Analysis of Equilibrium in Garnet-Biotite-Sillimanite Gneisses from Quebec

An analysis is presented of equilibrium in six specimens ofgarnet—biotite—sillimanite—plagioclase—potashfeldspar—quartz ... gneiss from a metamorphic terrainin south-western Quebec. A nearly uniform Ti content of biotite may be accounted forby an equilibrium (a) involving biotite, sillimanite, quartz,garnet, potash feldspar, and H₂O. The nature of the distributionof Fe and Mg between garnet and biotite may be accounted forby another equilibrium (b) involving the same mineral suite,or by a simple exchange equilibrium (c) involving only garnetand biotite. The distribution of Mn between garnet and biotiteis accounted for by an exchange equilibrium (d). A nearly uniformvalue of the ratio Ca content of plagioclase/Ca content of garnetmay be accounted for by an equilibrium (e) involving plagioclase,garnet, sillimanite, and quartz. A proposed equilibrium (f)involving biotite, quartz, ilmenite, potash feldspar, sillimanite,and H₂O conflicts with equilibrium (a) and was evidently notestablished in the gneisses. The factors governing the Ca contentof biotite remain largely unknown. Some of these equilibria form potential indicators of relativegeologic temperature, pressure, and chemical potential of H₂O.