Can trace element distributions in migmatites be used as analogues in understanding petrogenesis of anatectic granites

Abstract

Trace element concentrations in leucosomes of migmatites in the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA, were examined to determine if their compositions are analogous to those of pelite-derived granites. Melanosomes in the migmatites are dominated by biotite, sillimanite, and quartz. Leucosomes have constant Si/Al that corresponds to a peraluminous granite; however, they have variable proportions of (sil+qtz)/alkali feldspar that are attributed to instability of feldspar relative to sillimanite due to high aHF in partial melts. There are strong positive correlations of Sr, Ba, Rb, and Cs concentrations with the proportion of feldspar in the leucosomes. The average concentrations of Sr and Ba are higher and of Rb and Cs lower in the leucosomes than in pelite-derived leucogranites. A reaction progress method is used to demonstrate that partitioning of these trace elements between melanosomes and leucosomes represent mineral-mineral equilibrium rather than residue-melt equilibrium. This implies that leucosomes in migmatites may crystallize while maintaining equilibrium with melanosomes and the resulting trace element compositions may not be analogous to those of partial melts.