CHROME-BEARING MINERAL PHASES IN THE CARBONATITES OF NORTHERN TRANSBAIKALIA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study of the Vesely carbonatite occurrence in a new carbonatite-bearing area of northern Transbaikalia. The REE patterns, oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of carbonates and magnetites, and strontium isotope composition of dolomite allow us to classify the rocks as carbonatites. This study focused on minerals from xenoliths that were identified as mantle-derived on the basis of structure and mineral composition. The compositions of Cr-bearing chlorite, phengite, magnetite, rutile, ilmenite, and titanite are reported. Aggregates of closely intergrown magnetite and rutile occurring in the xenoliths resemble exsolution structures. A possible origin of these aggregates is discussed. © Pleiades Publishing, Inc. 2006.