Nanoinclusions in microdiamonds from Neogenic sands of the Ukraine (Samotkan' placer): A TEM study

Mineral and fluid inclusions in seven microdiamonds (ca. 0.2 mm in diameter) from the Neogene, Samotkan' placer of the Ukrainian shield were investigated by TEM. Various types of submicron- or nanometre-sized inclusions such as olivine and orthopyroxene, Fe,Sn oxide and assemblages of mineral multi-phases were observed.In an octahedral microdiamond crystal numerous olivine and enstatite micro- and nanocrystals were observed. Their composition is close to that of other olivine and enstatite inclusions found in kimberlitic diamonds worldwide. An unusual feature of these minerals in the samples studied, however, is a relatively high NiO content: 0.50–0.80 wt.% in olivine (Fo91.3–92.1) and 0.40–0.70 wt.% in enstatite (Fo94.1–95.4). These peridotitic mineral associations represent the host (possibly lherzolitic mantle) in which the diamonds grew. The mean Mg# values of olivine and enstatite inclusions in Samotkan's microdiamond are, respectively, 91.43 and 94.83, which are closer to Mg#-values of these minerals in lherzolite, rather than in harzburgite assemblages (included in diamond). In addition, enstatite–clinoenstatite, K-richterite, graphite, and Fe,Sn oxide were also identified as nanoinclusions in Samotkan' diamond; the Fe,Sn oxides and magnetite were found in two microdiamonds of the transitional {111}+{110} form. The K-richterite and graphite have been attributed to epigenetic inclusions. The origin of Fe,Sn oxide is not clear.Assemblages of multi-phase, minerals were observed in four microdiamonds of variable morphology: octahedron, transitional {111}+{110} form, cube and cube-coated diamond. These phases belong to fluid-bearing inclusions and are enclosed in cavities which, as a rule, are not filled completely by the solid phases. The remainder of the volume is occupied by a fluid that for the most part has been released during sample preparation. In the majority of cases the multi-phase assemblages consist of carbonate, mica, rutile, ilmenite, apatite and sylvite. Carbonates are the most abundant phases in the fluid inclusions; they are calcium-rich carbonates, frequently with admixtures of Fe, Mg and Sr. The mica inclusions are enriched in silicon, with Si varying from ca. 6.7 to 7.0 a.p.f.u. The multi-phase mineral assemblages present in Samotkan's microdiamond are similar to fluid-bearing, microinclusions found previously in other diamond types (e.g., fibrous diamonds, the fibrous coat of coated diamonds or the internal clouds of octahedral diamonds) from kimberlites of different provinces worldwide. They represent the carbonate-, alkali-, and chlorine-rich mantle fluid composition present during crystallisation of the Samotkan's microdiamond. Judging from the composition of the multi-phase assemblages it may be assumed that the Samotkan's microdiamond grew from a carbonatitic to a slightly silicic melt, rich in alkali and volatile components.