Cl/Br of scapolite as a fluid tracer in the earth's crust: insights into fluid sources in the Mary Kathleen Fold Belt, Mt. Isa Inlier, Australia

Hammerli, J., Spandler, C., Oliver, N.H.S., and Rusk, B. (2014) Cl/Br of scapolite as a fluid tracer in the earth's crust: insights into fluid sources in the Mary Kathleen Fold Belt, Mt. Isa Inlier, Australia. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 32 (1). pp. 93-112.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmg.12060
 
42
2


Abstract

A combination of analytical methods, including trace element analysis of Br in scapolite by LA-ICP- MS, was employed to unravel the fluid–rock interaction history of the Mary Kathleen Fold Belt of northern Australia. Halogen ratios in the metamorphic and hydrothermally derived scapolite from a range of rock-types record interaction between the host rocks and magmatic-hydrothermal fluids derived from granite plutons and regional metamorphism. The results show that halite-dissolution supplied at best only minor chlorine to fluids in the Fold Belt. Chlorine/bromine ratios in metamorphic scapolite indicate that fluids were dominantly derived from basinal brines formed from sub-aerial evaporation of seawater beyond the point of halite saturation. This bittern fluid infiltrated the under- lying sedimentary sequences prior to regional metamorphism. Zoned scapolite in a major late meta- morphic mineralized shear-zone records three discrete pulses of magmatic and metamorphic fluid, and it is suggested that fluid mixing may have assisted mineralization along and around this shear zone. As a crucial prerequisite for halogen fluid tracer studies using scapolite, we find in our samples that Cl and Br do not fractionate when incorporated in scapolite. Furthermore, unaltered rims of heavily retrogressed scapolite show indistinguishable Cl/Br signatures compared with fresh grains from the same sample indicating retrograde metamorphism did not significantly affect Cl and Br signatures in scapolite group minerals.

Item ID: 33274
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1525-1314
Keywords: bromine and chlorine; fluid sources; halogens; hydrothermal fluids; Mary Kathleen; scapolite.
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants: ARC Discovery Project grant : DP 1095280
Date Deposited: 29 May 2014 04:06
FoR Codes: 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0402 Geochemistry > 040202 Inorganic Geochemistry @ 50%
04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040304 Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970104 Expanding Knowledge in the Earth Sciences @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 2
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page