Zirconium and Niobium-Bearing Ilmenites from the Igaliko Dyke Swarm, South Greenland

N. J. G. Pearce
Institute of Earth Studies, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3DB, Wales, U.K.

Abstract: Ilmenites from alkaline basic dykes in the Gardar province, south Greenland have Zr contents up to 3850ppm and Nb contents up to 1030ppm. These elements substitute for Ti in the octahedral site. These are amongst the highest recorded Zr and Nb contents for ilmenites, giving distribution coefficients (Kdilmenite/matrix) for Zr up to 11.6 and Nb up to 70.3. Fractionation of ilmenite may thus have a dramatic effect on residual Zr and Nb contents. These effects are discussed in relation to the use of trace element tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams.

Keywords: zirconium • niobium • ilmenite • Gardar province • Greenland • Igaliko dyke swarm

Mineralogical Magazine; December 1990 v. 54; no. 377; p. 585-588; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1990.054.377.08
© 1990, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)