Quartz And Zircon as markers of the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of the Antônio Vicente Granite, Velho Guilherme Intrusive Suite, Carajás Province

Abstract

Four morphological and textural types of quartz, informally labeled Qz1, Qz2, Qz3 and Qz4, were identified in the different facies of the Antônio Vicente Granite, Carajás Province, by scanning electron microscope-cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL) images. In the less evolved rocks, containing amphibole and biotite, well developed anhedral to subhedral, luminescent and intensely fractured crystals dominate, named Qz1. Hydrothermal fluids that percolated the granite modified the magmatic quartz (Qz1) into Qz2 and Qz3 through processes of alteration, dissolution and recrystallization, with these changes much more evident in the intensely altered syenogranite rocks. Qz4 constitute medium-to-coarse grained crystals, usually luminescent and comparatively little fractured. Its occurrence is restricted to strongly hydrotermalized syenogranite rocks and bodies of greisens, suggesting the beginning of the greisenization process. In the greisens, medium-to-coarse grained euhedral, concentrically zoned quartz crystals dominate, with typical features of hydrothermal origin (Qz5). Fine crystals of zoned cassiterite (≤ 100 µm) are common and fill cavities in the types Qz4 and Qz5. Zircon crystals dominantly anhedral, corroded, with the highest contents of Hf and the lower Zr/Hf ratios belong to more evolved and hydrothermally altered rocks and to associated greisens, both carriers of Sn mineralization. This fact suggests that the geochemical signature of zircon, especially Zr/Hf ratio, can be used for the preliminary assessment of metallogenic potential of tin granites.