Russian Journal of Earth Sciences
Vol. 4, No. 6, December 2002
Petrochemistry and geochemistry of kimberlites from different provinces of the world
I. V. Ilupin and I. A. Roshchina
Abstract
This paper summarizes the data available on the concentrations of major and trace
elements in
kimberlites from various provinces of the world. Arithmetic means were calculated
for individual
kimberlite pipes and dikes, for groups of bodies from individual regions, and for
the whole data
sample. Some of the most interesting elements and ratios between them are compared
and
correlation coefficients are offered. Each of the objects of study was found to have
its own
petrochemical and geochemical characteristics. The kimberlites of the Gondwana group
were found
to be rich in K, P, La, Th, Zr, and Nb and poor in Ca. Some of the patterns established
for the
kimberlites of Siberia appeared to be common for all kimberlites, this suggesting
some common
trend of the deep material evolution during the formation of kimberlite magma and
its rise to the
ground surface.