Saline fluid inclusions in magnesite of listvenite in Ethiopia: Carbonization through seawater-serpentinite interaction

Abstract

Listvenite, a carbonated rock in serpentinite, consisits of carbonate, talc, and quartz. Sophia et al. (2017 IGR) reported listvenite associated with the Neoproterozoic metamorphic sedimentary rocks in Ethiopia. There are many primary saline fluid inclusions in the magnesite (2.3% NaCl). Serpentinite reacted with seawater to form listvenite at around 210°C. Hydrothermal fluids having a carbon content of seawater allow serpentine to change to magnesite, talc, and quartz (Falk & Kelemen 2015 GCA).