycle métamorphique, en fonction des réactions métamorphiques et des variations de stabilité des minéraux. Les roches conservent ainsi la signature géochimique de leur protolithe. La composition chimique et le rapport ?18O des veines progrades et rétrogrades révèlent que de fortes interactions fluide-roche favorisent la mobilisation et le transport des éléments en trace. En dépit de ces interactions fluide-roche, il est possible de caractériser la source et la composition des fluides, qui interagissent principalement avec les bordures des chenaux. En outre, la datation d'un orthogneiss découvert sur l'île a donné un âge de 480. 8 ± 4.8 Ma, contemporain du magmatisme felsique lié au rifting cambro-ordovicien

A multi-isotope study (Fe, Ge, O) of hydrothermal alteration in the Limousin ophiolite (French Massif Central)

International audienceGeochemical studies using non-traditional stable isotopes can help tracing processes of hydrothermal alteration (or hydrothermal metamorphism) of ancient oceanic lithosphere. In this study, we have measured non-traditional Ge and Fe isotopes and traditional O isotopes in a series of ultrabasic and basic rocks from the Limousin ophiolite (French Massif Central) to decipher the different signatures of hydrothermal vs. magmatic processes. Serpentinites are strongly oxidised rocks (Fe3+/ΣFe: 0.58–0.71) and display δ18O values (+5.0 to +6.1‰) typical of hydrothermally altered ultrabasic rocks. They display δ56Fe (+0.15 to +0.18‰) and δ74Ge values (+0.48 to +0.93‰) similar to heavier than ultrabasic rocks. The negative correlation between δ18O and δ74Ge and between δ18O and δ56Fe, suggests that Ge and Fe isotopes have fractionated during hydrothermal alteration. The δ74Ge shows a slight positive correlation with the δ56Fe, indicating concomittant Ge and Fe isotope fractionation towards heavier values during hydrothermal alteration. However, δ56Fe values display a larger deviation from ultrabasic rocks than δ74Ge and δ18O values, suggesting that oxidising conditions have enhanced Fe isotope fractionation to a larger extent than Ge isotopes. Amphibolites display Fe3+/ΣFe ratios (0.11–0.14) and δ56Fe values (+0.03 to +0.17‰) typical of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). δ18O values are typical of high-T hydrothermally altered MORB (+6.2 to +6.6‰). δ74Ge values show a small range (+0.72 to +0.77‰) and are heavier than most basalts and gabbros. The δ18O slightly decreases with the increase of the δ56Fe, indicating that Fe isotopes may have fractionated towards lighter values during hydrothermal alteration. However, the lack of correlation between δ74Ge and δ56Fe values indicates that Ge isotope fractionation has prevailed over Fe isotope fractionation during hydrothermal alteration of basic rocks in the absence of oxidising condition

Trace element and oxygen isotope study of eclogites and associated rocks from the Münchberg Massif (Germany) with implications on the protolith origin and fluid-rock interactions

Eclogites, metagabbros, and paragneisses from the Variscan Münchberg Massif record a complex succession of igneous, hydrothermal and metamorphic processes. The geodynamic setting related to the protolith formation and the impact of different types of fluid-rock interactions have been uncertain up to now. We use major and trace element chemistry as well as oxygen isotopes to disentangle the geochemical signatures related to the different stages of the rocks' history. In the Münchberg Massif, dark eclogites (kyanite-free; Fe-Ti-MORB signature) are distinguished from light eclogites (kyanite-bearing; higher Mg#, Al2O3, and Cr; lower incompatible element contents; positive Eu anomalies; MORB to arc basalt signature). The δ18O values for both types (+5.0 to +10.8‰) are equal to, or higher than those of MORB. Amphibolite facies metagabbros have a more enriched, almost OIB-like trace element signature and high δ18O values (+9.4 to +10.3‰). Good linear correlations between fluid-immobile elements throughout the eclogite types confirm their derivation from a common, N-MORB to E-MORB-like parental magma. We interpret the light eclogites as former plagioclase-rich cumulates and the dark eclogites as their complementary differentiates. This relationship is partly obscured by variable degrees of magma contamination by sediments, which also affected the metagabbros. However, the metagabbros originated from a more enriched mantle source than the eclogites. Following intrusion, the eclogites were subjected to hydrothermal alteration under the influence of seawater, as indicated by positive correlations between Li, B, Sb, and δ18O. Metamorphic fluid-rock interactions appear to be mostly of limited extent, probably due to the lack of lawsonite dehydration as a fluid source. Nevertheless, the contents at least of some fluid-mobile elements, such as LILE, Li, and Pb, were probably modified during the subductionexhumation cycle of the eclogites. The crustal contamination of the protolith magmas argues against derivation of the eclogites and metagabbros from typical oceanic crust. Instead, a rift-drift transition setting related to the opening of the Rheic or Saxothuringian Ocean seems most likely. The eclogites and metagabbros, alongside with similar rocks in the Mari ´ansk´e L´aznˇe complex and other resembling high-pressure massifs, may record different stages of this rift-drift transition