Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new chlorite geothermometer for diagenetic to low-grade metamorphic conditions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The evolution of chlorite composition with temperature (and pressure) serves as basis to a number of chlorite chemical thermometers, for which the oxidation state of iron has been recognised as a recurrent issue, especially at low temperature (T). A new chlorite geothermometer that does not require prior Fe3+ knowledge is formulated, calibrated on 161 analyses with well-constrained T data covering a wide range of geological contexts and tested here for low-T chlorites (T < 350 °C and pressures below 4 kbar). The new solid-solution model used involves six end-member components (the Mg and Fe end-members of ‘Al-free chlorite S’, sudoite and amesite) and so accounts for all low-T chlorite compositions; ideal mixing on site is assumed, with an ordered cationic distribution in tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Applied to chlorite analyses from three distinct low-T environments for which independent T data are available (Gulf Coast, Texas; Saint Martin, Lesser Antilles; Toyoha, Hokkaido), the new pure-Fe2+ thermometer performs at least as well as the recent models, which require an estimate of Fe3+ content. This relief from the ferric iron issue, combined with the simple formulation of the semi-empirical approach, makes the present thermometer a very practical tool, well suited for, for example, the handling of large analytical datasets—provided it is used in the calibration range (T < 350 °C, P < 4 kbar).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bailey SW (1988) Chlorites: structures and crystal chemistry. In: Bailey SW (eds) Hydrous Phyllosilicates (Exclusive of Micas), vol 19. Reviews in Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, pp 347–403

  • Beaufort D, Westercamp D, Legendre O, Meunier A (1990) The fossil hydrothermal system of Saint Martin: (1) Geology and lateral distribution of alterations. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 40:219–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beaufort D, Patrier P, Meunier A, Ottaviani MM (1992) Chemical variations in assemblages including epidote and/or chlorite in the fossil hydrothermal system of Saint Martin (Lesser Antilles). J Volcanol Geoth Res 51:95–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bevins RE, Robinson D, Rowbotham G (1991) Compositional variations in mafic phyllosilicates from regional low-grade metabasites and application of the chlorite geothermometer. J Metamorph Geol 9(6):711–721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boles JR, Francks GS (1979) Clay diagenesis in Wilcox sandstones of Southwest Texas: implications of smectite diagenesis on sandstone cementation. J Sediment Petrol 49:55–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdelle F (2011) Thermobarométrie des phyllosilicates dans les séries naturelles: Conditions de la diagenèse et du métamorphisme de bas degré. Thesis, University of Paris-Sud, Orsay

  • Bourdelle F, Parra T, Chopin C, Beyssac O, Moreau F (2012a) Ultrathin section preparation of phyllosilicates by focused ion beam milling for quantitative analysis by TEM-EDX. Appl Clay Sci 59–60:121–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdelle F, Parra T, Beyssac O, Chopin C, Vidal O (2012b) Clay minerals thermometry: a comparative study based on high-spatial-resolution analyses of illite and chlorite in Gulf Coast sandstones (Texas, USA). Am Miner (in press)

  • Cathelineau M (1988) Cation site occupancy in chlorites and illites as a function of temperature. Clay Miner 23(4):471–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cathelineau M, Nieva D (1985) A chlorite solid solution geothermometer. The Los Azufres (Mexico) geothermal system. Contrib Miner Petrol 91(3):235–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis CD, Ireland BJ, Whiteman JA, Mulvaney R, Whittle CK (1984) Authigenic chlorites: problems with chemical analysis and structural formula calculation. Clay Miner 19:471–481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis CD, Hughes CR, Whiteman JA, Whittle CK (1985) Compositional variation within some sedimentary chlorites and some comments on their origin. Mineral Mag 49:375–386

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Caritat P, Hutcheon I, Walshe JL (1993) Chlorite geothermometry: a review. Clay Clay Miner 41(2):219–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Essene EJ, Peacor DR (1995) Clay mineral thermometry—A critical perspective. Clay Clay Miner 43(5):540–553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foster MD (1962) Interpretation of the composition and a classification of the chlorites. US Geological Survey Professional Paper 414-A:33

  • Grosch EG, Vidal O, Abu-Alam T, McLoughlin N (2012) P–T Constraints on the metamorphic evolution of the paleoarchean Kromberg type-section, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa. J Petrol 53(3):513–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helgeson HC, Delany JM, Nessbitt HW, Bird DK (1978) Summary and critique of the thermodynamic properties of rock-forming minerals. Am J Sci 278A:1–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillier S, Velde B (1991) Octahedral occupancy and the chemical-composition of diagenetic (low-temperature) chlorites. Clay Miner 26(2):149–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillier S, Velde B (1992) Chlorite interstratified with a 7 Å mineral: an example from offshore Norway and possible implications for the interpretation of the composition of diagenetic chlorites. Clay Miner 27:475–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutcheon I (1990) Clay carbonate reactions in the venture area, Scotian Shelf, Nova Scotia, Canada. The Geochemical society, Special Publication, pp 199–212

  • Inoue A, Meunier A, Patrier-Mas P, Rigault C, Beaufort D, Vieillard P (2009) Application of chemical geothermometry to low-temperature trioctahedral chlorites. Clay Clay Miner 57(3):371–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue A, Kurokawa K, Hatta T (2010) Application of chlorite geothermometry to hydrothermal alteration in Toyoha geothermal system, Southwestern Hokkaido, Japan. Resour Geol 60(1):52–70. doi:10.1111/j.1751-3928.2010.00114.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahren JS (1991) Evidence of ostwald ripening related recrystallization of chlorites from reservoir rocks offshore Norway. Clay Miner 26:169–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahren JS, Aagaard P (1989) Compositional variations in diagenetic chlorites and illites, and relationships with formation-water chemistry. Clay Miner 24:157–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahren JS, Aagaard P (1992) Diagenetic illite-chlorite assemblages in arenites.1. chemical evolution. Clay Clay Miner 40(5):540–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang WT, Peacor DR, Buseck PR (1994) Chlorite geothermometry?—Contamination and apparent octahedral vacancies. Clay Clay Miner 42(5):593–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jowett EC (1991) Fitting iron and magnesium into the hydrothermal chlorite geothermometer. Paper presented at the GAC/MAC/SEG Joint annual meeting, Toronto, Canada, May 1991, pp 27–29

  • Kehle RO (1971) Geothermal survey of North America. American association of petroleum geologists, p 31

  • Koroknai B, Arkai P, Horvath P, Balogh K (2008) Anatomy of a transitional brittle-ductile shear zone developed in a low-T meta-andesite tuff: a microstructural, petrological and geochronological case study from the Bukk Mts. (NE Hungary). J Struct Geol 30(2):159–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kranidiotis P, McLean WH (1987) Systematics of chlorite alternation at the Phelps Dodge massive sulfide deposit, Matagami, Quebec. Econ Geol 82(7):1898–1911

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laird J (1988) Chlorites: metamorphic petrology. In: Bailey SW (ed) Hydrous Phyllosilicates (Exclusive of Micas), vol 19. The Mineralogical Society of America, Washington D.C., pp 405–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Munguira A, Nieto F, Morata D (2002) Chlorite composition and geothermometry: a comparative HRTEM/AEM-EMPA-XRD study of Cambrian basic lavas from the Ossa Morena zone, SW Spain. Clay Miner 37(2):267–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mas A, Guisseau D, Mas PP, Beaufort D, Genter A, Sanjuan B, Girard JP (2006) Clay minerals related to the hydrothermal activity of the bouillante geothermal field (Guadeloupe). J Volcanol Geoth Res 158(3–4):380–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell SD, Elders WA (1980) Authigenic layer silicate minerals in borehole Elmore 1, Salton Sea geothermal field, California, USA. Contrib Miner Petrol 74:293–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell R (1978) Equilibrium thermodynamics in petrology: an introduction. Harper & Row, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahn M, Mullis J, Erdelbrock K, Frey M (1994) Very low-grade metamorphism of the Taveyanne Greywacke, Glarus Alps, Switzerland. J Metamorph Geol 12(5):625–641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt D, Schmidt ST, Mullis J, Mahlmann RF, Frey M (1997) Very low-grade metamorphism of the Taveyanne formation of western Switzerland. Contrib Miner Petrol 129(4):385–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theye T, Seidel E, Vidal O (1992) Carpholite, sudoite, and chloritoid in low-grade high-pressure metapelites from Crete and the Peloponnese, Greece. Eur J Mineral 4:487–507

    Google Scholar 

  • Velde B, Medhioub M (1988) Approach to chemical equilibrium in diagenetic chlorites. Contrib Mineral Petrol 98:122–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal O, Parra T (2000) Exhumation paths of high-pressure metapelites obtained from local equilibria for chlorite-phengite assemblages. Geol J 35(3–4):139–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal O, Parra T, Trotet F (2001) A thermodynamic model for Fe-Mg aluminous chlorite using data from phase equilibrium experiments and natural pelitic assemblages in the 100°–600 °C, 1–25 kb range. Am J Sci 301(6):557–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal O, Parra T, Vieillard P (2005) Thermodynamic properties of the Tschermak solid solution in Fe-chlorite: application to natural examples and possible role of oxidation. Am Mineral 90(2–3):347–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal O, De Andrade V, Lewin E, Munoz M, Parra T, Pascarelli S (2006) P-T-deformation-Fe3+/Fe2+ mapping at the thin section scale and comparison with XANES mapping: application to a garnet-bearing metapelite from the Sambagawa metamorphic belt (Japan). J Metamorph Geol 24(7):669–683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walshe JL (1986) A six-component chlorite solid solution model and the conditions of chlorite formation in hydrothermal and geothermal systems. Econ Geol 81:681–703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie XG, Byerly GR, Ferrell RE (1997) IIb trioctahedral chlorite from the Barberton greenstone belt: crystal structure and rock composition constraints with implications to geothermometry. Contrib Mineral Petrol 126(3):275–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu H, Veblen DR (1996) Interstratification and other reaction microstructures in the chlorite-berthierine series. Contrib Mineral Petrol 124:291–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zang W, Fyfe WS (1995) Chloritization of the Hydrothermally Altered Bedrock at the Igarape-Bahia Gold Deposit, Carajas, Brazil. Miner Deposita 30(1):30–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to the materials characterisation department of IFP Energies nouvelles-Lyon, in particular to F. Moreau, and to the laboratory of CP2M-Université Aix-Marseille, for technical advice. The discussions and comments of the journal editor Jochen Hoefs, of Atsuyuki Inoue and two anonymous reviewers are gratefully acknowledged. Thanks are also extended to K. Milliken, S. Dutton and J. Donnelly of Bureau of Economic Geology at Austin, Texas. This study was financially supported by IFP Energies nouvelles, CNRS and ENS Paris.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Franck Bourdelle

    Present address: IMPMC, UPMC-CNRS, Case courrier 115, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IFP Energies nouvelles, 1&4 avenue de Bois Préau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France

    Franck Bourdelle & Teddy Parra

  2. Laboratoire de Géologie, Ecole normale supérieure – CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Franck Bourdelle & Christian Chopin

  3. IMPMC, UPMC-CNRS, Case courrier 115, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Olivier Beyssac

Authors
  1. Franck Bourdelle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Teddy Parra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christian Chopin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Olivier Beyssac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Franck Bourdelle or Teddy Parra.

Additional information

Communicated by J. Hoefs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bourdelle, F., Parra, T., Chopin, C. et al. A new chlorite geothermometer for diagenetic to low-grade metamorphic conditions. Contrib Mineral Petrol 165, 723–735 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-012-0832-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-012-0832-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation