Rare-metal enrichment in carbonatite-bearing magmatic systems: Understanding magmatic evolution and enrichment processes through high-precision geochronology and isotope geochemistry
The project investigates the evolution of carbonatite magmatic systems in the Kola Alkaline Province (Russia), one of the world’s most important regions for alkaline–carbonatite magmatism and critical raw material deposits. A first study, published in 2024, examined the formation of REE-rich perovskite during antiskarn reactions and explored the transfer of rare earth elements from pyroxenites to carbonatites. Building on these results, the current research applies high-precision U–Pb geochronology of baddeleyite to establish the timing of magmatic and ore-forming processes. A subsequent phase of the project focuses on isotope geochemistry to better constrain magma sources and the mechanisms responsible for element enrichment. Together, these studies aim to improve our understanding of how carbonatite-related deposits form and concentrate critical raw materials.
Collaboration and Funding
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
- Leibniz Universität Hannover
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number: 441165722
Figure 1. Element distribution maps and mineral chemistry of a pyroxenite–carbonatite contact from the Kola Alkaline Province. (a) EDS spectral map showing a calcite-rich vein cutting a pyroxenite host rock. (b) Enlarged view of the area marked by the yellow box in (a). Asterisks indicate LA-ICP-MS analytical spots; numbers correspond to Ce concentrations (ppm). The elevated Ce contents observed near the contact suggest local enrichment of rare earth elements during fluid–rock interaction and mineral replacement processes. (c) Ce versus Na concentrations of selected minerals from the same sample, illustrating the distribution of rare earth elements among different mineral phases. Error bars for LA-ICP-MS analyses are approximately ±15% (1σ). Mineral abbreviations: Ap – apatite, Cal – calcite, Di – diopside, Phl – phlogopite, Prv – perovskite, Rct – richterite, Ttn – titanite. Modified from Voropaeva et al. (2024), licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
