Genesis of ultramafic rocks of the Alkhadyr terrane (East Sayan, Siberia): implications from the data on Cr-spinel compositions

This paper presents the first geochemical data on Cr-spinels from ultramafic rocks of the Alkhadyr terrane, which were obtained on a representative collection of samples using modern research methods. The compositional data on melt inclusions allowed the identification of three generations of Cr-spinels on the basis of their morphology, composition, and relationships with the rock-forming minerals. Different types of geochemical zoning were recognized in heterogeneous Cr-spinel grains. The composition of parental melt and crystallization temperatures of the minerals in ultramafic rocks were derived from the compositional data on Cr-spinels and trapped melt inclusions.