Laser Ablation ICPMS study of trace element partitioning between plagioclase and basaltic melts: an experimental approach

Plagioclase-melt partition coefficients (D) for 34 trace elements at natural concentration levels were determined experimentally in a natural MORB composition at atmospheric pressure using thin Pt-wire loops. Experiments were carried out at three temperatures (1,220, 1,200, and 1,180°C), and at three different oxygen fugacities (fO₂ = IW, QFM, air) in order to assess the effect of fO₂ on the partitioning of elements with multiple valence (Fe, Eu, Cr). Run products were analyzed by laser-ablation ICP-MS. Most trace element Ds increase slightly as temperature decreases, except for D _Zr, D _Fe, D _Eu and D _Cr that vary systematically with fO₂. Applying the Lattice Strain Model to our data suggests the presence of Fe²⁺ entirely in the octahedral site at highly to moderate reducing conditions, while Fe³⁺ was assigned wholly to the tetrahedral site of the plagioclase structure. Furthermore, we provide a new quantitative framework for understanding the partitioning behaviour of Eu, which occurs as both 2+ and 3+ cations, depending on fO₂and confirm the greater compatibility of Eu²⁺, which has an ionic radius similar to Sr, relative to Eu³⁺ in plagioclase and the higher Eu²⁺/ Eu³⁺ under reducing conditions. For petrogenetic basaltic processes, a combined fractionation of Eu²⁺–Sr and Fe–Mg by plagioclase has considerable potential as an oxybarometer for natural magmatic rocks.