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Constraints from geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes for the origin of albitite deposits from Central Sardinia (Italy)

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Abstract

Major- and trace-element contents and Sr–Nd isotope ratios were determined in albitite, albitized and unaltered late-Variscan granitoid samples from the world-class Na-feldspar deposits of central Sardinia, Italy. The albite deposit of high economic grade has geological, textural, and chemical features typical of metasomatic alteration affecting the host granitoids. Albitization, locally accompanied by chloritization and epidotization, was characterized by strong leaching of Mg, Fe, K, and geochemically similar trace elements, and by a significant increase of Na. Ca, and P were moderately leached in the most metasomatized rocks. Other major (Si, Ti, Ca) and trace elements (U, Th, Y, and Zr), along with light (LREE) and middle (MREE) rare-earth elements, behaved essentially immobile at the deposit scale. The Nd-isotope ratios (0.512098 to 0.512248) do not provide information on the emplacement age of the unaltered late-Variscan granitoids. On the other hand, their Sr-isotope ratios fit an errorchron of 274±29 Ma (1σ error), in fair agreement with all published ages of Sardinian Variscan granitoids. The very low Rb content of albitized rocks precludes application of the Rb–Sr radiometric system to determine the age of albitization. The Sm–Nd system is not applicable either, because the 143Nd/144Nd ratios of albitized rocks and unaltered granitoids overlap. The overlap confirms that Sm and Nd were substantially immobile during albitization. On the other hand, the measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the albitized rocks are appreciably lower than those of the unaltered host granitoids, whereas, their initial Sr-isotope ratios are higher. This seems to suggest that a) albitization was induced by non-magmatic fluids rich in radiogenic Sr, and b) albitization occurred shortly after the granitoid emplacement. This conclusion is supported by Nd isotopes, because unaltered granitoids and albitites fit the same reference isochron at 274 Ma. The fluids acquired radiogenic Sr by circulation through the Lower Paleozoic metasedimentary basement. Specifically, it is estimated that Sr supplied by the non-carbonatic basement represents about 22 wt% of total Sr in albitite.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria, Sections of Cagliari and Rome (La Sapienza), Italy, within the project Minerali e rocce industriali: prospezione geomineraria, valorizzazione e caratterizzazione dei materiali, and M.P.I. (60% grants to Prof. G. Padalino). We have benefited from constructive reviews by Albrecht von Quadt and Urs Schaltegger. The last version of this manuscript benefited from the constructive criticism and suggestions of Piero Lattanzi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università La Sapienza di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Castorina & Umberto Masi

  2. IGAG-CNR, Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Sezione di Roma, c/o Università La Sapienza di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Castorina & Umberto Masi

  3. Dipartimento di Geoingegneria e Tecnologie Ambientali, Università di Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi 19, 09123, Cagliari, Italy

    Giorgio Padalino

  4. IGAG-CNR, Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Sezione di Cagliari, c/o Università di Cagliari, Piazza d’Armi 19, 09123, Cagliari, Italy

    Marcella Palomba

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  1. Francesca Castorina
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  2. Umberto Masi
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Correspondence to Marcella Palomba.

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Castorina, F., Masi, U., Padalino, G. et al. Constraints from geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes for the origin of albitite deposits from Central Sardinia (Italy). Miner Deposita 41, 323–338 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-006-0049-7

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