# Following the Amphibolite to Greenschist Metamorphic Path through the Structural Parameters of Spinels from Amsaga (Mauritania)

Davide Lenaz, Henrik Skogby, Nicola Rigonat, Julien Berger

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Davide Lenaz, Henrik Skogby, Nicola Rigonat, Julien Berger. Following the Amphibolite to Greenschist Metamorphic Path through the Structural Parameters of Spinels from Amsaga (Mauritania). Minerals, 2018, 8, 10.3390/min8010027. insu-04831812

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Article

# Following the Amphibolite to Greenschist Metamorphic Path through the Structural Parameters of Spinels from Amsaga (Mauritania)

Davide Lenaz<sup>1,* ID</sup>, Henrik Skogby<sup>2</sup>, Nicola Rigonat<sup>1,3</sup> and Julien Berger<sup>4,5</sup>

Received: 24 November 2017; Accepted: 15 January 2018; Published: 18 January 2018

**Abstract:** We investigated the crystal and structural behavior of several Cr-bearing spinels from the Archean chromitites of Amsaga (Mauritania). The chemical and structural data testified a retrograde metamorphism from amphibolite to greenschist facies, witnessed by relative changes in the amount of all the major oxides (Cr, Al, Mg, Fe<fnref n="2" />⁺, Fe<fnref n="3" />⁺), the relative proportion of Fe<fnref n="3" />⁺/Feₜot as well as the structural parameters, including the cell edge and the oxygen coordinate. The general agreement between electron microprobe and Mössbauer data indicates that the analyzed spinels are stoichiometric. The structural data revealed that the oxygen positional parameter of amphibole-bearing samples is the highest observed among Cr-bearing spinels with similar Cr# and Mg#. Consequently, it is suggested that a structural study of detrital Cr-spinels could be important in discriminating an amphibole-chromitite source from an ophiolite source.

**Keywords:** Cr-bearing spinel; chemistry; X-ray single crystal diffraction; Mössbauer spectroscopy; Archean; Mauritania

## 1. Introduction

Chromium-bearing spinels are commonly considered important petrogenetic indicators [1–5]—due to general relationships between spinel chemistry, rock type, and post-crystallization processes—which can be understood from different types of analysis of spinel-bearing assemblages [4,6,7].

The relationships between chemistry, structural parameters, and genetic behaviors have been considered by several authors. In particular, the crystal chemistry of Cr-spinels from different lithologies, including mantle xenoliths [8–13], ophiolites [14–18], Alpine peridotites [19,20], komatiites [21], layered complexes [22–24], inclusions in diamonds and kimberlites [25] as well as in meteorites [26,27], have previously been studied to better understand genesis and/or oxidation mechanisms.

The massive chromitites samples analyzed in this work come from the Archaean Guelb el Azib layered complex (GAC; Amsaga Area, West African craton, Mauritania; Figure 1), a meta-igneous body, comparable to Archean anorthosite complexes [28]. In order to better constrain the genesis and the metamorphic path of these chromitites, the crystal chemical parameters of single crystals of Cr-spinels have been studied. As some authors [14,15,17,18,29–34] observed non-stoichiometry of spinels from serpentinized ophiolites and of spinels altered in sedimentary environments, the

<footnote n="1">¹ Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze, University of Trieste, Via Weiss 8, I-34128 Trieste, Italy</footnote>

<footnote n="2">² Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden; henrik.skogby@nrm.se</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³ Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Cagliari, Via Trentino 51, 09127 Cagliari, Italy; nicola.rigonat@unica.it</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴ Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire de Midi-Pyrénées, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, F-31400 Toulouse, France; julien.berger@get.omp.eu</footnote>

<footnote n="5">⁵ Geological Institute, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland</footnote>

<footnote>* Correspondence: lenaz@units.it; Tel.: +39-040-5582209</footnote>
$Fe^{3+}/Fe_{tot}$ ratio has also been determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy. This is particularly important because the estimation of $f_{O_2}$ via geothermobarometry is dependent on the quantification of the $Fe^{3+}$ contents, which play a fundamental role in the calculation of both magnetite activity in Cr-spinel and equilibrium temperatures. If deviations from stoichiometry occur and are not detected, the resulting errors may be very large. By combining these data with those derived from structural refinement and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), it will be possible to establish if the studied crystals of chromite are stoichiometric or not.

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1.** Geological maps of the West African Craton (a) and the Amsaga area (b). The map of Amsaga and the geochronological information are from Potrel (1996) [35]. GAC: Guelb el Aziz Complex.</figcaption></figure>

Hence, the aim of this work, is to verify (a) if it is possible to follow the metamorphic path from the amphibolite to the greenschist facies through structural analyses of Cr-spinels; (b) if it is possible to discriminate the spinels from amphibolites from those with analogous chemistry of ophiolitic and layered complex occurrences, based on structural data; and (c) if the metamorphic overprint produced any non-stoichiometry in the studied Cr-spinels.

## 2. Materials and Methods

The Amsaga area, located in the Southern part of the Reguibat Shield, belongs to the Archaean domain of the West African craton. This zone is composed of supracrustal units, mainly BIFs (Banded Iron Formations), impure marbles, amphibolites and metapelites, with granite-gneiss terrains, dominated by migmatitic orthogneiss of TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite) affinity. Potrel (1996) [35] dated the migmatized orthogneiss at 3.5 Ga, while charnockitic plutons intruded the supracrustal sequences between 2.9–3.0 Ga [36–38]. A main tectono-thermal event affected most of the units from Amsaga between 2.9 and 2.7 Ga [36,37], the younger age representing the emplacement of a non-metamorphosed mafic intrusion.

Chromitites are found in dissected complexes formed by the association of serpentinites (former olivine-rich cumulates), mafic olivine-amphibole-spinel-plagioclase rocks (meta-troctolites),
amphibolites and recrystallized anorthosites [39]. The whole complex is in tectonic contact with TTG orthogneiss and supracrustal BIF, cipolin and amphibolites. It has been affected by high temperature metamorphism and deformation, up to 900 °C, at 5 kbar, with retrogression, to various extents, under amphibolite and greenschist-grade conditions. Most chromitites form meter-scale lenses in the ultramafic, olivine-bearing units but some lenses have also be found in close association with leuco-amphibolites and anorthosites. These characteristics allow us to link this complex to well-known, worldwide Archaean anorthosite complexes [28], such as Fiskenaesset in Greenland [40] and Sittampundi in India [41,42].

On the basis of their dominant silicate matrix minerals, the massive chromitites (from 50 to 90 vol % chromite) investigated in this study can be subdivided into amphibole-chromitite (AMP-CHR, hereafter), chlorite-chromitite (CHL-CHR) and talc-serpentine-chromitite (TS-CHR). The amphibole-chromitites show rounded chromite grains (up to 0.5 cm width), surrounded by high-Al Mg-hornblende, with no signs of retrogression under greenschist-grade conditions (Figure 2a). Chlorite- and talc-serpentine chromitite show angular spinel grains (up to several centimeters width) and are affected to various extents by greenschist hydrothermal metamorphism. The chromite grains can indeed show spongy textures with numerous chlorite inclusions (Figure 2b) and a ferritchromit replacement.

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2.** Electron backscattered images of textural relationships in Cr-bearing spinels from amphibole-chromitite (A) and chlorite-chromitite (B).</figcaption></figure>
## 2.1. X-ray Single Crystal Diffraction

Nine single crystals of Cr-spinel were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Data were recorded on an automated KUMA-KM4 (K-geometry) diffractometer (KUMA, Wroclaw, Poland), using MoKα radiation, monochromatized by a flat graphite crystal. Twenty-four equivalents of the 12 8 4, at approximately 80° were accurately centered at both sides of 2θ, and the MoKα1 peak barycenter was used for cell parameter determination. Data collection was made, according to [43], up to 55° of θ in the ω-2θ scan mode, at a scan width of 1.8° 2θ, and a counting time from 20 to 50 s, depending on the peak standard uncertainty. Structural refinement, using the SHELX-97 program [44], was carried out against $Fo^2_{hkl}$ in the $Fd\bar{3}m$ space group (with origin at $-3m$), since no evidence of different symmetry appeared. Scattering factors were taken from [45,46]. Neutral scattering curves—Mg vs. Fe in T site and Cr vs. Al in M site—were assigned, with the constraints of full site occupancy and equal displacement parameters. Oxygen ionization was varied from one grain to another, in order to reach the best fit between structural refinement and chemical analyses and to obtain the best value for all conventional agreement factors.

It should be noted that the analyzed crystals are full of inclusions, and this fact could have caused a depletion in some structural parameters. Crystallographic data are listed in Table 1.

<table><caption>**Table 1.** Results of structure refinement.</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>MA422</th><th>MA238</th><th>MA44</th><th>MA400</th><th>MA17</th><th>MA226</th><th>MA440</th><th>MA425</th><th>MA273</th></tr><tr><th>Matrix</th><th>Talc-Serp</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Amph</th><th>Amph</th><th>Amph</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>a<sub>0</sub></td><td>8.3571 (5)</td><td>8.2933 (3)</td><td>8.2854 (5)</td><td>8.3142 (4)</td><td>8.2770 (4)</td><td>8.2825 (2)</td><td>8.2561 (7)</td><td>8.2635 (6)</td><td>8.2601 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>u</td><td>0.2626 (2)</td><td>0.2634 (2)</td><td>0.2630 (1)</td><td>0.2628 (2)</td><td>0.2633 (1)</td><td>0.2628 (1)</td><td>0.2635 (1)</td><td>0.2638 (2)</td><td>0.2633 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>T-O</td><td>1.9920 (5)</td><td>1.9892 (3)</td><td>1.9800 (6)</td><td>1.9847 (4)</td><td>1.9828 (4)</td><td>1.9764 (2)</td><td>1.9809 (7)</td><td>1.9865 (7)</td><td>1.9788 (3)</td></tr><tr><td>M-O</td><td>1.990 (1)</td><td>1.968 (1)</td><td>1.970 (1)</td><td>1.9575 (9)</td><td>1.965 (1)</td><td>1.9705 (8)</td><td>1.9575 (9)</td><td>1.959 (2)</td><td>1.961 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>m.a.n. T</td><td>24.3 (8)</td><td>24.5 (4)</td><td>21.6 (4)</td><td>20.9 (4)</td><td>21.4 (3)</td><td>19.9 (2)</td><td>22.4 (5)</td><td>23.8 (6)</td><td>20.5 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>m.a.n. M</td><td>22.7 (9)</td><td>19.8 (2)</td><td>20.5 (5)</td><td>21.5 (3)</td><td>19.5 (3)</td><td>20.1 (2)</td><td>18.8 (4)</td><td>18.8 (3)</td><td>19.2 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>U (M)</td><td>0.0054 (2)</td><td>0.0057 (1)</td><td>0.0048 (2)</td><td>0.0050 (2)</td><td>0.0060 (1)</td><td>0.0064 (1)</td><td>0.0061 (2)</td><td>0.0048 (3)</td><td>0.0054 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>U (T)</td><td>0.0076 (3)</td><td>0.0078 (2)</td><td>0.0076 (2)</td><td>0.0078 (4)</td><td>0.0087 (2)</td><td>0.0085 (2)</td><td>0.0081 (2)</td><td>0.0089 (4)</td><td>0.0078 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>U (O)</td><td>0.0072 (5)</td><td>0.0083 (4)</td><td>0.0070 (4)</td><td>0.0071 (5)</td><td>0.0084 (4)</td><td>0.0087 (2)</td><td>0.0084 (4)</td><td>0.0085 (7)</td><td>0.0075 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>N<sub>refl</sub></td><td>133</td><td>132</td><td>137</td><td>118</td><td>129</td><td>166</td><td>134</td><td>87</td><td>137</td></tr><tr><td>R1</td><td>3.26</td><td>2.75</td><td>2.90</td><td>3.25</td><td>2.91</td><td>3.38</td><td>2.89</td><td>3.40</td><td>3.29</td></tr><tr><td>wR2</td><td>6.45</td><td>5.41</td><td>5.07</td><td>5.51</td><td>5.10</td><td>6.05</td><td>5.61</td><td>5.13</td><td>5.41</td></tr><tr><td>GooF</td><td>1.235</td><td>1.254</td><td>1.326</td><td>1.279</td><td>1.300</td><td>1.403</td><td>1.209</td><td>1.241</td><td>1.248</td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: a₀: cell parameter (Å); u: oxygen positional parameter; T-O and M-O: tetrahedral and octahedral bond lengths (Å), respectively; m.a.n. T and M: mean atomic number; U(M), U(T), U(O): displacement parameters for M site, T site and O; N<sub>refl</sub>: number of unique reflections; R1 all (%), wR2 (%), GooF as defined in Sheldrick (2008) [44]; Space Group: *Fd\bar{3}m*. Origin fixed at $-3m$, Z = 8; reciprocal space range: $-19 < h < 19$; $0 < k < 19$; $0 < l < 19$. Serp: serpentine; Chl: chlorite; Amph: amphibole.

## 2.2. Electron Microprobe Analyses

After X-ray data collection, the same crystals used for X-ray data collection were mounted on glass slides, polished and carbon coated for electron microprobe analyses on a CAMECA-CAMEBAX microprobe (CAMECA, Gennevilliers Cedex, France) at IGG-CNR (Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), Padua, operating at 15 kV and 15 nA. A 20 s counting time was used for both the peak and total background. Synthetic $MgCr_2O_4$ and $FeCr_2O_4$ spinels were used for Mg, Cr and Fe determination, $Al_2O_3$ for Al, $MnTiO_3$ for Ti, and Mn, NiO for Ni and sphalerite for Zn. The following diffracting crystals were used: TAP for Al and Mg, PET for Ti and Ti, and LIF for Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, V and Zn. Raw data were reduced by a PAP-type correction software provided by CAMECA. Chemical data are listed in Table 2.
<table><caption>**Table 2.** Mean chemical analyses (10–15 spot analyses for each crystal) and cation distribution in T and M sites of the analysed Cr-spinels, on the basis of four oxygen atoms per formula unit.</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>MA422</th><th>MA238</th><th>MA44</th><th>MA400</th><th>MA17</th><th>MA226</th><th>MA440</th><th>MA425</th><th>MA273</th></tr><tr><th>Matrix</th><th>Talc-Serp</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Chl</th><th>Amph</th><th>Amph</th><th>Amph</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>MgO</td><td>1.9 (2)</td><td>2.3 (1)</td><td>7.2 (1)</td><td>7.7 (2)</td><td>6.4 (1)</td><td>9.6 (5)</td><td>5.3 (2)</td><td>4.5 (1)</td><td>8.8 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub></td><td>6.5 (6)</td><td>20.0 (2)</td><td>17.5 (2)</td><td>12.0 (2)</td><td>22.4 (2)</td><td>19.1 (1)</td><td>25.5 (4)</td><td>25.2 (2)</td><td>24.3 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>TiO<sub>2</sub></td><td>0.33 (8)</td><td>0.0</td><td>0.28 (4)</td><td>0.33 (4)</td><td>0.32 (5)</td><td>0.30 (6)</td><td>0.24 (1)</td><td>0.26 (9)</td><td>0.33 (5)</td></tr><tr><td>V<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub></td><td>0.21 (3)</td><td>0.23 (3)</td><td>0.15 (3)</td><td>0.14 (4)</td><td>0.21 (3)</td><td>0.17 (3)</td><td>0.22 (2)</td><td>0.21 (6)</td><td>0.24 (3)</td></tr><tr><td>Cr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub></td><td>46.0 (4)</td><td>37.8 (3)</td><td>42.0 (3)</td><td>49.7 (4)</td><td>37.9 (4)</td><td>44.9 (3)</td><td>37.2 (6)</td><td>37.4 (5)</td><td>39.4 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>MnO</td><td>1.2 (1)</td><td>0.82 (7)</td><td>0.36 (3)</td><td>0.35 (3)</td><td>0.43 (4)</td><td>0.40 (8)</td><td>0.36 (3)</td><td>0.34 (3)</td><td>0.32 (3)</td></tr><tr><td>FeO<sub>tot</sub></td><td>41.8 (5)</td><td>37.6 (4)</td><td>31.1 (5)</td><td>27.5 (5)</td><td>31.6 (4)</td><td>24.8 (6)</td><td>31.2 (5)</td><td>31.9 (3)</td><td>26.9 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>NiO</td><td>0.08 (3)</td><td>0.10 (3)</td><td>0.07 (3)</td><td>0.08 (3)</td><td>0.09 (2)</td><td>0.12 (2)</td><td>0.07 (3)</td><td>0.11 (4)</td><td>0.15 (3)</td></tr><tr><td>ZnO</td><td>0.37 (4)</td><td>0.64 (5)</td><td>0.45 (4)</td><td>0.31 (4)</td><td>0.31 (5)</td><td>0.17 (8)</td><td>0.27 (5)</td><td>0.28 (8)</td><td>0.28 (8)</td></tr><tr><td>Sum</td><td>98.41</td><td>99.56</td><td>99.14</td><td>98.11</td><td>99.65</td><td>99.54</td><td>100.37</td><td>100.3</td><td>100.6</td></tr><tr><td>FeO</td><td>28.6 (5)</td><td>30.2 (4)</td><td>23.1 (5)</td><td>21.3 (5)</td><td>25.3 (4)</td><td>19.9 (6)</td><td>27.7 (5)</td><td>28.8 (3)</td><td>22.5 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub></td><td>14.7</td><td>8.2</td><td>8.9</td><td>7.0</td><td>7.0</td><td>5.4</td><td>3.9</td><td>3.5</td><td>4.9</td></tr><tr><td>Sum</td><td>99.88</td><td>100.4</td><td>100.03</td><td>98.80</td><td>100.35</td><td>100.08</td><td>100.70</td><td>100.76</td><td>101.00</td></tr><tr><td>T Site</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mg</td><td>0.056 (4)</td><td>0.104 (6)</td><td>0.285 (5)</td><td>0.360 (8)</td><td>0.260 (5)</td><td>0.434 (18)</td><td>0.215 (7)</td><td>0.185 (5)</td><td>0.351 (4)</td></tr><tr><td>Al</td><td>0.020 (6)</td><td>0.000 (0)</td><td>0.028 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.039 (1)</td><td>0.000 (0)</td><td>0.039 (3)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.037 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>2+</sup></td><td>0.841 (16)</td><td>0.800 (8)</td><td>0.626 (10)</td><td>0.577 (11)</td><td>0.676 (8)</td><td>0.482 (14)</td><td>0.696 (11)</td><td>0.735 (7)</td><td>0.582 (6)</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>3+</sup></td><td>0.037 (5)</td><td>0.056 (4)</td><td>0.039 (4)</td><td>0.042 (5)</td><td>0.005 (1)</td><td>0.068 (12)</td><td>0.034 (7)</td><td>0.061 (7)</td><td>0.020 (3)</td></tr><tr><td>Mn</td><td>0.036 (2)</td><td>0.023 (2)</td><td>0.010 (1)</td><td>0.010 (1)</td><td>0.012 (1)</td><td>0.011 (2)</td><td>0.009 (1)</td><td>0.009 (1)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Zn</td><td>0.009 (1)</td><td>0.016 (1)</td><td>0.011 (1)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td><td>0.007 (1)</td><td>0.004 (2)</td><td>0.006 (1)</td><td>0.007 (2)</td><td>0.002 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>M Site</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Al</td><td>0.281 (23)</td><td>0.788 (7)</td><td>0.653 (7)</td><td>0.474 (7)</td><td>0.807 (6)</td><td>0.716 (8)</td><td>0.920 (12)</td><td>0.947 (8)</td><td>0.856 (7)</td></tr><tr><td>Cr</td><td>1.298 (16)</td><td>1.000 (8)</td><td>1.090 (8)</td><td>1.327 (10)</td><td>0.963 (9)</td><td>1.128 (12)</td><td>0.936 (12)</td><td>0.946 (8)</td><td>0.972 (8)</td></tr><tr><td>Mg</td><td>0.048 (6)</td><td>0.011 (2)</td><td>0.064 (3)</td><td>0.029 (2)</td><td>0.045 (2)</td><td>0.025 (4)</td><td>0.034 (3)</td><td>0.032 (2)</td><td>0.056 (2)</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>2+</sup></td><td>0.010 (2)</td><td>0.043 (2)</td><td>0.000 (0)</td><td>0.020 (2)</td><td>0.005 (1)</td><td>0.050 (4)</td><td>0.035 (3)</td><td>0.037 (2)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>3+</sup></td><td>0.345 (15)</td><td>0.150 (6)</td><td>0.177 (8)</td><td>0.134 (9)</td><td>0.165 (7)</td><td>0.065 (11)</td><td>0.056 (9)</td><td>0.024 (4)</td><td>0.096 (6)</td></tr><tr><td>Ni</td><td>0.002 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.002 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.002 (1)</td><td>0.003 (1)</td><td>0.004 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Ti</td><td>0.008 (2)</td><td></td><td>0.007 (1)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td><td>0.006 (2)</td><td>0.006 (2)</td><td>0.008 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>V</td><td>0.006 (1)</td><td>0.006 (1)</td><td>0.004 (1)</td><td>0.004 (1)</td><td>0.005 (1)</td><td>0.004 (1)</td><td>0.005 (1)</td><td>0.006 (2)</td><td>0.007 (1)</td></tr><tr><td>Cr#</td><td>0.81</td><td>0.56</td><td>0.62</td><td>0.74</td><td>0.53</td><td>0.61</td><td>0.49</td><td>0.50</td><td>0.52</td></tr><tr><td>Mg#</td><td>0.11</td><td>0.12</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.39</td><td>0.31</td><td>0.46</td><td>0.26</td><td>0.22</td><td>0.41</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>3+</sup>#</td><td>0.09</td><td>0.10</td><td>0.11</td><td>0.09</td><td>0.09</td><td>0.07</td><td>0.05</td><td>0.04</td><td>0.06</td></tr><tr><td>F(x)</td><td>0.422</td><td>0.065</td><td>0.606</td><td>0.092</td><td>0.082</td><td>0.095</td><td>0.043</td><td>0.075</td><td>0.042</td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: Fe<sup>3+</sup> from stoichiometry. F(x): minimisation factor, which takes into account the mean of square differences between calculated and observed parameters, divided by their standard deviations. Serp: serpentine; Chl: chlorite; Amph: amphibole; Cr#: Cr/(Cr + Al); Mg#: Mg/(Mg + Fe<sup>2+</sup>); Fe<sup>3+</sup>#: Fe<sup>3+</sup>/(Fe<sup>3+</sup> + Cr + Al) Estimated standard deviations are in brackets.

## 2.3. Cation Distribution

Several different procedures may be adopted to determine cation distribution [47,48], and satisfying results can generally be obtained by combining data from single-crystal X-ray structural refinements and electron microprobe analyses. This approach simultaneously takes into account both the structural and chemical data and reproduces the observed parameters by optimizing cation distributions. Differences between measured and calculated parameters are minimized by a function, F(x), taking into consideration different observed quantities, such as a₀, u, T- and M-m.a.n., atomic proportions, and constraints imposed by the crystal chemistry (total charges and T and M site populations). Several minimization cycles of F(x) were performed up to convergence. A summary of the procedure can be found in [27]. The obtained cation distributions are listed in Table 2.

## 2.4. Mössbauer Spectroscopy

The oxidation state of Fe in the studied samples was determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy, using a conventional spectrometer system (WissEl GmbH, Starnberg, Germany), operated in constant acceleration mode, with a triangular reference signal and a ⁵⁷Co, Rh matrix source with a nominal activity of 50 mCi. Absorbers were prepared by grinding 8–20 mg of sample material with ca 80 mg acrylic resin (Transoptic powder), followed by pressing to discs of 12-mm diameter, under moderate heating. The Fe thickness of the absorbers were kept below that required for the thin-absorber approximation (<5 mg Fe/cm²). Spectra were acquired over 1024 channels in the velocity range −4.5 to +4.5 mm/s, and calibrated against an α-Fe foil (thickness = 25 µm) before folding and reduction to 256
channels. Data collection time varied from two to five days. A least-squares fitting software (MDA) [49] was used to analyze the spectra. Most spectra could be adequately fitted with one doublet assigned to Fe³⁺ and three doublets assigned to Fe²⁺; however, one sample (MA422) displayed additional absorption bands caused by a magnetic phase. A spectrum acquired in a wider velocity range (−11 to +11 mm/s) showed that this phase was magnetite (also observed in the serpentinite-bearing matrix). Several studies have shown that the recoil-free fractions for Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are unequal [50,51]. The absorption area ratios obtained for the Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ doublets were accordingly corrected for unequal recoil-free fractions based on the data presented in [50] and the composition of the studied samples, using a value of 0.687 for Fe²⁺ and 0.887 for Fe³⁺. Results are listed in Table 3.

<table><caption>**Table 3.** Mössbauer parameters obtained for spinel samples at room temperature.</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>MA422</th><th>MA238</th><th>MA44</th><th>MA400</th><th>MA17</th><th>MA226</th><th>MA440</th><th>MA425</th><th>MA273</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="10"><strong>Assignment</strong></td></tr><tr><td colspan="10"><strong>Fe<sup>2+</sup> (1)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>% Area</td><td>14.9</td><td>23.2</td><td>22.9</td><td>11.1</td><td>27.8</td><td>22.7</td><td>32.9</td><td>31.0</td><td>29.5</td></tr><tr><td>Γ</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.42</td><td>0.42</td><td>0.32</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.41</td><td>0.41</td><td>0.42</td></tr><tr><td>δ</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.90</td><td>0.91</td><td>0.95</td><td>0.91</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.91</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td></tr><tr><td>ΔE<sub>Q</sub></td><td>1.82</td><td>1.86</td><td>1.83</td><td>1.71</td><td>1.85</td><td>1.83</td><td>1.87</td><td>1.88</td><td>1.88</td></tr><tr><td colspan="10"><strong>Fe<sup>2+</sup> (2)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>% Area</td><td>21.9</td><td>27.6</td><td>23.9</td><td>28.0</td><td>25.7</td><td>28.2</td><td>27.9</td><td>32.0</td><td>28.3</td></tr><tr><td>Γ</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.39</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.39</td><td>0.39</td></tr><tr><td>δ</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.92</td></tr><tr><td>ΔE<sub>Q</sub></td><td>1.30</td><td>1.32</td><td>1.34</td><td>1.29</td><td>1.32</td><td>1.32</td><td>1.32</td><td>1.32</td><td>1.33</td></tr><tr><td colspan="10"><strong>Fe<sup>2+</sup> (3)</strong></td></tr><tr><td>% Area</td><td>36.1</td><td>24.0</td><td>21.1</td><td>32.1</td><td>20.8</td><td>23.5</td><td>23.1</td><td>22.2</td><td>20.8</td></tr><tr><td>Γ</td><td>0.45</td><td>0.40</td><td>0.38</td><td>0.38</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.38</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.38</td><td>0.37</td></tr><tr><td>δ</td><td>0.93</td><td>0.95</td><td>0.95</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.93</td><td>0.93</td><td>0.92</td><td>0.93</td><td>0.94</td></tr><tr><td>ΔE<sub>Q</sub></td><td>0.68</td><td>0.77</td><td>0.78</td><td>0.78</td><td>0.81</td><td>0.79</td><td>0.82</td><td>0.80</td><td>0.80</td></tr><tr><td colspan="10"><strong>Fe<sup>3+</sup></strong></td></tr><tr><td>% Area</td><td>27.2</td><td>25.3</td><td>32.1</td><td>28.8</td><td>25.7</td><td>25.5</td><td>16.1</td><td>14.9</td><td>21.4</td></tr><tr><td>Γ</td><td>0.31</td><td>0.38</td><td>0.35</td><td>0.29</td><td>0.31</td><td>0.32</td><td>0.30</td><td>0.32</td><td>0.34</td></tr><tr><td>δ</td><td>0.37</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.35</td><td>0.35</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.35</td><td>0.36</td><td>0.35</td><td>0.35</td></tr><tr><td>ΔE<sub>Q</sub></td><td>0.52</td><td>0.58</td><td>0.57</td><td>0.53</td><td>0.59</td><td>0.55</td><td>0.60</td><td>0.60</td><td>0.58</td></tr><tr><td>χ<sup>2</sup></td><td>2.71</td><td>3.30</td><td>1.65</td><td>1.65</td><td>3.01</td><td>2.12</td><td>2.81</td><td>2.23</td><td>3.10</td></tr><tr><td>Fe<sup>3+</sup>/Fe<sub>tot</sub></td><td>0.224</td><td>0.208</td><td>0.268</td><td>0.239</td><td>0.211</td><td>0.210</td><td>0.129</td><td>0.119</td><td>0.174</td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: % Area = integrated intensities given in % of total Cr-spinel absorption area; Γ = full width at half maximum in mm/s; δ = centroid shift in mm/s; ΔE<sub>Q</sub> = quadrupole splitting in mm/s. For sample MA422, the absorption area of a magnetic phase (32.1%) was excluded from the listed integrated intensities. The Fe³⁺/Fe<sub>tot</sub> ratios were calculated from the observed integrated intensity relations using recoil-free fractions of 0.687 for Fe²⁺ and 0.887 for Fe³⁺. Errors in Fe³⁺/Fe<sub>tot</sub> ratios are estimated to be ±0.02. The obtained Γ-values for the Fe-standard were within 0.15–0.16 mm/s.

### 3. Results

Regarding the structural data, the cell edge of the analyzed crystals ranges between 8.2561 (7) and 8.3571 (5) Å, while the oxygen positional parameter is between 0.2626 (2) and 0.2638 (2) (Table 1). It is possible to discriminate the samples into three groups, according to their host lithology and their structural parameters. The sample occurring in TS is characterized by a larger cell edge (8.3571 Å) and lower *u* value (0.2626), whereas those occurring in AMP show the smallest cell edges (8.2561–8.2635 Å) and the highest *u* values (0.2633–0.2638), and those from CHL show values in between the other two groups (8.2770–8.3142 Å; 0.2628–0.2634, respectively). In Figure 3, for comparison, samples from layered complexes, such as Bushveld, Rum and Stillwater complexes [22–24], ophiolites [14,16–18], komatiites [21] and synthetic MgCr₂O₄-FeCr₂O₄ series [52], are plotted. While there is a certain overlap for the Cr-spinels in chlorite matrix, the other spinels fall outside the previously defined fields.

Also, the chemical compositions of the studied samples show distinct variations, according to the host lithologies (TS-CHR, CHL-CHR and AMP-CHR). These three groups have different chemical characteristics, especially regarding the Cr, Fe³⁺ and Al contents (Table 2); in detail, Cr₂O₃ spans from 46 wt % (TS-CHR) to 37–50 wt % (CHL-CHR) and 37–39 wt % (AMP-CHR), Fe₂O₃ from 14.7 wt %
(TS-CHR) to 5.4–8.9 wt % (CHL-CHR) and 3.5–4.9 wt % (AMP-CHR). The Al₂O₃ content varies strongly from 6.5 wt % (TS-CHR) to 12–22 wt % (CHL-CHR) and 24–25 wt % (AMP-CHR), whereas MgO is very low in the TS-CHR spinel (about 2 wt %), within 2–10 wt % in the CHL-CHR samples, and spans from 5 to 9 wt % in the AMP-CHR samples. Other oxides are rather low, with TiO₂ showing an average value of about 0.3 wt %. In the frequently used Cr-Fe³⁺-Al ternary plot (Figure 4), the studied samples plot in an area where samples from ophiolites, komatiites and continental layered intrusions partly overlap, while in the Cr# vs. Fe# diagram (Figure 5), where Cr# is Cr/(Cr + Al) and Fe# is Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Mg), they fall outside the fields covered by these lithologies.

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3.** Oxygen positional parameter, *u*, vs cell edge, $a_0$. Red squares, diamonds and circle represent Amsaga Cr-spinels in amphibole, chlorite and talc-serpentine matrix, respectively; open circles represent komatiites from Nuggihalli Cr-spinels [21]; open squares represent Bushveld, Rum and Stillwater Cr-spinels [22–24]; open triangles represent ophiolites [14,16–18]; open diamonds represent MgCr₂O₄-FeCr₂O₄ synthetic spinels [52]; full squares, diamonds and circles represent Cr-spinels from Archean complexes of Fiskenaesset, Zimbabwe and Ujaragssuit [31].</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4.** The studied spinels in the Cr-Fe³⁺-Al triangular plot. Symbols are as in Figure 2; fields of oceanic arcs, continental intrusions, komatiites and ophiolites are based on Barnes and Roeder (2001) [4], Fiskenaesset field is based on Rollinson et al. (2010) [40].</figcaption></figure>
Representative Mössbauer spectra of the studied chromite samples are shown in Figure 6, and the results from the spectral fitting, including hyperfine parameters, absorption areas and oxidation ratios, after correction for different Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ recoil-free fractions, are listed in Table 3. The obtained Fe³⁺/Feₜot oxidation ratios show pronounced variation from a minimum value of 12% to a maximum value of 27%, which is markedly coupled to sample host lithology. More precisely, the CHL-CHR samples are relatively oxidized with ratios in the range 21–27%, while those in the AMP-CHR matrix display more reduced ratios in the range of 12–17%. The single sample from the TS matrix shows an oxidation ratio of 22%, which is within the range of the CHL-CHR samples. The oxidation ratios obtained from Mössbauer spectroscopy are normally quite similar to those calculated based on the chemical analyses and charge considerations (Figure 7), which confirms that the samples are stoichiometric. An exception is sample MA422 for which the EMPA data show a considerably higher Fe³⁺/Feₜot ratio compared to the MS data.

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5.** Cr# vs. Fe# diagram. Symbols are as in Figure 2. Fields of oceanic arcs, continental intrusions (CI), komatiites (Ko) and ophiolites are based on Barnes and Roeder (2001) [4], Fiskenæsset field is based on Rollinson et al. (2010) [40].</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6.** *Cont.*</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6.** Mössbauer spectra of spinel samples obtained at room temperature showing increasing amounts of Fe³⁺. (a) Sample MA425; (b) Sample MA273; (c) Sample MA44. Stippled line indicates Fe³⁺, thin solid lines indicate Fe²⁺, and thick solid line denotes summed fitted spectrum.</figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7.** Fe³⁺/Fe<sub>tot</sub> comparison according to Mössbauer (MS) and Electron Microprobe Analysis (EMPA).</figcaption></figure>
# 4. Discussion

## 4.1. *Crystal Chemical Considerations*

From a structural point of view, the Cr-bearing spinels from the Guelb El Azib complex are similar to those from continental intrusions, like Bushveld and Stillwater [22,24] (Figure 3). However, at least some of them show higher oxygen parameter values, typical of a more ordered distribution with trivalent cations in the M site and divalent cations in the T site, which indicates slow cooling. The observed oxygen parameters are rather different from samples from ophiolites [14,16–18]. According to the petrological observations and in comparison with experimental data by [39], the formation of the complex can be explained by fractionation of a slightly hydrous high-alumina basaltic melt at low pressure. The early fractionation of olivine and the absence of massive clinopyroxene fractionation before plagioclase saturation led to crystallization of highly calcic plagioclase with Fe- and Al-rich, but Cr-poor, chromite, from a hydrous tholeiitic parental magma, similar to worldwide Archean tholeiites. In the Cr-Fe³⁺-Al plot (Figure 4), the AMP-CHR spinels fall in the field of ophiolites, while the CHL-CHR samples fall in the area where overlapping occurs between the ophiolite, komatiite and continental intrusion fields. In the Cr# vs. Fe# diagram (Figure 5), some of the here-studied spinels fall in the Fiskenæsset field, others in the overlapping fields of oceanic arcs, komatiites and continental intrusions. Rollinson et al. (2010) [40] supposed an igneous origin for the amphibole present in the anorthositic chromitites of Fiskenæsset that seem to be analogous to the chromitites we examined herein. The presence of associated talc-serpentine and chlorite-bearing chromitite rocks in Amsaga make us confident in hypothesizing one or more metamorphic events affecting these rocks, so that the presence of amphiboles could be related to the metamorphism [39]. According to these authors, it is not possible to establish which were the primary igneous structures, textures, modal and mineralogical compositions because of the metamorphism that pervaded the Guelb el Azib complex, which means that the “primary” composition of the here-studied spinels is unclear. Amphibolite-hosted spinels are generally characterized by high Al and Mg contents, according to [53], and their paragenesis seems to be the result of pyroxene-consuming retrograde metamorphism that produces amphibole as a secondary phase. The composition of these spinels is typical of high temperature (granulite to amphibolites facies conditions) meta-troctolites [39]. Their composition suggests that high-grade metamorphism has led to enrichment in the spinel end-member with leaching of Cr [39].

During the second phase of the metamorphism, they crossed the transition from lower amphibolites facies to upper greenschist facies. Within the CHL-CHR group, there is a decrease in Al and an increase in Mg, in spinels, possibly due to the breakdown of the aluminous Cr-bearing spinel and other coexisting Mg-rich phases. In this step, there is a small increase in Mg in spinel, with the remaining Mg, and almost all Al, entering chlorite. The third step is characterized by a shift from high grade greenschist to low grade greenschist [39]. According to the literature concerning the metamorphic alteration of Cr-spinels [53–59] during greenschist facies metamorphism, Mg- and Si-rich fluids (derived from low temperature serpentinization of olivine and pyroxenes) react with chromite to form chlorite; as a consequence, chromite was altered to form a FeO- and Cr₂O₃-rich, and Al₂O₃-poor chromite. This process caused a shift in both cell edge and *u* to their actual positions in Figure 2, close to the FeCr₂O₄ end-member [52]. At the same time, Mg, diffusing out from chromite and olivine present in the former olivine-chromitite rocks, entered into talc and serpentine minerals. Then, during lower temperature amphibolite facies metamorphism, there is the replacement of the primary and previously altered chromite by Fe₂O₃-rich chromite (ferritchromite).

## 4.2. *Thermometric Considerations and Oxidation Evaluation*

According to phase diagram calculations and amphibole-plagioclase thermometry, the Guelb el Azib complex underwent granulite facies metamorphism, followed by retrogression in the amphibolite facies (650–800 °C), where green hornblende, resembling those from amphibole-chromitite, formed [39]. Similar temperatures were determined with the thermometer by [60] on the amphibole-chromitites.
Our samples show a continuous evolution from an Al-chromite type to an almost pure chromite type, with crystallographic features suggesting an initial weak recrystallization, with subsequent low-temperature oxidation. Gervilla et al. (2012) [61] showed that between 550 and 700 °C (depending on pressure), the infiltration of water into chromitites might promote the reaction of primary chromite with matricial olivine to produce chlorite in equilibrium with “secondary” chromite residually enriched in Cr and Fe²⁺ (ferrous chromite). According to these authors, this reaction produces ~43% loss of the mass of chromite that is not compensated by modification of the initial size of the chromite grain, but by the development of a spongy or porous texture in the ferrous chromite. They also observed that some pores remain empty. Those pores are unlikely to remain open unless this occurs at the surface—so the open pores may originally have been fluid-filled. However, most of them are now filled by chlorite, produced as a consequence of the abovementioned reaction. Lenaz et al. (2014) [17] showed that in Oman ophiolite, the temperature of oxidation ranges between 675 and 861 °C (olivine-chromite thermometry) [62]. According to several authors [53, 54, 58, 63], the temperature at which ferritchromite forms is between 500 and 600 °C. Given this, it is possible to assume that non-stoichiometric spinels with abundant cation vacancies in the structure are the result of an oxidation event that took place at a temperature between the one of ferritchromite formation and the one calculated for the not oxidized spinels, i.e., more or less in the range 600 and 700 °C. The high Cr# promotes the formation of structural vacancies during oxidation, possibly because in such samples, where the chromite component is abundant, it is easier to oxidize Fe²⁺ and create vacancies following the reaction 3Fe²⁺ + O₂ → 2Fe³⁺ + □, where □ is a structural vacancy [29]. Even if metamorphic processes are evident, the fO₂ in Amsaga was not sufficient to create non-stoichiometric spinels, possibly due to the low chromite component (i.e., low Fe²⁺ and Cr content) of the present spinels. However, a continuous increase in the Fe³⁺/Feₜot ratio, from the AMP-CHR to the TS-CHR spinels, can be discerned.

Recently, Lenaz et al. [64] showed that powder Mössbauer spectroscopy determination of Fe³⁺/Feₜot ratios in some cases can differ considerably from that calculated via EMPA, due to the fact that grains with different oxidation degrees may be present in the powders, demonstrating the advantage of point-source Mössbauer measurements. Nevertheless, in the present case, the comparison between Fe³⁺/Feₜot, measured with EMPA and Mössbauer, generally shows only a small difference (Table 3; Figure 7), apart from the TS-CHR (MA422) sample. Consequently, all the other samples can be considered homogeneous and stoichiometric. The reason for the larger difference observed for the MA422 sample is likely related to differences in Fe³⁺/Feₜot between individual crystals showing a large spread of spinel compositions, due to hydrothermal alteration and the presence of magnetite, as evidenced by MS analysis and petrographic observations [39], and the fact that the Mössbauer data is based on analysis of a number of crystals, as opposed to the single-crystal XRD data.

Cr-bearing spinels have been considered important petrogenetic indicators by many authors [65–71], due to their chemical variability in parental melt composition and/or crystallization conditions in igneous rocks, and as paleogeographic indicators in geodynamic reconstructions, because of their resistance to mechanical stress, weathering and diagenesis in sedimentary environments. Commonly-used diagrams for these purposes are the Cr# vs. Mg# and the TiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃ [3,5] as well as the Cr-Fe³⁺-Al ternary plot. However, as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, these diagrams show considerable overlap between several occurrences. Interestingly, the oxygen positional parameter of the spinels seems to be a distinctive feature. In fact, our preliminary data evidence how spinels from amphibolites show higher values than those from ophiolite hosted Cr-spinels, being unique in such cases. To our knowledge, only two structural studies have been performed on detrital spinels to identify their possible sources [72,73]. The preliminary data obtained in this study seem promising because they could be a valuable help in discriminating the source when the exact provenance of detrital spinels is ambiguous, as also evidenced by [25].
**5. Conclusions**

In the past few years, most studies on Cr-bearing spinels have dealt with possible non-stoichiometry from different spinel occurrences. In the present study, the general agreement between electron microprobe and Mössbauer data indicates that the analyzed spinels were stoichiometric. Moreover, the structural data revealed that the oxygen positional parameter of amphibole-bearing samples was the highest observed among Cr-bearing spinels with similar Cr# and Mg#. Consequently, it is suggested that a structural study of detrital Cr-spinels could be important in discriminating an amphibole-chromitite source from an ophiolite source.

**Acknowledgments:** The Italian C.N.R. financed the installation and maintenance of the microprobe laboratory in Padova. R. Carampin and L. Tauro are kindly acknowledged for technical support. Thanks to G.D. Bromiley at Edinburgh University for a revision of an early version of the manuscript. This work was supported with MURST and Trieste University grants to D.L. (FRA 2009 and PRIN 2010-11). J.B. has been financed by a FRS-FNRS grant and thanks the OMRG for technical support during the fantastic fieldtrip in the Amsaga. H.S. acknowledge support from the Swedish Research Council. Three reviewers are kindly acknowledged for their comments.

**Author Contributions:** D.L., N.R. and J.B. conceived and designed the project; D.L. and N.R. performed and discussed the XRD analyses; H.S. performed and discussed the Mössbauer analyses; D.L. wrote the paper.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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