Boron isotopes in tourmaline as a tracer of metasomatic processes in the Bamble sector of Southern Norway Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The Bamble sector of southern Norway comprises metagabbros and metasediments that were metasomatically altered to various extents during a late stage of the Sveconorwegian orogeny (similar to 1.06 Ga). The infiltration of highly saline brines along veins led to penetrative scapolitization and albitization on a regional scale and the local deposition of Fe-Ti oxides. Typical secondary mineral assemblages include either scapolite + apatite + amphibole + phlogopite + tourmaline, or albite + epidote + calcite + chlorite + white mica, indicating that the fluids introduced large amounts of Na, Cl, Mg, Ca, K, P, and B to the system. Metasomatic tourmalines associated with different alteration stages as identified by variations in major-element composition and initial Sr-87/Sr-86 were analyzed for B isotopic compositions to constrain possible sources and the evolution of the hydrothermal fluid(s). Measured delta B-11 values range from -5 to +27 % relative to SRM-951, suggesting marine evaporites interlayered with various amounts of continental detritus and pelagic clay as a possible B source reservoir. The influence of a seawater-derived component is clearly indicated by the heavy B isotope signature of tourmaline related to Al-Mg-rich metapelites. In contrast, negative delta B-11 values can be explained by the influence of pneumatolytic fluids associated with granitic pegmatites. On a regional scale (i.e., several km), delta B-11 values in tourmaline vary widely, whereas variations within a single outcrop (tens of m) are typically small and can be ascribed to different generations of tourmaline related to several fluid pulses.

publication date

  • October 2014