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Trace element abundances and mineral/melt distribution coefficients in phonolites from the Laacher See volcano (Germany)

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Abstract

Twenty six whole rocks, seven matrix and fifty three mineral separates from the compositionally zoned late Quaternary Laacher See tephra sequence (East Eifel, W Germany) were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation. These data document the chemical variation within the Laacher See magma chamber prior to eruption with a highly fractionated phonolite at the top and a more mafic phonolite at its base as derived from other data. Incompatible elements such as Zn, Zr, Nb, Hf, U, light and heavy rare earths are extremely enriched towards the top whereas compatible elements (e.g. Sr, Sc, Co, Eu) are strongly depleted. Semicompatible elements (Ta and some middle REE) are depleted at intermediate levels. This chemical variation is shown by whole rock and matrix data indicating the phonolite liquid was compositionally zoned regardless of phenocryst content. Hybrid rocks (phonolite-basanite) show the largest concentrations for compatible elements. All elements (except Rb) display continuous compositional variations with regard to the stratigraphic position of pumice samples. From these data we are able to distinguish three main units: An early erupted highly fractionated magma, the main volume of evolved phonolite and a mafic phonolite as the final products.

The extreme variation of trace element distribution coef ficients (K) for 9 mineral phases with respect to stratigraphic position (resp. matrix composition) cannot be explained by conventional mechanisms. We postulate a significant modification of the trace element content of the phonolite melt by liquid-liquid controlled differentiation processes subsequent to and/or contemporaneous with (fractional) crystallization which caused disequilibrium between phenocrysts and host matrix. Therefore, our “distribution coefficients” deviate from equilibrium partition coefficients equivalent to the amount of this post crystallization modification of the matrix composition. The relationship between varying K and matrix composition is demonstrated by a ΔK-ΔM-diagram (variation of K versus variation of matrix, M). Different parts of this diagram relate to different parameters (T, P, polymerization, complex-building, equilibrium crystallization in a zoned magma column and post crystallization disequilibrium effects) which are responsible for the variation of distribution coefficients in general. The ΔK-ΔM-diagram may allow to distinguish between different processes affecting the distribution coefficients measured in natural volcanic rocks from a differentiating magma system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Mineralogie, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Postfach 102148, D-463, Bochum, Federal Republic of Germany

    G. Wörrier & H. -U. Schmincke

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp (U.I.A.), B-2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

    J. -M. Beusen, N. Duchateau & R. Gijbels

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  1. G. Wörrier
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  2. J. -M. Beusen
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  3. N. Duchateau
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  4. R. Gijbels
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  5. H. -U. Schmincke
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Wörrier, G., Beusen, J.M., Duchateau, N. et al. Trace element abundances and mineral/melt distribution coefficients in phonolites from the Laacher See volcano (Germany). Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 84, 152–173 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371282

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