Prograde and retrograde fluid-rock interaction in calc-silicates northwest of the Idaho batholith: stable isotopic evidence

Carbon and oxygen isotopic analyses of silicate and carbonate minerals indicate that isotopic compositions in metasediments of the Wallace Formation (Belt Supergroup) exposed northwest of the Idaho batholith have been affected by both prograde and retrograde fluid-rock interaction. Silicates retain isotopic fractionations that reflect equilibration at peak metamorphic temperatures. In contrast, calcite oxygen isotopic compositions range from δ¹⁸O(Calcite)=+2.3 to +18.6‰ SMOW (standard mean oceanic water) and indicate that some calcites have exchanged with low-δ¹⁸O meteorichydrothermal fluids. Values of Δ¹⁸O (Quartz-Calcite) as large as +15.5 clearly indicate that the isotopic depletion of these calcites postdates the peak of regional metamorphism. Carbon isotopic compositions of ¹⁸O-depleted calcites are not significantly shifted relative to δ¹³C values in undepleted calcites, suggesting that the retrograde fluid was carbon-poor. Petrographically, retrograde fluid-rock interaction is associated with the occurrence of fine-grained, highly-luminescent calcite overgrowths on less-luminescent, metamorphic calcites, slight to moderate argillic alteration, and pseudomorphing of scapolite porphyroblasts by fine-grained albite. Retrograde isotopic depletions may be related to shallow meteoric-hydrothermal fluid flow developed around the Idaho batholith after intrusion and rapid uplift of the terrane. Peak metamorphic isotopic compositions in the Wallace Formation reflect mineralogically heterogeneous protolith compositions and isotopic fractionation due to devolatilization and/or infiltration. Variability in oxygen isotopic compositions on the order of 4–6‰ within the same rock type can be attributed to the combined effects of inherited isotopic compositions and isotopic shifts resulting from prograde devolatilization. Isotopic and compositional heterogeneity on the scale of mm to m precludes generalization of isotopic gradients on a regional scale. The isotopic data presented here, and metamorphic fluid compositions determined in previous studies, are best reconciled with heterogeneous bulk compositions, dominantly channelized prograde and retrograde fluid flow, and locally low fluid-rock ratios.