P CO2 in low-grade metamorphism; zeolite,carbonate, clay mineral,prehnite relations in the system CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-CO2-H2O

Equilibria for several reactions in the system CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CO₂-H₂O have been calculated from the reactions calcite+quartz=wollastonite+CO₂ (5) and calcite+Al₂SiO₅+quartz=anorthite+CO₂ (19) and other published experimental studies of equilibria in the systems Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O and CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O.The calculations indicate that the reactions laumontite+CO₂=calcite+kaolinite+2 quartz+2H₂O (1) and laumontite+calcite=prehnite+quartz+3H₂O+CO₂ (3) in the system CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CO₂-H₂O, are in equilibrium with an H₂O-CO₂ fluid phase having -0.0075 for P_fluid=P_total=2000 bars.These calculations limit the stability of zeolite assemblages to low p CO₂.Using the above reactions as model equilibria, several probelms of p CO₂ in low grade metamorphism are discussed. (a) the problem of producing zeolitic minerals from metasedimentary assemblages of carbonate, clay mineral, quartz. (b) the significance of calcite (or aragonite) associated with zeolite (or lawsonite) in low grade metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration. (c) the reaction of zeolites (or lawsonite) with calcite (or aragonite) to produce dense Ca-Al-hydrosilicates (eg. prehnite, zoisite, grossular).