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Rare earth element abundances and distribution patterns in hydrothermally altered basalts: Experimental results

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Abstract

Oceanic tholeiites that have been experimentally reacted with seawater at 500–600° C, 800–1000 bars, have rare earth element (REE) abundances and distribution patterns that are essentially identical to those of the unaltered basalts. Although the data indicate the possibility of some REE leaching and redistribution, the net effects are small and the REE patterns of basalts affected by submarine hydrothermal processes may still be valid petrogenetic indicators.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, TX, USA

    Andrew Hajash Jr.

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  1. Andrew Hajash Jr.
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Hajash, A. Rare earth element abundances and distribution patterns in hydrothermally altered basalts: Experimental results. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 85, 409–412 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01150297

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01150297

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