Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Trace element evolution in the Phlegrean Fields (Central Italy): fractional crystallization and selective enrichment

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Trace element analysis of Phlegrean Fields volcanic products shows that they belong to a homogeneous series whose evolution is due mainly to fractional crystallization. However quantitative modelling of crystal fractionation using measured mineral/groundmass and computed bulk distribution coefficients singles out K, Sb, Cl and F as elements which are selectively enriched in the differentiation process with respect to proven hygromagmaphile (HYG) elements. This “anomalous” enrichment involving elements that are easily transported in a magmatic fluid phase is thought to be due to percolation of such a fluid through a stored magma body. This enrichment is strongest in products resulting from protracted differentiation (trachybasalts-latites). Isotopic data from the literature are reinterpreted in terms of this model and show good agreement. Trace elements concentrations in clinopyroxenes provide evidence that complex differentiation paths were followed to produce latitic magmas. Their origin by mixing of magmas from different parentages is not indicated by the data. However, mixing of batches of the same parentage but of different degree of evolution seems likely. Because HYG elements ratios are not modified in the evolution of the magmas, they record these ratios in the partial melting zone. For example, the Th/Ta ratio in the source areas of the magmas has apparently been quite heterogeneous.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albarede F, Bottinga Y (1972) Kinetic disequilibrium in trace element partitioning between phenocrysts and host lava. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 36:141–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allegre CJ, Treuil M, Minster JF, Minster B, Albarede F (1977) Systematic use of trace element in igneous processes. Part I: fractional crystallisation processes in volvanic suites. Contrib Mineral Petrol 60:57–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Allegre CJ, Minster JF (1978) Quantitative models of trace element behavior in magmatic processes. Earth Planet Sci Lett 38:1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1975) Some basaltic and andesitic gases. Rev Geophys Space Phys 13:37–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Appleton JD (1972) Petrogenesis of potassium rich lavas from the Roccamonfina volcano, Roman region, Italy. J Petrol 13:425–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Armienti P, Barberi F, Bizouard H, Clocchiatti R, Innocenti F, Metrich N, Rosi M, Sbrana A (1983) The Phlegrean Fields magma evolution within a shallow magma chamber. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 17:289–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey DK, Macdonald R (1982) Fluorine and chlorine in peralkaline liquids and the need for magma generation in an open system. Mineral Mag 40:405–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey DK, Macdonald R (1987) Dry peralkaline liquids and carbon dioxide flux through the Kenya rift zone. In: Mysen BO (ed.) Magmatic Processes: Physicochemical principles. BO Mysen (ed.). The Geochemical Society, Spec Publ 1, pp. 91–105

  • Baldridge WS, Carmichael ISE, Albee AL (1981) Crystallization paths of leucite bearing lavas: examples from Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 76:321–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Innocenti F, Ricci CA (1971) Il magmatismo nell Appenino Centro Settentrional. Rend Soc Ital Miner Petrol 27:1–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Barberi F, Bizouard H, Clocchiatti R, Metrich N, Santacroce R, Sbrana A (1981) The Somma-Vesuvius magma chamber: a petrological and volcanological approach and geothermal implications. Bull Volcanol 44:295–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton M, Van Bergen MJ (1981) Green clinopyroxene and associated phases in a potassium-rich lava from the Leucite Hills, Wyoming. Contrib Mineral Petrol 77:101–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton M, Varekamp JC, Van Bergen MJ (1982) Complex zoning of clinopyroxene in the lavas of Vulsini, Latium, Italy: evidence for magma mixing. J Volcanol Geoth Research 14:361–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bottinga Y, Kudo A, Weill D (1966) Some observations on oscillatory zoning and crystallization of magmatic plagioclase. Am Mineral 51:792–806

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen NL (1928) The evolution of igneous rocks. Princeton University Press, Dover Publications, Inc, 332 p

  • Brooks CK, Printzlau I (1978) Magma mixing in mafic alkaline volcanic rocks: the evidence from relict phenocrysts phases and other inclusions. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 4:315–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capaldi G, Gasparini P, Moauro A, Salvia E, Travaglione O (1972) Rare earth abundances in the alkaline volcanic rocks from Campania, South Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 17:247–257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chayla B, Jaffrezic H, Joron JL (1973) Analyse par activation dans les neutrons epithermiques. Application à la détermination d'éléments en traces dans les roches. C R Acad Sci Ser D 277:273–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Civetta L, Innocenti F, Manetti P, Peccerillo A, Poli G (1981) Geochemical characteristics of potassic volcanics from Mts Ernici (Southern Latium, Italy). Contrib Mineral Petrol 78:37–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortini M, Hermes OD (1981) Sr isotopic evidence for a multisource origin of the potassic magmas in the Neapolitan Area (S. Italy). Contrib Mineral Petrol 77:47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Cundari A (1979) Petrogenesis of leucite-bearing lavas in the Roman volcanic region, Italy: the Sabatini lavas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 70:9–21

    Google Scholar 

  • De Paolo DJ (1981) Trace element and isotopic effects of combined wall rock assimilation and fractional crystallization. Earth Planet Sci Lett 53:189–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Girolamo P (1978) Geotectonic settings of Miocene Quaternary volcanism in and around the easter Tyrrhenian sea border (Italy) as deduced from major elements geochemistry. Bull Volcanol 41:3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgar AD (1980) Role of subduction in the genesis of leucitebearing rocks: discussion. Contrib Mineral Petrol 73:429–431

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrara G, Preite-Martinez M, Taylor HP Jr, Tonarini S, Turi B (1986) Evidence for crustal assimilation, mixing of magmas, and a 87Sr-rich upper mantle. Contrib Mineral Petrol 92:269–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghiara MR, Lirer L, Munno R (1979) Mineralogy and geochemistry of the “low-potassium series” of the Campania volcanics (South Italy). Chem Geol 26:29–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goguel R (1983) The rare alkalies in hydrothermal alteration at Wairakei and Broadlands geothermal fields. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47-3:429–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkesworth CJ, Vollmer R (1979) Crustal contamination versus enriched mantle: Nd143/Nd144 and Sr87/Sr86 evidence from the Italian volcanics. Contrib Mineral Petrol 69:151–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson P, Williams CT (1979) Variations in trace element partition (crystal/magma) as a function of crystal growth rate. Phys Chem Earth 11:191–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamelin B, Lambret B, Joron JL, Treuil M, Allegre CJ (1979) Geochemistry of basalts from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Nature 278:832–834

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm PM, Munksgaard NC (1982) Evidence for mantle metasomatism: an oxygen and strontium isotope study of the Vulsinian District, Central Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 60:376–388

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm PM, Lou S, Nielsen J (1982) The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the lavas of the Vulsinian District, Roman Province, Central Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80:267–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffrezic H, Joron JL, Treuil M, Wood DA (1980) A study of the precision attained by neutron activation analysis using international standard rocks GS-N and BCR-1 as examples. J Radioanal Chem 55:417–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaupart C, Brandeis G (1986) The stagnant bottom layer of convecting magma chambers. Earth Planet Sci Lett 80:183–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joron JL, Treuil M, Villemant B (1984) Etude géochimique des éléments traces et pétrogénèse des laves de l'Etna. Colloque PIRPSEV-INAC Clermont Ferrand (abstract)

  • Kirkpatrick RJ, Robinson GR, Kays JF (1976) Kinetics of crystal growth from silicate melts: anorthite and diopside. J Geophys Res 81:5715

    Google Scholar 

  • Kouchi A, Sugawara Y, Kashima K, Sinagawa I (1983) Laboratory growth of sector zoned clinopyroxenes in the system CaMg-Si2O6-CaTiAl2O6. Contrib Mineral Petrol 83:177–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemarchand F, Villemant B, Calas G (1987) Trace element distribution coefficients in alkaline series. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51 (in press)

  • Metrich N (1983) Les variations chimiques des clinopyroxènes calciques, témoins de la complexité des processus pétrogenétiques à l'intérieur d'un réservoir magmatique (exemple des ponces des Champs Phlégréens). Bull Mineral 106:353–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Metrich N (1985) Mécanismes d'évolution à l'origine des magmas potassiques d'italie centrale et méridionale. Exemples du Mt Somma-Vesuve, des Champs Phlégréens et de l'île de Ventotene. Unpublished thesis, Paris

  • Middlemost EAK (1975) The basalt clan. Earth Sci Rev 11:337–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O'Hara MJ, Mathews RE (1981) Geochemical evolution in an advancing, periodically replenished, periodically tapped, continuously fractionated magma chamber. J Geol Soc London 138:237–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Orville PM (1963) Alkali ion exchange between vapor and feldspar phases. Am J Sci 261:201–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Palacin P (1985) Etude géologique et géochimique du volcanisme latial (Vico et Vulsini). Thesis, Paris

  • Pecerillo A, Poli G, Tolomeo L (1984) Genesis, evolution and tectonic significance of K rich volcanics from the Alban Hills (Roman comagmatic region) as inferred from trace element geochemistry. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:230–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Robie DC, Gunter WD (1983) The role of speciation in alkaline igneous fluids during fenite metasomatism. Contrib Mineral Petrol 82:165–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers NW, Hawkesworth CJ, Parker RJ, Marsh JS (1985) The geochemistry of potassic lavas from Vulsini, Central Italy and implications for mantle enrichment processes beneath the Roman Region. Contrib Mineral Petrol 90:244–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosi M, Sbrana A, Principe C (1983) The Phlegrean fields: structural evolution, volcanic history and eruptive mechanisms. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 17:249–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosi M, Sbrana A (1987) Phlegrean Fields. In projetto finalizzato geodinamica: monografie finali. 9. Quaderni de “la ricerca scientifica”, CNR, Roma

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakuyama M, Kushiro I (1979) Vesiculation of hydrous andesitic melt and transport of alkalies by separated vapor phase. Contrib Mineral Petrol 71:61–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Sigvaldason GE, Oskarsson N (1976) Chlorine in basalts from Iceland. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 40:777–789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sturchio NC, Muehlenbachs K, Seitz MG (1986) Element redistribution during hydrothermal alteration of rhyolite in an active geothermal system: Yellowstone drill cores Y-7 and Y-8. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 50:1619–1631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HP (1980) The effect of assimilation of country rocks by magmas on 18O/16O and 87Sr/86Sr systematics in igneous rocks. Earth Planet Sci Lett 47:243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HP, Giannetti B, Turi B (1979) Oxygen isotope geochemistry of the potassic igneous rocks from the Roccamonfina Volcano, Roman comagmatic region, Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 46:81–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HP, Turi B, Cundari A (1984) 18O/16O and chemical relationships in K-rich volcanic rocks from Australia, East Africa, Antartica, and San Venenzo-Cupaello, Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 69:263–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Treuil M, Varet J (1973) Critères volcanologiques, pétrologiques et géochimiques de la genèse et de la différenciation des magmas basaltiques, exemple de l'Afar. Bull Soc Geol France 7, XV: 401–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Treuil M, Joron JL (1975) Utilisation des éléments hybromagmaphiles pour la simplification de la modélisation quantitative des processus magmatiques. Soc Ital Miner Petrol 31:125–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Treuil M, Joron JL, Jaffrezic H, Villemant B, Calas G (1979) Géochimie des éléments hygromagmaphiles, coefficients de partage minéraux/liquide et propriétés structurales de ces éléments dans les liquides magmatiques. Bull Mineral 102:402–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuchiyama A (1985) Crystallization kinetics in the system CaMg-Si2O6-CaAl2Si2O8: development of zoning and kinetics effects on element partitioning. Am Mineral 70:474–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Villemant B (1985) La différenciation des séries volcaniques: géochimie des éléments traces dans les séries du Massif Central et d'Italie Centrale. Unpublished thesis 452p Paris

  • Villemant B, Jaffrezic H, Joron JL, Treuil M (1981) Distribution coefficients of major and trace elements; fractional crystallization in the alkali basalt series of Chaîne des Puys (Massif Central, France). Geochim Cosmochim Acta 45:1997–2016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villemant B, Treuil M (1983) Comportement des éléments en traces et majeurs dans la série alcaline du Velay. Comparaison avec la Chaîne des Puys (Massif Central français). Bull Mineral 106:465–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Villemant B, Palacin P (1987) Différenciation magmatique et mécanismes de concentration de l'uranium: Exemple du volcanisme du Latium (Italie centrale). Bull Mineral 110:319–333

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer R, Hawkesworth CJ (1980) Lead isotopic composition of the potassic rocks from Roccamonfina (South Italy). Earth Planet Sci Lett 47:91–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vollmer R, Johnston K, Ghiara MR, Lirer L, Rosalba (1981) Sr isotope geochemistry of megacrysts from continental rift and converging plate margins alkaline volcanism in South Italy. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 11:317–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson EB (1982) Basalt contamination by continental crust: some experiments and models. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80:73–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeck HP, Northorst JR, Kalsbeek F (1983) Metasomatic control of K/Rb ratios in amphibolites. Chem Geol 40:313–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Géochimie Comparée et Systématique, UPMC and CNRS UA 196, 4 Place Jussieu, F-75005, Paris, France

    Benoit Villemant

Authors
  1. Benoit Villemant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Villemant, B. Trace element evolution in the Phlegrean Fields (Central Italy): fractional crystallization and selective enrichment. Contrib Mineral Petrol 98, 169–183 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402110

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00402110

Keywords

Search

Navigation