Selective Contamination of Basaltic Magmas and Genesis of Buchites (on the Example of Shufan Plateau, Primorye)

Abstract

The problems of large-scale contamination of the Shufan volcanic plateau (Primorye) basalts with selective melts from xenoliths are discussed. Silico-alkaline liquids that are selectively extracted from xenoliths mix only to a limited extent with the basalt melt, and form granophyre bands that give lavas a taxitic texture. The unique compositions of buchites (pelitic xenoliths chemically modified with a diffusion interaction with basaltic magma and selectively molten politic xenoliths) are characterized. The mineral associations of buchites are represented by highly ferriferous cordierite (sekaninaite), ultra-ferriferous hercynite, (Al, Zr) Fe-armalcolite, Zr-ilmenite, mullite, sillimanite, high-lanthanum monazite, and a barium–phosphate–aluminosilicate phase. The features of the chemical and mineral composition of buchites reflect the accumulation of refractory elements (Al, Fe, Ti, Zr, Ni, and Cr) in the restitic material of xenoliths, followed by the formation of ultra-aluminous, ultra-ferriferous, and initially immiscible metal-silicate composition. Low Pb isotopic ratios in the Shufan basalts indicate selective contamination with material of the ancient cratonic basement. A steady increase in these values is observed for basalts contaminated with the upper crustal material, which also reflects the isotopic composition of buchites.