Petrography and geochemistry of Neoproterozoic charnockite-granite association and metasedimentary rocks around Okpella, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The Neoproterozoic charnockite–granite association of Okpella intrudes metasedimentary and migmatite-gneiss complex rocks in the eastern Igarra Schist Belt, southwestern Nigeria. In order to unravel the complex processes involved in the formation and tectonic evolution of the Igarra Schist Belt during the Neoproterozoic, detailed field, petrographic and whole-rock geochemical study of the charnockite–granite association and metasedimentary rocks around Okpella was conducted. Published data on the metasedimentary rocks and Pan-African granitoids in different sectors of the belt were also compiled for detailed interpretations. The charnockites and granites of Okpella show primary magmatic mineralogy and geochemical characteristics. They are silicic (> 63 wt% SiO2), metaluminous to peraluminous, high-K calc-alkaline, ferroan, post-collisional granitoids. The garnet-biotite schist, calc-silicate gneiss and quartzite in the area are low–medium grade metasedimentary rocks. The mineralogy and geochemistry of the charnockites suggest that the charnockitic melt was derived from mafic lower continental crust through partial melting and assimilation-fractionation processes. The granites probably originated from mixed melts derived from lower- to mid-crustal tonalites-trondhjemites-granodiorites and/or subducted metagreywackes and mantle-derived magmas (probably the charnockitic melt and/or its progenitor). The granites and charnockites are coeval and were presumably emplaced during the post-collisional stages of the Pan-African Orogeny. The garnet-biotite schist, calc-silicate gneiss and quartzite represent metamorphosed immature to slightly mature sedimentary rocks, probably greywacke, marl and subarkose, respectively, that were sourced from intermediate–acid rocks which underwent low–moderate chemical weathering with minor contribution from recycled sediment sources and deposited in active continental environments. The Neoproterozoic evolution of the Igarra Schist Belt, therefore, involved deposition and infolding of sediments in active continental margin during the early Pan-African followed by upwelling of basaltic magma from the mantle which underplated and crystallized in the lower continental crust and was subsequently partially melted to generate the charnockitic and granitic melts through mantle-crust interaction during the late Pan-African.