Nova Scotia comparison

Meguma Terrane, Nova Scotia, 2002
A comparison of gold deposits across eastern Nova Scotia
Carbonate samples from Isaac's Mine

Kingsley Burlinson,
Burlinson Geochemical Services Pty. Ltd.
Darwin, NT, Australia

These carbonate samples show intense decrepitation at high temperature which is difficult to interpret.

carbonate decrepitation

RUN   H1755 1499K = 2021K        med grain massive white carbonate
RUN   H1756 1499L = 2021L        Coarse grain white carbonate & pale grey qz
RUN   H1757 1499M = 2021M     Very Coarse grain cream carbonate

In comparison, here are some results from other carbonates in Tunisia, Queensland and Ontario. Almost all carbonates give intense decrepitation, but the temperatures of decrepitation do not seem to be related to mineral formation temperatures.

Carbonates frequently show intense high temperature decrepitation and the inclusions in carbonates are probably trapped on cleavage planes. The decrepitation pattern may well be a function of the mineral cleavage and reflect extreme stretching due to ductility or weak crystal bonding across the cleavage plane. It seems unlikely that these decrepitation temperatures represent fluid trapping temperatures. Microthermometric temperature measurements on the carbonate from Bou Jaber, Tunisia, are 90-120° C

carbonate comparisons