Celadonite mica: Solid solution and stability

Abstract

Phase relations for the bulk compositions of the celadonites between the MgAl, MgFe3+ and Fe2+Fe3+ types (celadonite = KR2+R3+ Si4O10 (OH)2) under magnetite-iron and nickel-nickel oxide solid-fluid buffers indicate the extent of solid solution possible in this potassic mica series at temperatures between 300° and 430° C at 2 Kb total pressure. Other possible combinations of Mg, Al, Fe ions in octahedrally coordinated sites did not produce single-phase mica products. The ferrous celadonite micas are stable only under oxygen fugacities where magnetite is the stable oxide—where both Fe2+ and Fe3+ can coexist. However the celadonite with the highest thermal stability at 2 Kb total pressure, nickel-nickel oxide buffer conditions is the KMgFe3+Si4O10(OH)2 phase which is stable up to 420°C, well into low grade metamorphic conditions. It is thus apparent that the presence of celadonite or glauconite mica will not be indicative of changing diagenetic conditions.