Stable isotope studies of metasomatic Ca-Fe-Al-Si skarns and associated metamorphic and igneous rocks,Osgood Mountains,Nevada

Garnet-pyroxene skarns were formed 90 m.y. B.P. in the Osgood Mountains at or near contacts of grandiorite with calcareous rocks of the Cambrian Preble Formation. The metasomatic replacement followed contact metamorphic recrystallization of the Preble. The sources, temperature, and variation in H₂O/CO₂ ratios of the metasomatic fluid are interpreted from 269 analyses of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur isotopes in whole rocks, minerals and inclusion fluids.Skarns formed in three mineralogical stages. Oxygen isotope data indicate that temperatures during the crystallization of garnet, pyroxene and wollastonite (Stage I) were least 550 ° C, and that the metasomatic fluid had an 0.035 in the massive skarns, and 0.12 in vein skarns up to 3 cm thick. Pore fluids in isotopic equilibrium with garnet in calc-silicate metamorphic rocks, on the other hand, had 0.15.The metasomatic fluids of Stage I were derived primarily from the crystallizing magma. The isotopic composition of magmatic water was ¹⁸O =+9.0, D= –30 to –45. Oxygen isotope temperatures of greater than 620 ° C were determined for the granodiorite. Isotopic and chemical equilibria between mineral surfaces and the metasomatic fluid were approached simultaneously in parts of the skarn several meters or more apart, while isotopic and chemical disequilibria (i.e. zoning) have been preserved between 20 to 40 m-thick zones in grandite garnet. More Fe-, or andradite-rich garnet crystallized in more H₂O-rich C-O-H fluids ( 0.01) than present with grossularite-rich garnet ( 0.035).Stage II was marked by the replacement of garnet and pyroxene by quartz, amphibole, plagioclase, epidote, magnetite, and calcite. Many of the replacement reactions took place over a relatively narrow range in temperature (480–550 ° C), as indicated by ¹⁸O fractionations between quartz and amphibole. Meteoric water comprised 20 to 50% of the metasomatic fluid during Stage II.Calcite was formed along with pyrite, minor pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite during Stage III, although the crystallization of pyrite and calcite had begun earlier, during Stages I and II, respectively. Carbon and sulfur isotope compositions of calcite and pyrite indicate a magmatic source for most of the C and S in the metasomatic fluids of Stage III. By the end of Stage III, meteoric water constituted as much as 100% of the metasomatic fluid. Minerals from grandiorite and skarn do not show large depletions in ¹⁸O because the oxygen isotope composition of the metasomatic fluid was buffered by the calcareous wall rocks and the grandiorite.Meteoric water in the vicinity of the Osgood Mountains during the Late Crectaceous (¹⁸O_cale. –14.0, D = – 107) was slightly enriched in ¹⁸O and D relative to present-day meteoric water (¹⁸O = 15.9, D = – 117)     

Impact of land use change on groundwater quality in a typical karst watershed of southwest China: a case study of the Xiaojiang watershed,Yunnan Province

The impact of land-use change on the quality of groundwater in the Xiaotjiang watershed, China was assessed for the period 1982–2004. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 monitoring points across the watershed, and were representative of the various changes, determined by remote sensing and geographical information systems. The results indicate that 610 km² (60% of the total watershed area) were subject to land-use change during the period. The most important changes were the conversion of 135 km² of forested land to cultivated land, and 211 km² of unused land to cultivated land. The main impact was ascribed to diffuse pollution from fertilizers applied to newly cultivated land, and from building development. Overall the groundwater pH value was significantly increased, as were the concentrations of ions , , , , and Cl⁻ in groundwater whilst the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and declined. More precisely, in the regions where forested land and unused land were converted into cultivated land, the pH value and the concentrations of Mg²⁺, , , , , Cl⁻ increased whilst the concentrations of Ca²⁺ and declined. However in the region where cultivated land was converted into construction land, the pH value and the concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, , , , , , Cl⁻ increased.

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Résumé  L’impact des changements de l’utilisation du territoire sur la qualité de l’eau souterraine dans le bassin versant de Xiaojiang, en Chine, a été évalué de 1982 à 2004. Des échantillons d’eau souterraine ont été récoltés à partir de 30 points d’observation éparpillés sur le bassin, représentant les divers changements déterminés par télédétection et système d’information géographique. Les résultats indiquent que 610 km² (soit 60% de la surface du bassin) ont été sujets à des modifications de l’utilisation du territoire sur cette période. Les changements les plus importants furent la conversion de 135 km² de forêt et 211 km² de terres inutilisées en terres cultivées. Le principal impact est attribué à la pollution diffuse des engrais utilisés en agriculture et pour les batiments. De manière générale le pH de l’eau souterraine a augmenté significativement, ainsi que les concentrations des ions , , , , et Cl⁻, tandis que les concentration en Ca²⁺ et ont diminué. Plus précisément dans les régions transformées en terres cultivées, la valeur du pH et les concentrations en Mg²⁺, , , , , Cl⁻ ont augmenté tandis que les concentrations en Ca²⁺ et ont diminué. Toutefois dans les régions cultivées converties en zones de construction, le pH et les concentrations en Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, , , , , , Cl⁻ ont augmenté.

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Resumen  El impacto del cambio en uso de la tierra en la calidad del agua en la cuenca Xiaojiang, China fue evaluado para el periodo 1982–2004. Muestras de agua subterránea fueron tomadas de 30 puntos de monitoreo a través de la cuenca, y fueron representativas de los múltiples cambios, determinados por sensores remotos y sistemas de información geográfica. Los resultados indican que 610 km² (60% del área total de la cuenca) estaban sujetos a cambios de uso de la tierra durante el periodo estudiado. Los cambios más importantes fueron la conversión de 135 km² de bosques a tierra cultivada, y 211 km² de tierra sin uso (ociosa) a tierra cultivada. El impacto principal fue causado por contaminación difusa de fertilizantes aplicados a la tierra recientemente cultivada, y a desarrollo de construcciones. En general el pH en agua subterránea creció significantemente, al igual que las concentraciones de los iones , , , , y Cl⁻ en agua subterránea mientras que las concentraciones de Ca²⁺ y decrecieron. Mas precisamente, en las regiones donde bosque y tierra ociosa fueron convertidas en tierra cultivada, el valor de pH y las concentraciones de Mg²⁺, , , , , Cl⁻ crecieron mientras las concentraciones de Ca²⁺ y decrecieron. Sin embargo en la región donde tierra cultivada fue convertida en construcciones, el valor de pH y las concentraciones de Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, , , , , , Cl⁻ crecieron.

     

The crystal structure of a triclinic roscherite

Summary The crystallography of roscherite is more complicated than previously thought. Single crystal X-ray work on material from Foote Mine (California) gave triclinic symmetry. The unit cell corresponding to the one adopted for monoclinic roscherite hasa=15.921,b=11.965,c=6.741 Å, =91°04, =94°21, =89°59 1/2, space group . The least-squares refinement of the structure using 2380 non zero reflections with anisotropic temperature factors resulted in a conventional reliability factorR=0.060.The X-ray study indicates the formula while that proposed for monoclinic roscherite is The atomic arrangements of both varieties of roscherite are very similar. The lowering of symmetry is caused by the segregation of the trivalent cations into only half of the sites of a monoclinic point position. Crystallochemical considerations suggest that the symmetry of roscherite does not depend on the kind of trivalent cations occupying the 6-coordinated position, but rather by the ratio between trivalent and divalent metal ions.

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Die Kristallstruktur eines triklinen Roscherites

Zusammenfassung Die Kristallographie des Roscherites ist komplizierter als man bisher annahm. Einkristall-Röntgenuntersuchungen an Material von Foote Mine (Kalifornien) ergaben trikline Symmetrie. Die Elementarzelle, welche der für monoklinen Roscherit angenommenen entspricht, hata=15,921,b=11,965,c=6,741 Å, =91°04, =94°21, =89°59 1/2, Raumgruppe . Die Verfeinerung der Struktur mit der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate ergab unter Verwendung anisotroper Temperaturfaktoren für 2380 beobachtete Reflexe einen konventionellen ZuverlässigkeitsindexR=0,060.Die Röntgenuntersuchung weist auf die Formel , während für monoklinen Roscherit vorgeschlagen wurde. Die Atomanordnungen beider Abarten des Roscherites sind sehr ähnlich. die Symmetrieerniedrigung wird dadurch hervorgerufen, daß die dreiwertigen Kationen nur die Hälfte der Positionen einer monoklinen Punktlage besetzen. Kristallchemische Überlegungen weisen darauf hin, daß die Symmetrie nicht von der Art der dreiwertigen Kationen, welche eine 6-koordinierte Punktlage besetzen, abhängt, sondern vielmehr von dem Mengenverhältnis zwischen 3-wertigen und 2-wertigen Metallionen.

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Manganese olivine I: Electrical conductivity

To investigate the point defect chemistry and the kinetic properties of manganese olivine Mn₂SiO₄, electrical conductivity () of single crystals was measured along either the [100] or the [010] direction. The experiments were carried out at temperatures T=850–1200 °C and oxygen fugacities atm under both Mn oxide (MO) buffered and MnSiO₃ (MS) buffered conditions. Under the same thermodynamic conditions, charge transport along [100] is 2.5–3.0 times faster than along [010]. At high oxygen fugacities, the electrical conductivity of samples buffered against MS is 1.6 times larger than that of samples buffered against MO; while at low oxygen fugacities, the electrical conductivity is nearly identical for the two buffer cases. The dependencies of electrical conductivity on oxygen fugacity and temperature are essentially the same for conduction along the [100] and [010] directions, as well as for samples coexisting with a solid-state buffer of either MO or MS. Hence, it is proposed that the same conduction mechanisms operate for samples of either orientation in contact with either solid-state buffer.The electrical conductivity data lie on concave upward curves on a log-log plot of vs , giving rise to two regimes with different oxygen fugacity exponents. In the low- regime , the exponent, m, is 0, the MnSiO₃-activity exponent, q, is 0, and the activation energy, Q, is 45 kJ/mol. In the high regime 10^{ - 7} {\text{atm}}} \right)$$ " align="middle" border="0"> , m=1/6, q=1/4–1/3, and Q=45 and 200 kJ/mol for T<1100 °c=" and=">T>1100 °C, respectively.     

Sillimanite-potash feldspar assemblages in graphitic pelites,Strontian area,Scotland

Graphitic pelites of the western Moinian were metamorphosed at the time of emplacement of the Strontian Granodiorite intrusion, at a late stage of the Caledonian Orogeny, producing a metamorphic zonation. The Sillimanite Zone (in which K feldspar does not occur with sillimanite) is succeeded by the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone, Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone (without primary muscovite) and Cordierite-K feldspar Zone. Secondary muscovite from retrograde hydration of sillimanite+K feldspar is distinguished texturally from primary muscovite, but is compositionally similar. Primary porphyroblastic muscovite, inherited from the regional metamorphic textural evolution of the rocks, disappears abruptly at the muscovite-out isograd. Migmatites of earlier regional origin, with recrystallized textures, are distinguished from those associated with the late Caledonian metamorphism, which are confined to the Sillimanite-K feldspar and Cordierite-K feldspar Zones. Muscovite compositions are inferred to be very low in Fe³⁺. There are no marked changes in muscovite composition at the entry of sillimanite+K feldspar. Higher Na contents than in some other muscovites coexisting with sillimanite+K feldspar are interpreted in terms of relatively low P in the Strontian area. Andalusite is found at two localities. From cordierite-garnet-sillimanite-biotite-K feldspar-quartz assemblages, a P estimate of 4.1±0.4 kbar is obtained, with the aqueous fluid having , and the T at the cordierite-K feldspar isograd is estimated as 690° C. T at the muscovite-out isograd is inferred to the maximum for muscovite-quartz-sillimanite-K feldspar equilibrium with graphite at P4.1 kbar: T 645° C, with . The well-defined lower boundary of the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone is attributed to regionally rather homogeneous fluid composition at . The low P prevented melting in the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone. Migmatites in the higher zones are attributed to partial melting, which accounts for the low necessary to produce the cordierite assemblages. Obscurity of these migmatites is attributed to deformation during and after the migmatization. A breccia structure in and near the Cordierite-K feldspar Zone, where pelites have flowed around disrupted pieces of psammite and amphibolite, can be explained by presence of grain-boundary melts in the pelites.     

Systematic study of liquidas phase relations in olivine melilitite +H2O +CO2 at high pressures and petrogenesis of an olivine melilitite magma

Near-liquidus phase relationships of a spinel lherzolite-bearing olivine melilitite from Tasmania were investigated over a P, T range with varying , , and . At 30 kb under MH-buffered conditions, systematic changes of liquidus phases occur with increasing ( = CO₂/CO₂ +H₂O+olivine melilitite). Olivine is the liquidus phase in the presence of H₂O alone and is joined by clinopyroxene at low . Increasing eliminates olivine and clinopyroxene becomes the only liquidus phase. Further addition of CO₂ brings garnet+orthopyroxene onto the liquidus together with clinopyroxene, which disappears with even higher CO₂. The same systematic changes appear to hold at higher and lower pressures also, only that the phase boundaries are shifted to different . The field with olivine- +clinopyroxene becomes stable to higher with lower pressure and approaches most closely the field with garnet+orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene at about 27 kb, 1160 °C, 0.08 and 0.2 (i.e., 6–7% CO₂+ 7–8% H₂O). Olivine does not coexist with garnet+orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene under these MH-buffered conditions. Lower oxygen fugacities do not increase the stability of olivine to higher and do not change the phase relationships and liquidus temperatures drastically. Thus, it is inferred that olivine melilitite 2927 originates as a 5% melt (inferred from K_{2 O} and P₂O₅ content) from a pyrolite source at about 27kb, 1160 dg with about 6–7% CO₂ and 7–8% H₂O dissolved in the melt. The highly undersaturated character of the melt and the inability to find olivine together with garnet and orthopyroxene on the liquidus (in spite of the close approach of the respective liquidus fields) can be explained by reaction relationships of olivine and clinopyroxene with orthopyroxene, garnet and melt in the presence of CO₂.     

APL computer programs for thermodynamic calculations of equilibria in P-T-X CO 2 space

APL computer programs for the thermodynamic calculation of devolatilization and solid-solid equilibria operate using stored values for the molar volume and entropy of solids, the free energies of H₂O and CO₂, and the free energies of formation for 110 geologically-important phases. P-T-X _{CO 2} calculations of devolatilization equilibria can be made at pressures from 0.2 through 10 kb, and temperatures from 200 through 1,000° C. P-T-X calculations of solid-solid equilibria may be accomplished at pressures to 30 kb and temperatures to 1,000° C. Calculations can be extrapolations from experimental points, or direct calculations from thermochemical data alone. Options are available in these programs to consider effects of: real vs. ideal gas mixing, thermal expansion and compressibility, solid solution, fluid pressure differing from solid pressure, and uncertainties in high-temperature entropies.A collection of thermodynamic data programs accompanies the programs for calculating P-T-X _{CO 2} equilibria. Over a wide range of physical conditions, the data functions report free energies, entropies, fugacities of H₂O and CO₂, high temperature entropies of solids, and activities of components in H₂O-CO₂ mixtures.List of Symbols Activity of H₂O and CO₂ - G_f Free energy of formation of a phase from elements - G_r Free energy change of reaction - G _r ^o Standard state free energy change of a reaction - Free energies of pure H₂O and CO₂ - H _r ^o Standard state enthalpy change for a reaction - K Equilibrium constant - R Gas constant - S _r ^o Standard state entropy change of reaction - S _s ^o Standard state entropy change of solids in a reaction - V_s ^o Standard state volume change of a reaction - V_s ^o Standard state volume change of solids in a reaction - Mole fraction of H₂O and CO₂ - Activity coefficient of H₂O and CO₂     

Aenigmatite,sodic pyroxene,arfvedsonite and associated minerals in syenites from Morotu,Sakhalin

Aenigmatite, sodic pyroxene and arfvedsonite occur as interstitial minerals in metaluminous to weakly peralkaline syenite patches in alkali dolerite, Morotu, Sakhalin. Aenigmatite is zoned from Ca, Al, Fe³⁺-rich cores to Ti, Na, Mn, Si-rich rims reflecting the main substitutions Fe²⁺Ti⁴⁺Fe³⁺, NaSiCaAl and Mn²⁺Fe²⁺. Aenigmatite replaces aegirine and ilmenite supporting the existence of a no-oxide field in — T space. In one case aenigmatite has apparently formed by reaction between ilmenite and arfvedsonite. Titanian aegirine (up to 3.0 wt% TiO₂) and Fe-chlorite may replace aenigmatite. Sodic pyroxene occurs as zoned crystals with cores of aegirine-augite rimmed by aegirine and in turn by pale green aegirine containing 93 mol% NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆. Additional substitution of the type NaAlCaFe²⁺ is indicated by significant amounts (up to 6 mol%) of NaAlSi₂O₆. Arfvedsonite is zoned with rims enriched in Na, Fe and depleted in Ca which parallels the variation of these elements in the sodic pyroxenes.The high peralkalinity of the residual liquid from which the mafic phases formed resulted from the early crystallization of microperthite (which makes up the bulk of the syenites) leading to an increase in the Na₂O/(Na₂O+K₂O) and (Na₂O+K₂O)/Al₂O₃ ratios of the remaining interstitial liquid which is also enriched in Ti, Fe, and Mn. Bulk composition of the melt, , temperature and volatile content were all important variables in determining the composition and stability of the peralkaline silicates. in the residual liquid appears to have been buffered by arfvedsonite-aegirine and later by the arfvedsonite-aenigmatite and aenigmatite-aegirine equilibria under conditions of a no-oxide field. An increase in , above that of the alkali buffer reactions, is inferred by an increase of Ti and Mn in aenigmatite rims. The latest postmagmatic vapour crystallization stage of the syenites is marked by extremely low which may have been facilitated by exsolution of a gas phase. Low is supported by the replacement of aenigmatite by titanian aegirine, and the formation of rare Ti-rich garnet with a very low (Ti⁴⁺+Fe³⁺)/(Ti+Fe) ratio of 0.51, associated with leucoxene alteration of ilmenite.     

H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O diffusion in peralkaline to peraluminous rhyolitic melts

The diffusion of water in a peralkaline and a peraluminous rhyolitic melt was investigated at temperatures of 714–1,493 K and pressures of 100 and 500 MPa. At temperatures below 923 K dehydration experiments were performed on glasses containing about 2 wt% H₂O _t in cold seal pressure vessels. At high temperatures diffusion couples of water-poor (<0.5 wt% H₂O _t ) and water-rich (~2 wt% H₂O _t ) melts were run in an internally heated gas pressure vessel. Argon was the pressure medium in both cases. Concentration profiles of hydrous species (OH groups and H₂O molecules) were measured along the diffusion direction using near-infrared (NIR) microspectroscopy. The bulk water diffusivity () was derived from profiles of total water () using a modified Boltzmann-Matano method as well as using fittings assuming a functional relationship between and Both methods consistently indicate that is proportional to in this range of water contents for both bulk compositions, in agreement with previous work on metaluminous rhyolite. The water diffusivity in the peraluminous melts agrees very well with data for metaluminous rhyolites implying that an excess of Al₂O₃ with respect to alkalis does not affect water diffusion. On the other hand, water diffusion is faster by roughly a factor of two in the peralkaline melt compared to the metaluminous melt. The following expression for the water diffusivity in the peralkaline rhyolite as a function of temperature and pressure was obtained by least-squares fitting:

Water in microcrystalline quartz of volcanic origin: Agates

Agates of volcanic origin, containing the different quartz species, fibrous, length-fast chalcedony (CH), granular fine quartz (FQ), and fibrous, length-slow, to lepidospheric quartzine (QN), have been investigated to evaluate possible relations between microstructure, i.e. crystallite size and texture, refractive indices, densities, contents of trace elements and of water, as well as dehydration behaviour. By means of near infrared spectroscopy, total water contents , could be differentiated quantitatively into contents of molecular water, , and silanole-group water, . Despite the low total water contents of the agates studied ( between 1 and 2 wt.%), near infrared spectroscopy results in reliable data on and .Wall-layering CH consists of fibrous quartz crystals and exhibits higher C-ratios, , than horizontally layered FQ which consists predominantly of granular quartz crystals (C _CH=0.45±0.11 (N=6), C _FQ=0.36±0.10 (N=4). This result is interpreted to be due to analogy with the behaviour of C-ratios in fluid phase-deposited opals-AN (hyalithe) and liquid phase-deposited opals-AG (non-crystalline opal) or -CT (common opal) (Langer and Flörke 1974).Translucent layers of CH show mostly lower refractive indices, when measured parallel than when measured perpendicular to the axes of the quartz fibers. The same is true for milky layers of CH. Crystallite sizes are smaller in the latter than in the former.For all samples studied, exists a positive correlation between at% (1/2Ca+1/2Mg+Na+K+Li) and at% (Al³⁺+Fe³⁺). This indicates that at least parts of (A1³⁺+ Fe³⁺) substitute for Si in the quartz structure. The charge is balanced by incorporation of di- and mono-valent cations in structural interstices. When the quantity at % H⁺, as obtained from , is included into the sum at% (1/2 Me²⁺+Me⁺), the above correlation is destroyed. This result could be indicative for a strong concentration of the Si-OH groups in the surface of the quartz microcrystallites.     

An almandine garnet isograd in the Rogers Pass area,British Columbia: The nature of the reaction and an estimation of the physical conditions during its formation

In the Rogers Pass area of British Columbia the almandine garnet isograd results from a reaction of the form: 5.31 ferroan-dolomite+8.75 paragonite+4.80 pyrrhotite+3.57 albite+16.83 quartz+1.97 O₂=1.00 garnet+16.44 andesine+1.53 chlorite+2.40 S₂+1.90 H₂O+10.62 CO₂. The coefficients of this reaction are quite sensitive to the Mn content of ferroan-dolomite.Experimental data applied to mineral compositions present at the isograd, permits calculation of two intersecting P, T equilibrium curves. P=29088–39.583 T is obtained for the sub-system paragonite-margarite (solid-solution), plagioclase, quartz, ferroan-dolomite, and P=28.247 T–14126 is obtained for the sub-system epidote, quartz, garnet, plagioclase. These equations yield P=3898 bars and T=638° K (365° C). These values are consistent with the FeS content of sphalerite in the assemblage pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite and with other estimates for the area.At these values of P and T the composition of the fluid phase in equilibrium with graphite in the system C-O-H-S during the formation of garnet is estimated as: bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, , bars, bars.     

Fe2⇄Mg2 and TiAl2⇄MgSi2 exchange reactions between clinopyroxenes and silicate melts

The interdependence of the Fe(Mg)_–1 (e.g., FeO-MgO in silicate melt; CaFeSi₂O₆-CaMgSi₂O₆ in pyroxene) and TiAl₂(MgSi₂)_–1 exchange reactions between silicate melts and coexisting Ca-pyroxene has been examined. High-calcium clinopyroxenes were grown in 1 atmosphere melting and crystallization experiments on rock powders spanning the composition range tholeiite to melilitite (1,0922+Mg²⁺ exchange and suggest that at given values of extent of Fe(Mg)_–1 substitution is strongly coupled with the TiAl₂(MgSi₂)_–1 substitution in pyroxenes near the five-component space CaMg(Si₂O₆-CaFe(Si)₂O₆-CaTi(Al)₂O₆-CaFe(Al,Si)₂O₆-CaAl(Al,Si)₂O₆. The inferred stabilization of Ti in iron-rich relative to magnesium pyroxene is consistent with the operation of Fe²⁺Ti⁴⁺ intervalence charge transfer interactions (e.g., Rossman 1980) and observations on zoning in natural titanaugites (e.g., Tracy and Robinson 1977). Although the rims of some pyroxenes grown in some melting experiments exhibit prominent zoning in TiAl₂(MgSi₂)_–1, the average values of inferred from the compositions of these pyroxenes, together with those of the relatively homogeneous pyroxenes produced in crystallization experiments, exhibit a 11 correlation with values of derived from the solution model of Ghiorso et al. (1983) with a standard error of 750 calories. The Ti contents of Ca-rich pyroxenes crystallizing from a wide range of natural silicate liquids can therefore be predicted.     

Contrasting fluid/rock interaction between the Notch Peak granitic intrusion and argillites and limestones in western Utah: evidence from stable isotopes and phase assemblages

The Jurassic Notch Peak granitic stock, western Utah, discordantly intrudes Cambrian interbedded pure limestones and calcareous argillites. Contact metamorphosed argillite and limestone samples, collected along traverses away from the intrusion, were analyzed for ¹⁸O, ¹³C, and D. The ¹³C and ¹⁸O values for the limestones remain constant at about 0.5 (PDB) and 20 (SMOW), respectively, with increasing metamorphic grade. The whole rock ¹⁸O values of the argillites systematically decrease from 19 to as low as 8.1, and the ¹³C values of the carbonate fraction from 0.5 to –11.8. The change in ¹³C values can be explained by Rayleigh decarbonation during calcsilicate reactions, where calculated is about 4.5 permil for the high-grade samples and less for medium and low-grade samples suggesting a range in temperatures at which most decarbonation occurred. However, the amount of CO₂ released was not anough to decrease the whole rock ¹⁸O to the values observed in the argillites. The low ¹⁸O values close to the intrusion suggest interaction with magmatic water that had a ¹⁸O value of 8.5. The extreme lowering of ¹³C by fractional devolatilization and the lowering of ¹⁸O in argillites close to the intrusion indicates oxgen-equivalent fluid/rock ratios in excess of 1.0 and X(CO₂)_F of the fluid less than 0.2. Mineral assemblages in conjunction with the isotopic data indicate a strong influence of water infiltration on the reaction relations in the argillites and separate fluid and thermal fronts moving thru the argillites. The different stable isotope relations in limestones and argillites attest to the importance of decarbonation in the enhancement of permeability. The flow of fluids was confined to the argillite beds (argillite aquifers) whereas the limestones prevented vertical fluid flow and convective cooling of the stock.     

Aluminum partitioning between olivine and ultrabasic silicate liquid to 6 GPa

Trace element analyses of 1-atm and high-pressure experiments show that in komatiite and peridotite, the olivine (OL)/liquid (L) distribution coefficient for Al₂O₃ ( ) increases with pressure and temperature. Olivine in equilibrium with liquid accepts as much as 0.2 wt% Al₂O₃ in solution at 6 GPa. Convergence to equilibrium compositions at this high level is shown by cation diffusion of Al into synthetic forsterite crystals of low-Al contents in the presence of melt. Convergence to low-Al equilibrium compositions at lower P and T is shown by diffusion of Al out of synthetic forsterite with high initial Al content. Isobaric and isothermal experimental data subsets reveal that temperature and pressure variations both have real effects on . Variation in silicate melt composition has no detectable effect on within the limited range of experimentally investigated mixtures. Least-squares regression for 24 experiments, using komatiite and peridotite, performed at 1 atm to 6 GPa and 1300 to 1960°C, gives the best fit equation: Increase in with increasingly higher-pressure melting is consistent with incorporation of a spinel-like component of low molar volume into olivine, although other substitutions possibly involving more complex coupling cannot be ruled out. High P-T ultrabasic melting residues, if pristine, may be recognized by the high calculated from microprobe analyses of Al₂O₃ concentrations in residual olivines and estimated Al₂O₃ concentration in the last liquid removed. In general the low levels of Al in natural olivine from mantle xenoliths suggest that pristine residues are rarely recovered.     

Very high CO2 cordierite from Norwegian Lapland: Mineralogy,petrology, and carbon isotopes

The most CO₂-rich cordierite thus far encountered in nature with about 2.2 wt.% CO₂ and 0.3 wt.% H₂O occurs as large poikiloblasts in a strange non-foliated reaction rock that dissects well-foliated granulites being part of the classical Lapland granulite area described by Eskola. The cordierite is optically positive with the highest optic angle 2V _x (106°) and birefringence (– = 0.017) ever measured on natural cordierites, but it is also optically very heterogeneous due to secondary loss of CO₂ along fractures and zones paralleling the fluid-bearing channels. Based on the optical properties of the degassed Lapland cordierite and on literature data a ternary diagram is given, which shows the variations of this cordierite in 2V _x and birefringence as a function of channel-filling with both CO₂ and H₂O.Following Losert (1971) the cordierite coexists with calcite, a thus far unique mineral assemblage that is probably only stable at very high CO₂ pressures. In the present case, the of the cordierite (0.75) indicates, on the basis of literature data, a coexisting fluid with >0.95.The carbon isotope composition ¹³C of CO₂ in cordierite lies near –7, that of the calcite is slightly lighter than about –9. Thus, at least for the CO₂ in cordierite, a deep-seated origin may be possible.Based on the geologic occurrence it is speculated that the cordierite-bearing reaction rock could perhaps represent an annealed channel of late degassing in the granulitic lower crust.     

The stability and phase relations of iron chlorite below 8.5 kb P_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}}

Iron chlorites with compositions intermediate between the two end-members daphnite (Fe₅Al₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₈) and pseudothuringite (Fe₄Al₄Si₂O₁₀(OH)₈) were synthesized from mixtures of reagent chemicals. The polymorph with a 7 Å basal spacing initially crystallized from these mixtures at 300 °C and 2 kb after two weeks. Conversion to a 14 Å chlorite required a further 6 weeks at 550 °C. Shorter conversion times were required at higher water pressures. The products contained up to 20% impurities.The maximum equilibrium decomposition temperature for iron chlorite, approximately 550 °C at 2kb, is at an between assemblages (1) and (2) listed below. Synthetic iron chlorite will break down by various reactions with variable P, T, and fugacity of oxygen. For the composition FeAlSi = 523, the sequence of high temperature breakdown products with increasing traversing the magnetite field for P _total = =2kb is: (1) corierite+ fayalite+hercynite; (2) cordierite+fay alite+magnetite; (3) cordierite+magnetite+quartz; (4) magnetite+mullite+quartz. Almandine should replace cordierite in assemblages (1) and (2) but it did not nucleate. The significance of the relationship between iron cordierite and almandine in this system is discussed.At water pressures from 4 to 8.5 kb and at the nickel-bunsite buffer, iron chlorite+quartz break down to iron gedrite+magnetite with temperature 550 to 640 °C along the curve. At temperatures 50 °C greater and along a parallel curve, almandine replaces iron gedrite. For on this buffer curve, almandine is unstable below approximately 4 kb for temperatures to approximately 750 °C.     

Solubility of CO2 in olivine melilitite at high pressures and role of CO2 in the earth's upper mantle

The positions of the liquidi and the near-liquidus phases of olivine-melilitite+CO₂ have been determined under MH-buffered and furnace-buffered conditions up to 40 kb. It is found that CO₂ alone lowers the liquidus compared to dry conditions, yet its influence is minor compared to H₂O. The major role of CO₂ is to favour the growth of orthopyroxene and garnet over that of olivine at least at high pressures. CO₂-contents of glasses from experiments just above the liquidus (MH-buffered) were determined as 5.1 % at 10kb; 7.5 % at 20kb, 9.3 % at 30kb and 10–11 % (estimated) at 40 kb. Experiments on (pyrolite –40 % olivine)+H₂O+CO₂ show that CO₂ occurs under mantle conditions as carbonate under subsolidus conditions and dissolved in a melt above the solidus. At 30kb, the solidus lies between 1,000 ° C and 1,050 ° C for vapour-saturated conditions, at and at .     

Dry granulite mineral assemblages in the contact aureoles of the Nain complex,Labrador

Thermal aureoles surrounding intrusions of the Nain complex, Labrador, contain many unique or unusual mineral assemblages in aluminous gneisses and granulites, ironstones, and ultramafic rocks. Some of the limiting assemblages are (in addition to feldspars±pyrrhotite±ilmenite±graphite ±biotite±magnetite): Ga-Ol-Hy-Sp, Ga-Cd-Hy-Sp, Ga-Hy-Ol-Qz, Cd-Hy-Os-Qz, Ga-Cd-Sp-Si, Cd-Sp-Co-Si, Ga-Ol-Hy-Sp, Ga-Cd-Hy-Sp, Hy-Ol-Qz-Aug, and Ol-Hy-Sp(±Chl±Ca-amph±Aug). On the basis of some of these assemblages are (in addition to feldspars±pyrrhotite±ilmenite±graphite from 3.7–6.6 kbar and temperatures from 645–915 ° C. The paucity of hydrous phases, the preponderance of Ksp-Plag-Qz or even Cd-Ksp-Qz without evidence of a melt at these temperatures, the stable occurrence of osumilite, and the common presence of graphite suggest that was extremely low. The presence of graphite-pyrrhotite, the compositions of ilmenites, the compositions of coexisting Fe-Ti oxides, and other mineralogical data indicate the was relatively low and, despite the wide range in bulk compositions and rock types, may have followed an approximately buffered trend. It is possible that the magmas of the Nain complex may have acted as an external buffer for the aureole rocks. The unique nature of these mineral assemblages appears to be a function of the extremely low .