Alterations of plagioclases of the rhyodacites from the serra geral formation (JKsg) of Piraju (SP) Brazil

Abstract

The Piraju (SP) Brazil area is geologicaly characterized by a great distribution of basic and acid rocks from the "Serra Geral" Formation. Basic rocks have been extensively studied as to their processes and products of alteration. However, published material on the same subject related to volcanic acid rocks is scarce. This research exposes results of studies made in petrologic, mineralogical and micromorphological volcanic acid rocks (rhyodacites of the Serra Geral Formation), in the alterations developed above these rocks, making the mineralogical evolution of plagioclases clear. The rhyodacites of the Serra Geral Formation (JKsg) possess in their mineralogical composition about 60-65% of plagioclases, (macro and fenocrystals) configuring the most important part of their constitution. The study of the alteration of these plagioclases offers important information in relation to the alteration of the rock and related soils. Results obtained by optic microscopy, X-ray diffraction allied to chemical qualitative and semi-quantitative determinations by scanning eletronic microscopy (SEM) analyses allowed important interpretations and conclusions on the evolution of the alteration of the plagioclases: a) through not very intense weathering processes, that is, through a partial hydrolysis process (monossialitization) the plagioclase crystals developed mostly to kaolinite and secondarily to mica and haloysite; b) through, intense weathering processes, that is, through a total hydrolysis process (alitization) the plagioclase crystals developed to gibbsite.