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Notes: Abstract The petrogenesis of Abu Khruq, an 89 Ma alkaline ring complex of eastern Egypt which is composed of alkali gabbros and both silica over- and undersaturated syenites, has been investigated. Major and trace element relationships and Nd and Sr isotope data are consistent with formation of the gabbros from an alkaline mafic magma that experienced extensive fractionation, and all syenites from a felsic derivative of this melt. The parental magma had an 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7030 and an 143Nd/144Nd of 0.512750 (ɛNd = +4.4) indicating derivation from a depeleted mantle source. The initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios are: 0.512721 to 0.512748 for the gabbros, 0.512739 to 0.512750 for the alkali syenites and trachytes, 0.512717 to 0.512755 for the nepheline syenites, and, 0.512706 to 0.512732 for the quartz syenites. In contrast, analyzed Precambrian granites from eastern Egypt have generally lower 143Nd/144Nd ratios (ranging from 0.51247 to 0.51261 or ɛNd = -0.8 to 1.7, for 89Ma); their Nd model ages range from 775 to 935 Ma and suggest there was no significant input of pre-Pan-African crust in their formation. Among Abu Khruq rocks, 143Nd/144Nd ratios indicate that the quartz syenites formed by open-system, crustal contamination processes whereas the nepheline syenites experienced little or no contamination. Modeling shows that contamination occurred at various stages, affecting both mafic and more evolved compositions with input of about 20% crustal Nd for the most contaminated samples. The degree of contamination is related to the silica saturation of the quartz syenites. Simplified modeling of magma evolution within Petrogeny's Residua System demonstrates the ability of AFC processes to cause a critically undersaturated magma to evolve across the feldspar join and produce oversaturated rocks. The oversaturated syenites at Abu Khruq were produced in this manner whereas the nepheline syenites formed by fractionation without similarly large degrees of contamination. The results have broad implications for the formation of subvolcanic complexes in continental settings beyond the important production of silica oversaturated compositions from crustal interaction. They underscore the importance of crustal interactions in the formation of the various lithologies. Such interactions occur at various stages in the evolution of the magmas and, as such, are not strictly coupled with fractional crystallization. While previous study of Abu Khruq has demonstrated extensive hydrothermal alteration of O and Sr isotopes, the present work shows that the Nd isotope ratios were not significantly affected and thus reflect magmatic signatures. This feature combined with relatively small corrections for initial ratios emphasizes the utility of Nd isotopes for petrogenetic studies.

Notes: Abstract The Shiant Isles Main Sill of the British Tertiary Igneous Province is a classic example of a differentiated, alkaline basic sill. Four separate intrusions, each emplaced internally in rapid succession, form a 165-m-thick sill hosted by Lower Jurassic sedimentary rocks. Extensive Nd and Sr isotopic studies were conducted on samples from a vertical section through the sill where the relationships of samples to one another are well defined. The results illuminate patterns of modification of isotopic ratios and clarify the petrogenesis (magma sources, crustal contamination), magmatic processes (bulk mixing, interstitial liquid mixing), and post-magmatic alteration (hydrothermal effects on Sr and Nd). Overall, the whole-rock initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios range from ∼0.7037 to 0.7061 while initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios vary from ∼0.51243 to 0.51286 (ɛNd∼−0.7 to +5.7) – values that contrast markedly with those of the country rock. Acid leaching (HCl) of the whole-rock samples that removes analcime indicates that most of the scatter in the 87Sr/86Sr is caused by the ubiquitous sub-solidus, aqueous alteration during which more-radiogenic Sr was introduced into the sill, especially along the margins, and also reveals magmatic isotopic ratios. In contrast, Nd was immobile during fluid interaction so that the sill 143Nd/144Nd ratios were not affected, even 〈1 m from the country-rock contact. Using leached rock values, 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios are inversely correlated from magmatic processes. Magmas with two distinct isotopic compositions were involved: a more primitive one with 143Nd/144Nd ∼0.51285 and 87Sr/86Sr ∼0.7035 that produced the first two intrusions and a more evolved one (with 0.51252 and 0.7048) that produced the third intrusion. Mixing of the two magmas was very limited, restricted to near contacts between units, and apparently occurred by interstitial melt migration. The more evolved crinanitic magma was probably produced from a batch of the more primitive picritic melt by a small degree of crustal contamination and crystal fractionation during a short crustal residence prior to ascent and emplacement.

Notes: Abstract The Ascutney Mountain complex of eastern Vermont, USA, is a composite epizonal pluton of genetically related gabbro to granite intrusives. Nd isotopic data are reported for mafic rocks, granites, and nearby country rock. The parental mafic magma producing the complex 122 m.y. ago had 87Sr/86Sr=0.7039, 143Nd/144Nd=0.512678 (ɛ Nd=+3.8) and δ 18O=6.1‰, indicating a mantle source with time-integrated lithophile element depletion. Uniform initial radiogenic isotope ratios for granites, which are undistinguishable from those for the most primitive gabbro, suggest that the granite magma evolved from the mafic magma without crustal contamination and that the increase in δ 18O, to about 7.8‰, is the result of fractional crystallization. Mafic rocks show a large range in initial 143Nd/144Nd ratio, from about 0.51267 to 0.51236 (ɛ Nd= +3.7 to −2.5), which is correlated with elevated 87Sr/86Sr ratios and δ 18O. These data substantiate the production of mafic lithologies by fractional crystallization of the parental magma accompanied by assimilation of up to about 50% crust. The local country rocks include gneiss and schist and assimilation involved representatives of both rock types. The isotopic and chemical relationships preclude derivation from a single batch of magma undergoing contamination and indicate that a large magma body at depth evolved largely by fractionation with batches of melt issued from this chamber being variably contaminated at higher levels or at the level of emplacement. The Precambrian gneisses of the Chester dome and overlying lower Paleozoic schists have essentially identical Nd isotope systematics which suggest a crustal formation age of about 1.6. b.y. The parental sediments for the schists were apparently derived from a protolith similar to the gneissic basement without appreciable Sm/Nd fractionation.

Notes: Abstract The Mount Brome complex of the Monteregian province of southern Quebec, Canada, consits of several major intrusions ranging compositionally from gabbro to syenite. The relative ages of these intrusives have been investigated with high-resolution 40Ar/39Ar analyses, including a specially designed irradiation configuration to cancel the effects of fluence gradients. Small yet distinct apparent age differences are observed. While a number of analytical and geological factors could be proposed to explain the small variations, evaluation of these suggests the age differences reflect those in emplacement times. The gabbro and nepheline diorite were emplaced within a short span 123.1 Ma ago. Generally more evolved lithologies (biotite monzodiorite, pulaskite, nordmarkite) appear to have been emplaced within a restricted interval 1.4±0.3 Ma later. Whole-rock Rb-Sr systematics do not give acceptable isochrons because of significant scatter interpreted to reflect initial 87Sr/86Sr heterogeneities resulting from crustal contamination. Considering the variations in initial ratio, the Rb-Sr data are consistent with the 40Ar/39Ar age.

Notes: Abstract The Ascutney Mountain igneous complex in eastern Vermont, USA, is composed of three principal units with compositions ranging from gabbro to granite. Sr and O isotopic and major element relationships for mafic rocks, granites, and nearby gneissic and schistose country rock have been investigated in order to describe the petrogenesis of the mafic suite which ranges from gabbro to diorite. The entire complex appears to have been formed within a short interval 122.2±1.2 m.y. ago. The granites with δ 18O near +7.8‰ had an initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.70395(±6) which is indistinguishable from the initial ratio of the most primitive gabbro. Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and δ 18O values for the mafic rocks range from 0.7039 to 0.7057 and +6.1 to +8.6‰, respectively. The isotopic ratios are highly correlated with major element trends and reflect considerable crustal contamination of a mantle-derived basaltic parent magma. The likely contaminant was Precambrian gneiss similar to exposed bedrock into which the basic rocks were emplaced. A new approach to modelling of assimilation during the formation of a cogenetic igneous rock suite is illustrated. Chemical and isotopic modelling indicate that the mafic rocks were produced by simultaneous assimilation and fractional crystallization. The relative amounts of fractionation and assimilation varied considerably. The mafic suite was not produced by a single batch of magma undergoing progressive contamination; rather, the various rocks probably were derived from separate batches of magma each of which followed a separate course of evolution. The late stage granite was apparently derived from basaltic magma by fractionation with little or no crustal assimilation. The early intrusive phases are much more highly contaminated than the final one. The observed relationships have important implications for the formation of comagmatic complexes and for isotopic modelling of crustal contamination.

Notes: Abstract The magma sources for granitic intrusions related to the Mesozoic White Mountain magma series in northern New England, USA, are addressed relying principally upon Nd isotopes. Many of these anorogenic complexes lack significant volumes of exposed mafic lithologies and have been suspected of representing crustal melts. Sm−Nd and Rb−Sr isotope systematics are used to evaluate magma sources for 18 felsic plutons with ages ranging from about 120 to 230 Ma. The possibility of crustal sources is further examined with analyses of representative older crust including Paleozoic granitoids which serve as probes of the lower crust in the region. Multiple samples from two representative intrusions are used to address intrapluton initial isotopic heterogeneities and document significant yet restricted variations (〈∼1 in ε Nd). Overall, Mesozoic granite plutons range in ε Nd [T] from +4.2 to -2.3, with most +2 to 0, and in initial 87Sr/86Sr from 0.7031 to ∼0.709. The isotopic variations are roughly inversely correlated but are not obviously related to geologic, geographic, or age differences. Older igneous and metamorphic crust of the region has much lower Nd isotope ratios with the most radiogenic Paleozoic granitoid at ε Nd [180 Ma] of -2.8. These data suggest mid-Proterozoic separation of the crust in central northern New England. Moreover, the bulk of the Mesozoic granites cannot be explained as crustal melts but must have large mantle components. The ranges of Nd and Sr isotopes are attributed to incorporation of crust by magmas derived from midly depleted mantle sources. Crustal input may reflect either magma mixing of crustal and mantle melts or crustal assimilation which is the favored interpretation. The results indicate production of anorogenic granites from mantle-derived mafic magmas.

Notes: Abstract The Red Hill ring complex in central New Hampshire is composed of apparently cogenetic syenites, nepheline-sodalite syenite, and granite. The ages and petrogenetic relations among five of the six recognized units have been investigated by rubidiumstrontium and oxygen isotope analysis of whole rocks and separated minerals. Whole-rock samples from three syenite units are consistent with a single Rb-Sr isochron which gives an age of 198±3 m.y. and an initial (87Sr/86Sr)o ratio of 0.70330±0.00016 (±2 sigma; λ=1.42× 10−11y−1). However, Sr isotope data for two other units, nepheline syenite and granite, are not consistent with this isochron but rather indicate higher initial ratios which range from 0.7033 to about 0.707. Whole-rock O isotope analyses give δ18O values which range from+6.2 to+9.3‰ Sr and O isotope analyses on mineral separates indicate that observed whole-rock variations in (87Sr/86Sr)o are primary and are not due to any secondary process. The fact that the isotope systematics correlate with rock type, suggests that crustal interaction is likely to have played a significant role in the development of this over-and undersaturated association. Such process(es), while still not fully delineated, could be of fundamental importance to the genesis of associations of critically undersaturated and oversaturated intrusives. The data support the idea that interaction between magmas and crustal materials strongly influenced the compositional relations of similar complexes elsewhere including those of the White Mountain magma series.