A multi-analytical study of the crystal structure of unusual Ti–Zr–Cr-rich Andradite from the Maronia skarn, Rhodope massif, western Thrace, Greece

摘要

Unusual Ti–Cr–Zr-rich garnet crystals from high-temperature melilitic skarn of the Maronia area, western Thrace, Greece, were investigated by electron-microprobe analysis, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Chemical data showed that the garnets contain up to 8 wt.% TiO₂, 8 wt.% Cr₂O₃ and 4 wt.% ZrO₂, representing a solid solution of andradite (Ca₃Fe3+ ₂Si₃O₁₂ ≈46 mol%), uvarovite (Ca₃Cr₂Si₃O₁₂ ≈23 mol%), grossular (Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂ ≈10 mol%), schorlomite (Ca₃Ti₂[Si,(Fe3+,Al3+)₂]O₁₂ ≈15 mol%), and kimzeyite (Ca₃Zr₂[Si,Al₂]₃O₁₂ ≈6 mol%). The Mössbauer analysis showed that the total Fe is ferric, preferentially located at the octahedral site and to a smaller extent at the tetrahedral site. Single-crystal XRD analysis, Raman and IR spectroscopy verified substitution of Si mainly by Al3+, Fe3+ and Ti4+. Cr3+ and Zr4+ are found at the octahedral site along with Fe3+, Al3+ and Ti4+. The measured H₂O content is 0.20 wt.%. The analytical data suggest that the structural formula of the Maronia garnet can be given as: (Ca_2.99Mg_0.03)_Σ=3.02(Fe3+ _0.67Cr_0.54Al_0.33Ti_0.29Zr_0.15)_Σ=1.98(Si_2.42Ti_0.24Fe_0.18Al_0.14)_Σ=2.98O₁₂OH_0.11. Ti-rich garnets are not common and their crystal chemistry is still under investigation. The present work presents new evidence that will enable the elucidation of the structural chemistry of Ti- and Cr-rich garnets.