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Metamorphic CO2 production from calc-silicate rocks via garnet-forming reactions in the CFAS–H2O–CO2 system

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Abstract

The type and kinetics of metamorphic CO2-producing processes in metacarbonate rocks is of importance to understand the nature and magnitude of orogenic CO2 cycle. This paper focuses on CO2 production by garnet-forming reactions occurring in calc-silicate rocks. Phase equilibria in the CaO–FeO–Al2O3–SiO2–CO2–H2O (CFAS–CO2–H2O) system are investigated using P–T phase diagrams at fixed fluid composition, isobaric T–X(CO2) phase diagram sections and phase diagram projections in which fluid composition is unconstrained. The relevance of the CFAS–CO2–H2O garnet-bearing equilibria during metamorphic evolution of calc-silicate rocks is discussed in the light of the observed microstructures and measured mineral compositions in two representative samples of calc-silicate rocks from eastern Nepal Himalaya. The results of this study demonstrate that calc-silicate rocks may act as a significant CO2 source during prograde heating and/or early decompression. However, if the system remains closed, fluid–rock interactions may induce hydration of the calc-silicate assemblages and the in situ precipitation of graphite. The interplay between these two contrasting processes (production of CO2-rich fluids vs. carbon sequestration through graphite precipitation) must be considered when dealing with a global estimate of the role exerted by decarbonation processes on the orogenic CO2 cycle.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of the SHARE (Stations at High Altitude for Research on the Environment) Project, financially supported by the Ev-K2-CNR in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology as foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding between Nepal and Italy, and thanks to contributions from the Italian National Research Council and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fieldwork was carried out thanks to financial support from the Italian National Research Council and PRIN 2006 (2006040882-003). Laboratory work was supported by PRIN 2011 (2010PMKZX7) and University of Torino—Call 1—Junior PI Grant (TO_Call1_2012_0068). FR and CG acknowledge B Lombardo for discussion in the field, and S Ferrando for constructive discussions about decarbonation processes and graphite precipitation. P. Sengupta and J. Touret are gratefully acknowledged for their inspiring and constructive reviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Turin, Italy

    Chiara Groppo, Franco Rolfo & Daniele Castelli

  2. IGG-CNR, Via Valperga Caluso 35, 10125, Turin, Italy

    Franco Rolfo & Daniele Castelli

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    James A. D. Connolly

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  1. Chiara Groppo
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Correspondence to Chiara Groppo.

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Communicated by J. L. R. Touret.

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Groppo, C., Rolfo, F., Castelli, D. et al. Metamorphic CO2 production from calc-silicate rocks via garnet-forming reactions in the CFAS–H2O–CO2 system. Contrib Mineral Petrol 166, 1655–1675 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-013-0947-5

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