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Petrophysical and geochemical constraints on alteration processes in granites

Publication at Central Library of Charles University |
2013

Abstract

The hydrothermal alteration of granites has large influence on their petrophysical properties. To reveal the impact of alteration on magnetic and porosity properties of granites we have conducted a complex study of effects of two largely independent alteration processes, related to chemically different fluids, in granites of the Vysoký Kámen stock (the Krudum granite body, Czech Republic).

It includes the whole-rock geochemical, magnetic and pore-space characterization. The alkali feldspathization resulted in decomposition of Li-mica, quartz removal, depletion in mafic cations and growth of new alkali feldspars (albite, K-feldspar), decreasing the overall magnetic susceptibility and disrupting the pore space by its discontinuation.

The preservation of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) pattern is likely connected with insignificant influence of the feldspathization process on the paramagnetic a diamagnetic phases orientation acquired during the magma emplacement. The greisenization, on the other hand had considerably more significant effects on microstructure and physical properties of the granite.

The microstructure was modified by the growth of large amounts of new phases (lithium mica, quartz and topaz). This changed the mineral density of the rock, the porosity, size and character of pores to larger, flatter and probably more connected.

This led also to the complete reworking of the original AMS during the greisenization.