Re-equilibration of primary fluid inclusions in peritectic garnet from metapelitic enclaves, El Hoyazo, Spain

Primary-appearing fluid (FI) and melt (FI) inclusions occur in peritectic garnet from restitic enclaves from El Hoyazo (Spain). The inclusions were trapped under conditions of immiscibility during partial melting of the enclaves. Trapped fluids in Bt-Grt-Sil and Spl-Crd enclaves have been characterized by microthermometric, Raman spectroscopic, electron microprobe (EMP) and transmission electron microprobe (TEM) analyses to better constrain melt and fluid products and pressure conditions of the partial melting event. In Bt-Grt-Sil enclaves, FI are one phase and contain a CO2-N2 mixture, sometimes with graphite as trapped phase. In Spl-Crd enclaves, FI are two phase and contain an H2O-rich (≤ 90 mol%), with minor amounts of CO2, N2, and traces of H2S and CH4. Graphite often occurs as a trapped phase in the H2O-rich FI, and rare carbonates and other accessory minerals are also observed. Although decrepitation features are not recognized during examination with a petrographic microscope, FI densities based on mass balance constraints are always lower than expected at the inferred PT conditions of entrapment, 5-7 kbar and 800-900 °C. Extremely low densities (≈ 0.1 g cm− 1) of FI in Bt-Grt-Sil enclaves suggest a pressure ≤ 500 bar at 800-900 °C, while densities up to 0.53 g cm− 1 in Spl-Crd enclaves indicate P ≤ 3 kbar at 800-900 °C. Re-equilibration is likely to have occurred via partial decrepitation, as suggested by TEM studies that show rare partially annealed sub-μm cracks, containing small cavities, which may have been the pathways for fluid movement out of the inclusions. MI coexisting with FI have a rhyolitic, peraluminous composition, with higher H2O contents of MI in Spl-Crd enclaves (≈ 9 wt.%) compared to MI in Bt-Grt-Sil enclaves (≈ 3 wt.%). Based on published data, peritectic garnet in Spl-Crd enclaves grew in the presence of a leucogranitic melt saturated in an H2O-rich fluid, in good agreement with the inferred garnet PT growth conditions. The composition of the fluid phase coexisting with melt in Bt-Grt-Sil enclaves cannot be evaluated owing to the almost complete decrepitation and fluid loss from FI, and may only be inferred to have been more CO2-rich, based on the lower H2O content of the coexisting melt.

Research Highlights►Fluid and melt inclusions are found in rapidly cooled anatectic rocks. ►A water-rich fluid was present during anatexis of metapelites in the NVP, Spain. ►Fluid nature is consistent with experimental data on granitic melt + fluid system. ►Fl in garnet experienced material loss, with no optically-visible leakage evidence.