Abstract
Fenitization in granodioritic rocks has been investigated taking the Iivaara alkaline complex (Finland) as a case study. Five main fenitization reactions responsible for the transition from a granodioritic precursor mineral assemblage to a syenitic or even cancrinite–syenitic mineral assemblage of the fenites are set up. An assessment of element transfer and volume change associated with each of these reactions indicates a general volume loss of about 20% due to fenitization. High activities of Na, Ca, Mg and Fe as well as a low H 2O/CO 2 ratio in the fenitizing fluid phase are indicated. Si, which is the main component released from the precursor rock, was redistributed within the aureole and formed pyroxene dominated mineral assemblages in a reaction with the fenitizing fluid. These vein-type pyroxenites can be found cross-cutting all fenite types. Compositional data of aegirine augite in the fenites reveal disequilibria and feldspar compositions point to minimum temperatures for the production of fenites with syenitic compositions of 660°C and also indicate fast cooling. A Sr isotope characterization of the fenites allows assessment of minimum fluid–rock weight-ratios in the fenite aureole of 0.023–2.3. The element transfer scheme developed in this study is applicable to other localities since many aureoles formed in granitic to granodioritic host rocks have petrographic characteristics similar to the Iivaara fenites.
Published Version
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