Kimberlite magmas, as the deepest probe into Earth's mantle (>150 km), can supply unique information about volatile components (hydrogen, carbon, chlorine, sulfur) in mantle-derived melts and fluids. All known kimberlite rocks are not suitable for studies of mantle volatiles because of their pervasive postmagmatic alteration; however, this study discusses an exceptionally fresh group I kimberlites (<0.5 wt% H2O) from the Udachnaya-East diamondiferous pipe in Siberia. Kimberlite groundmass, in addition to euhedral olivine and calcite, is extremely enriched (at least 8 wt%) in water-soluble alkali chlorides, alkali carbonates, and sulfates (ratio 5:3:1), and often shows immiscibility textures. A primary magmatic origin of alkali chlorides and alkali carbonates is confirmed by the study of strontium isotopes in the water- and dilute acid–leachates of the groundmass (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7069 and 0.7050) that contrast with much more radiogenic isotope composition of the Cambrian platform sedimentary rocks and the Udachnaya-East mine-site brines. Melt inclusions in groundmass olivine, composed of halite, sylvite, alkali-Ca carbonates, phlogopite, olivine, and CO2 fluid, were used to determine the composition and evolution of the kimberlite melt prior to emplacement. Melt inclusions show immiscibility between chloride and carbonate liquids at <600 °C in heating stage experiments. The chloride and carbonate enrichment in the kimberlite parental magma suggests the presence of a powerful agent for chemical modifications (metasomatism) in the mantle and crust.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.