Zirconium silicates in a peralkaline granite: a record of the interplay of magmatic and hydrothermal processes (Ilímaussaq complex, Greenland)

Compositional and textural data are presented for zircon, secondary Zr-silicates, catapleiite and elpidite in a peralkaline granite from the Ilímaussaq complex, south Greenland. The zircon is essentially stoichiometric, with (Zr + Hf + Si) = 1.96–1.98 a.p.f.u. The secondary Zr-silicates show a wide range of Zr/Si atomic ratios (0.13–0.79). The catapleiite varies from close to stoichiometric to a Na-depleted type showing cation deficiency (5.2–5.8 a.p.f.u.). Elpidite shows similar variations (7.2–9.0 a.p.f.u.). Textural relationships between the Zr phases are interpreted to show that magmatic zircon interacted with hydrous fluids exsolved from the magma to form the secondary Zr-silicates. Formation of catapleiite was late‑magmatic, in equilibrium with a Na-Si-bearing fluid. This was followed by the crystallization of elpidite, the fluid having a different Na/Si ratio. Both catapleiite and elpidite experienced Na-loss during late-stage hydrothermal alteration.