Associations and Formation Conditions of a Body of Melilite Leucite Clinopyroxenite (Purtovino, Vologda Oblast, Russia): an Alkaline–Ultrabasic Paralava

Abstract

A novel petrogenetic scheme is discussed for the formation of a melilite leucite clinopyroxenite body from an alkaline–ultrabasic paralava in the Purtovino area. Its protolith was likely a mixture of Upper Permian sedimentary rocks (aleurolite, marl, among others). Degassing, evaporation, and thermal (contact) metamorphism have significantly influenced the petrogenesis to produce a wide diversity of species present in mineral associations. The crystallization of paralava in a shallow setting was accompanied by an intense degassing and vesiculation of the melt, causing locally high porosity in the rock. An elevated degree of oxidation of the initial melt and progressive rise of fO₂ were likely related to the H₂ loss during the vesiculation and dissociation of H₂O. Consequently, ferrian magnesiochromite (Mchr) and chromian spinel (Fe³⁺-enriched) were the early phases to crystallize; they were followed by members of the magnesioferrite–magnetite series. In situ melting of quartz-bearing and carbonate–clay rocks led to the development of domains of peralkaline felsic glass that surround partially resorbed quartz grains. Numerous grains of wollastonite and rare larnite formed during contact pyrometamorphism. The alkalis increased progressively during crystallization, with a notable enrichment in Na (up to 0.30 apfu) in the åkermanite–gehlenite series. The formation of leucite following melilite is indicated. Euhedral grains of Cpx display concentric cryptic zonation, with a zone of extreme Mg enrichment due to a local deficit in Fe²⁺. As consequences of the continuing rise in fO₂, esseneite crystallized in the rim of zoned clinopyroxene. Two schemes of coupled substitution account for the composition of Cpx grains analyzed in various textural relationships: Mg²⁺ + Si⁴⁺ → (Fe³⁺ + Al³⁺) and (Ti⁴⁺ + Al³⁺) + (Na + K)⁺ → 2Mg²⁺ + Si⁴⁺. The pre-existing grains of olivine (associated with Mchr) were likely replaced completely by sepiolite–palygorskite associated with brownmillerite and its probable Fe³⁺-dominant counterpart, srebrodolskite. The investigated layer of alkaline microclinopyroxenite is unique in the Russian Plate, and a search is thus required to recognize other pyrogenic products. Also, further research is required to evaluate the contents and volumes of coal (or other sources of hydrocarbons) that could cause spontaneous and long-lasting combustion to form the considerable volume of paralava recognized in the Purtovino area.