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The origin of minor leucocratic intrusions known as “plagiogranites” in oceanic complexes dominated by basaltic compositions have been debated in the literature. Here we use well preserved plagiogranites within the contrasting Santa Elena Ophiolite and the Nicoya Complex, NW Costa Rica, to investigate the origin and age of these leucocratic intrusions. Magmatic zircons of plagiogranites of the Santa Elena ophiolite and the Nicoya Complex, yield weighted mean SHRIMP 206 Pb/ 238 U ages of 125.3 ± 2.0 Ma and 90.9 ± 2.0 Ma to 88.5 ± 2.0 Ma ( n = 5), respectively. These ages record the main magmatic phases of formation of these intrusions preserved in each complex. Relatively flat, unfractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns of plagiogranites from both complexes mimic signatures of related mafic rocks, which is consistent with formation via fractional crystallization from a mafic source as opposed to partial melting of a mafic (basalt, amphibolite) protolith. In the case of the Nicoya Complex, modelling suggests that the Nicoya plagiogranites are consistent as ~ 10–15% residual liquids after fractional crystallization from its mafic parental source. Trace element systematics of the plagiogranites are consistent with an oceanic arc origin for Santa Elena and a mostly mid-ocean ridge to oceanic-plateau origin for Nicoya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultramafic rocks exposed on the continent serve as a window into oceanic and continental processes of water–peridotite interaction, so called serpentinization. In both environments there are active carbon and sulfur cycles that contain abiogenic and biogenic processes, which are eventually imprinted in the geochemical signatures of the basement rocks and the calcite and magnesite deposits associated with fluids that issue from these systems. Here, we present the carbon and sulfur geochemistry of ultramafic rocks and carbonate deposits from the Santa Elena ophiolite in Costa Rica. The aim of this study is to leverage the geochemistry of the ultramafic sequence and associated deposits to distinguish between processes that were dominant during ocean floor alteration and those dominant during low-temperature, continental water–peridotite interaction. The peridotites are variably serpentinized with total sulfur concentrations up to 877 ppm that is typically dominated by sulfide over sulfate. With the exception of one sample the ultramafic rocks are characterized by positive δ 34 S sulfide (up to + 23.1‰) and δ 34 S sulfate values (up to + 35.0‰). Carbon contents in the peridotites are low and are isotopically distinct from typical oceanic serpentinites. In particular, δ 13 C of the inorganic carbon suggests that the carbon is not derived from seawater, but rather the product of the interaction of meteoric water with the ultramafic rocks. In contrast, the sulfur isotope data from sulfide minerals in the peridotites preserve evidence for interaction with a hydrothermal fluid. Specifically, they indicate closed system abiogenic sulfate reduction suggesting that oceanic serpentinization occurred with limited input of seawater. Overall, the geochemical signatures preserve evidence for both oceanic and continental water–rock interaction with the majority of carbon (and possibly sulfate) being incorporated during continental water–rock interaction. Furthermore, there is evidence for microbial activity that was possibly stimulated by carbon sourced from water–rock interaction with adjacent sediments or fluid inclusions. This study provides detailed insight into the complex hydrothermal history of continental serpentinization systems and adds to our understanding of the carbon and sulfur cycling within peridotite-hosted hydrothermal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Santa Elena peninsula in the northwest of Costa Rica protrudes about 30 km westwards into the Pacific Ocean, and measures about 8–16 km in a north–south direction. Several geological studies have been carried out since 1953, showing that much of the peninsula is made up of peridotite, cut by mafic dykes. Only one previous brief examination appears to have been made of the vegetation in relation to the composition of the soils. We present here the results of a survey of some soils and plants of the eastern part of the peridotite massif, in which 73 plant specimens representing 51 identified species were collected and analyzed. The soils sampled all showed extreme ultramafic characteristics: Fe 10–16%, Mg 4–16%, Ca 0.5–1.4%; Ni 3000–7500 mg/kg, Cr 1400–3650 mg/kg, Co 150–325 mg/kg. The plants collected include several from genera such as Arrabidaea, Chamaesyce, Helicteres, Hyptis, Lippia, Oxalis, Polygala, Turnera and Waltheria that are also represented on ultramafics elsewhere in the Americas (e.g. Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil). Few of the species appear to be endemic to Costa Rica or to the ultramafics of Santa Elena. None of the specimens collected exhibited hyperaccumulation of nickel, the highest Ni concentration being 275 mg/kg in Buchnera pusilla. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]