Micas of the muscovite–lepidolite series from Karibib pegmatites, Namibia

Abstract

Abstract Micas of the muscovite–lepidolite series are main constituents of the evolved pegmatites from the Okatjimukuju-Kaliombo portion of the Karibib belt, Namibia. The compositional variations shown by the micas from the intermediate zones are mainly controlled by the Li 3 Al -1 □ -2 and SiLi 2 Al -2 □ -1 substitution schemes, whereas for the micas from the core margins and the replacement bodies, only the first of these two exchange vectors seems to operate. The chemical composition of the micas not only depends on the degree of pegmatite evolution, but also on the position in the internal zonation of the pegmatite. Micas from the core margins and the replacement units are generally richer in F, Li, Rb, Cs and Zn than those from the intermediate zones. In general, the contents of these elements increase with decreasing K/Rb ratio. However, some data departing from this general trend are also observed, which could be related to subsolidus processes. Some pegmatite bodies show a complete internal evolution, developed from the margins to the core zone, which is reflected in the chemical composition of the micas. The regional distribution of pegmatites does not define a zonation, because an overlapping of pegmatites with different degrees of evolution occurs. This could be due to the high level of evolution attained by most of the rare-element pegmatites, and to their topography with respect to a dome structure of the basement.