High integrated fluid/rock ratios during metamorphism at Naxos: evidence from carbon isotopes of calcite in schists and fluid inclusions

Calcite in schists of the metamorphic complex at Naxos is depleted both in ¹³C and in ¹⁸O with respect to massive marbles. This effect is attributed to isotope exchange with circulating CO₂-rich fluids, which had an >0.5 according to fluid inclusions. The carbon isotopic composition of the calcites is close to equilibrium with fluid inclusion CO₂ at metamorphic temperatures. Mass balance calculations assuming initial ¹³C values of 0 for calcite and –5 for the fluid, give integrated fluid/rock volume ratios between 0.1 and 2.0. Such high fluid/rock ratios are supported by observations on the distribution of CO₂/H₂O ratios of fluid inclusions, carbon isotopic compositions of fluid inclusion CO₂ and oxygen isotope systematics of silicates.