Igneous Petrology Assignment
-Sanway Mukhopadhyay (8436)
Answers:-
1.) The normalized values are as follows:-
Elements A B C Boynton Values Normalised A Normalised B Normalised C
La 3.2 3.485 3.834 0.31 10.32258065 11.24193548 12.36774194
Ce 9.404 10.328 11.469 0.808 11.63861386 12.78217822 14.19430693
Nd 8.629 9.497 10.572 0.6 14.38166667 15.82833333 17.62
Sm 3.251 3.585 3.999 0.195 16.67179487 18.38461538 20.50769231
Eu 1.232 1.307 1.396 0.0735 16.76190476 17.78231293 18.99319728
Gd 4.889 5.392 6.015 0.259 18.87644788 20.81853282 23.22393822
Dy 5.986 6.607 7.377 0.322 18.59006211 20.51863354 22.90993789
Er 3.856 4.259 4.759 0.21 18.36190476 20.28095238 22.66190476
Yb 3.586 3.96 4.426 0.209 17.15789474 18.94736842 21.17703349
Lu 0.526 0.581 0.65 0.0322 16.33540373 18.04347826 20.1863354
In the above graph, we see a negative Europium Anomaly. The graph dips downwards
indicating Eu being incorporated into the crystal phase. We know that a negative Eu anomaly is
seen in plagioclase feldspars. Thus the mineral might be a plagioclase feldspar.
Also, the graph corresponds to a normalised graph of the mineral hornblende. The MREE/LREE
and MREE/HREE ratios are greater than 1, suggesting the formation of Hornblende.
2.) We know, Formula for degree of freedom is:
Df = no of components(C) - no of phases(P) + 1
In this case the no of components for each point is 2 and no of phases depend on the
point in consideration.
Therefore, degree of freedom at:
a) c is : 2 - 1 + 1 = 2
P is : 2 - 3 + 1 = 0
E is: 2 - 3 + 1 = 0
L is: 2 - 2 + 1 = 1
b) Proportions of phases at A* along T3 can be found out using lever rule.
The different phases at A* would be Enstatite and Forsterite
Proportion of Fo Crystals is: 20/(20+10)*100 = 66.67%
Proportion of En Crystals is: 10/(20+10)*100 = 33.33%
c) Saturated basalts consist of Felsic Minerals with a higher concentration of SiO2.
Thus the right side of the graph which primarily consists of SiO2 [Crystalobalite] would form
saturated basalts.
Unsaturated Basalts consist of Mafic minerals including olivine and pyroxenes.
Thus the left side of the graph which primarily consists of Enstatite[Pyroxene]
and Forsterite[Olivine] would result in an unsaturated basalt.
Thus the part of the graph towards the left side of the Eutectic Point would form
Unsaturated Basalts and the part towards right side would form Saturated
basalts.
3.) Partition Coefficients:-
Elements olivine clinopyroxene plagioclase
Ce 0.006 0.092 0.082
Yb 0.049 0.542 0.023
Ni 14 7 0.01
Wt proportions of minerals are: Olivine = 0.1
Clino pyroxene = 0.4
Plagioclase = 0.5
Thus, Bulk coefficient formula= Sum of Wt.proportions of mineral * Partition Coeff.of element in
the mineral.
a) Bulk Partition coefficient Di for the given elements:
D(Ce) = 0.1 × 0.006 + 0.4 × 0.092 + 0.5 × 0.082
= 0.0784
D(Yb) = 0.1 × 0.049 + 0.4 × 0.542 + 0.5 × 0.023
= 0.2322
D(Ni) = 0.1 × 14 + 0.4 × 7 + 0.5 × 0.01
= 4.205
Now,using Rayleigh Crystal Fractionation Equation;
CL/CO = F (Di – 1)
Where, CL =final concentration in the residue melt
CO =initial concentration in the original melt
F = fraction of melt remaining, Di = Bulk partition coefficient for the
After 50% crystallisation,
Ce :-
CL = CO F(Di – 1)
= 14.8 (0.5(0.0784 – 1))
= 28.03ppm
Yb :-
CL = CO F(Di – 1)
= 1.6 (0.5(0.2322 – 1))
= 2.72 ppm
Ni :-
CL = CO F (Di – 1)
= 330 (0.5(4.205– 1))
= 35.78 ppm
b) Wt. proportions of minerals re : Clinopyroxene= 0.2
Plagioclase = 0.8
Bulk Partition coefficient Di for the given elements:
D(Ce) = 0.2 × 0.092 + 0.8 × 0.082
= 0.084
D(Yb) = 0.2 × 0.542 + 0.8 × 0.023
= 0.1268
D(Ni) = 0.2 × 7 + 0.8 × 0.01
= 1.408
Again, Rayleigh Crystal Fractionation Equation;
CL/CO = F (Di – 1)
After 75% crystallisation,
Ce :-
CL = CO F (Di – 1)
= 28.03 (0.25(0.084– 1))
= 99.79 ppm
Yb:-
CL = CO F (Di – 1)
= 2.72(0.25(0.1268 – 1))
= 9.12 ppm
Ni :-
CL = CO F (Di – 1)
= 35.78 (0.25(1.408–1))
= 20.32 ppm
4.)
a) The T of first crystallisation is around 1700 C
b) The T of final crystallisation is around 1500 C
c)
The blue dot represents
a 1- phase region as it is
above the liquidus line. Therefore it consists of only the liquid phase.
The green dot shown here represents a 2-phase region as it is on the liquidus line. In this
point, both the liquid and crystal phases may coexist.
d) The upper curved line is called the liquidus line. Above this line, only the liquid
phase exists.
The lower curved line is called the solidus line. Below this line, only the solid
phase exists.
e) Composition of final crystallized rock would be Fo50.
f)Chemically zoned Olivine Crystals are rarely found because olivine re-equilibrates
by reacting with the melt for exchange of Mg and Fe, thus blocking the formation of
compositional zoning. Subsequently, Rims are not added.
Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 -> 2MgSiO3
5.)
1) Composition of the first crystals: m
2) The temperature when crystals have a composition: b
3) The composition of the last liquid present before solidification is complete: t
4) The liquid composition at temperature a: r
6.)
a)
A- Sanidine
B-
C-
