Monazite-allanite phase relations in metapelites

Calculations of the transition from allanite to monazite-bearing assemblages in typical pelitic bulk compositions have been made using thermodynamic data estimated from oxide sums and inferred from natural parageneses. Calculations in the CFASHPCe and MnNCKFMASHPCe systems place the allanite to monazite transition in the middle amphibolite facies (525-600 degrees C) for a bulk composition similar to Shaw's average pelite. The temperature of the transition is pressure dependent, and strongly dependent on the bulk rock CaO content, consistent with inferences from natural parageneses. The transition is also a function of the bulk Al2O3 content, although the calculated result is opposite to that inferred from natural samples. Comparison with published results in the La-Mg system suggest that the nature of the REE phosphate does not greatly influence the conditions of the transition. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.