Fluorine Controls Mineral Assemblages of Alkaline Metasomatites

In the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs, there are numerous xenoliths of the so-called 'aluminous hornfelses' composed of uncommon mineral associations, which, firstly, are ultra-aluminous, and secondly, are highly reduced. (K,Na)-feldspar, albite, hercynite, fayalite, minerals of the phlogopite-annite and cordierite-sekaninaite series, corundum, quartz, muscovite, sillimanite, and andalusite are rock-forming minerals. Fluorite, fluorapatite, ilmenite, pyrrhotite, ulvospinel, troilite, and native iron are characteristic accessory minerals. The protolith of these rocks is unknown. We studied in detail the petrography, mineralogy, and chemical composition of these rocks and believe that hornfelses were formed as a result of the metasomatic influence of foidolites. The main reason for the formation of an unusual aluminous association is the high mobility of aluminum promoted by the formation of fluid expelled from foidolites of the Na-Al-OH-F complexes. Thus, it is fluorine that controls the mobility of aluminum in the fluid and, consequently, the mineral associations of alkaline metasomatites. The gain of alkalis and aluminum to rocks of protolith was the reason for the intense crystallization of (K,Na)-feldspar. As a result, a SiO2 deficiency was formed, and Si-poor, Al-rich silicates and/or oxides crystallized.

Automated summary

This study investigates the aluminous hornfelses in the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs, which are characterized by their ultra-aluminous and highly reduced nature. The findings suggest that these rocks were formed through metasomatic influence of foidolites, with aluminum mobility controlled by fluorine in the fluid. The study provides insights into the unusual aluminous mineral associations in alkaline metasomatites.