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Testing solution models for phase equilibrium (forward) modeling of partial melting experiments

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Abstract

This study compares four sets of solution (or activity-composition) models using two internally consistent thermodynamic datasets for calculating isochemical phase diagram sections of six partial melting experiments covering a wide range of metasedimentary bulk compositions. Compared parameters are: (1) biotite-breakdown temperatures; (2) parageneses of Fe–Mg phases and Ti-oxides; (3) proportion of biotite, garnet, liquid and plagioclase; (4) Mg# of biotite, garnet and liquid and the anorthite content of plagioclase. Results reveal significant differences between sets that are mainly related to the construction of the biotite solution, with the model of Tajčmanová et al. (2009) yielding better results for the majority of investigated parameters. Owing to the success of the investigated set of solution models at reproducing the proxy that constitutes partial melting experiments, but also at reproducing natural observations as published elsewhere, it is suggested that this biotite model should be used in the Ti–Mn–Na–Ca–K–Fe–Mg–Al–Si–H–O system for phase equilibrium (forward) modeling of metasediments.

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Acknowledgments

This study was conducted without funding. It was not part of the M.Sc. thesis of P–H. Trapy and it used the open-source software Perple_X. The help of Y. Rousseau is acknowledged for drafting Fig. 12 and C. Szabo Sum is gratefully acknowledged for compiling data and drafting Figs. 6 and 7. This version of the manuscript greatly beneficiated from an unofficial review by M. García-Arias as well from official review by P. Lanari and an anonymous reviewer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada

    Félix Gervais

  2. Rueil-Malmaison, France

    Pierre-Henri Trapy

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  1. Félix Gervais
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  2. Pierre-Henri Trapy
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Correspondence to Félix Gervais.

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Communicated by Mark S Ghiorso.

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Gervais, F., Trapy, PH. Testing solution models for phase equilibrium (forward) modeling of partial melting experiments. Contrib Mineral Petrol 176, 4 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-020-01762-5

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