Pan African layered diorite-tonalite-granodiorite from Sinai massif: an open system fractionation at a subduction zone

This paper reports on the occurrence of layered Pan African dioritetonalite-granodiorite (DTG) rocks. The layering is marked by alternation of melanocratic (M) layers (diorites and tonalites) and leucocratic (L) layers (tonalites and granodiorites). M-samples have cumulus biotite+hornblende+relict pyroxene+plagioclase+K-feldspars+magnetite+apatite, and have transitional calc-alkaline and metaluminous affinities. They were derived from subduction-related magma enriched in Rb, Ba, K and LREE and depleted in Sr and Nb. L-samples have cumulus plagioclase+hornblende. They are enriched in Sr and depleted in Rb, Ba, K, Nb and LREE. They have calc-alkaline and peraluminous affinites.
The formation of the rhythmic layers of DTG composition can be attributed to periodical replenishment of pulses of basic magma into a more evolved acidic magma chamber under open system conditions. Field relations, mineralogy and element concentration among the M- and L-layers indicate that at the subduction zone, the ascending magma was contaminated with lower crustal materials (marginal basin metasediments) which led to LILE-enrichment, Nb-depletion and transition from calc-alkaline to alkaline and from metaluminous to peraluminous affinities as well.