Understanding Substitutions and Partition Coefficients in Geochemistry
This study explores the concepts of substitution and partition coefficients related to mineral compatibility in geochemical processes. It focuses on elements such as Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Au³⁺, Ag³⁺ and their interactions with minerals like lherzolite and granites, providing calculations of bulk repartition coefficients and illustrating selective affinities. Additionally, it discusses how to fingerprint specific minerals through the concentration of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and examines various normalization methods to understand geochemical anomalies in different rock types and their melt evolution.
Understanding Substitutions and Partition Coefficients in Geochemistry
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Presentation Transcript
Substitutions and partition coefficients • Normalization and spidergrams
Fe2+ Mg2+ Compatible (right size & charge) Ni2+ Au3+ Incompatible (size/charge does not match) Ag3+ Fe2+ Mg2+ Selective affinities
Partition coefficient Kd = Cs/Cl • Compatible, incompatible (relative to a mineral) • Bulk repartition coefficient D = S Kdi Xi
Compatibility depends on minerals and melts involved. Which are incompatible? Why?
Calculate DYb for… • A lherzolite (80% Ol, 10% Opx, 10%Cpx) • A Grt-bearing Lherzolite (70% Ol, 10% Opx-Cpx-Gt) • Calculate DSr for… • A Cpx-Plag cumulate (50/50) • A Cpx-Opx cumulate (50/50) • How will the residual liquid evolve?
Fingerprinting specific minerals: • Ni strongly fractionated olivine > pyroxene • Cr and Scpyroxenes » olivine • Ni/Cr or Ni/Sc can distinguish the effects of olivine and augite in a partial melt or a suite of rocks produced by fractional crystallization
Contrasted REE patterns Granites Basalts
Multi-elements diagrams Normalized to the PRImitive Mantle (close to chondrites) (Wood version)
Various normalizations: To MORB (Mid-Oceanic Ridge Basalts – the most common type of basalt!) Meaningful for basalts and co.
Various normalizations: To the average continental crust. Meaningful for granites, sediments, etc.
A famous “anomaly”: Eu Granites from the Cape Granite Suite Darling-Vredenburg area
Kd’s for plagioclase • REEs are normally 3+ (La3+, etc.) • Eu can be Eu3+ or Eu2+ • Eu2+ strongly compatible Reducing (Eu2+) Oxydizing (Eu3+)