Solubility of columbite, (Mn, Fe)(Nb, Ta)2O6, in granitoid and alkaline melts at 650–850°C and 30–400 MPa: An experimental investigation

This paper reports experimental data on columbite solubility in model water-saturated Li- and F-rich silicic melts with different contents of alumina and alkalis. It was found that the columbite solubility is strongly affected by melt composition and is maximal in peralkaline melt. The maximum contents of Ta and Nb in subaluminous and peraluminous melts at the contact with columbite are lower by at least an order of magnitude. The peralkaline melt is relatively enriched in Nb, and the peraluminous melt is enriched in Ta. The temperature dependence of solubility is positive but less pronounced than the effect of melt composition. It is most distinct in the subaluminous melts. The Nb/Ta ratio of melt usually decreases with decreasing temperature. The effect of pressure is relatively small. It was shown that columbite cannot crystallize on the liquidus of both peralkaline and peraluminous magmas. Perhaps, columbite crystallization from a melt is possible only at final near-solidus stages at the high degrees of crystallization of strongly evolved low-temperature melts.