The Formation of K-Cymrite in Subduction Zones and Its Potential for Transport of Potassium, Water, and Nitrogen into the Mantle

Abstract

The conditions of the formation of K-cymrite in volatile-rich pelite and partially devolatilized mica quartz–muscovite–chlorite schist were experimentally investigated at pressures of 5.5, 6.3, and 7.8 GPa and temperatures ranging from 900 to 1090°C corresponding to hot subduction geotherm. Experimental samples at these P–T conditions formed assemblage of solid phases (Grt + Coe + Phe + Cpx + Ky, with accessory Po + Ru + Zrn ± Mnz) and water-enriched supercritical fluid–melt. Analysis of the obtained data indicates that the stability of phengite and its potential replacement by K-cymrite depends on the P–T conditions and the amount of volatiles in the metasediment. In samples of volatile-rich pelite and mica schist at 5.5 GPa and 900°C, as well as at 6.3 GPa and 1000°C, phengite remains stable in equilibrium with 3–13 wt % of the fluid–melt. With increasing pressure up to 7.8 GPa and temperature up to 1090°C, the fraction of supercritical fluid–melt in pelite reaches 20 wt %, while phengite disappears. Only 5 wt % supercritical fluid–melt are formed in the schist at 7.8 GPa and 1070°C, while most part of phengite is preserved. For the first time, phase assemblage with phengite and K-cymrite (±kokchetavite) was obtained in the pelite and schist samples at 7.8 GPa and 1070°C. The assemblage was identified using Raman mapping. At stepwise devolatilization (with removal of fluid–melt portion forming in equilibrium with volatile-bearing minerals that are stable at P–T conditions of experiments), phengite has been preserved up to 7.8 GPa and 1090°C, but K-cymrite is not formed in the absence of fluid–melt. It was concluded that the most effective transport of volatiles (first of all, water) in the metasediment to depths over 240 km may occur during its partial and early (before the formation of supercritical fluid–melt) devolatilization. In this case, almost all phengite may reach depths of 240 km during metasediment subduction and then transform into water-bearing K-cymrite, or, in the presence of nitrogen in the metasediment, into nitrogen-bearing K-cymrite, thus facilitating the further transport of LILE (large-ion lithophile elements), water, and nitrogen. However, the formation of a significant portion of supercritical fluid–melt leads to the complete dissolution of phengite with increasing P–T conditions, making further transport of LILE, water, and nitrogen impossible. During deep multi-stage devolatilization, phengite remains stable up to depths of 240 km; however, during further subduction, it likely transforms into an anhydrous K-hollandite (KAlSi₃O₈).