Geochemistry of halloysite-7Å formation from plagioclase in trachyandesite rocks from Limnos Island, Greece

Abstract

AbstractTrachyandesite rocks, occurring over an area of about 1 km2in the southwest part of Limnos Island, Greece, are altered mainly to halloysite. The samples were collected and analysed by polarizing microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis. The alteration of plagioclase to halloysite follows seven discrete stages that are described in detail. The geochemical evaluation of the data shows enrichment of the lightREE(LREE) over heavyREE(HREE) as expressed by the (La/Yb)n ratio. TheΣLREErange from 206.44 to 272.30, while the sum ofHREEvaries from 11.01 to 26.26. The (La/Yb)n ratio ranges from 9.72 to 27.64. Fractionation amongLREEexpressed as (La/Sm)n and between middleREE(MREE) andHREEis shown as (Tb/Yb)n ratios. The most altered rocks close to the fault zone have high (Tb/Yb)n ratios and low (La/Sm)n and Eu/Eu* ratios. Although mineralogy and clay mineral textures indicate hydrothermal genesis of halloysite, the geochemical data are not conclusive due to a secondary weathering effect.