Carbonatite research: The African Legacy

Abstract

Almost all igneous rocks are composed of silicate minerals; carbonatites are the main exception to this rule. They form only a minor proportion of the continental crust but are of fundamental scientific and economic importance. These rocks, originally described as a limestone (Kaiserstuhl, Germany) or magmatic limestone (Alnö, Sweden), were recognized in 1921 by W. C. Brøgger as a distinct magmatic rock type under the name “Karbonatite” in the Fen complex (Norway). Extensive field mapping in Africa, and particularly studies within the Chilwa Alkaline Province (Malawi), have led to the discovery of diverse intrusive and extrusive carbonatites. The latter, including the Fort Portal volcanic field in Uganda, Rufunsa Province in Zambia, and Oldoinyo Lengai volcano in Tanzania (the only volcano ever to have been seen to erupt carbonatites), have been exceptionally important in the recognition of carbonatites as truly magmatic rocks. The possibility of the existence of carbonate melts has been confirmed and shown by experimental studies of diverse carbonate systems with added volatile components (H₂O, F) and alkali elements (Na, K). The study of the Oldoinyo Lengai gregoryite-nyerereite carbonatites, which are mineralogically and compositionally different from all known carbonatites worldwide, has led to long-lasting discussions about the origin of carbonatites. This includes composition of primary/parental carbonate melt, derivation of carbonatites by either liquid immiscibility or fractional crystallization, carbonatite evolution, and especially, the possible genetic relationships between alkali-rich and alkali-poor carbonatites. The rapid alteration of Oldoinyo Lengai carbonatites and their transformation to calcite carbonatite-like rocks has been proposed as the explanation for the absence of alkali-rich carbonatites in the geological past. Detailed mineralogical studies have shown that the occurrence of nyerereite is not restricted to Oldoinyo Lengai and that this mineral is now known to occur in other carbonatites (e.g., Guly, Kovdor, Oka, Kerimasi), alkaline rocks, and kimberlites (and even in diamond). This would suggest compositionally different mantle-derived melts enriched in alkali elements. In addition, carbonatite tephra has an important role in the preservation of some key paleontologic and anthropologic localities in East Africa. Despite these important discoveries, several problems related to carbonatite petrogenesis are not yet resolved. Future work is required, and carbonatites within Africa, with its key localities, may help to solve these problems.