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Experimental hydrogen isotope studies III: Diffusion of hydrogen in hydrous minerals, and stable isotope exchange in metamorphic rocks

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Abstract

Diffusion parameters for hydrogen diffusion in epidote-group minerals and micas have been measured under hydrothermal conditions, or calculated from existing experimental data, for bulk hydrogen isotope exchange experiments between hydrous minerals and water. Activation energies in the range 14 to 31 kcals/g-atom H are comparable to those derived by application of kinetic theory to experimental hydrogen isotope exchange data, and to those for oxygen diffusion in minerals under hydrothermal conditions. Diffusion of hydrogen in epidote is about four orders of magnitude faster than in muscovite, and about two orders of magnitude faster than in zoisite. Hydrogen diffusion in micas is about five orders of magnitude faster than oxygen diffusion, and hydrogen transport occurs dominantly parallel to the layers rather than parallel to the c-axis as for oxygen.

Rapid hydrogen transport in minerals may proceed by hydrolysis of Si-O and Al-O bonds, followed by exchange of hydrolyzed oxygens with slower-diffusing (OH) or H2O. Water appears to be essential for stable isotope exchange between minerals in slowly cooling metamorphic rocks.

Stable isotope data for regional metamorphic mineral assemblages suggests that water is usually present in small amounts during cooling of prograde regional metamorphic systems, and estimated closure temperatures for cessation of stable isotope exchange are often more comparable to those calculated from diffusion data than to likely temperatures of metamorphism.

Alpine deformation of the Hercynian Monte Rose Granite (Frey et al. 1976) permitted access of water and initiated stable isotope exchange amongst coexisting minerals. The diffusional behaviour of species in relict Hercynian muscovites is consistent with available experimental diffusion data.

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  1. Department of Geology, Edinburgh University, West Mains Road, EH9 3JW, Edinburgh, Scotland

    Colin M. Graham

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Graham, C.M. Experimental hydrogen isotope studies III: Diffusion of hydrogen in hydrous minerals, and stable isotope exchange in metamorphic rocks. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 76, 216–228 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371961

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371961

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