ABSTRACT Stable natural graphene occurs in graphite- and phyllosilicate-bearing low-grade metamorphic rocks. The present work simulates the process of geological formation of graphene using a piston-cylinder apparatus, promoting diffusion between talc and graphite at 700ºC and 900 MPa for a period of 24 h. The experimental products were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy for description of the microstructures formed between the mineral precursors. The talc-graphite diffusion zone was also analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Results indicate that graphite becomes progressively more deformed near the talc diffusion zone and eventually undergoes cleavage. Graphene becomes stable on the talc substrate in the center of diffusion zone. Therefore, the search for deposits of natural graphene and other nanomaterials in geological context is promising.

Abstract We present new high-resolution 40Ar/39Ar ages for alkaline layered gabbros and cross-cutting mafic-ultramafic and felsic dykes from the São Sebastião Island, in the northern sector of the Serra do Mar Alkaline Province, São Paulo, Brazil. Duplicate analysis of single kaersutite crystals yielded plateau ages of 88 ± 1 and 87.9 ± 0.8 Ma for a gabbro and 87 ± 1 and 86.0 ± 0.8 Ma for a picrite dyke. Two biotite aliquots from a trachyte yielded ages of 86.0 ± 0.5 and 86.2 ± 0.5 Ma, while an alkali feldspar concentrate yielded ages of 86.0 ± 0.5 Ma. The similar ages obtained for minerals with contrasting closure temperatures suggest that the results are crystallization ages and that the rocks were emplaced at shallow crustal levels. Our results, along with available high-resolution data, point to a relatively narrow time span (ca. 88-85 ± 0.6 Ma) for the entire alkaline magmatism on the island. Other alkaline occurrences both nearby and in the continent’s interior reveal similar ages, reinforcing the hypothesis that mantle decompression and upwelling of heterogeneous mantle sources led to crustal extension and fast ascension of a variety of alkaline magma types in this segment of South America.

Abstract The Luminárias Nappe was formed in the agglutination of West Gondwana. A high-pressure metamorphic gradient oblique to the geological contacts is recorded in metapelitic rocks from this Nappe. In the northern portion, the metamorphic peak conditions are at high-pressure lower-amphibolite facies at 580 ± 4°C and ca. 0.9 GPa (Chl + Ky + St + Ms + Qtz + Rt); in the central portion, they are at high-pressure amphibolite facies at 600 ± 15°C and 1.1 ± 0.3 GPa (St + Bt + Grt + Ms + Qtz + Rt); and in the southern portion, they reach the eclogite facies at 630 ± 13°C and 1.4 ± 0.6 GPa (St + Ky + Grt + Ms + Qtz + Rt). Clockwise metamorphic P-T-t paths are registered in the studied rocks, with temperature and pressure increase followed by a strong decompression with retrograde phases as chloritoid (northern portion), chlorite and ilmenite (central portion) and biotite, chlorite and ilmenite (southern portion). U-Th-PbT monazite ages range from 632 ± 4 Ma (southern portion) to 600 ± 8 Ma (northern portion included crystals in garnet and staurolite). The metamorphic age, the high-pressure conditions calculated in this paper and the clockwise metamorphic path indicate that the tectonic evolution of the Luminárias Nappe rocks is tightly associated with the subduction and collision processes of the southern Brasília belt. The overprint of the younger Ribeira belt is interpreted to be responsible for rock pile tilting, thus producing the oblique metamorphic gradient.

Abstract We present pressure calibration results for piston-cylinder –” and 1” high temperature furnace assemblies in the 200-600 MPa range aiming to expand its applicability to simulate upper crustal conditions. The furnace assemblies were made up by crushable MgO, graphite heater, pyrex glass spacer, and NaCl sleeve. Twenty-one experiments were carried out over a range of pressures (200-600 MPa) and temperatures (870-945°C) to determine the liquidus curve of NaCl. The obtained curve slope fits that given by Siewert et al. (1998), but offsets by ~ -55 MPa, implying the need of a constant P upward correction in the 300-600 MPa and ca. 300-400 MPa pressure ranges for the 3/4” and 1” assemblies, respectively. However, if the NaCl melting points (918-920°C) obtained by Bohlen (1984) at 500 MPa are used as reference, no pressure correction is needed. Larger offsets (to -120 MPa) were obtained under pressure conditions around and lower than 300 MPa with the 1” assembly. Our results confirm the applicability of Bristol-type end-loaded piston-cylinders coupled with appropriate furnace assemblies in assessing relatively low-pressure conditions (down to ~ 200 MPa, ~ 7 km depth) found in the Earth’s upper crust, where important magmatic, hydrothermal and metamorphic processes occur.

ABSTRACT: Syn-orogenic Neoproterozoic granitic magmatism (ca. 630-600 Ma) in southern Brasília Orogen includes large batholiths of compositionally expanded high-K calc-alkaline granites (lato sensu) and small occurrences constituted by anatetic leuco-granites associated to the regional metamorphism. We present petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data for a representative sample of the Bragança Paulista-type granite and estimates for magmatic crystallization conditions. The sample corresponds to a porphyritic hornblende-biotite monzogranite (CI ≈ 20) comprising perthitic microcline megacrysts within a medium-grained matrix with plagioclase (An 30 Ab 70 ), quartz, microcline and mafic minerals. The main mafic minerals are biotite (0.51 ≤ mg# ≤ 0.57) and Ca-amphibole (potassic-magnesio-hastingsite, 0.47 ≤ mg# ≤ 0.52), with similar volumes; accessory phases (ca. 2 vol.%) are Fe-Ti oxides (ferrian ilmenite, titanohematite, hematite and magnetite), allanite, apatite, zircon, titanite and sulphides. Our results indicate crystallization at 510 ± 60 MPa and temperatures from ca. 970ºC (close-to-liquidus) to 755 ± 45ºC (close-to-solidus), under oxidizing conditions, compatible with 0 ≤ ΔNNO ≤ +1. Estimated water and halogen fugacity ratios are ƒ H2O /ƒ HF ≥ 10 5.8 , 10 3.5 ≤ ƒ H2O /ƒ HCl ≤ 10 3.8 and ƒ HF /ƒ HCl ≤ 10 -2.2 . The obtained pressure, integrated with available regional geobarometric data, suggests a relative uplift rate about 0.2-0.3 (km/Ma) from the main regional metamorphism to the post-orogenic magmatism in the area.

ABSTRACT: The Poços de Caldas Alkaline Massif, located in southeast Brazil, is composed of tinguaites, as well as phonolites and nepheline syenites (NeS), together with assorted pyroclastic rocks. The latter constitute deposits within the Vale do Quartel, and show fragments of alkaline rocks (NeS, tinguaites), basaltic and ultramafic volcanics/subvolvanics, sandstones, and quartz-feldspathic rocks from the crystalline basement. NeS fragments with melanite, previously unknown, and cm-sized fragments of phlogopite megacrysts from related conduit breccia were chosen for detailed studies. The NeS fragments are medium- to coarse grained and contain K-feldspar (Or 95-83 ), secondary albite (Ab 97 ), altered nepheline, clinopyroxene (diopside, minor hedenbergite) and partially altered, zoned, idiomorphic melanite. These NeS fragments are typically metaluminous, and point to the existence of similar intrusions hidden at depth, an important input to the massif’s petrology. The phlogopite megacrysts are compositionally homogeneous, with high Ti, Mg and Al contents; Ba and F are minor components. Two phlogopite aliquots were dated and yielded identical 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau ages of 87.1(± 0.5) Ma and 86.6(± 0.5) Ma, which represent minimum and maximum values for phlogopite crystallization and breccia emplacement, respectively. Previously obtained ages for the Poços de Caldas rocks are concentrated in the 75-86 Ma range interval.