GHOSTS OF APATITE PAST: USING HYPERSPECTRAL CATHODOLUMINESCENCE AND MICRO-GEOCHEMICAL DATA TO REVEAL MULTI-GENERATIONAL APATITE IN THE GIFFORD CREEK CARBONATITE COMPLEX, AUSTRALIA

摘要

Apatite can host significant levels of trace elements, including REE, within its crystal lattice, making it particularly useful for deciphering geological events and processes. This study employs hyperspectral cathodoluminescence (CL) and in situ microchemical techniques to identify and characterize various generations of apatite occurring in the phoscorites, carbonatites, and fenites of the Gifford Creek Carbonatite Complex (GCCC), Western Australia. Hyperspectral CL revealed that apatite crystals in all samples have complex internal zoning, including multiple distinct generations, with zones of relatively bright CL generally having more complex spectra compared to darker CL zones. Most of the CL spectra have prominent sharp peaks at similar to 1.4 eV and similar to 2.l eV as well as a broad peak between 2.3 eV and 3.5 eV. We relate these different peaks to individual REE activators and groups of activators, in particular Nd3+, Eu3+, Sm3+, and Ce3+.