Hydromagmatic processes and platinum-group element deposits in layered intrusions / Гидромагматические процессы и отложения элементов платиновой группы в рассслоенных интрузиях

The idea for this book originally began as a description of the hydrothermal model for the concentration of platinum-group elements (PGE) in layered intrusions. This is a model that is contrary to the majority opinion of those who work in layered intrusions, and acceptance requires overcoming a certain amount of cognitive dissonance with longstanding interpretations. However, much of the supporting evidence has grown stronger over time and the need to present a full and detailed description of the model is long overdue. Previous work by the author had shown that the evidence for hydrothermal petrogenetic models had grown beyond the ability of single papers and even extended review articles to cover the supporting evidence in a complete manner. Equally important is to answer some common criticisms of the model; it is common for the idea that the PGE were concentrated by magmatic fluids to be discounted in as little as one sentence. Thus, the idea for this book was conceived.
However, it soon became evident that such a book would need to include related evidence on the effect of volatiles on the crystallization of magmas. This includes growing evidence for re-melting of pre-existing minerals and metasomatic reactions involving fluids and the crystal pile. In many cases this also includes the role of crustal fluids and their effects on the isotopic character of the rocks in general and the growing evidence for isotopic disequilibrium. Indeed, one of the ideas expressed in this book is that large layered intrusions, and particularly the Bushveld Complex, are an excellent analogue for subduction zone hydrothermal systems. Both involve fluids derived from dehydrating underlying sediments that manage to preserve their isotopic character as they move through thick sequence of ultramafic rock to reach hotter rock where they may induce melting. These factors and more led to the expanded scope of this book.
It is common for many review books to be a collection of papers whose chapters are authored by perhaps several authors but the overall content of which is largely determined by one or more editors. This book is instead the product of a single author to present a unified view of the subject. In part, this is because the main ideas presented are very much a minority viewpoint. It is by no means meant to be the last word nor even to be correct in some details. However, it is felt that without a strong description of the hypothesis, future advancement will be haphazard at best. <...>