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Title: The two-dimensional pattern of metamorphic fluid flow at Mary Kathleen, Australia: Fluid focusing, transverse dispersion, and implications for modeling fluid flow

Journal Article · · American Mineralogist; (United States)
OSTI ID:6759601
 [1]
  1. Monash Univ., Clayton, Victoria (Australia)

The pattern of [delta][sup 18]O values in layered Corella calc-silicate rocks adjacent to a scapolitized metadolerite dike at Timberu in the Mary Kathleen fold belt illustrates some of the complexities of two-dimensional metamorphic fluid flow. Fluids flowing from the dike ([delta][sup 18]O = 9-10%) into the calc-silicate rocks lowered calcite [delta][sup 18]O values form 19-20% to as low as 10.3%. Time-integrate advectite fluid fluxes varied from 0.72 to > 8.1 m[sup 3]/m[sup 2] over a 4.5-m lateral distance, and there are two distinct channels of higher fluid flux. If the duration of fluid flow was similar across the outcrop, intrinsic permeabilities varied laterally by at least an order of magnitude. Fluid flow was largely focused across lithological layering, with rare excursions parallel to layering, suggesting that (up to 1 m) to those at the isotopic front ([approximately]1.2 m), indicating that the coefficients of transverse and longitudinal dispersion are of similar orders of magnitude. Localities in other terrains probably show similar complex patterns of isotopic resetting that in two dimensions correspond to the predictions of the advective-dispersive transport models, but which are difficult to interpret using a one-dimensional analysis. Transverse dispersion during channeled fluid flow will potentially reset O-isotope ratios adjacent to the channels and cause decoupling of geochemical parameters during advective and dispersive transport. 43 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

OSTI ID:
6759601
Journal Information:
American Mineralogist; (United States), Vol. 79:5-6; ISSN 0003-004X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English