Graphite Occurrences in Southern Kerala: Characteristics and Genesis

Graphite is commonly associated with the metapelites of upper amphibolite to granulite grade in the Kerala Khondalite Belt (KKB). A number of distinct associations of graphite are identified in this study such as: (I) strataboundand stratiform disseminations in metapelites, (2) veins, coarse flakes, pods and lenses associated with pegmatites, (3) enrichment along shear zones, (4) flakes and books in calc-silicate-charnockite associations and (5) residual concentrations in weathered rocks and laterites. While graphite disseminations in the metapelites (khondalites) occur as small flakes oriented parallel to the metamorphic fabric, the vein and pegmatite hosted graphites are found as coarse Rakes and books. Graphite which fills mesoscopic shears and faults also form coarse aggregates. X-ray diffraction studies indicate a high degree of crystallographic ordering for all the graphite types. Scanning Electron Microscopy reveals perfect crystal forms for graphites from the vein and pegmatite assemblages. Carbon stable isotope analysis of twenty three graphite samples are presented. The disseminated graphite yielded δ¹³C values in the range of -17.5 to -32.1 per mil, characteristic of biogenic origin. Graphite associated with pegmatites shows δ¹³C in the range of -10 to -15.1%, while those from shear planes have values ranging from -8.2 to -12.4%. Heavier carbon enrichment in these cases is suggestive of precipitation from CO₂-rich fluids. The mechanisms which lead to the precipitation of graphite from CO₂-rich fluids are evaluated. Thermodynamic considerations indicate that introduction of CO₂-rich fluids into country rocks under low fO₂, will result in the precipitationof graphite on a quantitative basis. The vein-, pegmatite-, and shear-hosted graphite in Kerala may therefore represent large scale infiltration of CO₂,-rich fluids along structurally controlled pathways.