Abstract Oxygen fugacity (ƒO2) conditions were established for Três Ranchos IV (TR-IV, diamond-bearing) and Limeira I (LM-I, barren) kimberlite intrusions, in Alto Paranaíba Alkaline Province, to constrain a possible correlation between fO2 and diamond instability. Temperature and pressure estimates obtained from the xenocryst assemblage composition are compatible up to garnet lherzolite levels. It suggests that both intrusions could cross the diamond-stability field. The ƒO2 of the TR-IV constrained by perovskite oxygen barometry presents an average value of -2.4 for ΔNNO, with standard deviation of 1.30 (n = 120), whereas those calculations for LM-I have an average value of -1.31 for ΔNNO, with standard deviation of 1.38 (n = 81). Considering these uncertainties, there is an important superposition of fO2 values for both intrusions, in which there is higher tendency of more reduced conditions for TR-IV. For the LM-I, an oxybarometer based on the composition of monticellite yielded a similar ΔNNO range: -4.2 and +2.5. Some crystals and samples present trends towards more reduced conditions, while others display more oxidized conditions for each intrusion. Due to the superposition of ranges and absence of a preferential trend, the influence of fO2 for the possible instability of diamonds in the study area remains uncertain.

ABSTRACT: This paper reviews general aspects of alkaline-carbonatitic rocks of Brazilian, Paraguayan and Bolivian terrains. Although 30 such occurrences are known in literature, only the major ones have been thoroughly investigated. The carbonatites are of Cretaceous age, with two well-defined Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous generation episodes. A clear tectonic control by ancient structural features such as archs, lineaments and faults characterizes most cases. The rocks exhibit a large compositional variation, in decreasing orders of abundance from calciocarbonatites to magnesiocarbonatites to ferrocarbonatites. In some complexes, they form multistage intrusions. C-O isotopes indicate that, in general, the carbonatites were affected by post-magmatic processes associated with the topographic level of emplacement and low-temperature H 2 O-CO 2 rich fluids responsible for the increased amount of heavy carbon and oxygen. Sr-Nd isotopic compositions similar to those of coeval alkaline silicate rocks, ranging from depleted to enriched mantle sources, have been influenced by two distinct metasomatic events in Proterozoic at 2,0-1.4 Ga and 1.0-0.5 Ga. Sr-Nd-Pb-Os data seem related to an isotopically enriched source, their chemical heterogeneities reflecting a depleted mantle that was metasomatized by small-volume melts and by fluids rich in incompatible elements. Fractional crystallization and liquid immiscibility are believed to be the most effective processes in the formation of the Cretaceous carbonatites, with minor contribution of crustal contamination. Pb isotopic ratios yield evidence that HIMU and EM I mantle components played an important role in the genesis of the carbonatitic magma.

ABSTRACT: New age determinations by Ar-Ar and U-Pb SHRIMP for the alkaline complexes of Banhadão and Itapirapuã that occur in the Ribeira Valley are in agreement with the previously radiometric K-Ar ages available in literature. Ar-Ar ages on biotite for Banhadão range in the 106-110 Ma interval, and suggest a minimum age of 106 Ma for the complex. Ar-Ar data on biotite for Itapirapuã are more uniform, indicating an age of 102 Ma for the complex. U-Pb SHRIMP determinations on titanite from Itapirapuã melanite syenitic rocks yielded an age of ~106 Ma. Thus, the age interval of 100 and 110 Ma does exist indeed, suggesting an intermediate magmatic pulse between the already well-defined peaks of 80-90 Ma and 130-140 Ma for the alkaline rocks in southern Brazil, confirming the periodicity of the magmatism.

ABSTRACT: Three series of alkaline dikes are characterized in a restricted area of the Mantiqueira Range: a weakly silica-undersaturated series (normative ne < 7), of potassic character, represented by basanite, tephrites, alkali basalts, basaltic trachyandesites, phonotephrites, tephriphonolites, and trachyandesites, an intermediate series (7 > normative ne > 13), of potassic character, consisting only of basanites and tephrites, and a strongly silica-undersaturated series (normative ne > 13), of sodic character, consisting of basanites, tephrites, phonotephrites, and phonolites. Ar-Ar data for biotite from a tephriphonolite dike yielded an average age of 85.4±0.4 Ma. All three series show similar evolution trends controlled mainly by early-fractionation of olivine, spinel and clinopyroxene and, secondly, fractionation of plagioclase and apatite. Different degrees of crustal assimilation are suggested for each series. Assimilation processes are responsible for the wide 87 Sr/ 86 Sr i (0.70447-0.71172) and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd i (0.51237-0.51244) ranges, for the increased K 2 O/Na 2 O, Ba/Sr and Rb/Sr ratios, and for the reduced Ce/Pb ratios. In general, a significant contribution from partially melted host rocks is associated to the weakly silica-undersaturated potassic series. A phlogopite-bearing carbonate-metasomatized heterogeneous peridotite source accounts for the main chemical variations in the least contaminated samples of each series. Geochemical signatures of the strongly sodic alkaline series indicate a greater contribution from carbonated pyroxene-rich veins in the mantle source.

ABSTRACT: The Itatiaia Alkaline Massif comprises some of the largest meso-cenozoic alkaline igneous occurrences in Brazil, covering over 215 km2 between the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It appears as an elongated, 30-km long and 4.5-11.5-km wide SE-NW-trending body emplaced along accommodation zones of the Continental Rift of Southern Brazil, intruding metapelites, orthogneiss and granites of the Brasília and Ribeira fold belts. New data and geological mapping suggest that the massif evolved from a migratory magmatic center manifested as ring structures and successive moon-shaped intrusions from SE to NW in three sectors of distinct lithological and geomorphological characteristics: Southeastern, Central and Northwestern. The lithological variants in the three sectors present themselves as discrete intrusive bodies, comprising feldspathoid-bearing and quartz-bearing syenites, porphyritic to breccioid trachytes, granite, monzonite, gabbro and trachybasalt, which can be grouped into 21 units. These rocks occur in five petrographical sets: plagioclase-free nepheline syenites, plagioclase-bearing nepheline syenite and pulaskites, nordmarkite-granite series, anti-rapakivi associations and basic rocks. Sin- to tardi-plutonic dykes of nephelinites, phonolites, trachytes and rhyolites are also present.

RESUMO: O maciço alcalino da Ilha dos Búzios, do Cretáceo Superior, é intrusivo em charnockitos precambrianos e consiste predominantemente de rochas sieníticas cortadas por grande número de diques, orientados preferencialmente para NE, representando duas suítes distintas: félsica e máfica-ultramáfica. Feldspato alcalino é o mineral mais abundante; outros constituintes são clinopiroxênio, comumente substituído por anfibólio/biotita, e opacos. Minerais acessórios incluem ocasionalmente fases raras contendo Zr, Ti, Nb e elementos terras raras (ETR). Os diques félsicos podem possuir também nefelina (sodalita). A suíte máfica-ultramáfica, particularmente os lamprófiros, apresenta uma assembleia mineralógica primária com olivina, clinopiroxênio e anfibólio, além de massa fundamental com material vítreo e carbonatos (ocelli). As rochas de Búzios são quimicamente evoluídas, de filiação claramente potássica e pertencem sobretudo à série miaskítica. Diagramas de variação para elementos maiores e traços mostram distribuição bimodal, sugerindo a origem a partir de diferentes pulsos magmáticos. As rochas são interpretadas como derivadas por cristalização fracionada a partir de magma parental de composição basanítica. As associações insaturadas e supersaturadas em SiO2 presentes no maciço não estão aparentemente ligadas a uma fonte magmática única, sendo evidentes duas tendências distintas no sistema petrogenético residual: a primeira no sentido do mínimo fonolítico, e a segunda no do mínimo riolítico, possivelmente indicando fracionamento de anfibólio.

ABSTRACT: The Late Cretaceous Búzios Island alkaline massif intrudes Precambrian charnockites and consists dominantly of syenitic rocks that are cut by a large number of dikes, mostly NE-trending, and representing two distinct suites, a felsic one and a mafic-ultramafic one. Alkali feldspar is the most abundant mineral; other constituents are clinopyroxene, commonly replaced by amphibole/biotite, and opaques. Accessory minerals include occasionally rare phases bearing Zr, Ti, Nb and Rare Earth Elements (REE). The felsic dikes may also have nepheline (sodalite). The mafic-ultramafic suite, in particular the lamprophyres, shows a primary mineral assemblage with olivine, clinopyroxene and amphibole in addition to a groundmass having glassy material and carbonates (ocelli). The Búzios rocks are chemically evolved, mostly of potassic affinity and mainly belong to the miaskitic series. Variation diagrams for major and trace elements show a bimodal distribution, suggesting an origin from different magmatic pulses. The rocks are interpreted as having been derived by fractional crystallization processes from a basanitic parental magma. The SiO2-undersaturated and SiO2-oversaturated associations present in the massif are apparently not linked to a single magmatic source, and in the petrogeny residual system two trends are evident: the first one towards the phonolitic minimum and the second one towards the rhyolitic minimum, possibly pointing to amphibole fractionation.

RESUMO: A suíte alcalina do Monte de Trigo é uma associação sienítico-gabroide que pertence à província alcalina da Serra do Mar. Minerais do grupo da eudialita (EGMs) ocorrem em um dique de nefelina microssienito associados a egirina-augita, wöhlerita, lavenita, magnetita, zircão, titanita, britolita e pirocloro. As principais variações composicionais incluem Si (25,09-25,57 apfu ), Nb (0,31-0,76 apfu ), Fe (1,40-2,13 apfu ) e Mn (1,36-2,08 apfu ). Os EGMs também contêm concentrações relativamente altas de Ca (6,13-7,10 apfu ), enriquecimento moderado de elementos terras raras (0,38-0,67 apfu ) e concentrações relativamente baixas de Na (11,02-12,28 apfu ), o que pode ser correlacionado com uma assembleia agpaítica transicional. As composições dos EGMs indicam uma solução sólida complexa entre os componentes eudialita, kentbrooksita, feklichevita, zirsilita-(Ce), georgbarsanovita e manganoeudialita. Análises de elementos traços das EGMs mostram baixas concentrações de Sr e Ba e anomalia negativa de Eu/Eu*, que são interpretadas como uma característica do magma parental por conta do fracionamento de plagioclásio e/ou feldspato alcalino. Os EGMs da borda do dique possuem concentrações maiores de Fe, Sr (2.161-2.699 ppm), Mg (1.179-3.582 ppm) and Zn (732-852 ppm) que aqueles do centro do dique. Essas diferenças estão relacionadas com a incorporação de xenólitos e xenocristais da rocha encaixante melateralítica no magma nefelina-sienítico seguido de trocas difusivas entre os cristais e o líquido.

ABSTRACT: The Monte de Trigo alkaline suite is a SiO2-undersaturated syenite-gabbroid association from the Serra do Mar alkaline province. Eudialyte-group minerals (EGMs) occur in one nepheline microsyenite dyke, associated with aegirine-augite, wöhlerite, låvenite, magnetite, zircon, titanite, britholite, and pyrochlore. Major compositional variations include Si (25.09- 25.57 apfu ), Nb (0.31- 0.76 apfu ), Fe (1.40-2.13 apfu ), and Mn (1.36- 2.08 apfu ). The EGMs also contain relatively high contents of Ca (6.13- 7.10 apfu ), moderate enrichment of rare earth elements (0.38-0.67 apfu ), and a relatively low Na content (11.02-12.28 apfu ), which can be correlated with their transitional agpaitic assemblage. EGM compositions indicate a complex solid solution that includes eudialyte, kentbrooksite, feklichevite, zirsilite-(Ce), georgbarsanovite, and manganoeudialyte components. EGM trace element analyses show low Sr and Ba contents and a negative Eu/Eu* anomaly, which are interpreted as characteristic of the parental magma due to the previous fractionation of plagioclase and/or alkali feldspar. The EGMs from the dyke border have higher contents of Fe, Sr (2,161-2,699 ppm), Mg (1,179-3,582 ppm), and Zn (732- 852 ppm) than those at the dyke center. These differences are related to the incorporation of xenoliths and xenocrysts of melatheralitic host rock into the nepheline-syenitic magma followed by crystal-melt diffusive exchange.

A questão de como a assembleia de antecristais influencia a composição química de diques de lamprófiro e se esta pode ser responsável pelo zoneamento composicional entre núcleos e bordas é abordada por meio de um estudo detalhado em quatro diques de monchiquito e camptonito, representativos das províncias alcalinas Arco de Ponta Grossa e Serra do Mar. Nestes diques, os antecristais são interpretados como minerais cristalizados precocemente que não se encontram mais em equilíbrio com o líquido que os carrega, mas que mantêm vínculo com o mesmo sistema magmático. Eles representam cristais reciclados de estágios magmáticos mais precoces em profundidade. As texturas dos antecristais, como megacristais zonados de clinopiroxênio (núcleos de augita e bordas de titanoaugita) com núcleos parcialmente corroídos, cristais de olivina corroídos nas bordas, envoltos por coronas de biotita, inclusão de cristais de cromoespinélio nos centros dos megacristais de clinopiroxênio e olivina e cristais de titanomagnetita envoltos por coronas de biotita, sugerem reequilíbrio com a matriz. Para os diques estudados, a maior carga de antecristais encontra-se em seus centros. Descontando-se o volume de antecristais nos centros de cada ocorrência, as composições calculadas são muito semelhantes às globais das bordas. A carga de antecristais máficos de cada ocorrência, proporcionalmente, resulta em enriquecimento da composição global em MgO, FeO, TiO2, CaO, elementos traços compatíveis (Cr, Ni e Co), e ao empobrecimento em SiO2, K2O, Na2O, Al2O3 e traços incompatíveis (Ba, Sr e ETR). Assim, as análises geoquímicas globais de cada dique são representativas da combinação de cristais acumulados e magma. Além disso, as variações composicionais relativas às zonalidades dos diques estudados parecem estar predominantemente relacionadas à carga de antecristais e não a diferentes pulsos magmáticos.

The question of whether the antecryst assemblage affects the bulk composition of lamprophyre dykes, and could be responsible for the compositional zonation between their centers and borders is addressed through a detailed study involving four monchiquite and camptonite dykes (basanites and tephrites) representative of the Arco de Ponta Grossa and Serra do Mar alkaline provinces. In them, antecrysts are interpreted as early-crystallized minerals that are no longer in equilibrium with their host-liquid, albeit still linked to the same magmatic system. They represent recycled crystals of earlier stages of the magmatic system at depth. The antecryst microtextures, such as zoned clinopyroxene megacrysts (augite cores and titanaugite rims) with partly corroded cores, olivine crystals with corroded rims surrounded by biotite coronas, chrome-spinel inclusions in clinopyroxene and olivine megacryst cores, and titanomagnetite crystals surrounded by biotite coronas, suggest chemical re-equilibrium with the matrix. The greatest antecryst cargo in these dykes is found in their centers. After subtracting the antecryst volume from the center analyses of each body, the calculated compositions are very similar to the border analyses. The mafic antecryst cargo of each occurrence proportionally leads to enrichment of MgO, FeO, TiO2, CaO, compatible trace elements (Cr, Ni and Co), and depletion of SiO2, K2O, Na2O, Al2O3 and incompatible trace elements (Ba, Sr and REE). The whole-rock geochemical analyses of each dyke represent the combination of accumulated crystals and melt. The compositional zonation of the studied dykes is associated with the antecryst cargo rather than different magmatic pulses.

O complexo de Araxá (16 km²) é constituído por carbonatitos na forma de um núcleo central e de complexa rede de diques concêntricos e radiais, além de pequenos veios; adicionalmente, ele contém rochas ricas em mica, foscoritos e lamprófiros. Fenitos também ocorrem e estão representados principalmente por quartzitos e xistos proterozóicos do Grupo Araxá. O estudo petrográfico de 130 amostras de testemunhos de sondagem indica que o complexo reúne basicamente dois tipos litológicos, carbonatitos e rochas ricas em mica, e, subordinadamente, um terceiro de composição híbrida. Carbonatitos apresentam composição química variável e têm magnésiocarbonatitos como o tipo mais abundante. Dolomita e calcita são os seus principais constituintes, mas outras fases carbonáticas, incluindo as pertencentes ao grupo dos carbonatos ricos em ETR, são também reconhecidas. Fosfatos e óxidos diversos caracterizam os acessórios mais comuns enquanto que os minerais silicáticos consistem de representantes dos grupos da olivina, clinopiroxênio, mica e anfibólio. As rochas ricas em mica reúnem abundantes glimmeritos e escassos piroxenitos cumuláticos portadores de quantidades variáveis de flogopita, olivina e diopsídio. As rochas híbridas contêm principalmente flogopita e tetraferriflogopita, respectivamente, como fases cumulus e intercumulus; minerais carbonáticos podem também estar presentes. Dados químicos indicam que os carbonatitos são fortemente enriquecidos em ETR e possuem teores mais baixos em Nb, Zr, V, Cr, Ni e Rb em relação às rochas mais ricas em mica. As concentrações mais altas em K, Nb e Zr dessas últimas poderiam ser atribuídas a processos metassomáticos (glimeritização) que teriam afetado os piroxenitos. O comportamento similar dos ETR nos carbonatitos e nas rochas ricas em mica parece sugestivo de que essas litologias estão relacionadas a um mesmo magma parental, possivelmente de composição ijolítica. O pronunciado fracionamento ETRL/ETRP e os elevados teores em ETR de algumas amostras de carbonatitos poderiam estar ligados a processos de natureza hidrotermal ou mesmo supergênicos.

The Araxá complex (16 km²) comprises carbonatites forming a central core and a complex network of concentric and radial dykes as well as small veins; additionally, it includes mica-rich rocks, phoscorites and lamprophyres. Fenites also occur and are represented by Proterozoic quartzites and schists of the Araxá Group. The petrographic study of 130 borehole samples indicates that the complex is basically made up by two rock-types, carbonatites and mica-rich rocks, and subordinately by a third unit of hybrid composition. Carbonatites range chemically in composition, the most abundant type being magnesiocarbonatites. Dolomite and calcite correspond to the chief constituents, but other carbonate phases, including the Ce-group RE minerals, are also recognized. Phosphates and oxides are widespread accessories whereas silicate minerals consist of olivine, clinopyroxene, mica and amphibole. Mica-rich rocks are represented by abundant glimmeritic rocks and scarce cumulitic phlogopite-, olivine- and diopside-bearing pyroxenites. Hybrid rocks mainly contain phlogopite and tetraferriphlogopite as cumulus and intercumulus phases, respectively; carbonate minerals may also be found. Chemical data indicate that the carbonatites are strongly enriched in REE and have lower contents of Nb, Zr, V, Cr, Ni and Rb compared to the mica-rich rocks. The higher K, Nb and Zr contents of the latter rocks are believed to be related to metasomatic processes (glimmeritization) of the pyroxenites. Similar REE patterns for carbonatites and mica-rich rocks seem to suggest that they are related to a single parental magma, possibly of ijolitic composition. Steep LREE/HREE fractionation and high sigmaREE content of some carbonatite samples would be explained by hydrothermal and supergenic processes.