Variation in the Composition of Plagioclase and Epidote in some Metamorphic Rocks near Bancroft, Ontario

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Abstract
A Precambrian metamorphic terrain near Bancroft displays a variation in metamorphic grade, as indicated by the presence of the following metamorphic zones: garnet, staurolite–biotite, kyanite–biotite, sillimanite, and sillimanite–garnet–biotite.In rocks that contain plagioclase and epidote, there is a general increase in the anorthite content of plagioclase and a decrease in the Al content of epidote with increasing metamorphic grade. Plagioclase crystals are commonly zoned, becoming richer in anorthite toward the rims, and epidote crystals may also be zoned, becoming enriched in iron toward the rims. Various chemical reactions are proposed to account for these changes.In rocks that do not contain epidote, plagioclase is typically albitic in composition, regardless of metamorphic grade.In rocks containing microcline, some albite has evidently exsolved from the microcline, resulting in the development of sodic rims about plagioclase crystals and normal zoning in these crystals.The distribution of albite between plagioclase and microcline is in agreement with the results from other metamorphic terrains of similar grade. Observed irregularities in this distribution may be attributed to exsolution of albite from microcline.Mineralogical and chemical data from the study area provide an opportunity to propose various chemical reactions, some of which may closely approach those that have taken place within the rocks.

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