Evidence in Archaean alkali feldspar megacrysts for high-temperature interaction with mantle fluids

Abstract

Growth and regrowth textures, trace element and oxygen isotope compositions, and water content or species have been studied in alkali feldspars from the late Archaean Closepet igneous bodies. Feldspar crystals grew from mixed magmas that are characterized by a high degree of homogenization. The 3D depiction of trace element distribution indicates that the crystallization process was followed by interaction with fluids. The magmatic system involved in feldspar formation shows non-linear dynamics. The interaction with fluids is also deterministic, but in contrast to magmatic crystallization, it shows an increasing persistency in element behaviour. The degree of persistency of the element activities in both processes has been calculated using the Hurst exponent. The recrystallization (regrowth) process induced by fluids proceeded along crystal fractures and cleavages, causing selective enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (light rare earth elements), Pb, Y, and in various water species. It did not change the feldspar oxygen isotope signature. In turn, the incorporation of hydrogen species into feldspar domains reduced Al–O−–Al defect densities in the structure, decreasing their luminescence. Water speciation shows persistent behaviour during heating, the process being reversible at least up to 600°C. Carbonate crystals with a mantle isotope signature are associated with the re-equilibrated feldspar domains. The feldspar compositions, the abundance of water species in them and the refractory nature of the residuum after heating, the unchanged oxygen isotopes and the mantle signature of co-precipitated carbonates testify that the observed recrystallization has taken place at temperatures above 600°C with H₂O–CO₂ fertile, mantle-derived fluids. The paper draws special attention to some methodological aspects of the problem. The multi-method approach used here (major element, trace element and isotope geochemistry, infra-red, cathodoluminescence, 3D depiction of geochemical data and fractal statistics) may help to recognize and separate the various processes throughout the alteration history of the pluton.