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  • Apatite Rare Earth Elements Chemistry and Fluid Inclusion Study in Hydrothermal Veins of the Lemitar Mountains Carbonatite, New Mexico
Title: Apatite Rare Earth Elements Chemistry and Fluid Inclusion Study in Hydrothermal Veins of the Lemitar Mountains Carbonatite, New Mexico
The Lemitar Mountains carbonatite (Fig. 1A) is a 515 Ma rare earth element (REE) mineral deposit in New Mexico comprising over one hundred carbonatite dikes intruded into Proterozoic igneous rocks [1, 2]. The carbonatite displays grades of up to 1.1 % total REE and showcases variable degrees of hydrothermal autometasomatism and overprinting of the surrounding host rocks through fenitization and veining [1-3]. In this study, we employ a combination of petrography, optical cold-cathode cathodoluminescence and scanning electron microscopy to delineate the mineral paragenesis of the carbonatites and the associated crosscutting hydrothermal veins (Fig. 1). The determination of trace element concentrations in apatite was achieved using LA-ICP-MS. Fluid inclusions were studied in thick sections using optical microscopy, microthermometry and a confocal Raman spectroscopy to assess their salinity, homogenization temperature, and chemical composition.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2039674
PAR ID:
10517887
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
New Mexico Geological Society
Date Published:
ISSN:
2834-5800
Page Range / eLocation ID:
66-67
Format(s):
Medium: X
Location:
Macey Center, Socorro, NM
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  1. ; ; (, New Mexico Geological Society)
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  2. ; ; (, SEG 100)
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  4. ; ; ; (, Journal of Petrology)
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