Rare Earth Element Geochemistry of the Munnar Carbonatite, Central Kerala
Abstract
Rare earth element abundance in carbonatite associated with the 740 Ma old alkaline complex of Munnar is reported. High values of La (up to 232 ppm) and Ce (up to 261 ppm), moderate Sm (upto 11 ppm), with low Tb (up to 1.1 ppm), Yb (upto 3 ppm) and Lu (up to 0.6 ppm) are observed, comparable with similar values for carbonatites from other regions. The chondrite normalised patterns exhibit a steep slope from LREE to HREE, with (La/Lu)cn ranging upto 191. A genetic model involving CO2 degassing from the mantIe and ion exchange reactions with deep crustal rocks is envisaged, with the carbonatites probably representing a late immiscible fraction that separated from a polymerized alkali silicate melt. REE geochemistry of the carbonatite substantiates the view of a Late Precambrian alkaline magmatic regime in this part of the Indian Shield.Downloads
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Review Paper
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Published
1987-03-01
How to Cite
Santosh, M., Thampi, P. K., Iyer, S. S., & Vasconcellos, M. B. A. (1987). Rare Earth Element Geochemistry of the Munnar Carbonatite, Central Kerala. Journal of Geological Society of India, 29(3), 335–343. Retrieved from https://geosocindia.com/index.php/jgsi/article/view/66241