DISTRIBUTION OF RARE LITHOPHILE ELEMENTS (ZR, HF, NB, TA, TH, U) AND THEIR RATIO VARIATIONS IN THE FRACTIONATION PROCESS OF ALKALINE-BASALTIC OCEANIC ICELAND SERIES OF THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC (GRAN-CANARIA, ST-HELEN, TRISTAN-DA-CUNHA)
Am. Asavin et al., DISTRIBUTION OF RARE LITHOPHILE ELEMENTS (ZR, HF, NB, TA, TH, U) AND THEIR RATIO VARIATIONS IN THE FRACTIONATION PROCESS OF ALKALINE-BASALTIC OCEANIC ICELAND SERIES OF THE SOUTHERN ATLANTIC (GRAN-CANARIA, ST-HELEN, TRISTAN-DA-CUNHA), Geohimia, (8-9), 1994, pp. 1161-1179
The geochemistry of rare lithophyle elements in volcanic series of oce
anic icelands is studied in concern with the problems of the heterogen
eity of mantle oceanic sources. Substantial variations of Zr/Hf and Nb
/Ta ratios coupled with constant Th/U values are reported. The variati
ons of Zr/Hf are not related to the differentiation extent or some cer
tain magmatic source of corresponding rocks. Two maxima: normal (35-45
) and high (60-80) are observed at the frequency curve. Similar distri
bution is characteristic of volcanics of other volcanic icelands. Dist
ribution coefficients of lithophyle elements are calculated for main m
inerals of studied volcanics. It is found that Zr distribution coeffic
ient in clinopyroxene - melt system is below that of hafnium. The esti
mated values of Nb and Ta distribution coefficients in titanomagnetite
- melt system is much lower than the former of low alkaline volcanite
s. Rayleigh equation was used for the description of rare element frac
tionation in volcanic series and in crystal fractionation. The hypothe
sis of ''portion'' fractionation is advanced for the interpretation of
lithophyle element geochemical pecularities and deviation of natural
trends in relation to calculated ones.