Summary
Analytical data on the composition of plagioclase from the lower part of the Upper Zone in the eastern Bushveld Complex is presented. Detailed electron microprobe investigations failed to establish any cyclic variation through that sequence but revealed similar variations in An content, potassium and iron concentrations below and above magnetite layers. These findings can be attributed to the heterogeneous nature of the plagioclase both within individual grains and within a given sample, which would mask any possible trends of cryptic variation. The Sr concentration and Sr/Al2O3 ratio of plagioclase, determined by XRF on plagioclase separates, however change slightly at the level of the Main Magnetite Layer, which can possibly be related to the breakdown of density stratified liquid layers within the resident magma. Analyses of plagioclase separates are thus considered to be more suitable to indicate magmatic processes than plagioclase compositions determined by electron microprobe.
Zusammenfassung
Analytische Daten von Plagioklasen aus dem unteren Teil der Upper Zone im östlichen Bushveld Komplex werden präsentiert. Detaillierte Untersuchungen mittels Elektronen-strahl-Mikrosonde ergaben keine Hinweise auf eine zyklische Variation in dieser Abfolge, zeigten aber eine dänliche Variation des An-Gehaltes, Bowie der Kalium- und Eisengehalte im Liegenden und Hangenden von Magnetitlagen. Dies läßt sich mit der heterogenen Natur der Plagioklase, sowohl in Einzelkörnern, als auch innerhalb einer Probe erklären, die jeden möglichen verborgenen Variationstrend verdecken würden. Der mittels XRF Analytik an separierten Plagioklasen bestimmte Gehalt an Sr und das Sr/Al2O3 Verhältnis dndern sich allerdings geringfügig im Bereich des Main Magnetite Layer. Dies wird möglicherweise mit derv Zusammenbruch von dichtegeschichteten Schmelzlagen im Magma in Beziehung gebracht. Die Analyse von Plagioklaskonzentraten scheint daher geeigneter zu sein magmatische Prozesse anzuzeigen als Mikrosondenuntersuchungen.
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Harney, D.M.W., Von Gruenewaldt, G. & Merkle, R.K.W. The use of plagioclase composition as an indicator of magmatic processes in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex. Mineralogy and Petrology 56, 91–103 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01162658
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01162658