Metamorphism and phase relations in carbonate rocks from the Nevado-Filábride Complex (Cordilleras Béticas, Spain): application of the Ttn + Rt + Cal + Qtz + Gr buffer

Abstract

Phase relations and metamorphic conditions have been studied in metacarbonate rocks from the Nevado-Filábride Complex (Cordilleras Béticas) through forward modeling. In many rock samples, the assemblage titanite + rutile + calcite + quartz + graphite buffered the composition of the C-O-H fluid present during metamorphism. Over a wide range of P-T conditions, fluid compositions computed for this buffer are essentially binary H₂O-CO₂ mixtures. This buffer also constrains the chemical potentials of TiO₂, CaO and SiO₂. Consequently it is possible to make a thermodynamic projection through these components to predict the stable phase relations consistent with the buffer. Using this method, phase relations have been analyzed in a rock containing the buffer assemblage and paragonite, albite, phengite, epidote, and chlorite. The equilibrium P-T conditions for this assemblage are constrained, by minimization of the differences between predicted and observed mineral compositions, to be 560 ± 15 °C and 9.5 ± 1 kbar. Conditions obtained compare well with those estimated from other studies in different lithologic units. The inferred metamorphic fluid composition is H₂O-rich ().