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Geochemistry of Feldspar Intergrowth Microtextures from Paleoproterozoic

Granitoids in Central India: Implications to Exsolution Processes in Granitic
System

Article  in  Journal of the Geological Society of India · February 2015

DOI: 10.1007/s12594-015-0204-9

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 JOURNAL GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA
Vol.85, February 2015, pp.163-182

Geochemistry of Feldspar Intergrowth Microtextures from

Paleoproterozoic Granitoids in Central India: Implications
to Exsolution Processes in Granitic System

DINESH PANDIT
National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research,Vasco-Da-Gama - 403 804, Goa
Email: dpandit@hotmail.com

Abstract: Various forms of feldspar intergrowth microtextures occurred in granitic rocks. Characteristically, two
distinct types of microtextures formed due to intergrowth between K-feldspar and plagioclase i.e. perthites and
myrmekites. Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids are two contemporaneous units of Paleoproterozoic granitoids
in central India. Three varieties of perthites have been identified in these granitoids i.e. flame, braid, and vein types.
Flame perthite bearing K-feldspar is common. Braid and vein perthites occur occasionally. Paleopiezometry estimation
indicates that flame perthite formed under the influence of low to moderate differential stress on granitoids. Most of the
perthites occurs in these granitoids are compositionally albite to oligoclase in nature. The composition ranges XAb: 0.98-
0.49 for the Malanjkhand and XAb: 0.96-0.49 for Dongargarh granitoids. Binary feldspar thermometry calculation indicates
that perthites have formed at moderate to high temperature conditions in the Malanjkhand granitoid whereas low to
moderate temperature conditions in Dongargarh granitoids during sub-solidus phase. Myrmekites is another feldspar
intergrowth microtexture found in these granitoids. Myrmekites are identified in these granitoids based on their
characteristic morphologies such as ghost, bulbous, rim, etc. These myrmekites were formed under moderate temperature
conditions during magmatic-hydrothermal transition phase. Formation of flame perthite can be explained by replacement
reaction mechanism (Na-K exchange) between K-feldspar and plagioclase under low to moderate differential stress
condition during rapid cooling. Further, extensive deuteric alteration results in the formation of braid and vein perthites.
Formation of myrmekites can be assumed by couple of replacement mechanisms (Na-K and Ca-K exchange) between
K-feldspar and plagioclase. Paleopiezometry and feldspar thermometry results infer that orthomagmatic-hydrothermal
transition in the Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids were favored at upper or shallow levels in the continental
crust.

Keywords: Granitoids, Intergrowth microtexture, Perthites, Myrmekites, Central India.

INTRODUCTION Perthite is the intergrowth of albite-rich plagioclase in

K-feldspar (microcline, orthoclase) and plagioclase are
the major mineralogical constituents of granitoid rocks.
Granitoids have very complex history during
orthomagmatic-hydrothermal transition phase, mostly
related to feldspar reactions (Plumper and Putnis, 2009).
The formations of various secondary minerals such as
sericite, zoisite, kaolinite, etc., are the product of complex
transition processes. Although, co-existing pairs of K-
feldspar and plagioclase is very common feature in this rock
but microstructural features such as lamellae, intergrowth,
exsolution, etc., are occasionally observed. Various types
of microtextures were developed in granitoids, possibly due
to tectono-magmatic activities in the upper crust. Among
them, perthite and myrmekite microtextures are very
common in granitoids.
K-feldspar grain whereas myrmekites are intergrowth
microtexture of quartz, plagioclase, and K-feldspar which
occurs in various forms. These microtextures have very
complex chemical composition hence difficult to resolve
their actual origin and evolution. To resolve this problem a
number of scientific works (Phemister, 1926; Alling, 1938;
Buddington, 1939; Larsen, 1949; Higazy, 1949; Eskola,
1952; Tuttle, 1952) have been carried out in the first half of
the twentieth century. The microtextural study of feldspar
mineral was first carried out by Thompson in 1843 (see
Pryer and Robin, 1995). Later various workers (De
Lapparent, 1923; Phemister, 1926; Reynolds, 1936; Higazy,
1949; Perrin and Roubault, 1953) have identified a
significant number of feldspar microtextures such as perthite,
antiperthite, myrmekites, etc. Further investigations based

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164 DINESH PANDIT
on microscopic observation and chemical analysis, a number
of hypotheses have been postulated to explain the origin
and evolution of intergrowth microtexture in feldspars.
Some of the important hypothesis for the origin of
perthite are well described by Becke (1908), De Lapparent
(1923), Phemister (1926), Alling (1938) Buddignton (1939),
Higazy (1949), Cogne, (1951), Tuttle (1952), Heier (1955),
Robertson (1959), Hubbard (1967), Vogel (1970), Lorimer
and Champness (1973), Day and Brown (1980), Brown and
Parsons (1983, 1984a, b), Worden et al. (1990), Burgess et
al. (1992), Pryer and Robin (1995, 1996), Collins (1998),
Sepahi and Collins (2002), Hashimoto et al. (2005),
Petrischeva and Abart (2009), Abart et al., (2009a, b),
Parsons and Lee (2009), and Parsons et al. (2009, 2010). A
brief understanding of various hypotheses related to
perthitization, it is summarized that exsolution and deuteric/
hydrothermal sub-solidus processes (Yuguchhi and
Nishiyama, 2007; Petrishcheva and Abart, 2009; Abart et
al. 2009a, b) are dominant mechanism for perthite formation.
Mutual replacement reactions coupled by Na-K and Ca-K
(Yuguchi and Nishiyama, 2008; Parsons and Lee, 2009;
Parsons et al., 2009, 2010) control the composition of
perthites bearing K-feldspar.
Myrmekites occur in both igneous and metamorphic
rocks. It is one of the complex geological process resulting
in the development of intergrowth microstructure in
feldspars. The earliest document by Michel Levy in 1874
reported about myrmekite microtextures in feldspar grains
(see Yugushi and Nishiyama, 2008). Myrmekite can not
considered as igneous texture because it is also reported in
various metamorphic rocks (e.g. Hall, 1966; Ashworth, 1972;
Nold, 1984) and hydrothermally altered granitoids (Yuguchi
and Nishiyama, 2007; Collins, 1997a, b, c). Petrologists
working on feldspar microstructures were come up with
various hypotheses for origin of myrmekites. Some of the
important proposition for the origin of myrmekites are by
Becke (1908), Schwanke (1909), Sugi (1930), Spencer
(1938, 1945), Dresher-Kaden (1948), Shelley (1964, 1973a,
b), Hall (1966), Hubbard (1966), Barker (1970),
Bhattacharyya (1971, 1972), Ashworth (1972), Phillips
(1974, 1980a, b), Hibbard (1979), Castle and Lindsley
(1993), Collins (1997a, b, c), Tsurumi et al. (2003), Menegon
et al. (2006) and Yugushi and Nishiyama (2008). In general
the issue of origin of myrmekites is debatable and specific
interpretation to understand its mechanism of formation in
granitoids is required.
The Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids are two
prominent Paleoproterozoic plutons in central India (Pandit
and Panigrahi, 2012), where characteristic feldspar
intergrowth microtextures between K-feldspar and
plagioclase crystals occur. This study will discuss the
mechanism of perthite and myrmekite formation in granitic
system. Further, an attempt is made to reconstruct the
orthomagmatic-hydrothermal processes in Paleoproterozoic
granitoids in central India, which is responsible for the
development of these microtextures.
GEOLOGICAL SETTINGS
The Paleoproterozoic Malanjkhand and Dongargarh
granitoids are two distinct units of Bastar/Bhandara craton
in central India (Fig. 1a). In proximity to the south of Central
Indian Tectonic Zone (CITZ) which is demarked by Central
Indian Suture (CIS) in the NW-boundary of the Malanjkhand
granitoid. Further southward, Dongargarh granitoid located
and situated about 50-60 kms south of CIS, devoid of any
regional or local scale deformation features. Two granitic
units are separated by bimodal volcano-sedimentary
formations of Nandgaon and Khairagarh group of rocks.
The Malanjkhand granitoid hosted one of the largest Cu-
Mo-Au deposits (Sikka, 1989; Sikka and Nehru, 1997). The
Malanjkhand granitoid had Rb-Sr whole rock age ~2.42 Ga
(Panigrahi et al., 1993) with a revised age ~2.48 Ga (Pb-Pb
zircon SHRIMP, Panigrahi et al., 2004). The younger age
constrained from Rb-Sr whole rock chronometer possibly
due to extensive late stage hydrothermal alteration (Panigrahi
et al., 2008, 2009). Dongargarh granitoids located about 50
km south of the Malanjkhand and comprises of three units
such as Amgaon, Chichola, and Manpur pluton, reported to
be barren except small scale fluorite mineralization at
Chandi-Dongari (Deshpande, 1984; Changkakoti et al.,
2006). In the present study (Fig. 1b), Amgaon and Chichola
pluton is considered as Dongargarh granitoids. The
Dongargarh granitoids have wider age ranges such as
~2.27 Ga (Rb-Sr whole rock, Sarkar et al., 1981), ~2.46 Ga
(Rb-Sr whole rock, Krishnamurthy et al., 1988), ~2.37 Ga
(Sm-Nd whole rock, Krishnamurthy et al., 1990), and 2.41
Ga (Pb-Pb whole rock, Pandey et al., 1993). Perhaps, these
two granitoids are contemporaneous in age (~2.48-2.41 Ga).
The geochemical classification indicates that Malanjkhand
pluton is granite to granodiorite in composition (Panigrahi
et al., 1993; Kumar and Rino, 2006; Pandit, 2008, Pandit
and Panigrahi, 2012) whereas Dongargarh pluton is mostly
granitic in composition (Narayana et al., 2000; Pandit, 2008;
Pandit and Panigrahi, 2012).
The Malanjkhand granitoid has been thoroughly
investigated by earlier researchers (Panigrahi et al., 2009
and reference within) because of its economic importance,
whereas, Dongargarh granitoids has not received much
attention. However, their genetic linkages, time of
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015
 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 165

Fig.1. Geological map of Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids, Central India (after Jain et al., 1995) with sample locations.

emplacement, common mineralogy, are some of the
important factors that lead towards understanding their origin
and evolution (Pandit, 2008). Although, various genetic
models have been proposed, some of them have been
selected and discussed, because of their scientific
importance.
1. Panigrahi et al. (2004) suggested that Malanjkhand
granitoid have been emplaced in a single magmatic pulse
and later undergone extensive hydrothermal alteration
(Panigrahi et al., 2008) resulting in the formation of ore
deposits.
2. Kumar et al. (2004) and Kumar and Rino (2006) argued
that Malanjkhand granitoid is produced due to mixing
of mafic and felsic magma in various proportions
followed by mingling within a dynamic magma chamber,
emplaced at shallow level in the crust.
3. Stein et al. (2004, 2006) proposed that the Malanjkhand
deposit and the surrounding batholith containing multiple
Cu-Mo-Au prospect may be the vestiges of a microplate
captured along the north margin of the nearly
amalgamated southern Indian craton at 2.5 Ga. They also
provided Re-Os model and isochrones ages of
molybdennite (2.49-2.44 Ga) from the Malanjkhand
deposit and interpreted them as discrete deformation
episodes and molybdenite deposition.
4. Mazumder and Mamtani (2009) reported solid state

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015

166 DINESH PANDIT
deformation fabrics in the north-western boundary of
the Malanjkhand pluton and suggested syn-tectonic
evolution of the granitoid synchronous with the
development of CITZ. This hypothesis favors the
syntectonic emplacement of the Malanjkhand granitoid
at the time of suturing of northern and southern Indian
shields along the CIS (Stein et al., 2004).
5. Pandit and Panigrahi (2012) concluded that the origin
of Paleoproterozoic granitoids in central India are due
to magma mixing process between crustal derived felsic
and mafic magma contributed by basaltic underplating
in a continental rift environment, and finally emplaced
at shallow crustal level.
Development of deformation fabrics in the northern
margin of the Malanjkhand pluton possibly due to craton
scale tectonic activities (CITZ) and considered as brittle-
ductile shear zone (Yedekar et al., 1990; Jain et al., 1991;
Mishra et al., 2000; Acharyya and Roy, 2000; Stein et al.,
2004). The CIS comprises steeply northward dipping shear
zones characterized by multiple bands of mylonites marked
as the northwestern boundary of Malanjkhand granitoid and
separates from Sausar mobile belt (Ramachandra and Roy,
2001). The E-W to ENE-WSW trending Sausar mobile belt
comprises of migmatitic gneiss, felsic orthogneiss and gneiss
with meta-ultramafites enclaves, meta-basites, metapelites
and mafic granulites (Bhowmik et al., 1998; Acharyya and
Roy, 2000; Acharyya et al., 2001). Two prominent ultra high
temperature metamorphic events i.e. Paleoproterozoic
(~2.09 – 2.04 Ga) and Mesoproterozoic (~1.52 – 1.45 Ga)
are recorded based on the study of monazites from Sausar
mobile belt within CITZ (Bhowmik et al., 2005). The
Neoproterozoic age (~0.83 Ga) along with several
intermediate events (e.g., 1.40, 1.10, 0.97, 0.84 Ga, etc.)
are reported from Tirodi biotite gneisses (Roy et al., 2006).
The monazite chemical age of ~1.6-1.56 Ga is obtained
from Bhandara-Balaghat granulite domain (Bhandari et al.,
2011). All available chemical ages of monazite represent
various Proterozoic tectonic events in the CITZ, related
to post-emplacement history of Malanjkhand and
Dongargarh granitoids. Hence, it can be considered that
both granitoids remained undeformed during emplacement.
PERTHITE MICROTEXTURES
The intergrowth microtexture of albite in orthoclase is
perthite (Spry, 1969). However, various types of perthitic
microtextures within feldspar observed in different
rocks. Perthite is one of the characteristic microtextures
classified by various authors such as Smith and Brown
(1988), Cohen et al. (1997) and Collins (1998). The
classification proposed by Smith and Brown (1988) is more
appropriate from petrographic point of view and hence
considered in the present study. There are three types of
perthites observed in Malanjkhand granitoid, which is
discussed below.
Flame perthite: Thin lamellas of perthites are sub-
parallel with twining planes of hosts K-feldspar grains,
about 1-2 µm in width and variable in length (10-50 µm)
(Fig. 2a). Generally, middle portion of the flame perthite is
wider with sharp and pointed edges. While larger lamellas
of perthites are preferably oriented, such trend is not
observed in case of smaller lamellae.
Braid perthite: It is composed of two superimposed
groups of albite blebs, oriented parallel to the cleavage
planes of hosts K-feldspar grains adjacent to plagioclase
crystal (Fig. 2b).
Vein perthite: It has criss-cross pattern observed only in
few grains of K-feldspar. These veins are interconnected
and occur in zones (Fig. 2c).
Three types of perthitic intergrowth microtextures hosted
in K-feldspar grains are also observed in Dongargarh
granitoids which are as follows:
Flame perthite: Commonly occurs within K-feldspar
grains. Fine, lenticular, parallel lamellae are nearly similar
orientation trends, quasi-parallel to host lattice of K-feldspar
grain. The alternative band of grey and white colour
appeared in the K-feldspar grain in polished thin sections.
Flame perthite is the dominant feldspar microtextures in
samples of Dongargarh granitoids. One of the special feature
observed is a twined K-feldspar grain, which is separated
by a thin calcite vein (~1 µm in width). In this sample,
perthite lamella is radiating from the direction of orientation
of calcite vein (Fig 2d).
Braid perthite: Commonly, it is observed in groups of
aggregates; found in small, angular and irregular braid-
shapes (Fig. 2e). The lattice orientation of braid perthite is
nearly similar to that of host K-feldspar grains. Braid perthite
is restricted only to large grains of K-feldspar and showing
very strong lamellar twinning. The twinning plane of
perthite is also parallel to cleavage plane of host K-feldspar
crystals.
Vein perthite: It is relatively coarse, irregular aggregates
of albitic (plagioclase) veins. Generally, elongated, thick in
the middle portion and terminated with wedge-shape. Their
lattice planes are orientated quasi-parallel to that of their
host K-feldspar grains (Fig. 2f). Irregular vein perthites
occurs in zones. These zones are clusters of vein perthites
with variable thickness. In few cases, characteristic
thickening in the middle portion of the vein perthite due to
irregular blebs of quartz.
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015
)LJXUH
&OLFNKHUHWRGRZQORDGKLJKUHVROXWLRQLPDJH

GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 167

Fig.2. Microphotographs of different types of perthites from Malanjkhand granitoids (a) flame, (b) braid or patch perthite, (c) vein
perthite and some representative perthites from Dongargarh granitoids (d) flame, (e) braid or patch, (f) vein types. Abbreviations:
Perth – perthites, Kfs – K-feldspar, Plag – plagioclase, Qtz – quartz, and Cal – calcite.

The first two varieties of perthites (flame and braid) are
common in both granitoids. However, vein perthite is rarely
observed in the Malanjkhand granitoid and only in fractured
grains of Dongargarh granitoids. Flame and patch perthite
never observed in zones as in vein perthites.
Presence of flame perthite in granitoid rock indicates
relatively high H2O content at low to moderate temperature
conditions (Parsons, 1978) under the influence of differential
stress at the time of their formation (Pryer and Robin, 1995).
The braid or patch perthite crystallized at the expense of
flame perthite (microperthite) causing cracking along
crystal planes (Ramberg, 1972). The coarse, braided, and

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015

168 DINESH PANDIT

irregular grain boundaries of braid perthites indicate temperature exsolution occurs by spinodal mechanism as a
metasomatism and alteration of albite phase in host K- result of elastic distortions of crystal structure in feldspar
feldspar grains during orthomagmatic-hydrothermal fluid (Tullis, 1975). The spacing between flame perthite is very
activities (Worden et al., 1990). Perthitic microstructures sensitive to the initial temperature of exsolution (Yund
form either by exsolution or by replacement which and Chapple, 1980) whereas width of flame perthites
could be a post emplacement processes in granitoid slowly increase with temperature (Yund and Davidson,
rocks (Day and Brown, 1980). The metasomatic processes 1978). In the recent studies, Abart et al. (2009a) discussed
involve re-equilibration of mineral assemblages due to that perthites microstructures reflecting several stages
changes in pressure, temperature and/or physico- of exsolution and coarsening during slow cooling
chemical condition of the host rock (Putnis and Austrheim, where primary exsolution occurred by spinodal
2010). decomposition to form mesoperthite. However, the
spindle perthite are formed by nucleation and growth
mechanism. Further, Abart et al. (2009b) suggested that small
PALEOPIEZOMETER
precipitates with relatively high aspect ratio can grow rapidly
The recrystallized grain size is a function of differential over limited time intervals. The Na-K exchange between
stress applied that allows to be used as a paleopiezometer. perthites and host grain is independent of bulk composition
Presence of flame perthite in granitoids is an indicator of with respective to growth zones, followed by formation of
paleostress and could be used as a paleopiezometer (Pryer coarse grained patch perthite during deuteric alteration
and Robin, 1995). It can also be used as a powerful tool to (Abart et al., 2009a).
quantify the tectonic stress exerted on the host rock at
the time of their formation. The paleopiezometer proposed
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
by Twiss (1977) is more acceptable for flame perthite
considering the elastic parameters of feldspar minerals and Polished thin sections of rock samples containing
width of recrystallized grains. The recrystallized grain size
Table 1. Grain size of flame perthite in Malanjkhand and Dongargarh
paleopiezometer is very useful in examining the tectonic granitoids
processes but precaution has been taken due to some
Sample No. Length Width Differential
limitations such as (i) it represents steady state recrystallizing (µm) (µm) Stress (MPa)
processes and (ii) theoretically, grain size must be more than
Malanjkhand Granitoid
double of its width.
004/18_12 41.9 3.1 163.5
In the Malanjkhand granitoid, the lamellae of perthite 004/18_12 35.7 2.0 200.4
are smaller in size; careful measurements were made using 004/18_12 32.5 1.5 228.1
Leica Qwin image analysis software attached with a Leica 004/18_12 29.5 1.1 262.0
004/18_12 35.3 1.5 221.8
DM4500 petrological microscope at Department of Geology
004/18_12 58.3 3.6 138.9
and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, 004/18_12 67.9 3.8 129.5
India. Observable sizes of flame perthites are considered 004/18_12 52.0 2.7 159.2
for the estimation of differential stress on the Malanjkhand 004/18_12 93.3 4.3 111.4
004/18_12 82.8 3.2 128.3
granitoid. The average size of the lamellae observed is
004/18_12 24.1 1.5 252.5
~50 µm in length having an average width of 2.5 µm. The 004/18_12 46.3 1.7 193.8
estimated differential stress ranges from 111-262 MPa Average 50.0 2.5 182.5
(Table 1) calculated using the formulation of Twiss (1977). Minimum 24.1 1.1 111.4
Maximum 93.3 4.3 262.0
The observed paleostress is nearly equivalents with the
lithostatic pressure 55-179 MPa estimated using fluid Dongargarh Granitoid

inclusion thermo-barometry (Panigrahi and Mookherjee, 115 491.5 19.9 37.6

115 506.9 17.3 39.0
1997). In case of Dongargarh granitoids, the lamellae of
115 550.5 12.8 42.1
perthite are larger in size compared to the Malanjkhand 115 473.0 13.7 43.3
perthites, the relevant length of perthite lamellae ranges 153- 115 405.1 15.3 43.9
550 µm with corresponding width ranges 6-20 µm (Table 115 325.3 10.7 53.5
115 153.4 6.5 81.8
1). A differential stress 38-81 MPa calculated using grain
Average 415.1 13.7 48.7
size paleo-piezometry. Minimum 153.4 6.5 37.6
Yund et al. (1974) suggested that at maximum Maximum 550.5 19.9 81.8

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015

 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 169

feldspar intergrowth microtextures (perthites and
myrmekites) were analyzed with a five spectrometer
CAMECA SX100 Electron Microprobe at EPMA
Laboratory, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata at a
condition of 20 KeV accelerating voltage, 15 nA beam
current, 1 µm beam size and 20 seconds counting time for
major element analysis. All natural silicate standards were
used. A JEOL JSM-5800 scanning electron microscope
(SEM) at Central Research Facilities, Indian Institute of
Technology Kharagpur, India, operated at 20 kV used for
the study of feldspar intergrowth morphology. Samples were
coated with a thin film of gold with help of a Polaron sputter
coater before analysis.
PERTHITE COMPOSITION
Flame and patch perthite are commonly observed in both
granitoids whereas vein perthite rarely occurs. Only, flame
perthite and their corresponding host K-feldspar grain were
analyzed with EPMA for major element oxides
compositions. The major element compositions of flame
perthite and K-feldspar from Malanjkhand and Dongargarh
granitoids are presented in Table 2. The difficulty arises in
analysing the flame perthite from Malanjkhand samples as
they are of small size, however repeated runs were made to
determine the chemical composition.
In Malanjkhand granitoid, composition of flame perthite
comprises of Si content 2.682-2.994, Al content 1.0-1.357,
Ca content <0.211 cations per formula unit (cpfu), Na
content 0.752-1.016, and K content <0.012 cpfu. Most of
the flame perthites are Na-rich with significant quantity of
Ca. The composition of K-feldspar comprises of Si content
2.826-2.989, Al content 1.011-1.239, K content 0.933-0.984,
Na content <0.051 cpfu and Ca is below the detection limit.
In Dongargarh granitoids, composition of flame perthite
comprises of Si content 2.971-2.983, Al content 1.011-1.032,

Table 2. Electron Probe Micro Analysis and structural formulae of perthite (plagioclase) and co-existing K-feldspar from Malanjkhand and Dongargarh
granitoids. Major element oxides are expressed in weight percent and elements are presented in cations per formula unit (cpfu)
Slide No Point# SiO2 Al2O3 CaO Na2O K2O Total Si Al Ca Na K Sum
Malanjkhand Granitoid
41 2 68.63 19.79 0.07 12.06 0.06 100.67 2.982 1.014 0.003 1.016 0.003 5.020
41 5 68.88 19.52 0.08 12.01 0.05 100.55 2.994 1.000 0.004 1.012 0.003 5.013
717 14 66.33 21.11 1.70 10.95 0.08 100.23 2.907 1.091 0.080 0.930 0.004 5.015
Perthite 004/18_12 24 68.30 20.25 0.58 11.71 0.11 100.95 2.962 1.035 0.027 0.985 0.006 5.015
(Plagioclase) 004/18_12 30 64.00 22.80 3.76 9.68 0.08 100.42 2.817 1.183 0.177 0.826 0.004 5.007
78(2) 33 60.06 25.78 4.42 8.69 0.21 99.35 2.682 1.357 0.211 0.752 0.012 5.020
78(2) 36 68.30 20.30 0.64 11.67 0.09 101.32 2.959 1.037 0.030 0.980 0.005 5.014
41 1 64.04 18.37 0 0.43 16.37 100.15 2.988 1.011 0 0.039 0.976 5.014
41 4 64.00 18.46 0 0.30 16.56 100.23 2.985 1.015 0 0.027 0.986 5.014
717 16 64.67 18.49 0 0.30 16.67 100.36 2.989 1.008 0 0.027 0.984 5.012
004/18_12 26 64.40 18.72 0 0.50 16.53 101.16 2.979 1.021 0 0.045 0.976 5.021
K-feldspar 004/18_12 27 64.26 18.57 0 0.42 16.40 100.80 2.985 1.017 0 0.038 0.973 5.012
004/18_12 28 64.14 18.54 0 0.42 16.54 100.48 2.983 1.016 0 0.038 0.982 5.019
004/18_12 29 64.16 18.61 0 0.32 16.65 100.69 2.980 1.019 0 0.029 0.988 5.018
78(2) 34 63.88 19.38 0 0.57 16.18 100.50 2.826 1.239 0 0.038 0.933 5.039
78(2) 37 64.62 18.46 0 0.47 16.44 100.46 2.955 1.057 0 0.051 0.956 5.020
Dongargarh Granitoid
d115 48 68.27 19.91 0.34 11.50 0.15 100.24 2.977 1.024 0.016 0.972 0.008 5.000
d115 49 66.47 19.19 0.16 7.46 7.40 100.88 2.971 1.011 0.008 0.646 0.422 5.058
d115 53 68.47 19.81 0.24 11.38 0.86 100.80 2.979 1.016 0.011 0.960 0.048 5.016
Perthite d115 57 68.53 19.71 0.24 11.81 0.12 100.47 2.983 1.012 0.011 0.997 0.007 5.012
(Plagioclase) d115 59 68.49 19.82 0.18 11.76 0.11 100.37 2.983 1.018 0.008 0.993 0.006 5.008
d115 60 66.45 19.36 0.07 6.91 7.81 100.71 2.971 1.020 0.003 0.599 0.446 5.042
d102 62 68.27 20.06 0.59 11.39 0.04 100.41 2.973 1.030 0.028 0.962 0.002 4.994
d102 70 68.26 20.13 0.72 11.21 0.12 100.57 2.970 1.032 0.034 0.946 0.007 4.990
d115 47 62.91 18.13 0.01 0.23 16.44 97.76 2.984 1.014 0.001 0.021 0.996 5.017
d115 50 64.92 18.46 0 0.19 16.89 100.48 2.994 1.004 0 0.017 0.995 5.010
d115 52 64.35 18.47 0 0.18 16.83 99.94 2.986 1.011 0 0.016 0.997 5.014
K-feldspar d115 55 64.23 18.41 0 0.28 16.87 99.87 2.985 1.009 0 0.025 1.001 5.023
d115 58 64.23 18.17 0 0.27 16.74 99.43 2.995 0.999 0 0.024 0.997 5.016
d102 63 64.46 18.78 0 0.52 16.22 100.02 2.980 1.024 0 0.047 0.958 5.010
d102 67 64.60 18.44 0 0.43 16.27 99.76 2.994 1.008 0 0.039 0.963 5.003

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170 DINESH PANDIT

Ca content <0.034, Na content 0.599-0.997, and K content
<0.048 cpfu. However, in few samples K content (0.422-
0.446 cpfu) is higher possibly due to presence of K-feldspar
inclusions in perthite. Most of the flame perthites are Na-
rich but in some cases significant quantity of K content is
also recorded. The composition of K-feldspar comprises of
Si content 2.984-2.994, Al content 0.999-1.024, K content
0.958-1.001, Na content <0.047 cpfu, and Ca is below
detection limit (Table 2).
Composition of flame perthite from Malanjkhand
granitoid plotted on triangular Ab-Or-An diagram shows
high-albite to high-andesine type (Fig. 3a). In case of
Dongargarh granitoids, flame perthites are high-albite and
two samples are Na-sanidine type (Fig. 3b). The composition
of host K-feldspar in Malanjkhand granitoid ranges Or96.6
to Or98.2 and the same for Dongargarh granitoids with
Or96.9 to Or98.9 (Table 3). Overall, host K-feldspar has more
or less similar composition in both granitoids. Flame
perthites has wider range of compositional variation than
host K-feldspar (Fig. 3a, b), which is uncommon in sub-
solvus granitoids (Worden et al., 1990). This may be a
possible case of deuteric/hydrothermal sub-solidus processes
(Yuguchi and Nishiyama, 2008). Petrographic microphoto-
graphs (Fig. 2a, d) and compositional variations in perthite
grains indicate that deuteric alteration was deeply influenced
these granitoids possibly due to Na-K exchange processes
between perthite and host K-feldspar grain. Systematic
Na-K and Ca-K chemical exchange mechanism is observed
in Ab-Or-An diagrams (Fig. 3a, b) in Malanjkhand as well
as in Dongargarh granitoids. Hence, the mutual replacement
mechanism (Yuguchi and Nishiyama, 2008; Parsons and Lee,
2009; Parsons et al., 2009, 2010) is considered as the
governing factor for the origin of perthites (Appendix:
Reaction 1).
MYRMEKITE MICROSTRUCTURES
Myrmekite is a vermicular or wormy intergrowth or
branching rods of quartz between plagioclase and K-
feldspar. It is one of the most common types of symplectite
(Shelley, 1997). However, since it occurs in various
petrological settings, it is difficult to explain the origin of
myrmekites (Ashworth, 1986). The myrmekite classification
was proposed by Phillips (1974) based on the geological

Table 3. End member mole fractions of perthites (plagioclase) – K-feldspar co-existing pairs and temperature estimated using binary feldspar thermometry
(Benisek et al., 2004) at lithostatic pressure (100 and 200 MPa).
Malanjkhand Granitoid
Slide No 41 41 717 717 004/18_12 004/18_12 004/18_12 004/18_12 78(2) 78(2)
Point# 2 5 12 14 24 24 30 30 33 36
Perthite XAb 0.984 0.983 0.855 0.759 0.902 0.902 0.560 0.560 0.490 0.895
(Plagioclase) XOr 0.005 0.004 0.028 0.006 0.008 0.008 0.005 0.005 0.012 0.007
XAn 0.011 0.013 0.117 0.236 0.089 0.089 0.435 0.435 0.498 0.098
Point# 1 4 13 16 26 27 28 29 34 37
K-feldspar XAb 0.026 0.018 0.024 0.018 0.029 0.025 0.025 0.019 0.034 0.028
XOr 0.974 0.982 0.976 0.982 0.971 0.975 0.975 0.981 0.966 0.972
XAn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P = 1 kb
Ab T(oC ) 414 406 466 535 462 457 683 666 780 466
P = 2 kb
Ab T(oC ) 426 418 466 547 474 468 698 681 797 478
Dongargarh Granitoid
Slide No d115 d115 d115 d115 d115 d115 d102 d102
Point# 48 49 53 57 59 60 62 70
Perthite XAb 0.933 0.491 0.895 0.952 0.962 0.465 0.903 0.878
(Plagioclase) XOr 0.012 0.487 0.068 0.010 0.009 0.526 0.003 0.009
XAn 0.055 0.021 0.038 0.039 0.029 0.009 0.094 0.113
Point# 47 50 52 55 58 58 63 67
K-feldspar XAb 0.014 0.011 0.011 0.016 0.016 0.016 0.031 0.026
XOr 0.985 0.989 0.989 0.984 0.984 0.984 0.969 0.974
XAn 0.001 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P = 1 kb
Ab T(oC ) 422 315 415 417 412 281 466 472
P = 2 kb
Ab T(oC ) 434 324 427 429 424 289 478 484

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 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA
Fig.3. Ternary classification diagram Ab-An-Or for feldspar showing compositional variation in perthites and co-existing K-feldspars in
(a) Malanjkhand granitoids and (b) Dongargarh granitoids.
environment. It is used to identify various types of
myrmekites such as rim, intergranular, lobate, bulbous,
ghost (Collins, 1997a, b, c), and wartlike myrmekite (Collins,
2003).
In the Malanjkhand granitoid, myrmekites are micro-
scopic in scale and characteristically occur along grain
boundaries between plagioclase and K-feldspar crystals. It
is grown inwards from grain boundaries, invading, and
replacing K-feldspar. Quartz rods has bulbous appearance
and branch out in parallel direction away from plagioclase.
Various forms of myrmekites are found in Malanjkhand
granitoid such as ghost, bulbous, rim, wartlike, enclosed,
and intergranular types (Fig. 4a-f). The ghost myrmekite
shown in Fig. 4(a), has grown towards K-feldspar grains.
Altered plagioclase grains associated with ghost myrmekite
indicates deuteric alteration. Typical bulbous type myrmekite
having a size >100 µm observed in Fig. 4(b), in which growth
pattern is towards K-feldspar. Quartz rods are present in
ghost myrmekite as well as in bulbous myrmekite indicating
excess silica precipitation. The grain boundary of plagioclase
migrates towards adjacent K-feldspar grain formed rim
myrmekite structure (Fig. 4c), where inclusions of
saussuritized plagioclase provide strong evidence of deuteric
alteration. The wartlike myrmekite occur between biotite
and K-feldspar grain, and characteristic microcline twining
in K-feldspar indicates low temperature origin (Goldsmith
and Laves, 1954). The intergranular myrmekite is between
grain boundary of untwined K-feldspar and altered
plagioclase characterized by the presence of long trails of
quartz rods.
In Dongargarh granitoids, myrmekitic textures are quite
similar to that of Malanjkhand granitoid but the nature of
JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA, VOL.85, FEB. 2015
171
deuteric alteration in plagioclase is less prominent. Various
types of myrmekites observed in Dongargarh granitoids are
ghost, bulbous, rim, wartlike, enclosed, and intergranular
(Fig. 4d-f). The microscopic intergrowth of quartz,
plagioclase, and K-feldspar is strongly developed. Ghost
and bulbous myrmekites are commonly occur between
plagioclase and K-feldspar grain boundaries. K-feldspar
grain shows cross hatch twining adjacent to untwined
plagioclase grain hosting a rim of myrmekite. The wartlike
myrmekite (Fig. 4d) is characteristically different due to
presence of perthitic K-feldspar and plagioclase with
lamellar twinning. It indicates that myrmekite originated
from primary minerals. The enclosed myrmekite (Fig. 4e)
of size >100 µm is present within the large porphyroclasts
of untwined K-feldspar adjacent to altered biotite. The
location of intergranular myrmekite (Fig. 4f) is completely
restricted to interfaces between K-feldspars and plagioclase,
which is extremely rare feature in Dongargarh granitoids.
Myrmekite is attributed to late-stage deuteric alteration
reaction at moderate to low temperature between K-feldspar
and plagioclase with intergrowth of vermicular quartz.
MYRMEKITE COMPOSITION
Various types of myrmekites and their corresponding host
K-feldspar grain were analyzed with EPMA for major
element oxides composition. The major element
compositions of myrmekites and K-feldspar grains from
Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids are presented in
Table 4.
The composition of myrmekites in Malanjkhand
granitoid is Si content 2.994-2.908, Al content 1.002-1.090,
)LJXUH
&OLFNKHUHWRGRZQORDGKLJKUHVROXWLRQLPDJH

172 DINESH PANDIT

Fig.4. Microphotographs of various types of myrmekites from Malanjkhand granitoids: (a) ghost, (b) bulbous, (c) rim; and some
representative myrmekites from Dongargarh granitoids: (d) warlike, (e) enclosed, and (f) intergranular types. Abbreviations:
Myrm – myrmekite; Kfs – K-feldspar, Plag – plagioclase, and Qtz – quartz.

Ca content <0.085, Na content <1.017, and K content <0.046
apfu but in sample no 41 (spot no 7) having 8.78 wt % of
K2O, quite high compared to other analysis. SiO2 content in
sample no 78(2) is low whereas in sample no 41 it is high,
possibly due to silica mobilization during formation of
myrmekites. Most of the myrmekites are Na-rich while some
of them have significant quantity of Ca. The composition of
K-feldspar present along with myrmekites comprises of Si
content 2.985 2.989, Al content 1.011-1.019, K content
0.971-0.983, Na content <0.039 apfu, and Ca content is
below detection limit.
In Dongargarh granitoids, the myrmekites have Si
content 2.884-2.964, Al content 1.031-1.098, Ca content
<0.108, Na content 0.793-0.972, and K content <0.007, but

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 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 173

Table 4. Electron Probe Micro Analysis and structural formulae of myrmekite (plagioclase) – K-feldspar co-existing pairs from Malanjkhand and
Dongargarh granitoids. Major element oxides are expressed in weight percent and elements are presented in cations per formula unit (cpfu)
Slide No Point# SiO2 Al2O3 CaO Na2O K2O Total Si Al Ca Na K Sum
Malanjkhand Granitoid
41 3 68.30 19.39 0.07 11.83 0.07 99.66 2.994 1.002 0.003 1.006 0.004 5.009
41 6 68.97 19.75 0.13 11.68 0.07 100.60 2.991 1.010 0.006 0.982 0.004 4.996
41 7 81.98 10.35 0 0.15 8.78 101.26 - - - - - -
717 9 67.22 21.19 0.86 10.57 0.83 100.67 2.921 1.086 0.040 0.891 0.046 5.000
717 11 69.20 20.17 0.37 11.61 0.07 101.42 2.979 1.024 0.017 0.969 0.004 4.995
Myrmekite 717 12 66.57 20.01 0.77 11.23 0.37 98.95 2.949 1.045 0.037 0.965 0.021 5.021
(Plagioclase) 717 15 68.65 20.08 0.33 11.78 0.07 100.91 2.973 1.025 0.015 0.989 0.004 5.010
004/18_12 19 66.90 21.26 1.82 10.88 0.08 100.94 2.908 1.090 0.085 0.917 0.004 5.007
004/18_12 22 68.65 19.83 0.08 12.08 0.09 100.73 2.981 1.015 0.004 1.017 0.005 5.023
78(2) 32 49.75 36.94 1.27 7.70 0.54 96.20 - - - - - -
78(2) 35 40.43 46.24 1.64 5.69 0.16 94.16 - - - - - -
41 1 64.04 18.37 0 0.43 16.37 99.21 2.988 1.011 0 0.039 0.976 5.014
41 4 64.00 18.46 0 0.30 16.56 99.32 2.985 1.015 0 0.027 0.986 5.014
717 8 64.62 18.50 0 0.41 16.64 100.17 3.485 0.519 0 0.012 0.477 4.499
717 10 65.11 18.66 0 0.30 16.76 100.83 2.989 1.009 0 0.037 0.983 5.017
K-feldspar 717 13 64.95 18.76 0 0.40 16.61 100.72 2.989 1.010 0 0.027 0.983 5.010
717 17 64.66 18.56 0 0.39 16.42 100.03 2.989 1.008 0 0.027 0.984 5.012
717 18 64.30 18.56 0 0.40 16.40 99.66 2.988 1.011 0 0.035 0.969 5.007
004/18_12 23 64.09 18.56 0 0.36 16.33 99.34 2.985 1.016 0 0.036 0.972 5.011
004/18_12 25 64.70 18.80 0 1.40 14.94 99.84 2.985 1.019 0 0.033 0.971 5.008
Dongargarh Granitoid
d115 40 65.57 21.18 2.30 11.06 0.08 100.19 2.884 1.098 0.108 0.943 0.004 5.040
d115 44 67.25 20.09 0.58 11.36 0.06 99.34 2.961 1.043 0.027 0.970 0.003 5.004
Myrmekite d102 83 65.01 20.39 0.59 9.97 0.73 96.69 2.941 1.087 0.029 0.874 0.042 4.974
(Plagioclase) d135 89 67.42 19.94 0.52 9.87 3.51 101.26 2.955 1.031 0.024 0.839 0.197 5.047
d135 93 58.33 18.16 0.32 8.05 0.10 84.96 2.964 1.088 0.017 0.793 0.006 4.885
d135 96 66.66 20.03 1.25 11.36 0.12 99.42 2.943 1.042 0.059 0.972 0.007 5.026
d115 41 64.28 18.43 0 0.34 16.92 99.97 2.985 1.009 0 0.031 1.003 5.028
d115 46 64.22 18.29 0 0.29 16.75 99.55 2.989 1.004 0 0.026 0.996 5.018
K-feldspar d102 84 64.69 18.50 0 0.37 16.47 100.03 2.992 1.009 0 0.033 0.973 5.007
d135 88 64.04 17.97 0 0.22 16.81 99.04 2.998 0.992 0 0.020 1.005 5.017
d135 94 64.14 17.89 0 0.19 16.82 99.04 3.003 0.988 0 0.017 1.006 5.014

in sample no d102 the K content 0.197 apfu is relatively
high compared to other analysis. The composition of
K-feldspar associated with myrmekites comprises Si
content 2.985-3.003, Al content 0.992-1.042, K content
0.973 1.006, Na content <0.033, and Ca content is below
detection limit.
Composition of myrmekites plotted on triangular
Ab-Or-An diagram indicates variation from high-albite to
high-oligoclase (Ab74.5 to Ab98.3) in Malanjkhand granitoids
(Fig. 5a) which is also similar (Ab 68.4 to Ab 90.3) for
Dongargarh granitoids (Fig.5b). The composition of K-
feldspar in Malanjkhand varies from Or91.4 to Or97.8 and in
Dongargarh it is Or97.8 to Or98.9 (Table 5). This indicates a
restricted composition in both the granitoids (Fig. 5a-b) as
a result of minimum hydrothermal alteration which is also
supported in microphotographs (Fig. 4a-f). In present
study, Si and Al content in myrmekites are variable in wide
ranges, which suggest that silica remobilization was
relatively higher during deuteric/hydrothermal alterations.
In the present study, a combine effect of Na-K and
Ca-K simultaneous replacement mechanism (Yuguchi and
Nishiyama, 2007, 2008; Parsons and Lee, 2009; Parsons et
al., 2009, 2010) is observed among all varieties of
myrmekites and also considered as one of the most
common chemical exchange reaction between K-feldspar
and plagioclase grains (Fig. 5a, b). The overall reaction is
an open system (Appendix: Reactions 1, 2 and 3). The
evidence of K-feldspar replacement during myrmekitization
is also supported by microphotographs in Fig. 4(a-f) where
myrmekite grows inwards into K-feldspar grain.
TWO FELDSPAR GEOTHERMOMETRY
Physical parameters like pressure and temperature plays
most significant role in partitioning of the elements between
plagioclase and K-feldspar. It may also attain kinetic

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174 DINESH PANDIT

Table 5. End member mole fractions of myrmekite (plagioclase) – K-feldspar co-existing pairs and temperature estimated
using binary feldspar thermometry (Benisek et al., 2004) at lithostatic pressure (100 and 200 MPa).
Malanjkhand Granitoid
Slide No 41 41 717 717 717 717 004/18_12 004/18_12
Point# 3 6 9 11 12 15 19 22
Myrmekite XAb 0.983 0.973 0.806 0.935 0.855 0.942 0.745 0.980
(Plagioclase) XOr 0.006 0.006 0.063 0.006 0.028 0.006 0.005 0.007
XAn 0.012 0.022 0.131 0.06 0.117 0.053 0.249 0.013
Point# 1 4 8 10 13 17 23 25
K-feldspar XAb 0.026 0.018 0.024 0.018 0.024 0.023 0.022 0.086
XOr 0.974 0.982 0.976 0.982 0.976 0.977 0.978 0.914
XAn 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P = 1 kb
o
Ab T( C ) 415 411 497 431 466 433 550 475
P = 2 kb
Ab T(oC ) 427 422 509 442 466 445 563 488
Dongargarh Granitoid
Slide No d115 d115 d102 d135 d135 d135
Point# 40 44 83 89 93 96
Myrmekite XAb 0.703 0.903 0.839 0.684 0.916 0.813
(Plagioclase) XOr 0.005 0.005 0.061 0.243 0.011 0.009
XAn 0.292 0.092 0.099 0.072 0.073 0.179
Slide No d115 d115 d102 d135 d135 d135
Point# 41 46 84 88 94 94
K-feldspar XAb 0.020 0.017 0.022 0.013 0.011 0.011
XOr 0.980 0.983 0.978 0.987 0.989 0.989
XAn 0 0 0 0 0 0
P = 1 kb
Ab T(oC ) 574 447 471 444 429 490
P = 2 kb
Ab T(oC ) 587 458 479 694 717 588

equilibrium during cooling. Hence, application of two DISCUSSION

feldspar thermometry within the calibration range is
considered for formation of intergrowth microtexture
between K-feldspar and plagioclase. Flame perthite (albite-
rich) within host K-feldspar is considered as co-existing
pairs forming binary feldspar solid solution. The formulation
of two feldspar thermometry (Benisek et al. 2004) is
applicable for estimating the temperature of flame perthite
formation. The calculated differential stress on granitoids
as discussed above is considered as lithostatic pressure at
which flame perthite was formed. A range of temperature
406-780oC at 100 MPa is estimated for the formation of
flame perthite in Malanjkhand granitoid (Table 3). Similarly,
a range of temperature 281-472oC at 100 MPa is estimated
for Dongargarh granitoids (Table 3). Suitable co-existing
pairs of myrmekites (albite-rich) and host K-feldspar is also
considered for two feldspar thermometry. A range of
temperature 411-550oC at 100 MPa for Malanjkhand and
429-574oC at 100 MPa for Dongargarh granitoids calculated
for the formation myrmekites (Table 5).
Formation of various microtextures within feldspars
were related with the cooling of granitic magma and post
emplacement conditions. The origin of perthite and
myrmekite intergrowth microtextures in granitoid rocks is
highly debatable. Many researchers have used these
microtextures as a tool to study the cooling history of the
rocks (Harlov and Wirth, 2000; Nanda et al., 2009), which
is also related to exsolution and hydrothermal sub-solidus
processes. Feldspars in granitic rock are highly turbid to
some extent due to deuteric alterations, which occurred
during the cooling of the rock through interactions either
with deuteric or hydrothermal solutions (Worden et al.,
1990). Intergrowth features between two different feldspars
are common in these rocks such as perthites and myrmekites.
There are different types of perthites, among them, flame
and patch perthite having characteristic features associated
with their physicochemical conditions. Flame perthite is one
of the important intergrowth between albite and K-feldspar
(Stel, 1986) and its growth is dependent on the presence of

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 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 175

Fig.5. Chemical compositions in various types of myrmekites and co-existing K-feldspars from (a) Malanjkhand granitoids and
(b) Dongargarh granitoids.

H2O (Parsons, 1978). A stress environment appears to favor
the formation of perthite, where aqueous fluid pressure was
significantly lower than lithostatic pressure during their
formation (Pryer and Robin, 1995).
Petrographic observations suggest that formation of
flame perthite in the Malanjkhand and the Dongargarh
granitoids was dominantly due to the Na-K ion exchange
mechanism between K-feldspar and plagioclase. A simplified
path of flame perthite formation was computed using
mineral-mineral equilibria calculation by Na-K exchange
reaction (Appendix: Reaction 1) which indicates enrichment
of Na content in albite with decreasing temperature in
Malanjkhand granitoid, whereas, it increases with rise in
temperature for Dongargarh granitoids (Fig. 6a). In
Malanjkhand granitoid, perthite formation started around
800 oC at a lithostatic pressure of 260 MPa with rapid cooling
and continued to late stage hydrothermal alterations around
400 oC in upper crustal level. On the other hand, flame
perthites formed in Dongargarh granitoids within restricted
range of temperature 472-315 oC at a lithostatic pressure
<100 MPa with more or less similar reactions mechanism
for flame perthite formations but continued <500 oC. More
Ca-rich perthite having high An-content indicate a higher
temperature of formation (Yund and Ackermand, 1979).
However, in both the cases, there is no significant effect of
Ca-K reaction (Appendix: Reaction 2) during the formation
of perthites. Simplified computed trends of the flame perthite
growth and the effect of temperature on their composition
are shown in the Ab (mole %) versus temperature diagram
(Fig. 6b).

Fig.6. A mineral-mineral equilibria calculation shows: (a) equilibrium constant versus T (oC) during and (b) Composition of perthite
(Ab mole %) versus T (oC) during perthite formation. Symbols, solid circle represent Malanjkhand and empty circle for Dongargarh
granitoids, respectively.

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176 DINESH PANDIT

Fig.7. A mineral-mineral equilibria calculation shows: (a) equilibrium constant versus temperature (oC) during and (b) Composition of
myrmekite (Ab mole %) versus temperature (oC) during myrmekite formation. Symbols as discussed in Fig. 6.

Petrographic and thermobarometric calculations suggest

that formation of myrmekites in the Malanjkhand granitoid
possibly due to the mutual replacement processes between
K-feldspar and plagioclase by coupled Na-K and Ca-K
exchange mechanism at low to moderate (422-563 oC)
temperature conditions (Fig. 7a, b). A simplified computed
path for myrmekitization indicates Na-enrichment during
cooling of these granitoids. Yuguchi and Nishiyama (2008)
suggested a systematic increase in SiO2 proportion in
myrmekite with decomposition of host K-feldspar which is
related to albitization of plagioclase via diffusive transport
mechanism. The equilibrium constant for the formation of
myrmekite is highly non-linear with respect to temperature
estimated using mineral-mineral equilibria calculation for
couple reactions (Appendix: Reaction 3). It indicates that
myrmekitization is not only depends on the temperature but
there are some other physicochemical parameters such as
original Ca content of alkali-feldspar (Philips, 1964) and
presence of H2O (Parsons, 1978) may be also responsible
for its formation.
SEM images are taken to study the morphology of
feldspar intergrowth microtextures. Perthitic intergrowths
behave as a single phase, incoherent subgrains of low albite
and microcline, with micropores at their boundaries.
Intracrystal microtextures in K-feldspar are anhedral in
shape, elongated flames as well as patches are observed
(Fig. 8a). Microgranular cavities and dissolution
Fig.8. BSE images in a polished thin section shows morphology
microtextures are well developed during growth of
of intergrowth microtextures in K-feldspar from
myrmekites. Myrmekitic intergrowth comprises of various
Malanjkhand granitoid. (a) Ab-rich flame perthite with
phases, micropores of SiO2 with incoherent sub-grains relatively broad lamellae and straight exsolution lamellae
of albite and microcline (Fig. 8b). In BSE images, of albite in K-feldspar. (b) Higher magnification image of
morphological features of perthite and myrmekite myrmekite intergrowth showing exsolution pits in K-
intergrowths indicates that mutual replacement processes feldspar grain.

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 GEOCHEMISTRY OF FELDSPAR INTERGROWTH MICROTEXTURES FROM GRANITOIDS IN CENTRAL INDIA 177

Fig.9. SEM images in a polished thin section shows intergrowth microtextures in K-feldspar from Dongargarh granitoids. (a) Intergrowth
microtexture shows transitions between braid perthite and K-feldspar. Braid perthite forms a regular, fine-scale intergrowth with
‘threads’ of microcline enclosing ‘lozenges’ of albite. Grain boundary is marked by dark grey line represent a calcite veins.
(b) Compositional variation in myrmekite microtexture with intergranular SiO2-rich veins. Albite is dark grey and microcline is
light grey.

in K-feldspar was one of the possible mechanism by which
these microtextures had developed (Pryer and Robin, 1995;
Yuguchi and Nishiyama, 2007, 2008; Parsons and Lee, 2009;
Parsons et al., 2009, 2010).
Flame perthite has changed to coarser braid perthite in
large K-feldspar crystal have pervasively recrystallized by
dissolution-reprecipitation reactions. Although perthitic
microtextures developed in primary K-feldspar, in some
cases, entire crystals are composed of flame perthite. But in
SEM images, it is clear that these are relics of braid perthite
(Fig. 9a). Further, regular boundaries are also observed
which marked the outlines of ghost myrmekite intergrowth
(Fig. 9b). Rod- and granular-shaped SiO2-rich phase
observed as more grey colour feature within myrmekite.

Fig.10. Plots of chemical variations with temperature related to intergrowth of feldspar microtextures in the Malanjkhand (MG) and
Dongargarh granitoids (DG): (a) SiO2 vs. T (oC), (b) Al2O3 vs. T (oC), (c) CaO vs. T (oC), and (d) Na2O vs. T (oC) with arrow
mark showing cooling path.

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178 DINESH PANDIT
Intergranular fluid infiltrated along grain boundaries and
limited deuteric/sub-solidus reactions with huge volume of
K-feldspar subject to mutual replacement caused
development of myrmekites in granitoids (Yuguchi and
Nishiyama, 2007, 2008).
CONCLUSIONS
The careful petrographic observation of K-feldspar and
plagioclase reveals the presence of various types of perthites
(flame, patch, and vein) and myrmekites (ghost, rim,
bulbous, intergranular, wartlike, and enclosed). Intergrowth
phases are mostly albitic hosted in K-feldspar crystals.
Deuteric alteration of nearby plagioclase provide sufficient
amount of Na in the growth of perthites (Pryer and Robin,
1995). However, coarser perthites, particularly vein and
patch types are usually associated with areas of hydrothermal
alteration and followed by deuteric coarsening below ~400
o
C temperature (Parsons and Brown, 1984). On the basis of
chemical composition and mineral equilibria calculation, it
is suggested that flame perthite has originated by exsolution
mechanism imposed by differential stress on the host rock
and subsequent growth of coarser perthites (braids and patch
types) was controlled by deuteric/hydrothermal sub-solidus
reactions. Thermobarometric calculations indicates that
myrmekite formation under moderate to high temperature
conditions (420-570 oC) influenced by mutual exchange
mechanism between K-feldspar and plagioclase.
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 182 DINESH PANDIT

APPENDIX

K-feldspar replacement by albite réactions:

KAlSi3O8 + Na+ = NaAlSi3O8 + K+ (A1)
The equilibrium constants for all the above reactions are:

ln K1 = ln ( a K + / a Na + ) + ln ( a Ab ) − ln ( a Kf ) (A2)
(A3)
ln ( a Na + / a K + ) = − ln K1 + ln ( a Ab ) − ln ( a Kf )

Equilibrium constant is calculated using SUPCRT92 software for reaction (A1)

At P = 2 kbar, log K1 = −3 × 10−9 T 3 + 8 × 10−6 T 2 − 6.4 × 10−3 T + 2.3668 (A4)

K-feldspar replacement by anorthite réactions:

2KAlSi3O8 + Ca2+ = CaAl2Si2O8 + 4SiO2 + 2K+ (A5)

ln K 2 = ln ( aK2 + / aCa 2 + ) + ln ( a An ) + 4 ln ( aQtz ) − 2 ln ( aKf ) (A6)

ln ( aCa 2+ / a K2 + ) = − ln K 2 + ln ( a An ) + 4 ln ( aQtz ) − 2 ln ( aKf ) (A7)

Equilibrium constant is calculated using SUPCRT92 software for reaction (A5)

At P = 2 kbar, log K = −2 × 10−7 T 3 + 3 × 10−4 T 2 − 2.573 × 10−1T + 95.633 (A8)
2

Combination of reaction (A1) and reaction (A5):

(2m+n)KAlSi3O8 + mCa2+ + nNa+ = (mCaAl2Si2O8 + nNaAlSi3O8) + 4mSiO2 + (2m+n)K+ (A9)

ln K 3 = m × ln K 2 + n × ln K1 (A10)

Where m & n are stoichimetric co-efficient of Ca2+ and Na+ ions in the reaction

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