REE distribution patterns of granites in South China

Abstract

REE determinations were conducted for their respective contents on granitoid rocks in South China, which differ in age, composition and origin, by means of chemical-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis.Granites under consideration can be divided into three major categories in terms of chondrite normalized REE distribution patterns and δEu values.1. REE distribution pattern is approximately expressed by a smooth curve, with unremarkable negative Eu anomaly and δEu value greater than 0.5.2. REE distribution pattern exhibits a moderately remarkable negative Eu anomaly with δEu value in the range of 0.3–0.4.3. REE distribution pattern gives a greatly remarkable negative Eu anomaly, with δEu value being less than 0.2.The granites belonging to the first category are mostly older in age and closely connected with granitization in origin, those to the second category show a number of evidences for magmatic origin and those to the third category are especially distinguishable for their characterisitic features of later magmatic differentiation and replacement.