Phase Behavior of Aqueous Na-K-Mg-Ca-CI-NO3 Mixtures: Isopiestic Measurements and Thermodynamic Modeling

A comprehensive model has been established for calculating thermodynamic properties of multicomponent aqueous systems containing the Na{sup +}, K{sup +}, Mg{sup 2+}, Ca{sup 2+}, Cl{sup -}, and NO{sub 3}{sup -} ions. The thermodynamic framework is based on a previously developed model for mixed-solvent electrolyte solutions. The framework has been designed to reproduce the properties of salt solutions at temperatures ranging from the freezing point to 300 C and concentrations ranging from infinite dilution to the fused salt limit. The model has been parameterized using a combination of an extensive literature database and new isopiestic measurements for thirteen salt mixtures at 140 C. The measurements have been performed using Oak Ridge National Laboratory's (ORNL) previously designed gravimetric isopiestic apparatus, which makes it possible to detect solid phase precipitation. Water activities are reported for mixtures with a fixed ratio of salts as a function of the total apparent salt mole fraction. The isopiestic measurements reported here simultaneously reflect two fundamental properties of the system, i.e., the activity of water as a function of solution concentration and the occurrence of solid-liquid transitions. The thermodynamic model accurately reproduces the new isopiestic data as well as literature data for binary, ternary and higher-order subsystems. Because of its high accuracy in calculating vapor-liquid and solid-liquid equilibria, the model is suitable for studying deliquescence behavior of multicomponent salt systems

Orthomagmatic quartz and post-magmatic carbonate veins in a reported porphyry copper deposit, Andean Intrusive Suite, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands

A previously reported porphyry Cu + Mo deposit in an Eocene pluton within the South Shetland Island magmatic arc has been re-interpreted as three distinct hydrothermal assemblages. The oldest assemblage (1) exsolved under confinement from the deep (∼6 km?) cooling magma whereas assemblages (2) and (3) formed during tectonic ± magmatic episodes at depths of < 1.5 km in the late Cenozoic. The three assemblages occur over the 5 × 11 km mapped in Barnard Point tonalite pluton. Assemblage (1) comprises shallowly dipping sheets of aplite, biotite + tourmaline pegmatite, massive ‘grey’ quartz, and quartz + tourmaline + bornite + chalcopyrite + molybdenite veins. Magnetite + tourmaline + chalcopyrite breccias have associated biotite, K-feldspar and muscovite alteration. Fluid inclusions indicate formation from hot (∼600°C), saline (40 equivalent weight % NaCl + CaCl2) aqueous-carbonic fluids that exsolved from the partly consolidated magma. The primary control on solution chemistry and nature of fracturing was the depth of pluton emplacement. Assemblage (2) consists of steep, vuggy veins and country-rock breccias, with thick propylitic alteration selvages, cemented by microcrystalline quartz, complex inter-growths of FeMg carbonate, bladed barite and trace amounts of bornite and chalcopyrite. These rocks, previously described as breccia (sensu ‘pebble’) dykes in the porphyry complex, are reinterpreted as an influx of moderately hot (175–330°C), weak to moderately saline (2–21 EWP NaCl), aqueous-carbonic fluids that underwent isobaric boiling at 0.8 to 1.3 km depth. Assemblage (3) consists of thin, hematitic fault infillings formed during a second episode of brittle faultin