The relation between Rb,Ba and Sr in granitic rocks

The ternary relation between the elements Rb, Ba and Sr in granitoid rocks is discussed. This relation proved to be useful in tracing differentiation trends in acidic suites. Moreover, it has a potentiality for being used as a criterion in genetic problems of granites, i.e. in distinguishing magmatic from metasomatic or granitized granites. The averages of these three elements in the various types of granites are calculated. The Turekian and Wedepohl (1961) two-fold subdivision of granites into high- and low-Ca rocks is elaborated so as to comprise four distinctive types: quartz diorites and granodiorites, normal granites, strongly differentiated granites beside the group of anomalous granites.