Geochemical behaviour of trace elements during fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation of the felsic alkaline magmas of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper presents geochemical behaviour of trace elements of the felsic alkaline rocks of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with special attention of fractional crystallization and continental crust assimilation. Fractionation of leucite and K-feldspar increases Rb/K and decreases K2O/(K2O+Na2O). Primitive nepheline syenite magmas have low Zr/TiO2, Sr, and Ba. On the Nb/Y vs. Zr/TiO2 diagram, these rocks are projected on the field of alkaline basalt, basanite, and nephelinite, instead of phonolite. Well-fractionated peralkaline nepheline syenite has high Zr/TiO2 but there are no zircon. The diagrams of silica saturation index (SSI) distinguish the trends originated form fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation. In the field of SSI<-200, Zr/TiO2 and Ba/Sr have negative correlations to SSI in consequence of fractional crystallization. In the field of SSI>-200, they show positive correlations due to continental crust assimilation. Total REEs (Rare Earth Elements) is nearly 10 times that of granitic rocks, but LaN/SmN and LaN/YbN are similar. REE trend is linear and Eu anomaly is irrelevant. The pegmatitic liquid generated by country rock partial melting is SiO2-oversaturated and peraluminous with high Ba, Sr, Ba/Sr, Zr/TiO2, and SSI, with high content of fluids. This model justifies the peraluminous and SiO2-oversaturated composition of the rocks with relevant effects of continental crust assimilation.