Correlation between strontium and oxygen isotopic compositions of rocks from the Adamello massif (Northern Italy)

Rock samples from the lithologic units forming the Adamello massif were analyzed for Rb and Sr concentrations and for⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios. The most important features are as follows:

1. the strontium and oxygen isotopes show a systematic variation from south to northwest across the massif, the older units in the south being lower both in⁸⁷Sr and¹⁸O;
2. a good positive correlation was found between strontium and oxygen isotopic compositions.

Two genetic models are advanced for explaining the results: (1) the mixing of two magmas with different¹⁸O and⁸⁷Sr contents; (2) magma formation at different depths in a crust layered with respect to both oxygen and strontium isotope composition.