How do fluids move through rocks? : High fluxes of CO2 in the Earth's crust

Abstract: Metamorphic hydrous, CO2-bearing fluids play a critical role in the global carbon cycle. However, how big this influence is on the global carbon cycle and therefore on global climatic processes, is unknown. The actual amount of CO2 which is released into the atmosphere due to metamorphic processes is still debated. For this purpose, fluid-driven reactions in metamorphic rocks must be studied by tracking fluid-rock interactions along pathways of ancient fluids.In the study presented in this thesis, we study fluid-rock interaction in the southeastern part of the Greek island Syros in the Cycladic Archipelago (Aegean). On Syros fluid-rock interaction is recorded by the preservation of blueschist facies assemblages at greenschist facies conditions along a normal shear zone. Blueschist preservation is caused by a combination of metasomatic addition of SiO2 and Na2O and elevated XCO2 which is maintained by high fluxes of a CO2-bearing, hydrous fluid along the shear zone.This research aims to provide a better understanding of the role of mountain building in the carbon cycle. Flux estimates for climate-forcing fluid components (e.g. carbon) require that their concentration in the fluid, fluid volumes and velocities are known. This will be the focus of future work. Further, whole rock chemistry and the availability of specific minerals will be studied to achieve knowledge about which kind of parameters influence and enhance the propagation of fluids through rocks.