Chevkinite-group minerals from granulite-facies metamorphic rocks and associated pegmatites of East Antarctica and South India

Authors: Belkin, H.E.; Macdonald, R.; Grew, E.S.

Source: Mineralogical Magazine, Volume 73, Number 1, February 2009 , pp. 149-164(16)

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Abstract:

Electron microprobe data are presented for chevkinite-group minerals from granulite-facies rocks and associated pegmatites of the Napier Complex and Mawson Station charnockite in East Antarctica and from the Eastern Ghats, South India. Their compositions conform to the general formula for this group, viz. A₄BC₂D₂Si₄O₂₂ where, in the analysed specimens A = (rare-earth elements (REE), Ca, Y, Th), B = Fe²⁺, Mg, C = (Al, Mg, Ti, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zr) and D = Ti and plot within the perrierite field of the total Fe (as FeO) (wt.%) vs. CaO (wt.%) discriminator diagram of Macdonald and Belkin (2002). In contrast to most chevkinite-group minerals, the A site shows unusual enrichment in the MREE and HREE relative to the LREE and Ca. In one sample from the Napier Complex, Y is the dominant cation among the total REE + Y in the A site, the first reported case of Y-dominance in the chevkinite group. The minerals include the most Al-rich yet reported in the chevkinite group (≤9.15 wt.% Al₂O₃), sufficient to fill the C site in two samples. Conversely, the amount of Ti in these samples does not fill the D site, and, thus, some of the Al could be making up the deficiency at D, a situation not previously reported in the chevkinite group. Fe abundances are low, requiring Mg to occupy up to 45% of the B site. The chevkinite-group minerals analysed originated from three distinct parageneses: (1) pegmatites containing hornblende and orthopyroxene or garnet; (2) orthopyroxene-bearing gneiss and granulite; (3) highly aluminous paragneisses in which the associated minerals are relatively magnesian or aluminous. Chevkinite-group minerals from the first two parageneses have relatively high FeO content and low MgO and Al₂O₃ contents; their compositions plot in the field for mafic and intermediate igneous rocks. In contrast, chevkinite-group minerals from the third paragenesis are notably more aluminous and have greater Mg/Fe ratios.

Keywords: CHEVKINITE-GROUP; PERRIERITE; ANTARCTICA; EASTERN GHATS; INDIA

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1180/minmag.2009.073.1.149

Publication date: 2009-02-01

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