Composition of coexisting zircon and xenotime in rare-metal granites from the Krušné Hory/Erzgebirge Mts. (Saxothuringian Zone, Bohemian Massif)

Abstract

Zircon and xenotime, from two mineralogically and chemically contrasting granite suites occurring in the Krusne Hory/Erzgebirge Mts., display extended compositional variability with respect to abundances of Zr, Hf, REE, Y, P, Th, Ca, Al, Fe and As. According to their geochemical signatures, P-rich (S-type) and P-poor (A-type) granites could be distinguished here. Both granite suites display high Ga/Al ratios (>2.6) and according to FeOtot./(FeOtot. + MgO) ratio can be classified as ferrous granites. Consequently, the both ratios cannot be used for discrimination S- and A-type granites. Both minerals are characterized by a variety of complex zircon-xenotime textures. They are usually strong hydrated and enriched in F. Zircon from P-rich granites displays a significant enrichment in P (up 0.24 apfu P), whereas zircon from P-poor granites has lower P and higher Y (up to 0.15 apfu Y). The xenotime-type substitution is the most important mechanism of isomorphic substitution in zircon in both granite suites. Zircon from both granite suites is typically enriched in Hf, especially unaltered zircon from P-rich granites (up to 8.2 wt. % HfO2). However in altered zircons the Hf/Zr ratio is higher in the P-poor granites. The Hf-rich zircon from unaltered P-rich granite crystallised from low temperature granite melt, whereas altered zircons crystallised during post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration (greisenization). Xenotime from P-poor granites displays a considerable enrichment in HREE (up to 40 mol. % HREEPO4) compared to xenotime from P-rich granites (up to 20 mol. % HREEPO4). Xenotime compositions from P-rich granites are influenced by brabantite-type substitution, whereas for xenotime from P-poor granites the huttonite-type substitution is dominant. Unusual enrichments in HREE is significant for xenotime from P-poor granites, especially in Yb (up to 0.17 apfu Yb) and Dy (up to 0.11 apfu).