Abstract
Metamorphic and magmatic garnets are known to fractionate REE, with generally HREE-enriched patterns, and high Lu/Hf and Sm/Nd ratios, making them very useful as geochemical tracers and in geochronological studies. However, these garnets are typically Al-rich (pyrope, almandine, spessartine, and grossular) and little is known about garnets with a more andraditic (Fe 3+) composition, as frequently found in skarn systems. This paper presents LA-ICP-MS data for garnets from the Crown Jewel Au-skarn deposit (USA), discusses the factors controlling incorporation of REE into garnets, and strengthens the potential of garnet REE geochemistry as a tool to help understand the evolution of metasomatic fluids. Garnets from the Crown Jewel deposit range from Adr 30Grs 70 to almost pure andradite (Adr >99). Fe-rich garnets (Adr >90) are isotropic, whereas Al-rich garnets deviate from cubic symmetry and are anisotropic, often showing sectorial dodecahedral twinning. All garnets are extremely LILE-depleted, Ta, Hf, and Th and reveal a positive correlation of ΣREE 3+ with Al content. The Al-rich garnets are relatively enriched in Y, Zr, and Sc and show “typical” HREE-enriched and LREE-depleted patterns with small Eu anomalies. Fe-rich garnets (Adr >90) have much lower ΣREE and exhibit LREE-enriched and HREE-depleted patterns, with a strong positive Eu anomaly. Incorporation of REE into garnet is in part controlled by its crystal chemistry, with REE 3+ following a coupled, YAG-type substitution mechanism ( [ X 2 + ] - 1 VIII [ REE 3 + ] + 1 VIII [ Si 4 + ] - 1 IV [ Z 3 + ] + 1 IV ) , whereas Eu 2+ substitutes for X 2+ cations. Thermodynamic data (e.g., H mixing) in grossular–andradite mixtures suggest preferential incorporation of HREE in grossular and LREE in more andraditic compositions. Variations in textural and optical features and in garnet geochemistry are largely controlled by external factors, such as fluid composition, W/ R ratios, mineral growth kinetics, and metasomatism dynamics, suggesting an overall system that shifts dynamically between internally and externally buffered fluid chemistry driven by fracturing. Al-rich garnets formed by diffusive metasomatism, at low W/ R ratios, from host-rock buffered metasomatic fluids. Fe-rich garnets grow rapidly by advective metasomatism, at higher W/ R ratios, from magmatic-derived fluids, consistent with an increase in porosity by fracturing.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.