EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR) -- Butler & Smith 1962

EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information

Butler & Smith 1962

Butler, J.R. and Smith, A.Z. (1962). Zirconium, niobium and certain other trace elements in some alkali igneous rocks. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 26: 945-953.

Alkaline igneous rocks, including comendites and pantellerite, from various localities were analyzed for Rb, Sr, Yt, Zr, Nb, and Ta. Nb and Ta tend toward enrichment in late-stage differentiates and can be > 200 ppm for Nb and > 10 ppm for Ta; Zr can be > 2000 ppm. Nb increases as Sr decreases, but Nb and Sr both are found to be high in undersaturated alkaline rocks. The results of the analytical work are compared with data for the Younger Granite complexes of Nigeria and for alkaline rocks of other localities. The variation of the Nb/Ta ratio in calc-alkaline, alkaline, and pegmatitic rocks is discussed and it is suggested that the assimilation of Nb- or Ta-rich pegmatitic material (or derivatives) may explain this variation from one petrographic province to another.

Keywords
Alkaline rocks; content in alkaline igneous rocks; geochemistry;, petrology; Zirconium-niobium; zirconium-niobium content, 05, Igneous and metamorphic petrology

Journal
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/product/cws_home/212

Publisher
Elsevier Science
P.O. Box 211
1000 AE Amsterdam
The Netherlands
(+31) 20 485 3757
(+31) 20 485 3432
nlinfo-f@elsevier.com