Experimental studies of the argon behavior in the biotite structure at high temperatures and pressures: first results

Yudin D.S., Pokhilenko L.N., Alifirova T.A., Travin A.V., Zhimulev E.I., Alekseev D.V., Ponomarchuk A.V.

V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy sb ras, Novosibirsk, Russia

dsyudin@gmail.com

Temperature is the main factor affecting on the mobility of argon in the mineral essential for the interpretation of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data. The effect of pressure is usually considered to be insignificant. But for object of thermal reconstruction having undergone high pressures (e.g. from deep-seated xenoliths, subduction zones, or zones of intense deformation) it is necessary to take into account the pressure. Unfortunately, the available published data for quantifying the effects of pressure on the mobility of radiogenic argon is limited.

We have conducted a series of laboratory experiments to assess the influence of high temperatures and pressures (with conditions close to that of transporting within kimberlitic melt) to the stability of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isotopic system in mica. Experiments were carried out using high-pressure high-temperature split-sphere multi-anvil apparatus (BARS) at IGM SB RAS (Novosibirsk).

Biotite MSA-11 prepared by VIMS in 1988 as a K/Ar standard was used as the sample. The biotite MSA-11 with a clear plateau at the age spectrum (Fig.) has been certified by us as ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar monitor using international standard samples of muscovite Bern 4m, biotite LP-6 [1]. The mean value of calibration results equal to 311.0 ± 1.5 million years has been adopted as an integral age of the biotite MSA-11. During experiments the periclase was used as a buffer.

Six laboratory experiments were conducted:

1. Without heating, 40 kbar, (4-27-11);

2. 1200ºС, 10 kbar, 2 hours (4-47-11);

3. 1150ºС, 10 kbar, ~1 minute (4-44-11);

4. 1200ºС, 40 kbar, 10 minutes (4-28-11);

5. 1200ºС, 40 kbar, 2,5 hours (4-31-11);

6. 1200ºС, 20 kbar, 2 hours (4-41-11).

The initial sample and the samples obtained after laboratory experiments were analyzed using TESCAN scanning electron microscope (IGM SB RAS).

МSА-11 The biotite is of plate morphlogy. The composition of the mica is almost homogeneous and shows no differences depending on the area of analysis. The Fe# (= 100Fe/Fe + Mg) of biotite is 63.0-65.0.

4-27-11 (without heating, 40 kbar) The plates of biotite are strongly curved. There are thin layers of muscovite. The compositions of the micas are almost homogeneous and show no differences depending on the area of analysis. The Fe# (= 100Fe/Fe + Mg) of biotite are equal to 63.0-65.0.

4-47-11 (1200ºС, 10 kbar, 2 hours) Biotite from the sample is in the form of well-cut plates up to 600 microns in length, usually 150-200 microns. There are also grains of periclase and olivine of varying Fe# (10.7 to 41.2). A K-bearing alumosilicate glass (with K₂O up to 20.5 wt %) is between the phlogopite plates. Biotites show essential compositional variations from one to another, especially at Fe# (35.2 to 60.8). Extra Fe-rich compositions (Fe # is up to 86.8-96.4) are typical for the rims of the biotite grains. The TiO₂ content is cover a range of 1.24-3.54 wt %. Compositional variations show zonal and spotted distribution within biotite grains.

4-44-11 (1150ºС, 10 kbar, ~1 minute) Fine-grained aggregates of biotite are up to 100 microns in length, more often 20 to 60 microns. There is a high-silicon K-phase in the interstices between the large biotite plates. These plates often form intergrowths with euhedral grains of spinel (hercynite). Biotite varies in composition (Fe# 50.2-63.7, and TiO₂ 0.95-3.16 wt %).

4-28-11 (1200ºС, 40 kbar, 10 minutes) It is a fine-grained aggregate of biotite and to a lesser extent garnet (almandine). The length of the biotite plates are up to 100 microns, the garnet grains are usually 10-50 microns in diameter. The distinct grains of olivine were observed. A site with high Fe content in minerals was revealed at the sample . Fe content in this site increases markedly in biotite (Fe# 84.4), and garnet (Fe# 85.7-88.0) compare to the composition of these minerals beyond Fe-enriched zone (Fe# of biotite and garnet 53.8-64.6 and 72.7, respectively).

4-31-11 (1200ºС, 40 kbar, 2,5 hours) It is a fine-grained aggregate of biotite, corundum, spinel (hercynite), olivine, and ilmenite. The length of biotite plates rarely exceeds 100 microns, occasionally reaching 200-250 microns. The Fe content of the biotite at the marginal parts of the sample is lower (Fe# 23.0-31.9) than at the center of the sample (Fe# 47.3-65.1). Biotite compositions slightly range in TiO₂ content (1.4-2.49 wt %). The K-bearing phase (up to 28.8 wt % of K₂O) in the interstices is observed.

4-41-11 (1200ºС, 20 kbar, 2 hours) It is a fine-grained aggregate of biotite, spinel (hercynite), olivine, and high-potassium glass (K₂O is up to 19.3 wt %). Significant variations of Fe# (23.5-88.0) and TiO₂ content (0.9-2.98 wt %) in biotites were revealed. The biotite with low Fe content is usually characterized by small content of TiO₂.

The studies of biotite MSA-11 conducted before and after the experiment generally show preservation of its chemical composition. The size of the plates of mica decreases up to about 0.05 mm under pressure. The number of thin, newly formed during the experiment lamellae of biotite with slightly different composition, and size less than 0.05 mm is small when compared to the total contention of biotite.

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar step-heating studies of the samples obtained after laboratory experiments were carried out to estimate the distribution of the argon.

Fig. The age spectra reflecting the distribution of argon both in the grain of standard MSA-11 and of mica subjected to laboratory experiments.

The experiments showed that the exposure of high temperature and pressure had caused the significant loss of radiogenic argon in standard sample MSA-11. The 99.3% loss of radiogenic argon occurred as a result of residence of the biotite standard at 1200°C and pressure of 20 kbar during 2 hours. Given that pressure was 2 times enhanced, the loss of radiogenic argon increased to 95.9%.

Based on preliminary results it can be concluded that under deep conditions at high temperatures (about 1200ºC) and pressures (20-40 kbar), decreasing of argon diffusivity in micas occurs with an increasing of pressure. The results obtained confirm the suggestion that despite high temperatures K / Ar mineral systems could occasionally be "locked" at sufficiently high pressures [2].

This study was supported by RFBR (projects № 11-05-00144, 11-05-00758) and Russian President Grant МК-3495.2012.5.

References:

1. Baksi A.K., Archibald D.A., Farrar E. Intercalibration of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating standards // Chemical Geology. 1996. V. 129. P. 307-324.

2. Baxter E. F. Diffusion of Noble Gases in Minerals // Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry 2010. V. 72. № 1. P. 509-557.