An experimental study of dehydration melting of phengite-bearing eclogite at 1.5―3.0 GPa

Dehydration melting experiments were performed on ultrahigh-pressure eclogite from Bixiling in the Dabie orogen at 1.5―3.0 GPa and 800―950℃ using piston cylinder apparatus. The results show that (1) eclogite with ~5% phengite started to melt at T≤800―850℃ and P = 1.5―2.0 GPa and produced about 3% granitic melt; (2) the products of dehydration melting of phengite-bearing eclogite vary with temperature and pressure. Fluid released from dehydration of phengite and zoisite leads to partial melting of eclogite a...     

Dehydration melting of UHP eclogite and paragneiss in the Dabie orogen: Evidence from laboratory experiment to natural observation

Dehydration melting of subducted continental crust is significant during exhumation, and its study from both experimental and petrological observations is of great importance to our understanding of continental geodynamics. Dehydration melting experi- ments were carried out on ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） eclogite from Bixiling in the Dabie orogen using a piston cylinder at 1.5-3.0 GPa and 800-950℃ to investigate partial melting of eclogite induced by phengite breakdown. The phengite-bearing eclogite started to melt at T≤800-850℃ and P=1.5-2.0 GPa and produced about 3% granitic melt. The products of dehydration melting vary with temperature and pressure. Such results provide valuable constraints on the micro-texture related to partial melting of UHP rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt. Three types of polyphase inclusions were identified in garnet from the Shuanghe UHP eclogite. K-feldspar and quartz inclusions are interpreted to represent the products of segregation and crystallization of minor amounts of melt that formed during dehydration melting of phengite by the inferred reaction Phengite＋Omphacite＋Quartz Amphibole_＋Garnet＋Melt （K-feldspar＋Quartz＋Plagioclase）. Polyphase inclusions of phengite and K-feldspar＋Quartz inclusions were also found in zoisite/clinozoisite and garnet from the Shuanghe garnet-bearing paragneiss. These polyphase inclusions pro- vide evidence for a continuous process from sub-solidus dehydration to partial melting within the UHP gneissic rocks. The com- positional variation of garnets demonstrates that breakdown of epidote-group minerals may have played a crucial role during de- hydration melting reaction of phengite. The Ti-in-zircon thermometry and Si content of phengite in zircon suggest that partial melting would occur at 783-839℃ and 2.0-2.5 GPa. Therefore, both experimental results and petrological observations indicate that dehydration melting and fluid activity within the Dabie UHP rocks at micro-scale are controlled by the breakdown of phengite.     

Phase transition in the subducted oceanic lithosphere and generation of the subduction zone magma

Two metamorphic processes, i.e. subsolidus dehydration and partial melting occurring in MORB, metasediments and peridotite of subducted oceanic lithosphere are discussed on the basis of available experimental work and phase equilibrium modeling. Phase diagrams of hydrous MORB show that in most cold subduction P-T （pressure-temperature） regimes a large portion of water in the basic layer has released below the onset of blueschist facies （〈 20 km）, and at a depth （60--70 km） of transition from lawsonite blueschist to lawsonite eclogite facies through glaucophane dehydration; only a smaller portion of water will escape from the slab through dehydration of lawsonite and chloritoid in the depth range suitable for arc magma formation; and a very small portion of water stored in lawsonite and phengite will fade into the deeper mantle. The role of amphibole for arc magma formation is still arguable. In cold subduction P-Tregimes, the dehydration of chlorite and talc in AI-poor metasediments, and chloritoid and carpholite in AI-rich metapelites at a depth around 80--100 km will make some con- tributions to the formation of arc magma. Comparatively, dehydration of serpentine in hydrated peri- dotite occurs at depths of 120--180 km, playing an important role in the arc magmatism. Subduction of oceanic crust along warm P-T regimes will cross the solidi at a depth over 80 km, resulting in partial melting under fluid-saturated and fluid-absent conditions in the metasediments involving biotite and phengite, and in the basic rocks involving epidote and amphibole. The melt compositions of the basic crust are adakitic at pressures 〈 3.0 GPa, but become peraluminous granitic at higher pressures.     

Experimental study on dehydration melting of natural biotite-plagioclase gneiss from High Himalayas and implications for Himalayan crust anatexis

Here we present the results of dehydration melting, melt morphology and fluid migration based on the dehydration melting experiments on natural biotite-plagioclase gneiss performed at the pressure of 1.0—1.4 GPa, and at the temperature of 770—1028℃. Experimental results demonstrate that: (ⅰ) most of melt tends to be distributed along mineral boundaries forming “melt film” even the amount of melt is less than 5 vol%; melt connectivity is controlled not only by melt topology but also by melt fraction; (ⅱ) dehydration melting involves a series of subprocesses including subsolidus dehydration reaction, fluid migration, vapor-present melting and vapor-absent melting; (ⅲ) experiments produce peraluminous granitic melt whose composition is similar to that of High Himalayan leucogranites (HHLG) and the residual phase assemblage is Pl+Qz+ Gat+Bio+Opx± Cpx+Ilm/Rut± Kfs and can be comparable with granulites observed in Himalayas. The experiments provide the evidence that biotite-plagioclase gneiss is one of source rocks of HHLG and dehydration melting is an important way to form HHLG and the granulites. Additionally, experimental results provide constraints on determining the P-T conditions of Himalayan crustal anatexis.     

Phase equilibria of HP–UHP mica-schists in Jiangling, Eastern Dabieshan orogen

The HP–UHP metamorphic terrane of Jiangling, eastern Dabieshan comprises extensively distributed granitic gneisses, mica-schists and numerous eclogite blocks. The mica-schists generally contain garnet, phengitic muscovite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and a small amount of epidote and hornblende. Study on petrography and phases equilibria in the NCKMnFMASH system indicates that the present mineral assemblages in mica-schists are not in equilibrium. The earlier stage of mineral assemblage represented by garnet and phengite reflects a HP–UHP condition. The garnet compositions and the phengite Si contents give a PT condition of 580–600℃ at 2.6–2.8 GPa. The garnet zonation records an earlier progressive metamorphic process which may be associated with the appearance of glaucophane, jadeite and lawsonite. The later stage of mineral assemblage characterized by the presence of biotite and plagioclase reflects a PT condition of 620–635℃ at 0.9–1.1 GPa, belonging to the HP amphibolite facies. The main mineral assemblage in micaschists from the Jiangling region has recorded a complete HP–UHP metamorphic process.     

Partial melting of deeply subducted continental crust and the formation of quartzofeldspathic polyphase inclusions in the Sulu UHP eclogites

Two types of quartzofeldspathic inclusions hosted by omphacite and garnet were identified in the Sulu UHP eclogites. The first consists of albite, quartz, and various amounts of K-feldspar. In contrast, the second consists predominantly of K-feldspar and quartz without any albite. The presence of quartzofeldspathic inclusions within the UHP mafic eclogites indicates that partial melting occurred in deeply subducted continental crust via mica dehydration melting reactions at an early stage of rapid exhumation. Such a melting event generated hydrous Na-K-Al-Si melts. These melts infiltrated into the mafic eclogite and were captured by recrystallizing garnet or omphacite, which together followed by dehydration and crystallization to form feldspar-bearing polyphase inclusions. Formation of silicate melts within the deeply subducted continental slab not only provides an excellent medium to transport both mobile （LILE） and immobile （HFSE） elements over a large distance, but also induces effective changes in the physical properties of the UHP slab. This process could be a major factor that enhances rapid exhumation of a deeply subducted continental slab.     

A study on the double melting behavior of poly（trimethylene terephthalate）

Double melting behavior of poly（trimethylene terephthalate） （PTT） was studied in detail by means of differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） and optical microscopy. The results indicate that the low-temperature melting peak of PTT at ca. 218℃ for the samples crystallized isothermally at 203℃ is associated with the melting of crystals produced by secondary crystallization, while the high-temperature melting peak of it at about 227℃ is related to the melting of the crystals produced by primary crystallization. The results further demonstrate that the PTT crystals growing non-isothermally during cooling process are thermodynamically unstable and can undergo structure reorganization during the DSC heating scan. The reorganized crystals melt at temperature higher than the crystals produced by secondary crystallization at 203℃. Consequently, for the non-fully crystallized samples, the crystals grown during cooling also exhibit contribution to the high-temperature melting peak.     

Genesis of granulite in Himalayan lower crust: Evidence from experimental study at high temperature and high pressure

Here we present an insight into the genesis of Himalayan granulitic lower crust based on the experimental studies on the dehydration melting of natural biotite-plagioclase gneiss performed at the temperatures of 770-980℃ and the pressures of 1.0-1.4 GPa. The experiments produce peraluminous granitic melt and residual phase assemblage (Pl+Qz+Gat+Bio+Opx±Cpx+Ilm/Rut±Kfs). The residual mineral assemblage is similar to those of granu-lites observed at the eastern and western Himalayan syntax-ises, and the chemical compositions of characteristic minerals-garnet and pyroxene in the residual phase and the granu-lite are identical. Additionally, the modeled wave velocities of the residual phase assemblage are comparable well with those of the top part of lower crust beneath Himalayas. Hence, we suggest that (1) the top part of lower crust beneath Himalayas is probably made up of garnet-bearing intermediate granulite; (2) the formations of granulite and leucogranites in Himalayas are interrelated as the results of crustal anatexis; and (3) dehydration melting of bio-tite-plagioclase gneiss is an important process to form granulitic lower crust, to reconstitute and adjust the crustal texture. Moreover, experimental results can provide constraints on determining the P-T conditions of Himalayan crustal anatexis.     

Zr-in-rutile thermometry in eclogite at Jinheqiao in the Dabie orogen and its geochemical implications

Trace element analysis was made by an electron microprobe on rutiles from ultrahigh-pressure ec-Iogite at Jinheqiao in the Dabie orogen. The results show Zr contents of 37 to 118 μg.g^-l, with signifi-cant variations between grains within the same thin section. Zr-in-rutile temperatures were calculated by the pressure-dependent thermometer, yielding 595 to 678℃ at 4.1 GPa for the upper limit of meta- morphic pressures. The temperatures are about 200 to 250℃ lower than temperatures of 846±70℃ calculated from garnet-omphacite Fe-Mg partition geothermometry, but 150 to 200℃ higher than -460℃ from quartz-ruUle O isotope temperatures and rutile Pb diffusion closure temperature for the same specimen. This indicates that the diffusion rate of Zr in ruUle is remarkably slower than that of Pb and O in rutile, and that the temperature of Zr-in-rutile is higher than the closure temperature corre-sponding to cooling age as dated by rutile U-Pb radiometric system. The latter is consistent with ex-perimental result of Zr diffusion in rutile. Diffusion and re-crystallization with intensive retrograde fluid during exhumation of UHP metamorphic rocks may be the major reason why the Zr contents in rutile decreased and thus did not provide the record of the peak metamorphic temperatures. The remarkable difference in Zr content between rutile grains suggests that the distribution of Zr in rutile was in the state of disequilibrium due to differential diffusion and retrograde resetting.     

Elastic wave velocity in rocks from Dabieshan and its constraints for lithospheric composition and crust-mantle recycling

P-and S-wave velocities in eclogites and granulites from the Dabie ultrahigh pressures (UHP) meta morphic belt, China, were measured at room temperature under the hydrostatic pressures up to 1.0 GPa. The ultrahigh pressure eclogites had the highest densities (3.3 ～ 3.6 g.cm-3) , high velocities and the lowest anisotropy (1.4%c ～ 2.6 % ) . The lowest densities (2.8 ～ 3.1 g. cm-3 ) and the highest Poisson' s ratios (0.28 ～ 0.29) were found in gran ulites, whereas the strongest anisotropies (6. 1 % ～8.4% ) were found in the high-pressure (HP) eclogites. Compari son of the velocities in rocks with that observed in the deep seismic sounding profile crossing Dabieshan suggests that e clogites might exist in the lower crust of Dabieshan, but the quantity might be small. The upper mantle has very similar velocities as the UHP eclogites and serpentinizated/water-bearing dunite. The formation of eclogite represents the crust mantle recycling processes. Crustal material is delaminated and sinks into the mantle by way of eclogite, whereas only a small part of the eclogite could return to the crust.     

Water contents and hydrogen isotopes in nominally anhydrous minerals from UHP metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt

A continuous flow method, by a combination of thermal conversion elemental analyzer （TC/EA） with isotope ratio mass spec- trometry （MS）, was developed to determine both H isotope composition and H2O concentration of ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） metamorphic rocks in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt. By using the developed step-heating technique, we have studied H2O concen- tration and H isotope composition of the different forms of water （structural OH and molecular H2O） in garnet. The quantitative measurements of HzO concentration and H isotope composition of minerals in UHP metamorphic rocks from several typical out- crops indicate that the gneisses can release more amounts of water than the eclogites during exhumation of the deeply subducted continental crust. Therefore, by decompression dehydration at the contact between eclogite and gneiss, the released water could flow from the gneiss to the eclogite and result in significant hydration of the eclogite adjacent to the gneiss. The measured maxi- mum water contents of minerals in eclogites indicate that garnet and omphacite have the maximum water solubilities of 2500 and 3500 ppm, respectively, under the peak UHP metamorphic conditions.     

Pressure Dependence of Molar Volume near the Melting Point in Benzene

The pressure dependence of the molar volume was at constant temperatures close to the melting point in benzene. The molar volume of benzene was calculated using experimental data for the thermal expansivity for constant temperatures of 25℃, 28.5℃, 40℃, and 51℃ at various pressures for both the solid and liquid phases. The predictions are in good agreement with the observed volumes in both the solid and liquid phases of benzene. The predicted values of the molar volume for a constant temperature of 28.5℃ in the liquid phase of benzene agree well with experimental data in the literature.     

Process and mechanism of mountain-root removal of the Dabie Orogen—Constraints from geochronology and geochemistry of post-collisional igneous rocks

Systematical studies of post-collisional igneous rocks in the Dabie orogen suggest that the thickened mafic lower crust of the oro- gen was partially melted to form low-Mg# adakitic rocks at 143-131 Ma. Delamination and foundering of the thickened mafic lower crust occurred at 130 Ma, which caused the mantle upwelling and following mafic and granitic magmatic intrusions. Mig- matite in the North Dabie zone, coeval with the formation of low-Mg# adakitic intrusions in the Dabie orogen, was formed by partial melting of exhumed ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks at middle crustal level. This paper argues that the partial melting of thickened lower and middle crust before mountain-root collapse needs lithospheric thinning. Based on the geothermal gradient of 6.6~C/km for lithospheric mantle and initial partial melting temperature of ~1000~C for the lower mafic crust, it can be estimated that the thickness of lithospheric mantle beneath thickened lower crust has been thinned to 〈45 km when the thickened lower crust was melting. Thus, a two-stage model for mountain-root removal is proposed. First, the lithospheric mantle keel was partially removal by mantle convection at 145 Ma. Loss of the lower lithosphere would increase heat flow into the base of the crust and would cause middle-lower crustal melting. Second, partial melting of the thickened lower crust has weakened the lower crust and increased its gravity instability, thus triggering delamination and foundering of the thickened mafic lower crust or mountain-root collapse. Therefore, convective removal and delamination of the thickened lower crust as two mechanisms of lithospheric thin- ning are related to causality.     

The white schist assemblage in the kyanite quartzite from the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt, eastern Dabie Mountains

The kyanite quartzite from the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt in the eastern Dabie Mountains is composed mainly of quartz, kyanite, talc and epidote, which contains a typical mineral assemblage of white schist. It suffered an eclogite facies metamorphism of P =(2 4±0 3) GPa and T =630℃ together with coexisting eclogite. The protolith may be an aplite replaced by high-pressure fluid of eclogite facies.     

Multistage evolution of continental collision orogen: A case study for western Dabie orogen

The foramtion and evolution of collisional orogen is a prominent feature along convergent plate margins, and is generally a complex process. This article presents an integrated study of zircon genesis, U-Pb age and Lu-Hf isotope composition as well as geological characteristics for the western Dabie orogen to constrain its multi-stage evolution history. The results suggest that the formation of oceanic crust in the Huwan area was constrained at ca. 400--430 Ma, which was slightly later than the collision of the northern Qinling with the North China Block. It formed in a marginal basin in the northern margin of the Yangtze Block. The peak metamorphism of eclogite in the Huwan area occurred at ca. 310 Ma, and the timing of the initial exhumation of oceanic eclogite was about 270 Ma. The high to ultrahigh pressure （HP-UHP） metamorphic rocks in the Xinxian and the Hong＇an metamorphic zones have the same ages and natures as those of the HP-UHP metamorphic rocks in the other Dabie-Sulu terrains, and also have experienced multi-stage exhumation, and thus can be taken as a coherent part of the Dabie-Sulu orogen. Therefore, the Qinling-Dabie-Sulu orogen is a typical multi-stage continental collision orogen, with an amalgamation process extending more than 200 Ma.     

The effect of phase transition on the compressional wave velocity for a trachybasalt at high temperature and high pressure

Compressional wave velocities in a trachybasalt, from Yichuan County, Henan Province, have been measured at 2.0 GPa and up to 1 350℃ in a YJ-3000 t cubic-anvil high-pressure apparatus. The run products have been gained at the same pressure but different temperatures, the observation of the thin sections of the run products indicates that, corresponding to the variation of the compressional wave velocity in the trachybasalt, the phase transition has taken place. The relationship between the change of the compressional wave velocity and the hydrous mineral dehydration, solid-solid phase transformation and partial melting has been discussed. The experimental data presented here are of great importance to elucidating the geological process in the earth's interior.     

Carbon isotopic composition of mantle xenoliths in alkali basalt from Damaping, Hebei

The carbon isotopic composition of CO-2, CO and CH-4 extracted by pyrolysis from spinel lherzolite and black pyroxenolite xenoliths in alkali basalt from Damaping has been measured with GC_MS. The results show that, at heating temperatures from 400 to 1 140℃, the δ 13C of CO-2 and CO is -22‰--27‰, and that of CH-4 -30‰--50‰. The data imply that the magma which was generated in the upper mantle by partial melting in the area has experienced the multistage degassing process, and the δ 13C values represent the carbon isotopic composition of CO-2, CO and CH-4 remaining in it, respectively.     

Sapphirine-bearing high pressure marie granulite and its implications in the south Altyn Tagh

Sapphirine-bearing high pressure mafic granulites are recognized in the Bashiwake area of the south Altyn Tagh. Mafic granulites and associated peridotites occur as lenses within kyanite-bearing high pressure felsic granulites.Sapphirine occurs as intergrowths with corundum, spine land Ca-rich plagioclase in symplectite in between garnet and clinopyroxene. Reaction textures and mineral compositions indicate that sapphirine-bearing symplectites formed by reactions cons, ruing kyanite, garnet and clinopyroxene.Therefore, both petrographic observations and the mineral compositions suggest that these quartz-free magic granulites had an eclogite origin with an assemblage of garnet clinopyroxene kyanite, which is estimated to be stable at T =1000℃ and P≥2.1 GPa. The sapphirine-bearing symplectites are resulted from isothermal decompression or decompress‘ion with slight cooling during exhumation of the hos trock.     

The electrical conductivity of H_2O at 0.21-4.18 GPa and 20 -350℃

The electrical conductivity of H2O in solid and liquid phases has been measured at 0.21-4.18 GPa and 20-350℃. The results indicate: ( i ) different phases of H2O in solid have different relations between electrical conductivity and temperature and pressure. The conductivity changes continuously with temperature, but discontinuously with the pressure between 2.11 and 2.58 GPa, which corresponds to the transforming pressure between ice (Ⅵ) and ice ( Ⅶ ) ; ( ii ) the con-ductivity of H2O in liquid all increases with temperature and pressure, but there are discontinuities at pressures between 0.57 and 0.9 GPa, and between 2.11 and 2.58 GPa, which are also consistent with the polymorph of ice (ice ( Ⅴ), ice (Ⅵ) and ice ( Ⅶ ) ) . This reflects that H2O in liquid at different pressures has quite different properties of electron chemistry. It is prob-ably the important reason that causes the layers with high electrical conductivity and low velocity in the earth's crust and upper mantle.     

Lower time limit on the UHPM rock exhumation: Discovery of eclogite pebbles in the Late Jurassic conglomerates from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains, eastern China

Eclogite pebbles are first discovered in late Jurassic conglomerates of the Fenghuangtai Formation from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains, eastern China. The eclogite shows relatively strong retrograde metamor- phism. The major remnant minerals are garnet, phengite, quartz, rutile, clinozoisite, fingerprint(or worm)-form sym- plectite and pseudomorphic enclosure of coesite in garnet. End-member components of the garnet mainly made up of grossular (27.7%-37.8%), almandinc (45.5%-49.0%) and pyrope (12.3%-25.7%). End-member components of the pyrope is less than 30%, i.e. equivalent to C type eclogite. Si-cations of the phengite are 3.44-3.54 p.f.u. (taking O=11 as standard). It is estimated that the pressures are 2.5-3.2 GPa, the temperatures are 600-900℃. Discovery of the eclogite pebbles in the late Jurassic conglomerates from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains suggests that the HP-UHP metamorphic rocks of the Dabie Mountains, which were formed in Triassic, had been exposed to the surface in the late Jurassic or before it by exhumation.