Geochemistry of Sillimanite–Magnetite–Kaolinite Metasomatic Rocks on Great Tyuters Island, Gulf of Finland, Russia

Abstract

Secondary quartzites on Tyuters Island in the Gulf of Finland host long linear zones, up to 3 m thick, that are easily discernible in detailed satellite imagery. The zones consist of sillimanite–magnetite–kaolinite metasomatites, rocks that were first found in these zones. The metasomatites were produced at shattering of the quartzites and subsequent fluid introduction of material enriched in various components. The metasomatites are enriched in Al₂O₃ (16–23 wt %, as compared to 2–5 wt % in the quartzites). In contrast to the quartzites, iron in the metasomatic is contained mostly in the form of ferric oxide (whereas it occurs dominantly as ferrous oxide in the quartzites). The metasomatites contain practically no alkalis and alkali-earth elements and are enriched in Zn (146–199 ppm) and some other trace elements, including REE, first of all Ce (34 ppm) and La (17 ppm). Both the metasomatites and the quartzites show similar and insignificant REE fractionation: (La/Yb)_n = 6.55 and 6.17. The metasomatites consist of the same minerals as the quartzites, but the proportions of these minerals and their composition in these rock types are different. It is worth mentioning magnetite of the metasomatites: it hosts abundant quartz inclusions with kaolinite rims. The quartz inclusions host, in turn, inclusions of magnetite crystallites. The metasomatites were produced in a number of stages of a metasomatic process, with changes in the fluid composition and its pH. The development of the metasomatites in the linear zones, the disintegration of their protolithic quartzites, and the high kaolinite contents in the rocks make these metasomatites similar, in a sense, to weathering crusts. However, the facts that the metasomatites and their protolithic quartzites consist of the same minerals, that the metasomatites contain absolutely no sulfides and sulfur but contain magnetite with complicated mineral inclusions make these rocks different from classic weathering crusts.