Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd ages of the Phalaborwa Carbonatite Complex, South Africa

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We analyzed Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic compositions of whole-rock and minerals from syenite, biotite gneiss xenolith, dolerite dyke, phoscorite, and carbonatite from the Phalaborwa Carbonatite Complex located in northeastern Transvaal, South Africa. Syenite does not give significant Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd whole-rock and mineral isochron ages. Dolerite gives an Rb-Sr whole-rock and mineral isochron age of 2062±74Ma. This age overlaps with the timing of the magmatism of the Phalaborwa Carbonatite Complex. Biotite gneiss and phoscorite do not also give significant Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isochrons. The Rb-Sr whole-rock and mineral isochron of phoscorite, however, gives an age of 2013±93Ma. The age is clearly the cooling age of this complex. Carbonatites are divided into two groups, having low and high initial Sr isotopic ratios. This coordinates with the result of S.C. Eriksson (Carbonatites, ed. by K. Bell, 1989). In addition, these groups indicate different initial Nd isotopic ratios. These suggest that carbonatite and related rocks were formed by mixing of two source magmas having different Sr and Nd isotopic compositions.
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