Uranium mineralization in the muscovite-rich granites of the Shalatin region, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

1INTRODUCTION THELATEPRECAMBRIANGRANITOIDSOFTHEARABONU BIANSHIELDINEGYPTWEREEXPOSEDBYEARLYTOMIDDLE TERTIARYUPLIFTANDENSUINGEROSIONDURINGTHEREDSEA RIFTINGEVENT(GREENBERG,1981).THEREAREANUMBER OFEFFECTIVEANDRELATIVELYSUCCESSFULSCHEMESFORTHE CLASSIFICATIONOF…     

Behavior of accessory phases and redistribution of Zr,REE, Y,Th, and U during metamorphism and partial melting of metapelites in the lower crust: an example from the Kinzigite Formation of Ivrea-Verbano,NW Italy

This study is aimed at understanding the behavior of monazite, xenotime, apatite and zircon, and the redistribution of Zr, REE, Y, Th, and U among melt, rock-forming and accessory phases in a prograde metamorphic sequence, the Kinzigite Formation of Ivrea-Verbano, NW Italy, that may represent a section from the middle to lower continental crust. Metamorphism ranges from middle amphibolite to granulite facies and metapelites show evidence of intense partial melting and melt extraction. The appearance of melt controls the grain size, fraction of inclusions and redistribution of REE, Y, Th, and U among accessories and major minerals. The textural evolution of zircon and monazite follows, in general, the model of Watson et al. (1989). Apatite is extracted from the system dissolved into partial melts. Xenotime is consumed in garnet-forming reactions and is the first source for the elevated Y and HREE contents of garnet. Once xenotime is exhausted, monazite, apatite, zircon, K-feldspar, and plagioclase are progressively depleted in Y, HREE, and MREE as the modal abundance of garnet increases. Monazite is severely affected by two retrograde reactions, which may have consequences for U-Pb dating of this mineral. Granulite-grade metapelites (stronalites) are significantly richer in Ti, Al, Fe, Mg, Sc, V, Cr, Zn, Y, and HREE, and poorer in Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl, U, and P, but have roughly the same average concentration of Cu, Sr, Pb, Zr, Ba, LREE, and Th as amphibolite-grade metapelites (kinzigites). The kinzigite-stronalite transition is marked by the sudden change of Th/U from 5–6 to 14–15, the progressive increase of Nb/Ta, and the decoupling of Ho from Y. Leucosomes were saturated in zircon, apatite, and (except at the lowest degree of partial melting) monazite. Their REE patterns, especially the magnitude of the Eu anomaly, depend on the relative proportion of feldspars and monazite incorporated into the melt. The presence of monazite in the source causes an excellent correlation of LREE and Th, with nearly constant Nd/Th ≈ 2.5–3. The U depletion and increase in Th/U characteristic of granulite facies only happens in monazite-bearing rocks. It is attributed to enhancement of the U partitioning in the melt due to elevated Cl activity followed by the release of a Cl-rich F-poor aqueous fluid at the end of the crystallization of leucosomes. Halide activity in partial melts was buffered by monazite and apatite. Since the U (and K) depletion does not substantially affect the heat-production of metapelites, and mafic granulites maintain similar Th/U and abundance of U and Th as their unmetamorphosed equivalents, it seems that geochemical changes associated to granulitization have only a minor influence on heat-production in the lower crust.     

Radioelement geochemistry of alkali granites of the Kerala region,south-west India

Th, U and K abundances in four alkali granites of the Kerala region, south-west India, are presented. The plutons show high radioelement levels, correlatable with those of alkali granites in other regions. The nature of variation is consistent with the correlation of Th and U with accessory phases like sphene, zircon, allanite, apatite and monazite. A geochronologic correlation is also observed between the alkali granites and the Th-bearing beach placers of the region. The petrogenetic features of the alkali plutons, their taphrogenic association, Pan-African affiliation and high Th/U levels suggest that the alkali plutons are favourable locales for radioelement exploration.     

REE Geochemical Characteristics of Apatite,Sphene and Zircon from Alkaline Rocks

The accessory minerals apatite and sphene are the main carriers of REE in alkaline rocks.Their chondrite-normalized REE patterns decline sharply to the right as those of the host rocks,In the patterns an obvious negative Eu anomaly and a positive Ce anomaly can be seen in apatite and sphene,respectively.Zircon from alkaline rocks is different in REE pattern,I,e,. a nearly symmetric“V“-shaped pattern with a maximum negative Eu anomaly.Compared with the equivalents from granites,apatite,sphene and zircon from alkaline rocks are all characterized by higher (La/Yb)N ratio and less Eu depletion,As to the relative contents of REE in minerals,apatite,sphene and zircon are enriched in LREE,MREE and HREE respectively,depending on their crystallochemical properties.     

南岭地区高度演化花岗岩类的稀土元素模型

本文应用现有的理论模型和矿物／熔体分配系数讨论南岭地区高度演化花岗岩类的ＲＥＥ模型，包括重稀土富集型和稀土亏损型。在花岗岗岩浆分异演化过程中，副矿物（尤其是稀土矿物）的晶出种类，顺序和物理化学条件是控制ＲＥＥ强烈分馏的关键因素。ＲＥＥ分布型式不能简单地作为鉴别岩石成因的标志。     

THE ENTRY OF URANIUM INTO SOME ROCK-FORMING MINERALS

Samples of three Tien Shan granites were analyzed for the U content of their constituent minerals. Three minerals with high U content are allanite (450-500 ppm), monazite (1,000-1,300 ppm) and zircon (1, 600-1,860 ppm), but significant amounts, from 20 to 40 ppm occur in the biotite, muscovite, amphibole, apatite, ilmenite, sphene, and chlorite. From 30 to 60 percent of the total U in the granites could be leached from the minerals. The unleachable portion of U may enter the crystal lattices of minerals by isomorphism or endocryptism. --M. Russell.     

Phase equilibria of bastnaesite,allanite, and monazite: Bastnaesite-out isograde in metapelites of the Vorontsovskaya group,Voronezh crystalline massif

Paleoproterozoic metapelites of the Vorontsovskaya structure contain accessory REE phosphates (monazite, xenotime, and REE-apatite), fluorine-carbonates (bastnaesite and synchysite), and silicate (allanite). Analysis of phase equilibria involving REE-bearing minerals indicates that bastnaesite is stable only in the greenschist facies and decomposes with the synthesis of monazite at temperatures below the staurolite isograde (490–500°C) at a pressure of 3 kbar. Monazite first appears in the greenschist facies, and its stability expands with increasing temperature, including the granulite facies. A diversity of reaction textures suggests that the mineral is formed in the garnet zone by a reaction of bastnaesite with apatite and by the partial decomposition of REE-bearing chlorite. Monazite is produced in the garnet and staurolite zones by a reaction of allanite with apatite and by a decomposition reaction of REE-bearing apatite.     

Rare Earth Element Behaviour During Evolution and Alteration of the Dartmoor Granite, SW England

The distribution of rare earth elements (REE) within the compositionallyzoned Dartmoor pluton is used to constrain models of graniteevolution and to assess the effects of pervasive hydrothermalalteration on REE mobility. The main process of magma evolutionwas crystal fractionation of early plagioclase, biotite, andaccessory minerals (apatite, monazite, zircon, and xenotime).Concentrations of REE (particularly LREE and Eu) and other elements(Fe₂O₃t, MgO, CaO, TiO₂, Zr, Ba, and Sr) decrease strongly withevolution of the pluton from 71 to 74% SiO2. These trends, andthe inward zoning of the pluton, are compatible with differentiationby crystal fractionation at the level of emplacement, a processthat gave rise to a marginal cumulate granite (CGM) modifiedby country rock assimilation, a body of inner granite (PM),and a late-stage evolved granite (FG) that intruded the earliertypes. REE modelling of the Dartmoor granite types by fractionalcrystallization of REE-enriched accessory minerals from a parentPM-granite shows that the FG-granite cannot have formed froma residual liquid left by crystallization of the CGM-granite.Two discrete stages of crystallization occurred; side-wall cumulateCGM-granite crystallization dominated by LREE-en-riched monazitefractionation followed by a late-stage mobile residual FG-granitein which fractionation was dominated by HREE-enriched apatiteand zircon. Modelling supports the idea that large-scale assimilationof country rock was not the dominant process during Dartmoorgranite evolution. Pervasive hydrothermal alteration locally affected all Dartmoorgranite types, altering primary plagioclase, biotite, apatite,monazite, and, to a lesser extent, zircon and xenotime. Duringpervasive sericitization, chloritization, and tourmalinization,REE were mobilized over distances of centimetres only and redistributedinto the secondary alteration products seridte, chlorite, tourmaline,allanite, and sphene. Whole-rock REE abundances were not affected     

Mineral chemistry and geochemical aspects of Gebel Filat granites, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

Gebel Filat granites form one of Egyptian younger granite intrusions in Wadi Allaqi region, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. They are perthitic monzogranites composed mainly of K-feldspars, plagioclase, and quartz with minor biotite. Plagioclase feldspars are Na-rich and have low anorthite content (An_2–3). Potash feldspars are mainly perthitic microcline and have chemical formula as (Or_96–96.6 Ab_3.4–4 An₀). Biotite is Mg-rich and seems to be derived from calc-alkaline magma. Chlorite is pycnochlorite with high Mg content, revealing its secondary derivation from biotite. The estimated formation temperatures of biotite and chlorite are (689–711°C) and (602–622°C), respectively. Gebel Filat monzogranites are metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline, I-type granites. They are late orogenic granites related to subduction-related volcanic arc magmatism. They are enriched in LILE and depleted in HSFE indicating highly differentiation character. The REE patterns display an enrichment in LREE due to presence of zircon and allanite as accessories and depletion in HREE with slight negative Eu anomaly $ \left( {{\text{Eu}}/{\text{Eu}} * = 0.51 - 0.97} \right) $ . The parent magma of Gebel Filat monzogranites were emplaced at moderate depths (20–30 km) under moderate conditions of water-vapor pressure (1–5 kbar) and crystallization temperature [700–750°C]. The source magma of these granites seems to be derived from partial melting of lower crust material rather than upper mantle. The geochemical characteristics of pegmatites revealed that they are related to post orogenic within plate magmatism and not genetically related to the parent magma of Gebel Filat monzogranites. Distribution of radioactive elements (U and Th) in the studied rocks indicates normal U–Th contents for Filat monzogranites and U–Th bearing pegmatites. The positive correlations of each of Zr and Y versus U and Th are attributed to presence of zircon and allanite as accessories which incorporate U and Th in their crystal lattice.     

吉黑东部花岗岩类中副矿物锆石、磷灰石、榍石的初步研究

吉黑东部花岗岩中副矿物种类繁多,特别是锆石、磷灰石、榍石广泛分布.它们在不同成因类型花岗岩中有些标型特征彼此有别,如锆石的颜色、晶形和群型特征,磷灰石的两种晶形REE分布模式及SrI值和榍石的不同世代、成因等,这些均有助于查明不同成因花岗岩的形成条件.因此,可以利用锆石、磷灰石、榍石的标型特征作为判别和划分花岗岩成因的辅助标志.     

High-Grade Fluid Metasomatism on both a Local and a Regional Scale: the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, and the Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea-Verbano Zone, Northern Italy. Part II: Phosphate Mineral Chemistry

This study explores the origin and geochemical evolution ofapatite, monazite, and xenotime along two metamorphic traverses.The first, from the Kigluaik Mountains, Seward Peninsula, Alaska,consists of a localized (85 cm) orthopyroxene–clinopyroxene-bearingdehydration zone. The second consists of orthopyroxene ±clinopyroxene-bearing granulite facies metabasite layers interlayeredwith metapelites over a 3–4 km traverse, along the ValStrona, Ivrea–Verbano Zone, Northern Italy (IVZ). In bothdehydration zones small Th- and U-poor inclusions of monaziteand/or xenotime occur in the apatite. These inclusions are metasomaticallyinduced and nucleated within the apatite via the coupled substitutionsNa⁺ + (Y + REE)³⁺ = 2 Ca²⁺ and Si⁴⁺ + (Y + REE)³⁺ = P⁵⁺ + Ca²⁺.These are not present in apatite from the original amphibolitefacies gneiss. Apatite, in both dehydration zones, also showsa relative increase in both F and Cl compared with apatite fromthe amphibolite facies zone. Granulite facies metabasites inthe IVZ also contain isolated monazite grains, which range fromuniform to complexly zoned in Th the (13–30·1 mol% ThSiO₄). These are the product of breakdown and subsequentmobilization of the lanthanides and actinides from monazite-(Ce)in the metapelite layers into the metabasite layers at the startof granulite facies metamorphism. KEY WORDS: apatite; monazite; xenotime; KCl–NaCl brines; metasomatism; phosphate minerals; charnockite–enderbite; granulite facies metamorphism     

Residence and redistribution of REE, Y, Zr, Th and U during granulite-facies metamorphism: behaviour of accessory and major phases in peraluminous granulites of central Spain

Accessory minerals are thought to play a key role in controlling the behaviour of certain trace elements such as REE, Y, Zr, Th and U during crustal melting processes under high-grade metamorphic conditions. Although this is probably the case at middle crustal levels, when a comparison is made with granulite-facies lower crustal levels, differences are seen in trace element behaviour between accessory minerals and some major phases. Such a comparison can be made in Central Spain where two granulite-facies terranes have equilibrated under slightly different metamorphic conditions and where lower crustal xenoliths are also found. Differences in texture and chemical composition between accessory phases found in leucosomes and leucogranites and those of melanosomes and protholiths indicate that most of the accessory minerals in melt-rich migmatites are newly crystallized. This implies that an important redistribution of trace elements occurs during the early stages of granulite-facies metamorphism. In addition, the textural position of the accessory minerals with respect to the major phases is crucial in the redistribution of trace elements when melting proceeds via biotite dehydration melting reactions. In granulitic xenoliths from lower crustal levels, the situation seems to be different, as major minerals show high concentration of certain trace elements, the distribution of which is thus controlled by reactions involving final consumption of Al-Ti-phlogopite. A marked redistribution of HREE–Y–Zr between garnet and xenotime (where present) and zircon, but also of LREE between feldspars (K-feldspar and plagioclase) and monazite, is suggested.     

REE distribution in some layered migmatites: constraints on their petrogenesis

The REE distributions in mesosomes, neosomes, leucosomes and melanosomes of four layered migmatites have been investigated. In one example (Arvika migmatites) the REE patterns in adjacent paragneisses, the presumed parent rock of the migmatites, were also determined. REE patterns of neosomes and mesosomes of Arvika migmatites are similar to the finegrained layers and coarse-grained layers, respectively, observed in the adjacent paragneiss. This is in agreement with the layer-by-layer paragneiss-migmatite transformation model.

The REE patterns of mesosomes and neosomes indicate that these lithologies may have been closed systems (for REE) during the formation of the migmatites. No indication of metasomatic reactions, melt segregation or injection could be detected. Within the neosomes, leucosomes are depleted and melanosomes enriched in REE contents. This is interpreted to be due to separation and concentration of accessory minerals (monazite, epidote, allanite, zircon, sphene, apatite, garnet) into the melanosomes. The behaviour of accessory minerals during migmatite formation is closely allied to that of biotite, which is also concentrated in the melanosomes.     

Geology and geochemistry of the granitic rocks and associated dykes, East Gabal Nuqra, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

A crescent-shape granitic stock and associated dykes is located to the East Gabal Nuqra at the extreme western part of Wadi Natash,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The examined granites are classified as alkali-feldspar granites and mainly consist of quartz,potash feldspars,plagioclases,and aegirine-augite.Xenotime,zircon,apatite and allanite are accessories representing the source of Y,U,Th and REEs in these rocks.These granites are characterized by high K2O,Na2O and Zn contents and Rb/Sr ratio.Also,they are highly enriched in high field strength elements(HFSE),especially Zr(1529×10-6),Nb(100×10-6),Hf(91×10-6) and Y(624×10-6) and light rare-earth elements(LREE,141×10-6) concentrations and strongly depleted in Ca,Mg,Sr and Eu contents.These features suggest that they are similar to A-type granites(type-2).The rhyolite dykes and granites have similar geochemical characteristics whereas the chondrite-normalized REE patterns show a LREE enriched feature with strong negative Eu-anomaly,whereas the REE pattern of trachydacites show slightly fractionated pattern with no Eu-anomaly.It is suggested that the trachydacites were generated by small degree of partial-melting deep-seated basic source.Such liquid,when subjected to fractional crystallization involving separation of plagioclases as residue,generated the alkali-feldspar granites.And further fractional crystallization gave rise to the alkali rhyolites.The igneous rock suite originated from metaluminous to alkaline trachytic magma,and was developed in a within-plate tectonic environment.The extension caused by NW-SE right-lateral shear in area led to the emplacement of the alkali-feldspar granites.The later extrusion of the alkali rhyolite and trachydacite dykes was due to cauldron subsidence.     

Uranium-rich accessory minerals in the peraluminous and perphosphorous Belvís de Monroy pluton (Iberian Variscan belt)

The strongly peraluminous, perphosphorous (<0.85 wt% P₂O₅) and low-Ca granites from the Belvís de Monroy pluton contain the most U-rich monazite-(Ce) and xenotime known in igneous rocks. Along with these accessory minerals, P-rich zircon occurs, reaching uncommon compositions particularly in the more fractionated units of this zoned pluton. Monazite displays a wide compositional variation of UO₂ (<23.13 wt%) and ThO₂ (<19.58 wt%), positively correlated with Ca, Si, P, Y and REE. Xenotime shows a high UO₂ content (2.37–13.34 wt%) with parallel increases of LREE, Ca and Si. Zircon contains comparatively much lower UO₂ (<1.53 wt%) but high P₂O₅ (<14.91 wt%), Al₂O₃ (<6.96 wt%), FeO (<2.93 wt%) and CaO (<2.24 wt%) contents. The main mechanism of incorporating large U and Th amounts in studied monazite and U in xenotime is the cheralite-type [(Th,U)⁴⁺ + Ca²⁺ = 2(Y,REE)³⁺] substitution. Zircon requires several coupled mechanisms to charge balance the P substitution, resulting in non-stoichiometric compositions with low analytical totals. Compositional variations in the studied accessory phases indicate that the substitution mechanisms during crystal growth depend on the availability of non-formula elements. The strong P-rich character of the studied granites increases monazite crystallization, triggering a progressive impoverishment in Th and LREE in the residual melts, and consequently increasing extraordinarily the U content in monazite and xenotime. This is in marked contrast to other peraluminous (I-type or P-poor S-type) granite series. The P-rich and low-Ca peraluminous melt inhibits uraninite crystallization, so contributing to the U availability for monazite and xenotime.     

Petrogenetic modelling of in situ fractional crystallization in the zoned Loch Doon pluton,Scotland

The late Caledonian Loch Doon granitic intrusion ranges in composition from hypersthene diorite at the margin, through quartz diorite, granodiorite and granite to cordierite microgranite at its core. Petrogenetic modelling of trace element variations and least squares analysis of major elements indicate that two distinct magmas are involved, each magma controlled by crystallization of plag-opx-cpx-bio. Late stage rocks related to the second magma include the cordierite microgranites and aplites, which are interpreted as the final residue which crystallized rapidly after a build up and loss of volatiles.Analyses of whole rocks and minerals for REE's and other elements of moderate-high ionic potential indicate that these elements are strongly controlled by minor phase crystallization; apatite, zircon, sphene and allanite are dominant at intermediate compositions but other accessory minerals such as monazite and xenotime may also become important at acid compositions.It is probable that within each magma the mechanisms of crystal settling and filter pressing operated, the former being initially dominant, and the latter becoming more important with increasing degree of fractional crystallization.     

Magmatic and hydrothermal R.E.E. fractionation in the Xihuashan granites (SE China)

The Xihuashan stock (South Jiangxi, China) is composed of cogenetic granitic units (granites Xe, a, c, d and b) and emplaced during the Yanshanian orogeny (153±0.2 Ma). They are two feldspars, Fe-rich biotite±garnet and slightly peraluminous granites. Primary accessory minerals are apatite 1, monazite, zircon, uranothorite±xenotime in granites Xe and a, zircon, uranothorite, uraninite, betafite, xenotime 1; hydrothermal minerals are monazite altered into parisite and apatite 2, Y-rich parisite, yttroparisite, Y-rich fluorite and xenotime 2 in granites c and b. Petrographic observations, major element, REE, Y and Rb–Sr isotropic data point to a magmatic suite (granites Xe and a granites c and d granite b) distinct from hydrothermal Na-or K-alteration of b. From granite Xe to granite b, LREE, Eu, Th and Zr content are strongly depleted, while HREE, Y and U content increase. During K-alteration of b, these variations are of minor importance. Major and accessory mineral evidences, geochemical and fluid inclusion results indicate two successive alteration fluids interacting with b, (1) a late-magmatic F^– and CO₂–rich fluid and (2) a post-magmatic, aqueous and slightly saline fluid. The depletion of LREE and Th content and the increase in HREE, Y and U content correspond, in the magmatic suite to the early fractionation of monazite in the granites where there is no hydrothermal alteration (granites Xe and e) and to the hydrothermal alteration of monazite into parisite and secondary apatite, intense new formation of yttroparisite, Y enrichment and U loss in the uranothorite and late crystallization of uraninite in the granites c and b. Moreover, simulated crystallization of monazite and temperature of monazite saturation show early fractionation of monazite from the magma in the less evolved granites (Xe and e) and prevailing hydrothermal leaching of monazite in the most evolved granites (c-d and b) related to a late-magmetic event. The slight variations of REE, Y, Th and U content in the K-altered granites compared to granite b emphazes the distinct chemical nature of the successive hydrothermal fluids. Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopic results point to a 30 Ma period of time between the late-magmatic and the post-magmatic fluid circulation.     

Prograde metamorphic sequence of REE minerals in pelitic rocks of the Central Alps: implications for allanite–monazite–xenotime phase relations from 250 to 610 °C

The distribution of REE minerals in metasedimentary rocks was investigated to gain insight into the stability of allanite, monazite and xenotime in metapelites. Samples were collected in the central Swiss Alps, along a well‐established metamorphic field gradient that record conditions from very low grade metamorphism (250 °C) to the lower amphibolite facies (～600 °C). In the Alpine metapelites investigated, mass balance calculations show that LREE are mainly transferred between monazite and allanite during the course of prograde metamorphism. At very low grade metamorphism, detrital monazite grains (mostly Variscan in age) have two distinct populations in terms of LREE and MREE compositions. Newly formed monazite crystallized during low‐grade metamorphism (<440 °C); these are enriched in La, but depleted in Th and Y, compared with inherited grains. Upon the appearance of chloritoid (～440–450 °C, thermometry based on chlorite–choritoid and carbonaceous material), monazite is consumed, and MREE and LREE are taken up preferentially in two distinct zones of allanite distinguishable by EMPA and X‐ray mapping. Prior to garnet growth, allanite acquires two growth zones of clinozoisite: a first one rich in HREE + Y and a second one containing low REE contents. Following garnet growth, close to the chloritoid–out zone boundary (～556–580 °C, based on phase equilibrium calculations), allanite and its rims are partially to totally replaced by monazite and xenotime, both associated with plagioclase (± biotite ± staurolite ± kyanite ± quartz). In these samples, epidote relics are located in the matrix or as inclusions in garnet, and these preserve their characteristic chemical and textural growth zoning, indicating that they did not experience re‐equilibration following their prograde formation. Hence, the partial breakdown of allanite to monazite offers the attractive possibility to obtain in situ ages, representing two distinct crystallization stages. In addition, the complex REE + Y and Th zoning pattern of allanite and monazite are essential monitors of crystallization conditions at relatively low metamorphic grade.     

REE Abundance and REE Minerals in Granitic Rocks in the Nanling Range,Jiangxi Province,Southern China,and Generation of the REE‐rich Weathered Crust Deposits

Studies of Mesozoic granites associated with rare earth element (REE)‐rich weathered crust deposits in southernmost Jiangxi Province indicate that they have high‐K to shoshonite compositions and belong to ilmenite‐series I‐type granites. Of the studied rocks at 59–292 ppm of bulk REE content, the highest are seen in the biotite granites of Dingnan (358, 429 ppm) and mafic biotite granite of the Wuliting Granite (344 ppm) near the Dajishan tungsten mine, both areas where weathered‐crust REE deposits occur. REE‐bearing accessory minerals in these granites are mainly zircon, apatite and allanite, and REE‐fluorocarbonates are common. REE enrichment occurs in the rims of apatite crystals, and in fluorocarbonates that occur along grain boundaries of and cracks in major silicate minerals, and in fluorocarbonates that replaced altered biotite. It is therefore thought that a major part of the REE content of these granites was concentrated during deuteric activity, rather than during magmatic crystallization. The crack‐filling REE‐fluorocarbonates could subsequently have been easily leached out and deposited in weathered crust developed during a long period of exposure.     

Evolution of feldspars at the amphibolite-granulite-facies transition in augen gneisses (SW Norway): geochemistry and Sr isotopes

The Sveconorwegian Augen Orthogneisses of Rogaland — Vest-Agder (SW Norway) were emplaced as amphibole- and biotite-bearing granodiorites at 1040 Ma (concordant Rb/Sr and zircon U/Pb ages). They underwent prograde metamorphism which increased from lower amphibolite-facies in the eastern zone to granulite-facies in the western zone, close to the Rogaland anorthosite complex. K-feldspar megacrysts initially crystallised as phenocrysts and were chemically equilibrated during metamorphism, as shown by the flat Ba concentration profiles and the increase of the anorthite content from An_1.1 in the amphibolitefacies to An_2.6 in the granulite-facies. This increase of the An content suggests an increase in metamorphic temperature. The REE content of the megacrysts is related to the associated accessory minerals which depend upon the metamorphic grade: sphene + allanite + apatite + zircon and rarely thorite in amphibolite-facies, and apatite + zircon + monazite ± thorite in lower amphibolite-and granulite-facies. Amphibole and biotite inclusions in megacrysts were also equilibrated during metamorphism. Groundmass K-feldspar and plagioclase experienced late-metamorphic changes during uplift. An internal Rb/Sr mineral isochron (plagioclase, apatite, K-feldspar) defines an age of 870 Ma, which represents the closure of the Rb/Sr isotopic system in minerals of the augen gneisses. This age also represents a K-feldspar cooling age in regionally distributed augen gneiss samples. The K-feldspar cooling age appears to be similar to or slightly older than the biotite cooling age.