Compositional dependence of REE partitioning between diopside and melt at 1 atmosphere

Abstract

The effects of composition on pyroxene-melt partitioning of several REE (rare earth elements), Y, and Sr were experimentally evaluated. Using the synthetic model systems anorthite–diopside, diopside–titanite and anorthite–diopside–titanite different diopsides were grown at atmospheric conditions in a double-ellipsoid mirror furnace. The single samples were melted and crystallised in a Pt/Au crucible with compositions corresponding to the invariant points of these systems. Rotational motion with approximately 25 rpm around the longitudinal axis of the crucible increases the prevailing convection flows. By this means, the exclusively diffusional transport of assembly groups onto the growing crystals is avoided. Quenching is achieved by dropping the crucible into water. Crystals up to 2 mm were obtained and analysed by electron microprobe. No inhomogeneities or compositional zonation, either in the diopsides or in the coexisting melts, were observed within the analytical uncertainty of the electron microprobe. The crystallised diopsides occur as both euhedral single crystals and large symplectitic lamellar intergrowths with anorthite or titanite. The chemical homogeneity and the texture indicate near-equilibrium conditions. The analyses show strong positive correlations between DREE and tetrahedrally coordinated Al in diopside but are not affected by octahedral Al or Ti-concentration. By means of correlations and mass balances the incorporation of REE can be described by 2 different coupled substitutions: $$$$ $$$$