Geochemistry and fluid inclusions study of highly fractionated garnet-bearing granite of Gabal Abu Diab, central Eastern Desert of Egypt

Abstract

The Neoproterozoic granite of Gabal Abu Diab, central Eastern Desert of Egypt, comprises mainly garnet-bearing granite and alkali feldspar granite intruded into calc-alkaline granodiorite–tonalite and metagabbro–diorite complexes. The garnet-bearing granite is composed mainly of plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz, garnet and primary muscovite ± biotite. The presence of garnet and primary muscovite of Abu-Diab granite suggests its highly fractionated character. Geochemically, the garnet-bearing granite is highly fractionated as indicated from the high contents of SiO2 (74.85–77.5%), alkalis (8.27 to 9.2%, Na2O+K2O) and the trace elements association: Ga, Zn, Zr, Nb and Y. This granite is depleted in CaO, MgO, P2O5, Sr and Ba. The alumina saturation (Shand Index, molar ratio A/CNK) of 1.0 to 1.1 indicates the weak peraluminous nature of this garnet-bearing granite. The geochemical characteristics of the Abu Diab garnet-bearing granite are consistent with either the average I-type or A-type granite and also suggest post-orogenic or anorogenic setting. A fluid inclusions study reveals the presence of three fluid generations trapped into the studied granite. The earlier is a complex CO2–H2O fluid trapped in primary fluid inclusions with CO2 contents > 60 vol.%. These inclusions were probably trapped at minimum temperature > 400°C and minimum pressure > 2 kb. The second is immiscible water–CO2 fluid trapped in secondary and/or pseudo-secondary inclusions. The trapping conditions were estimated at temperature between 400°C and 170°C and pressure between 900 and 2000 bar. The latest fluid is low-salinity aqueous fluid trapped in secondary two-phase and mono-phase inclusions. The trapping conditions were estimated at temperature between 90°C and 160°C and pressure < 900 bar. The origin of the early fluid generation is magmatic fluid while the second and third fluids are of hydrothermal and meteoric origin, respectively.