Phyllonite Formation and Alteration of Gneisses in Shear Zones (Gleinalmkristallin,Eastern Alps/Austria)

Summary The leucophyllite (quartz-muscovite-chlorite-phyllonites) deposit Weißkirchen is located within the Core-Complex of the Gleinalmkristallin which is part of the Austroalpine Crystalline Unit. Retrograde metamorphism and shearing responsible for the formation of the phyllonites took place during the Alpine (Upper Cretaceous) event. The age of the micas from the leucophyllites and from the unaltered host rocks is 79.6 ± 0.8 Ma. The positive correlation of the HREE, A1203, TiO₂, Zr and Nb versus Mg show that these elements are enriched together with Mg. On the other hand SiO₂, CaO, Sr and alkali elements decrease with advanced alteration. This source for the formation of the phyllonites may be of minor importance. During the alteration and the decomposition of the plagioclase Eu is removed from the system.Oxygen isotope mineral equilibria for the host rock paragenesis (quartz-muscovitegarnet) yielded temperatures in the range from 623 to 642 °C which is interpreted as the temperature of the Variscan metamorphism. The biotite of these gneisses has evidently been reset by later metamorphic events.The investigated phyllonites in the shear zone represent totally reequilibrated rocks under Early Alpine metamorphic conditions. Oxygen isotope analyses yielded concordant temperatures of 480°C for the formation of the peak metamorphic paragenesis muscovite, chlorite and rutile. Slightly lower temperatures (approx. 450°C) were obtained by the measured fractionations between phlogopite, plagioclase and quartz (late stage metamorphic assemblage). Calculation of the oxygen isotope composition of the coexisting fluid for Alpine peak metamorphism yielded a mean 0180-value of + 7.5.

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ZusammenfassungDie Bildung der Leukophyllite in Scherzonen in den Ostalpen Als Leukophyllite werden in den Ostalpen Gesteine bezeichnet, die aus Muskovit, Chlorit und Quarz bestehen und die in Scherzonen unter retrograd-metamorphen Bedingungen entstehen. In der Lagerstätte Weißkirchen in Steiermark werden diese Gesteine abgebaut und hauptsächlich als mineralischer Füllstoff verwendet.Die Lagerstätte liegt im Bereich der Gleinalm, die zum Ostalpinen Kristallin gehört. Die Hauptmetamorphose der Nebengesteine ist variszischen Alters und fand unter amphibolitfaziellen Bedingungen (630°C) statt. Die Leukophyllite wurden während der alpidischen Metamorphose gebildet, O-Isotopenanalysen ergaben Temperaturen von 480°C. Die K/Ar- Abkühlalter der Hellglimmer der Nebengesteine und der Leukophyllite liegen bei ca. 80 Ma.Während der Bildung dieser Scherzonen fand eine vollständige Rekristallisation statt, in den Leukophylliten können keine Relikte des älteren Mineralbestandes beobachtet werden. Stabile Elemente wie z.B. die SSEE, A1203, TiO₂ etc. und auch MgO wurden mit fortschreitender Alteration relativ angereichert, während SiO₂, CaO und die Alkalien teilweise mobilisiert wurden. Dieser Mechanismus kann zumindest z.T. zur Erklärung der hohen MgO-Gehalte der Leukophyllite herangezogen werden.Die O-Isotopenzusammensetzung der koexistierenden Fluide liegt bei +7,5 in den Leukophylliten und entspricht metamorphogenen Lösungen, die während des jeweiligen Höhepunktes der Metamorphose mit den Leukophylliten (alpidisch) bzw. mit den Gneisen des Nebengesteins (variszisch) im Gleichgewicht standen.

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This paper was presented at the IGCP 291 Project Symposium Metamorphic Fluids and Mineral Deposits, ETH Zürich, March 21–23, 1991.     

A biogeochemical study of sediments from the eutrophic Lake Lugano and the oligotrophic Lake Brienz,Switzerland

The biomarker composition and stable isotope (C, O) ratio values of organic matter (OM) and carbonate from sediment cores from the oligotrophic Lake Brienz and the eutrophic Lake Lugano (both in Switzerland) are compared, in order to obtain information about OM sources and transformation processes. Eutrophic conditions at Lake Lugano are reflected in elevated total organic carbon (TOC) content and hydrogen index (HI) values, as well as higher lipid concentrations. Parallel down core trends in δ¹³C values of TOC and calcite in the Lake Lugano sediments reflect bioproductivity cycles. Variations in δ¹⁸O values of calcite are consistent with changes in mean summer temperature over the time interval covered by the core. In contrast, such a correlation does not exist for Lake Brienz and there the stable isotope composition of calcite reflects its allochthonous origin. In the sediments of both lakes, fatty acid (FA) distributions and the composition of n-alkanols and n-alkanes indicate highly variable proportions of autochthonous OM sources (algae, zooplankton, bacteria) and OM from land plants. Enhanced in situ microbial synthesis during sediment deposition in Lake Lugano is suggested by the higher TOC-normalised concentrations of branched chain FAs (C₁₅–C₁₇), hopanoic acids and triterpenoid alcohols (i.e. tetrahymanol, diplopterol). Variations in the concentrations of cholesterol are related to contributions from zooplankton and/or green algae, while sitosterol concentrations reflect the input of vascular plants. Periods of increased input of OM from diatoms are evidenced by high 24-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (either epibrassicasterol or brassicasterol) and/or highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) alkenes concentrations. High relative concentrations of diplopterol in Lake Lugano sediments are consistent with the predominance of cyanobacteria commonly observed in eutrophic lakes. The presence of archeol and hydroxyarcheol in very low concentrations in the Lugano sediments argues for the activity of methanogens and/or anaerobic methanotrophs.Differences in OM degradation processes are reflected in higher chlorin index values in the Brienz sediments but higher saturated vs. unsaturated n-FAs in the core from Lugano. Higher concentrations of branched chain FAs and 16:1ω7 n-FA, as well as enhanced 18:1ω7/18:1ω9 n-FA, are consistent with enhanced bacterial biomass in the Lugano water column or sediments. The preservation of phytol seems to be enhanced in sediments with a high relative contribution of land plant OM. Major factors affecting OM accumulation in the lakes are differences in OM sources (i.e. terrestrial OM vs. autochthonous production), extent of bacterial activity and most likely oxygen availability in the water column.