Zr–LREE rich minerals in residual peraluminous granulites, another factor in the origin of low Zr–LREE granitic melts?

Abstract

There is a significant enrichment in some trace elements in the major residual minerals of peraluminous granulite xenoliths from the lower crust. Those trace elements are released from the breakdown of accessory phases at high-T granulite-facies conditions (N850 °C). Around 10–35% of Zr is hosted in granulite rutile and garnet, whereas, the entire LREE–Eu budget is controlled by feldspar. The Zr- and REE-compatible behaviour of the major granulite phases, combined with the scarcity of accessory phases, which are mostly included in major granulite minerals, leads to a disequilibrium in accessory dissolution in the peraluminous partial melts. Thus the melt extracts less Zr and LREE and, consequently, generates the false impression of having lower-T when applying current accessory phase dissolution models.