Abstract (eng)
The two phosphate minerals, monazite (CePO4) and xenotime (YPO4) are extraordinary qualified for applying in-situ geochronology. This study aimed at characterizing
these accessory minerals in a prograde, upper amphibolite to granulite facies metapelite sequence with respect to their petrological, textural and chemical properties, prior applying
any destructive analytical methods of in-situ U-Th-Pb dating. Textural characterization using
scanning electron microscope indicated homogenous and zoned types of monazite and xenotime, whereas electron microprobe analyses revealed that the zoning in both minerals is primarily affecting HREE and Y. Irregular zoning in the case of monazite commonly displays lighter inner zone (Th ± U, older?) and darker outer zone (Y+HREE), which reflects age and thermal differences. Homogeneous monazites chemically correspond to darker, Y+HREE enriched zone in zoned monazites which equilibrated in 550-670 °C temperature range, as calculated by Y+HREE monazite-xenotime thermometer. Zoned xenotime, observed as inclusion within apatite or garnet, has HREE enriched rim and Y enriched core. Homogeneous xenotimes correspond to HREE enriched zones. YAG-xenotime thermometer yield
temperatures in range of ca. 560-730 °C, which is in good agreement with Y+HREE monazite-xenotime thermometer and, in some cases, with thermometer based on distribution
coefficient of Gd (DGd) between coexisting monazite and xenotime. Based on criteria for textural and compositional equilibrium between coexisting monazite and xenotime, a
monazite-xenotime pair was presented as a potential candidate for in-situ U-Th-Pb dating.