Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trace element zoning in garnet from the Kwoiek Area, British Columbia: disequilibrium partitioning during garnet growth?

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

Abstract

Trace element zoning in garnets from two contact-metamorphosed rocks from the Kwoiek area, British Columbia (Hollister 1969a), was measured with an ion microprobe. Zoning profiles have three distinct parts with chemical breaks defined by co-variation of major and trace elements. Important features of the trace element zoning profiles are: (1) roughly ‘bell-shaped’ zoning profiles for Y and the HREEs, (2) an abrupt increase in Ti at a point midway through each garnet with inflections in the zoning profiles of other elements (Li, Na, Cr, V, Y, Zr, and the HREE), and (3) irregular Cr and V profiles. Unlike Mn zoning, the zoning profiles of most other trace elements cannot be easily modeled using simple Rayleigh fractionation models. Ti activity in the two samples is buffered by phase relations with ilmenite. Garnets from a continuously heated contact metamorphic environment should display continuous Ti zoning profiles if equilibrium was maintained and provided the Ti buffering assemblage did not change during garnet growth. The irregular Ti profiles suggest disequilibrium behavior. Several elements (Cr, V) may indicate breakdown of a phase enriched in trace elements during metamorphism. The source for the mass excess of these elements is probably the refractory cores of ilmenite grains. Either differing matrix transport rates of trace lements or interface kinetic controlled segregation could explain the unusual trace element behavior at the element inflection point. The preferred explanation involves segregation of elements at the interface of the garnet that were trapped during episodes of rapid garnet growth.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albarede F, Bottinga Y (1972) Kinetic disequilibrium in trace element partitioning between phenocrysts and host lava. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 36: 141–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Albee AL (1965) Phase equilibria in three assemblages of kyanitezone pelitic schists, Lincoln Mountain Quadrangle Central Vermont. J Petrol 6: 246–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen SR, Wall VJ, Boettcher A (1983) Experimental investigations and geologic applications of equilibria in the system FeO−TiO2−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O. Am Mineral 68: 1049–1058

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohlen SR, Valley JW, Essene EJ (1985) Metamorphism in the Adirondacks. I. Petrology, pressure and temperature. J Petrol 26: 971–992

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady JB (1983) Intergranular diffusion in metamorphic rocks. Am J Sci 283-A: 181–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiang YM, Henriksen AF, Kingery WD (1981) Characterization of grain-boundary segregation in MgO. J Am Ceramic Soc 64: 385–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen JN, Rosenfeld JL, DePaolo DJ (1989) Rates of tectonometamorphic processes from rubidium and strontium isotopes in garnet. Science 244: 1465–1469

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford ML (1974) Calcium zoning in almandine: a model based on plagioclase equilibria. In: McKenzie WS, Zussman J (eds) The feldspars. Manchester University Press, New York, pp 629–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Cygan R, Lasaga AC (1982) Crystal growth and the formation of chemical zoning in garnets. Contrib Mineral Petrol 79: 187–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Cygan R, Lasaga AC (1985) Self-diffusion of magnesium in garnet at 750° to 900°C. Am J Sci 285: 328–350

    Google Scholar 

  • de Albuquerque CAR (1975) Partition of trace elements in coexisting biotite, muscovite and potassium feldspar of granitic rocks, northern Portugal. Chemical Geol 16: 89–108

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVore GW (1955) The role of adsorption in the fractionation and distribution of the elements. J Geol 63: 159–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowty E (1976) Crystal structure and crystal growth: II. Sector zoning in minerals. Am Mineral 61: 460–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Dutrow BL, Holdaway MJ, Hinton RW (1986) Lithium in staurolite and its petrologic significance. Contrib Mineral Petrol 94: 496–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel AEJ, Engel CE (1960) Progressive metamorphism and granitization of the major paragneiss, northwest Adirondack Mtns, New York, Part 2. Geol Soc Am Bull 71: 1369–1414

    Google Scholar 

  • Eskola P (1915) On the relation between the chemical and mineralogical composition in the metamorphic rocks of the Orijarvi region. Bull Comm Geol Finlande 44: 109–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Frantz JD, Mao HK (1976) Bimetasomatism resulting from intergranular diffusion I. A theoretical model for monomineralic reaction zone sequences. Am J Sci 276: 817–840

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghent ED, Stout MZ (1984) TiO2 activity in metamorphosed pelitic and basic rocks: principles and applications to metamorphism in southeastern Canadian Cordillera. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86: 248–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldschmidt VM (1911) Die Gesetze der Mineralassociation vom Standpunkt der Phasenregel. Z Anorgan Chem 71: 313–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Grove TL, Bence AE (1979) Crystallization kinetics in a multiply saturated basalt magma: An experimental study of Luna 24 ferrobasalts. Proc Lunar Planet Sci Conf 10: 439–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall RN (1953) Segregation of impurities during the growth of germanium and silicon crystals. J Phys Chem 57: 836

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay RS (1987) Chemically induced grain boundary migration and thermal grooving of calcite bicrystals. PhD Thesis, Princeton University, 212 p

  • Hickmott DD (1988) Trace element zoning in garnets: implications for metamorphic petrogenesis. PhD Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 449 p

  • Hickmott DD, Shimizu N, Spear FS, Selverstone J (1987) Trace element zoning in a metamorphic garnet. Geology 15: 573–576

    Google Scholar 

  • Hietanen A (1969) Distribution of Fe and Mg between garnet, staurolite, and biotite in aluminium-rich schist in various metamorphic zones north of the Idaho Batholith. Am J Sci 267: 422–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges KV, Spear FS (1982) Geothermometry, geobarometry and the Al2SiO5 triple point, Mt Moosilauke, New Hampshire. Am Mineral 67: 1118–1134

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollister LS (1966) Garnet zoning: an interpretation based on the Rayleigh fractionation model. Science 154: 1647–1651

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollister LS (1969a) Contact metamorphism in the Kwoiek area of British Columbia. An end member of the metamorphic process. Geol Soc Am Bull 80: 2465–2494

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollister LS (1969b) Metastable paragenetic sequence of andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite, Kwoiek Area, British Columbia. Am J Sci 267: 352–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollister LS (1970) Origin, mechanism, and consequences of compositional sector-zoning in staurolite. Am Mineral 55: 742–766

    Google Scholar 

  • Joesten R (1983) Grain growth and grain-boundary diffusion in quartz from the Christmas Mountains (Texas) contact aureole. Am J Sci 283-A: 233–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingery WD (1974) Plausible concepts necessary and sufficient for interpretation of ceramic grain-boundary phenomena: II. Solute segregation, grain-boundary diffusion, and general discussion. J Am Ceramic Soc 57: 74–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Kingery WD (1984) Segregation phenomena at surfaces and at grain boundaries in oxides and carbides. Solid State Ionics 12: 299–307

    Google Scholar 

  • Kretz R (1959) Chemical study of garnet, biotite, and hornblende from gneisses of southwestern Quebec, with emphasis on distribution of elements in coexisting minerals. J Geol 67: 371–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Kouchi A, Sugawara Y, Kashima K, Sunagawa I (1983) Laboratory growth of sector zoned clinopyroxenes in the system CaMg Si2O6−CaTiAl2O6 Contrib Mineral Petrol 83: 177–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasaga AC (1986) Metamorphic reaction rate laws and the development of isograds. Mineral Mag 50: 359–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Leamy HJ, Bean JC, Poate JM (1980) Nonequilibrium incorporation of impurities during rapid solidification. J Crystal Growth 48: 379–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Li CW, Kingery WD (1984) Solute segregation at grain boundaries in polycrystalline Al2O3. In: Kingery WD (ed) Structure and properties of MgO and Al2O3 Ceramics. American Ceramic Society, Columbus, Ohio, pp 368–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Loomis TP (1976) Irreversible reactions in high-grademetamorphic rocks. J Petrol 17: 559–588

    Google Scholar 

  • Loomis TP (1982) Numerical simulation of the disequilibrium growth of garnet in chlorite-bearing aluminous pelitic rocks. Can Mineral 20: 411–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Pride C, Mueke GK (1981) Rare earth element distributions among coexisting granulite facies minerals, Scourian Complex, NW Scotland. Contrib Mineral Petrol 76: 463–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Schramke JA, Kerrick DM, Lasaga AC (1987) The reaction muscovite+quartz=andalusite+K-feldspar+water. Part I. Growth, kinetics and mechanism. Am J Sci 287: 517–559

    Google Scholar 

  • Selverstone J, Spear FS, Franz G, Morteani G (1984) High-pressure metamorphism in the southwest Tauern Window, Austria: P-T paths from hornblende-kyanite-staurolite garbenschists. J Petrol 25: 501–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Selverstone J (1985) Petrologic constraints on imbrication, metamorphism and uplift in the S.W. Tauern window, eastern Alps. Tectonics 4: 687–704

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu N (1981) Trace element incorporation into growing augite phenocryst. Nature 289: 575–577

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu N (1983) Interface kinetics and trace element distributions between phenocrysts and magma. In: Augustithis SS (ed) The significance of trace elements in solving petrogenetic problems and controversies. Theopristus, Athens, pp 175–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith VG, Tiller WA, Rutter JW (1955) A mathematical analysis of solute redistribution during solidification. Can J Physics 33: 723–745

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanner SB, Kerrick DM, Lasaga AC (1985) Experimental kinetic study of the reaction calcite+quartz=wollastonite+carbon dioxide, from 1 to 3 kilobars and 500° to 850°C. Am J Sci 285: 577–620

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson JB (1959) Local equilibrium in metasomatic processes. In: Abelson PH (ed) Researches in geochemistry. Wiley, New York, pp 427–457

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiller WA (1986) The role of strongly interface/surface adsorbed impurities on the purification process via crystallization methods. J Crystal Growth 75: 132–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiller WA, Ahn KS (1981) Interface field effects on solute redistribution during crystallization. J Crystal Growth 70: 483–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiller WA, Jackson KA, Rutter JW, Chalmers B (1953) The redistribution of solute atoms during solidification of metals. Acta Met 1: 428–437

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracy RJ (1982) Compositional zoning and inclusions in metamorphic minerals. In: Ferry JM (ed) Characterization of metamorphism through mineral equilibria. Rev Mineral, vol 10. Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, pp 355–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracy RJ, McClellan E (1985) A natural example of the kinetic controls of compositional and textural equilibration. In: Rubie DC, Thompson AB (eds) Metamorphic reactions, kinetics, textures, and deformation. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, New York, pp 118–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Turekian KK, Phinney WC (1962) The distribution of Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Ba and Sr between biotite and garnet pairs in a metamorphic sequence. Am Mineral 47: 1434

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang CA, Carruthers JR, Witt AF (1982) Growth rate dependence of the interface distribution coefficient in the system Ge-Ga. J Crystal Growth 72: 144–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan MF, Cannon RM, Bowen HK (1983) Space charge, elastic field and dipole contributions to equilibrium solute segregation at interfaces. J Appl Physics 54: 764–778

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Donald D. Hickmott

    Present address: Los Alamos National Laboratory, EES-1, MS D462, 87545, Los Alamos, NM, USA

  2. Nobu Shimizu

    Present address: Department of Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 02543, Woods Hole, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Donald D. Hickmott & Nobu Shimizu

Authors
  1. Donald D. Hickmott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nobu Shimizu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hickmott, D.D., Shimizu, N. Trace element zoning in garnet from the Kwoiek Area, British Columbia: disequilibrium partitioning during garnet growth?. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 104, 619–630 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01167283

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01167283

Keywords

Search

Navigation