The stability of xenotime in high Ca and Ca-Na systems, under experimental conditions of 250-350°C and 200-400 MPa: the implications for fluid-mediated low-temperature processes in granitic rocks

Authors

  • Bartosz Budzyń Institute of Geological Sciences Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Research Centre Senacka 1 31-002 Kraków
  • Gabriela A. Kozub-Budzyń AGH University of Science and Technology Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection Mickiewicza 30, PL–30059 Kraków

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7306/gq.1223

Keywords:

xenotime, yttrium fluorapatite, yttrium silicate, rare earth elements, experimental petrology

Abstract

The stability of xenotime was tested by experiments in the presence of a silicate mineral assemblage and two different fluids, 2M Ca(OH)2 or Na2Si2O5 + H2O, under P-T conditions of 200-400 MPa and 250-350°C. The xenotime was stable in runs with 2M Ca(OH)2, replicating the low-temperature metasomatic alterations of granitic rocks, except in experiment at 350°C and 400 MPa, where some (Y,REE)-rich fluorapatite formed. Experiments with Na2Si2O5 + H2O resulted in significant xenotime alteration and partial replacement by an unknown (Y,HREE)-rich silicate, and in the formation of minor amounts of (Y,REE)-rich fluorapatite. The latter indicate preferential partitioning of Y and REE into silicates over phosphates during low-temperature, metasomatic processes in a high Na-Ca system, similar to peralkaline granitic rocks.

Downloads

Published

2015-02-25

Issue

Section

Articles