Mineral Chemistry

Minerals were analysed with an ARL-SEMQ electron microprobe and natural silicates were used as standards; matrix corrections were calculated with ZAF procedure. The accelerating voltage was 15kV, the sample current 20 nA and beam current 300 nA. Representative mineral compositions are shown in Table 2.

Mineral formula calculations and classifications have been made following the general scheme of Deer et al. (1994), the IMA nomenclature schemes after Leake (Leake et al., 1997) for amphiboles and Yavuz (Yavuz, 2001) for pyroxenes. In Fig. 6 and Table 2 compositional diagrams and mineral analyses for selected mineral phases and bulk rock compositions are reported.

Amphiboles

In eclogites, AmpII and AmpIII were analysed (Fig. 6). AmpII is a Na-Ca amphibole while AmpIII are mainly actinolites (Fig. 6 and Table 2); the Natot content in AmpII is 0.702 a.p.f.u., while it varies from 0.153 to 0.341 a.p.f.u. in AmpIII. The AlVI and NaB contents are higher in AmpII than AmpIII, respectively 0.782 and 0.552 a.p.f.u. in AmpII, from 0.262 to 0.439 a.p.f.u. (AlVI) and from 0.134 to 0.244 a.p.f.u. (NaB) in AmpIII.

Table 2a. Amphibole compositions

Sample eclogite eclogite ultramafite ultramafite ultramafite schists schists schists schists
Name Na-Ca amp (AmpI) Actinolite (AmpIII) Tremolite Tremolite Tremolite Edenite Magnesiohornblende Magnesiohornblende Tremolite
SiO2 55.69 57.37 57.88 57.61 57.15 47.70 50.25 53.69 55.27
TiO2 0.10 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.18 0.21 0.07 0.05
Al2O3 6.87 1.58 0.01 0.04 0.02 7.91 7.33 2.76 1.33
Cr2O3 0.02 0.01 0.17 0.03 0.07 0.11 0.13 0.36 0.03
MnO 0.06 0.21 0.10 0.08 0.11 0.14 0.12 0.11 0.11
Fe2O3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
FeO 6.83 9.55 4.51 3.14 4.98 8.71 8.09 5.01 4.97
ZnO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
MgO 16.62 16.79 22.81 22.79 21.34 16.28 18.21 21.17 22.22
CaO 9.81 12.39 12.87 12.79 12.92 11.21 11.59 11.82 12.04
Na2O 2.63 0.56 0.29 0.18 0.28 2.32 2.39 1.32 0.84
K2O 0.10 0.02 0.08 0.03 0.05 0.51 0.53 0.18 0.03
Total 98.73 98.51 98.72 96.69 96.93 95.07 98.85 96.49 96.89
TOTAL 98.73 98.51 98.72 96.69 96.93 95.07 98.85 96.49 96.89
Ox 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00 6.00
Si 7.67 8.07 7.85 7.94 7.96 6.97 7.01 7.50 7.62
Al(IV) 0.33 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 1.03 0.99 0.45 0.22
Ti(IV) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
sumT 8.00 8.07 7.85 7.95 7.97 8.00 8.00 7.96 7.84
Al(VI) 0.78 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.34 0.22 0.00 0.00
Ti(VI) 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.00
Cr 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.00
Fe3+ 0.00 0.00 0.46 0.28 0.12 0.38 0.50 0.58 0.57
Mg 3.41 3.52 4.53 4.68 4.43 3.55 3.79 4.39 4.42
Fe2+ 0.79 1.12 0.00 0.03 0.44 0.69 0.44 0.00 0.00
Mn 0.01 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00
sumC 5.00 4.93 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Mg 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.14
Fe2+ 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.05 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00
Mn 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
Zn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Ca 1.45 1.87 1.85 1.89 1.93 1.76 1.73 1.77 1.78
Na 0.55 0.13 0.00 0.05 0.04 0.24 0.27 0.19 0.06
sumB 2.00 2.00 2.00 1.99 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Ca 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Na 0.15 0.02 0.08 0.00 0.04 0.41 0.38 0.17 0.16
K 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.10 0.10 0.03 0.01
sumA 0.17 0.02 0.11 0.01 0.05 0.51 0.47 0.20 0.17

Figure 6. Compositional variations

Compositional variations

Compositional variations in the amphiboles (A) and clinopyroxene (B) from eclogites, ultramafics, serpentinites and schists. Pyroxene compositions plotted into the Na-pyroxene triangular representation, after Morimoto (1988). C) Compositions of Grt from eclogites. A, B and C are the fields in which plot garnet from different eclogite types according to Coleman (1965). Large ellipses correspond to the composition of Grt synthesised during experiment on basaltic system at 650°C and 2.0-2.2-2.6 GPa from Poli (1993). D) Epidote compositions from eclogites and schists.


In Amp-Chl schists AmpII are mainly magnesio-hornblendes; Natot contents vary from 0.26 to 0.67 a.p.f.u., while CaB varies from 1.70 to 1.78 a.p.f.u.. The differences in Amp composition shown in Fig. 6 most likely correspond to original chemical differences within the wider group of Amp-Chl schists.

In ultramafites Amp are tremolites; Natot content is 0.10 a.p.f.u. CaB content from 1.82 to 1.93 a.p.f.u. and Mg from 4.51 to 4.68 a.p.f.u.

Pyroxenes

OmpI within eclogites show different XJd content with respect to the microstructural site and to the Fe3+ content (Fig. 6) from 0.18 to 0.44 and Fe3+ 0.06 a.p.f.u.. The large OmpI porphyroblasts in eclogites show the highest XJd values, corresponding to lowest Fe3+ content; OmpI porphyroblasts within Lws-bearing eclogites show the highest Fe3+ contents where OmpI is in contact with Grt and Ep (Fig. 6). OmpI of the Lws-eclogites show the highest Mg contents, ranging from 0.3 to 0.94 a.p.f.u., and the lowest Ca and Na contents (Table 2) with respect to other omphacites in eclogites.

In Amp-Chl schists, Cpx are Ca-rich pyroxenes, with the Na content varying from 0.02 to 0.18 a.p.f.u., Ca from 0.81 to 0.94 a.p.f.u. and Altot from 0.06 to 0.10 a.p.f.u..

In ultramafites and serpentinites Cpx are Di with Ca content from 0.94 to 0.96, Na 0.01 a.p.f.u. and Altot always below 0.01 a.p.f.u..

Table 2b. Pyroxene compositions

Table missing

Garnets

Garnets were analyzed only in eclogites. They show an XCa content varying from 0.19 to 0.23, XMg (where XMg =Mg/(Ca+Fe2+ Mg+Mn)) from 0.28 to 0.41, XFe from 0.40 to 0.51 and XMn 0.04. Grt from Lws-bearing eclogite show compositional variations with an increase of the Fe2+ and Ca content from core to rims (Fig. 6).

Table 2c. Garnet and White Mica compositions

Sample eclogite lws-eclogite lws-eclogite lws-eclogite lws-eclogite lws-eclogite eclogite lws-wclogite
Mineral grt grt grt grt grt grt white mica white mica
SiO2 41.17 39.75 38.54 38.63 39.28 40.59 47.96 47.08
Cr2O3 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.03
Na2O 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 7.92 7.29
MgO 8.02 10.86 7.10 8.19 9.96 9.20 0.16 0.23
FeO 21.45 19.98 23.40 21.26 20.43 20.77 0.19 0.30
Al2O3 22.04 22.94 21.60 21.79 22.23 22.24 41.61 42.48
K2O 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.32 0.73
CaO 8.61 6.93 6.74 7.14 6.65 7.41 0.44 0.52
TiO2 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.18
MnO 0.62 0.25 1.24 1.31 0.24 0.33 0.01 0.03
                 
CalcTotal 102.01 100.77 98.76 98.42 98.86 100.62 98.63 98.87
OxNum 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 22.00 22.00
                 
Si 3.07 2.96 3.01 3.00 3.00 3.05 5.92 5.81
Al 1.94 2.02 1.99 1.99 2.00 1.97 6.05 6.18
Fe3 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fe2 1.34 1.19 1.53 1.37 1.30 1.30 0.02 0.03
Mg 0.89 1.21 0.83 0.95 1.13 1.03 0.03 0.04
Ca 0.69 0.55 0.56 0.59 0.54 0.60 0.06 0.07
Na 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.90 1.74
K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.12
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02
Mn 0.04 0.02 0.08 0.09 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.00
Cr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Chlorites

Chlorites in ultramafics (Table 2) are characterized by Mg content ranging from 9.14 to 9.72 a.p.f.u., Fetot from 1.07 to 1.61 a.p.f.u., Al from 2.63 to 2.99 a.p.f.u. and Cr from 0.28 to 0.30 a.p.f.u. In serpentinites Mg content varies from 9.78 to 10.09 a.p.f.u., Fetot from 0.79 to 0.81 a.p.f.u., Al from 2.99 to 3.11 a.p.f.u and Cr from 0.08 to 0.10 a.p.f.u. In Amp-Chl schists the Mg content in Chl varies from 6.40 to 8.33 a.p.f.u., Fetot from 1.55 to 3.30 a.p.f.u, Al 3.94 to 4.64 a.p.f.u. and Cr from 0.04 to 0.23 a.p.f.u.

Other minerals

Serpentine shows an Mg content varying from 9.40 to 9.61 a.p.f.u. Fetot from 1.87 to 2.01 a.p.f.u.; the Cr content is always negligible. White micas in eclogites are paragonites: Pg (=Na/(Na+K)) content is higher than 0.93. Fetot and Mg contents are below 0.04 a.p.f.u.. In serpentinites carbonates are characterized by Mg content from 2.69 to 2.88 a.p.f.u. and Fetot from 0.22 to 0.25 a.p.f.u.. In serpentinites the composition are similar to those of serpentinites: Mg content varies from 2.69 to 2.78 a.p.f.u. and Fetot from 0.24 to 0.29 a.p.f.u. Chemical compositions of Wm, Ep, Ky, Oxides, Ttn and Pl are also reported in Table 2.

Table 2d. Epidote compositions

Sample lws-eclogite eclogite schists
Mineral epidote epidote epidote
SiO2 39.67 41.84 37.45
TiO2 0.03 0.05 0.09
Al2O3 33.41 32.94 23.44
Cr2O3 0.02 0.00 1.27
Fe2O3 1.42 2.11 11.21
MnO 0.03 0.00 0.15
MgO 0.06 0.06 0.06
CaO 23.38 24.75 23.06
Na2O 0.00 0.00 0.00
K2O 0.00 0.00 0.00
Totals 98.05 101.78 96.75
Si 3.00 3.06 3.01
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.01
Al 2.98 2.84 2.22
Cr 0.00 0.00 0.08
Fe3 0.08 0.12 0.68
Mn 0.00 0.00 0.01
Mg 0.01 0.01 0.01
Ca 1.90 1.94 1.99
Na 0.00 0.00 0.00
K 0.00 0.00 0.00
Al2Fe 7.64 12.16 75.50

Table 2e. Mineral compositions

Sample ultram eclo eclo lws-eclogite lws-eclogite serp serp schists
Mineral diopside omphacite omphacite omphacite omphacite diopside diopside diopside
K2O 0.00     0.26 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.01
CaO 24.34 14.61 14.48 8.50 8.70 24.24 24.75 22.48
TiO2 0.01 0.11 0.11 0.14 0.40 0.05 0.00 0.03
Cr2O3 0.16 0.01 0.00 0.09 0.05 0.00 0.01 0.09
MnO 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.32 0.08 0.15
FeOt 2.31 2.86 2.91 4.97 4.86 3.93 1.92 5.48
NiO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Na2O 0.17 6.54 6.51 3.51 3.75 0.22 0.13 1.20
SiO2 55.02 58.04 57.04 51.92 52.70 53.43 56.03 53.88
Al2O3 0.00 10.60 10.85 11.66 11.48 0.00 0.01 1.62
MgO 18.00 8.95 8.99 17.50 15.57 16.04 18.28 14.70
TOTAL 100.02 101.73 100.91 98.60 97.80 98.23 101.21 99.64
Si 1.99 2.02 2.00 1.85 1.90 1.99 2.01 1.98
Al.IV 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.15 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.02
Al.VI 0.00 0.44 0.45 0.34 0.39 0.00 0.00 0.05
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
Cr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fe3+ 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.05
Fe2+ 0.05 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.15 0.09 0.06 0.11
Mg 0.97 0.47 0.47 0.93 0.84 0.89 0.98 0.80
Ni 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Mn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00
Ca 0.95 0.55 0.54 0.32 0.34 0.97 0.95 0.88
Na 0.01 0.44 0.44 0.24 0.26 0.02 0.01 0.09
K 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
Xjd(holland) - 0.44 0.44 0.18 0.26 - - -

Table 2f. Ultramafites

Sample Ultramafite Ultramafite Serpentinite
Mineral Opaque Opaque Opaque
SiO2 0.07 0.07 0.07
Cr2O3 15.25 8.21 5.27
Na2O 0 0 0
MgO 0.07 0.17 0.09
FeO 77.05 82.86 87.56
Al2O3 0 0 0
K2O 0 0 0
CaO 0.12 0.13 0.17
TiO2 0.28 0.15 0.29
MnO 0.37 0.15 0.13
CalcTotal 93.23 91.77 93.6
OxNum 32 32 32
Si 0.02 0.02 0.02
Al 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fe3 12.08 13.85 14.54
Fe2 7.91 7.89 7.95
Mg 0.03 0.08 0.04
Ca 0.04 0.04 0.06
Ti 0.07 0.04 0.07
Mn 0.10 0.04 0.03
Cr 3.74 2.04 1.28

Table 2g. Serpentinites

Sample Serpentinite Serpentinite
SiO2 41.34 41.05
Cr2O3 0.05 0.05
Na2O 0.00 0.00
MgO 31.92 32.52
FeO 11.86 11.38
Al2O3 0.66 1.13
K2O 0.00 0.01
CaO 0.04 0.02
TiO2 0.01 0.01
MnO 0.19 0.15
CalcTotal 86.14 86.37
Si 8.17 8.07
Fe2 1.96 1.87
Mg 9.40 9.54
Ca 0.01 0.00
K 0.00 0.00
Ti 0.00 0.00
Mn 0.03 0.03
Cr 0.01 0.01