The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions
This work delves into the presence of REE-Ti-Zr-U-Th minerals, in the mafic–intermediate rocks of the Maronia pluton, Greece, an Oligocene intrusion formed through arc-magmatism during subduction. In Maronia monzodiorite, critical metals are contained in three principal mineral groups, namely, the R...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/10/1256 |
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| author | Charalampos Vasilatos Angeliki Papoutsa |
| author_facet | Charalampos Vasilatos Angeliki Papoutsa |
| author_sort | Charalampos Vasilatos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This work delves into the presence of REE-Ti-Zr-U-Th minerals, in the mafic–intermediate rocks of the Maronia pluton, Greece, an Oligocene intrusion formed through arc-magmatism during subduction. In Maronia monzodiorite, critical metals are contained in three principal mineral groups, namely, the REE-Ti-Zr, REE-Ca-P, and U-Th assemblages. The REE-Ti-Zr group includes REE-ilmenite, chevkinite-like phases, zirconolite, and baddeleyite. The REE-Ca-P assemblage is represented by allanite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), and huttonitic monazite-(Ce). The U-Th assemblage comprises thorite–coffinite and uraninite–thorianite solid solutions. The paragenetic sequencing of these minerals offers insights into their formation conditions and correlation with the pluton’s magmatic evolution. In the REE-Ti-Zr group, mineral formation progresses from REE-ilmenite to baddeleyite through chevkinite-like phases and zirconolite under oxidizing conditions. The REE-Ca-P sequence involves allanite-(Ce), followed by monazite-(Ce), late allanite-(Ce), and huttonitic monazite-(Ce). In the U-Th group, earlier thorite–coffinite phases are succeeded by uraninite–thorianite solid solutions, indicating Si-undersaturation at late magmatic stages. Fluctuations in Ca-activity induce alternating formations of allanite-(Ce) and monazite-(Ce). These mineral variations are attributed to early-stage interactions between high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic gabbroic melts, influencing critical metal enrichment and mineral speciation. The study’s insights into paragenesis and geological processes offer implications for mineral exploration in analogous geological settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:02:07Z |
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| id | doaj.art-f084ec68a5cf4d7cad337b98bdda5bd0 |
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| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:02:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-f084ec68a5cf4d7cad337b98bdda5bd02023-11-19T17:29:47ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-09-011310125610.3390/min13101256The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic CompositionsCharalampos Vasilatos0Angeliki Papoutsa1Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografos, 15784 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografos, 15784 Athens, GreeceThis work delves into the presence of REE-Ti-Zr-U-Th minerals, in the mafic–intermediate rocks of the Maronia pluton, Greece, an Oligocene intrusion formed through arc-magmatism during subduction. In Maronia monzodiorite, critical metals are contained in three principal mineral groups, namely, the REE-Ti-Zr, REE-Ca-P, and U-Th assemblages. The REE-Ti-Zr group includes REE-ilmenite, chevkinite-like phases, zirconolite, and baddeleyite. The REE-Ca-P assemblage is represented by allanite-(Ce), monazite-(Ce), and huttonitic monazite-(Ce). The U-Th assemblage comprises thorite–coffinite and uraninite–thorianite solid solutions. The paragenetic sequencing of these minerals offers insights into their formation conditions and correlation with the pluton’s magmatic evolution. In the REE-Ti-Zr group, mineral formation progresses from REE-ilmenite to baddeleyite through chevkinite-like phases and zirconolite under oxidizing conditions. The REE-Ca-P sequence involves allanite-(Ce), followed by monazite-(Ce), late allanite-(Ce), and huttonitic monazite-(Ce). In the U-Th group, earlier thorite–coffinite phases are succeeded by uraninite–thorianite solid solutions, indicating Si-undersaturation at late magmatic stages. Fluctuations in Ca-activity induce alternating formations of allanite-(Ce) and monazite-(Ce). These mineral variations are attributed to early-stage interactions between high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic gabbroic melts, influencing critical metal enrichment and mineral speciation. The study’s insights into paragenesis and geological processes offer implications for mineral exploration in analogous geological settings.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/10/1256critical metalsRare Earth ElementsmonzodioriteMaronia plutoneconomic geology |
| spellingShingle | Charalampos Vasilatos Angeliki Papoutsa The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions Minerals critical metals Rare Earth Elements monzodiorite Maronia pluton economic geology |
| title | The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions |
| title_full | The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions |
| title_fullStr | The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions |
| title_full_unstemmed | The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions |
| title_short | The REE-Zr-U-Th Minerals of the Maronia Monzodiorite, N. Greece: Implications on the Saturation and Segregation Mechanisms of Critical Metals in Intermediate–Mafic Compositions |
| title_sort | ree zr u th minerals of the maronia monzodiorite n greece implications on the saturation and segregation mechanisms of critical metals in intermediate mafic compositions |
| topic | critical metals Rare Earth Elements monzodiorite Maronia pluton economic geology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/10/1256 |
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