Inter-element relations in some alkaline suites of the Eastern Ghats Precambrian belt

Abstract

Element interrelations, with particular emphasis on alkaline earth metals, have been studied quantitatively for three alkaline suites of the Eastern Ghats Precambrian belt. Geochemical characterisation brings the Koraput and the Kunavaram suites closer, relative to the Elchuru suite. K-Ba and K-Rb correlations vary during the fractionation process, being strongly positive for the early members and almost noncorrelatable for the late fractions. The covariant relation between Ba and Sr is not well developed in any of the suites. Significant positive correlation between Rb and the degree of differentiation has been observed for the Koraput and the Kunavaram suites but not for the Elchuru suite. Liappears to be fractionated with the early mafic phases and is negatively correlated with Na. Zr shows a significant positive correlation with differentiation in the Elchuru but not in the Koraput suite although Ti/Zr falls remarkably with advancing differentiation for both the suites. P and Ti are mutually positively correlated in all the three suites and both tend to manifest significant negative correlation with progressive fractionation. K-(P + Ti + Sr) seems to be a good indicator of the fractionation process in the suites investigated.