Trace-element distribution in lavas from Anjouan and Grande Comore, western Indian Ocean

Abstract

The elements Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr and Ba have been determined by X-ray fluorescence for 65 basaltic and differentiated lavas from Anjouan, while Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba and Hf have been determined by spark-source mass spectrometry for selected lavas from Anjouan and Grande Comore, the most recently formed of the Comores Archipelago. Basaltic lavas studied range through nephelinite, basanite, alkali basalt and hypersthene-normative basalt, while differentiated lavas belong mainly to the trends: alkali basalt - trachyte and basanite - phonolite. The results indicate that during magmatic fractionation behaviour of large-ion elements such as Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Ba and Nb is controlled by size/charge criteria, resulting in their exclusion from crystallising phases until the late trachytic and phonolitic stages. These elements are clearly fractionated by amphibole, plagioclase and alkali feldspar. Variation of transition elements due to crystal-liquid differentiation is largely in accord with the predictions of crystal field theory. The behaviour of Zn is not readily accounted for. Fractionation of K/Rb, K/Cs and probably Zr/Nb and discrepancies in abundance levels of large-ion elements between the main basaltic types are best accounted for in terms of high-pressure processes and probably also reflect inherent features of source-region geochemistry, coupled with the effects of variable partial melting.