Theory of Immiscibility in Mineral Systems

Abstract

The theoretical basis for the stability of binary and quasi-binary solutions is discussed with special emphasis on miscibility relations. Solutions of the distribution equations are presented for the case of two and three coexisting regular solutions and this model is used to illustrate the energetics of miscibility relations. The same principles are then extended to give a qualitative interpretation to sequences of mineral assemblages consisting of pyroxenes, amphiboles, micas, and feldspars. A formulation is presented for the intrinsic stability of a solution, which depends on the presence or absence of an excess free energy of mixing, and the extrinsic stability of a solution, which depends on the standard free energy of the component end members.