Abstract
The trace element and isotopic signature of carbonate eruptives from the Quaternary, West Eifel have been determined in an attempt to constrain metasomatic processes in the Eifel subcontinental lithosphere, Germany. Extrusive and intrusive carbonatites and carbonate bearing rocks have been acid leached to segregate the carbonate fraction. Trace element analysis on the carbonate leachates show enrichment of up to 2000 x chondrite for the LREE, Sr and Ba and relative depletion of Zr, Hf, Ti, Nb and Ta. The West Eifel volcanic field is dominated by silica-undersaturated, alkali mafic lavas and pyroclastics and mantle xenoliths of wehrlite and olivine clinopyroxenite. Xenolith populations are characterised by high levels of Ca, Sr and the LREE, indicative of interaction with a melt of carbonatitic signature. Melilite nephelinite lavas are characterised by apatite in the groundmass and levels of LREE at 350 x chondrite, indicating a source region enriched in the incompatible elements. Sr isotopic signatures of carbonatite (0.70490), melilite nephelinites (0.70494), wehrlites and olivine clinopyroxenites (0.70485) substantiate a close genetic link. Carbonate or LILE (large ion lithophile elemen0-enriched metasomatism in the continental mantle is regarded as a necessary precursor to strongly alkaline magmatism to concentrate sufficient incompatible elements without the requirement of low degree partial melting.
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