Inclusion-localised crystal-plasticity, dynamic porosity, and fast-diffusion pathway generation in zircon

A population of oscillatory zoned, igneous zircon grains in a Javanese andesite contains fluid and mineral inclusions (up to 10 μm across) trapped during zircon growth. Orientation contrast imaging and orientation mapping by electron backscatter diffraction reveal that crystal-plastic deformation overprints growth zoning and has localized around 1–10 μm pores and inclusions. Cumulative crystallographic misorientation of up to 25° around pores and inclusions in zircon is predominantly accommodated by low-angle (<5°) orientation boundaries, with few free dislocations in subgrain interiors. Low-angle boundaries are curved, with multiple orientation segments at the sub-micrometer scale. Misorientation axes associated with the most common boundaries align with the zircon c-axis and are consistent with dislocation creep dominated by <100>(010) slip. A distinctly different population of sub-micron pores is present along subgrain boundaries and their triple junctions. These are interpreted to have formed as a geometric consequence of dislocation interaction during crystal-plasticity. Dislocation creep microstructures are spatially related to differences in cathodoluminescence spectra that indicate variations in the abundance of CL-active rare earth elements. The extent of the modification suggests deformation-related fast-pathway diffusion distances that are over five orders of magnitude greater than expected for volume diffusion. This enhanced diffusion is interpreted to represent a combination of fast-diffusion pathways associated with creep cavitation, dislocations and along low-angle boundaries. These new data indicate that ductile deformation localised around inclusions can provide fast pathways for geochemical exchange. These pathways may provide links to the zircon grain boundary, thus negating the widely held assumption that inclusions in fracture-free zircon are geochemically armoured once they are physically enclosed.

► Igneous zircon grains in a Javanese andesite contain fluid and mineral inclusions.
► Crystal-plastic deformation cuts growth zoning and has localized around inclusions.
► New porosity has developed in zircon via creep cavitation.
► CL indicates variable REE enrichment is associated with dislocation creep deformation.
► Ductile deformation around inclusions makes fast pathways for geochemical exchange.
► Inclusions in fracture-free zircon are not always geochemically armoured.