Modelling of major elements in mantle-melt systems using trace element approaches

Major elements can be modelled in ways similar to the quantitative petrogenetic modelling used for trace elements. In contrast to modelling with trace elements, however, modelling with major elements is constrained by the stoichiometry of the solid phases. Within these constraints, the same equations for partial melting and crystallization which have been used to such advantage for trace elements may be used for major elements.Calculated MgO and FeO abundances in a mantle-melt system are used as an example of the modelling technique. Such modelling yields limited fields of permissible melts and residues for a given parent composition, but does not give the paths of melting. It does allow the temperature and extent of melting which gave rise to a melt to be determined from the MgO and FeO abundances of the melt or residual solid. Applying the results of the modelling to igneous rocks and ultramafic nodules leads to the following conclusions, which are subject to the uncertainties in the available distribution coefficients. Least differentiated basalt glasses from the ocean floor are derived from parent melts with less than 15.5 weight % MgO and 8.2 wt. % FeO. Komatiites may be derived by less than 60% melting of a pyrolite source leaving a residue of olivine and pyroxene. Many nodules from the subcontinental mantle appear to be residues of large fractions of melting (>30%) at high temperature and pressure, whereas ultramafic nodules from oceanic basalts appear to be residues of smaller fractions of melting (<30%) at lower temperatures and pressures.     

A mantle- and a lower crust-derived bimodal suite in the Yusufeli (Artvin) area, NE Turkey: trace element and REE evidence for subduction-related rift origin of Early Jurassic Demirkent intrusive complex

The Yusufeli area, in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey, contains a crystalline complex that intruded into the Carboniferous metamorphic basement and is composed of two intrusive bodies: a gabbro-diorite and a tonalite-trondhjemite. The mafic body (45–57 wt% SiO₂) displays a broad lithological spectrum ranging from plagioclase-cumulate to quartz diorite. Primitive varieties of the body have Mg-number, MgO and Cr contents that are close to those expected for partial melts from mantle peridotite. Data are consistent with the magma generation in an underlying mantle wedge that was depleted in Zr, Nb and Ti, and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (K, Rb, Ba, Th). However, high Al₂O₃, CaO and generally low Ni (<65 ppm) contents are not in agreement with the unfractionated mantle-derived primitive magmas and require some Al₂O₃- and CaO-poor mafic phases, in particular, olivine and orthopyroxene. Absence of orthopyroxene in crystallization sequence, uralitization, and a common appearance of clinopyroxene surrounded by hornblende imply an anhydrous phase fractionated from highly hydrous (5–6%) parent. Geochemical modelling suggests derivation by 15–20% melting of a depleted-lherzolitic mantle. The tonalite-trondhjemite body (58–76 wt% SiO₂) ranges in composition from quartz diorite to granodiorite with a low-K calc-alkaline trend. Although LILE- and LREE- enriched characteristics of the primitive samples imply a metasomatic sub-arc mantle for their source region, low MgO, Ni and Cr concentrations rule out direct derivation from the mantle wedge. Also, lack of negative Eu anomalies suggests an unfractionated magma and precludes a differentiation from the diorites of mafic body, which show negative Eu anomalies. Their Na enrichments relative to Ca and K are similar to those of Archean tonalites, trondhjemites and granodiorites and Cenozoic adakites. However, they exhibit important geochemical differences from them, including low-Al (<15 wt%) contents, unfractionated HREE patterns and evolution towards the higher Y concentrations and lower Sr/Y ratios within the body. All these features are obtained in experimentally produced melts from mafic rocks at low pressures (≤5 kbar) and also widespread in the rocks of arc where old (Upper Cretaceous or older) oceanic crust is being subducted. Major and REE modelling supports formation of the quartz dioritic parent to the felsic intrusive rocks by 70% partial melting of a primitive gabbroic sample (G694). Therefore, once taking into account the extensional conditions prevailing in the Pontian arc crust in Early Jurassic time, former basic products (gabbros) seem to be the most appropriate source for the tonalite-trondhjemite body. Magmatic emplacement of stratigraphically similar lithologies in the Pulur Massif, just southwest of the Yusufeli, was dated to be 184 Ma by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method on amphibole, and is compatible with the initiation of Early Jurassic rifting in the region.     

A catalogue of major and trace element data for Icelandic Holocene silicic tephra layers

Tephra layers with Icelandic provenance have been identified across the North Atlantic region in terrestrial, lacustrine, marine and glacial environments. These tephra layers are used as marker horizons in tephrochronology including climate studies, archaeology and environmental change. The major element chemistries of 19 proximally deposited Holocene Icelandic silicic tephra layers confirm that individual volcanic systems have unique geochemical signatures and that eruptions from the same system can often be distinguished. In addition, glass trace element chemistry highlights subtle geochemical variations between tephra layers which appear to have identical major element chemistry and thus allows for the identification of some, if not all, tephra layers previously considered identical in composition. This paper catalogues the compositional variation between the widespread Holocene Icelandic silicic tephra deposits.     

Petrogenesis of Monte Vulture volcano (Italy): inferences from mineral chemistry,major and trace element data

The paper presents major and trace element data and mineral compositions for a series of foiditic-tephritic to phonolitic rocks coming from Monte Vulture, Southern Italy, and investigates their origin, evolution and relationship with the other centres of the Roman province.Major and trace element variation in the foiditic to tephritic suite agrees with a hypothesis of evolution by simple crystal/liquid fractionation, whereas the early erupted phonolitic trachytes and phonolites have geochemical characteristics which do not support their derivation from tephritic magma by crystal fractionation. Foiditic and phonolitic rocks have mineral compositions which are interpreted as indicating magma mixing. However geochemical evidence shows that this process did not play an important role during the magma evolution.The Vulture rocks have compositional peculiarities such as high abundance of Na₂O, CaO, Cl and S, when compared with other Roman volcanics. Instead, the distribution of incompatible elements is similar to those of Roman rocks, except for a lower content of Rb and K, higher P and lower Th/Ta and Th/Nb ratios which are still close to the values of arc volcanics.The high contents of Na, Ca and of volatile components are tentatively attributed to the interaction of magma with aqueous solutions, rich in calcium sulphate and sodium chloride, related to the Miocene or Triassic evaporites occurring within the sedimentary sequence underlying the volcano. The distribution pattern of the incompatible elements is interpreted as indicative of magma-forming in a subduction modified upper mantle and of the peculiar location of M. Vulture.     

Experimental constraints on major and trace element partitioning during partial melting of eclogite

Isobaric partial melting experiments were performed on an Fe-free synthetic composition to simulate partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. Nominally anhydrous experiments at 3.0 GPa yielded melts in equilibrium with garnet (13 to 16 mol.% grossular) and aluminous clinopyroxene (14 to 16 wt.% Al₂O₃). Melt compositions show decreasing Si and alkalis and increasing Ca, Mg, and Ti contents with increasing temperatures. Experiments at 1200 and 1300°C were rutile saturated, whereas experiments at 1400°C contained no residual rutile. We argue that during the initial stages of subduction, accessory rutile is likely to be stable in subsolidus eclogites of average midocean ridge basalt composition and that only large degrees of partial melting will eradicate rutile from an eclogitic source. At 3 GPa, any eclogites with a bulk TiO₂ content of ≥1.5 wt.% rutile will produce rutile-saturated partial melts, except at very high degrees of melting. At higher pressures, all bulk Ti may dissolve in clinopyroxene and garnet, leaving no accessory rutile.Trace element partition coefficients for 24 trace elements between clinopyroxene, garnet, and melt were determined by secondary-ion mass spectrometry analysis of experimental run products at 1400°C and 3 GPa. Partition coefficients for the rare earth elements agree well with previous studies and have been evaluated using the lattice strain model. Partitioning data for high-field strength elements indicate complementary D_Zr/D_Hf for clinopyroxene and garnet. Partial melting of an eclogitic component of different modal compositions may therefore explain both subchondritic and superchondritic Zr/Hf ratios. Superchondritic Zr/Hf has recently been observed in some ocean island basalts (OIB), and this may be taken as further evidence for components of recycled oceanic crust in OIB. The data also indicate slight Nb/Ta fractionation during partial melting of bimineralic eclogite, which is not, however, sufficient to explain some recently observed Nb/Ta fractionation in island arc rocks. Accessory rutile, however, can explain such fractionation.     

Changes in the local coordination of trace rare-earth elements in garnets by high-energy XAFS: new data on dysprosium

The site location and local geometry of trace amounts (299 ppm) of dysprosium in a natural melanite garnet from a carbonatitic rock have been studied by high-energy fluorescence-detected X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS). Measurements were done at the Dy K-edge (53789 eV). Data analysis shows that Dy (i.r. = 0.98 Å) is incorporated at the X site, similarly to other REE, namely Nd (i.r. = 1.11 Å) and Ce (i.r. = 1.14 Å). Comparison of the XAFS data obtained for these three REE and for Ca shows that, within a given garnet composition, the difference in the local geometry can be modelled in terms of differences in the ionic radii. On the contrary, the local coordination of the individual cations is different in distinct garnet compositions, in contrast to what was suggested by previous atomistic simulations of the garnet structure. Comparison of the local coordination geometries available in the literature shows that the Young modulus of the X site strongly depends on the major-element composition of all the structural sites. Both these points are important for Earth Sciences, and especially for geochemical modelling of trace-element incorporation and partitioning.     

三类构造背景辉长岩单斜辉石主量元素和微量元素的数据分析研究

判别岩浆岩产出的构造环境已经成为岩石学、地球化学及其地球动力学研究的重要内容。作为岩浆岩中的一种喷出岩,玄武岩被视为判别构造环境的最佳成员。对其中单斜辉石的研究,由于其数据本身的利用程度有限而效果欠佳。理论上,不同构造环境的辉长岩也会存在一定差异。为此,利用机器学习算法研究全球新生代辉长岩的单斜辉石势在必行。本文主要针对岛弧(IAB)、洋岛(OIB)及大洋中脊(MORB)3种构造背景辉长岩的单斜辉石进行特征筛选和数据分类。从GEOROC数据库中,经数据收集与清洗,我们分别获得岛弧辉长岩单斜辉石数据385条,洋岛辉长岩单斜辉石数据756条,大洋中脊辉长岩单斜辉石数据5 500条。其中绝大部分为主量元素数据,其余为微量元素数据。在特征提取部分,我们选用卡方检验判断特征独立性,F检验估计两个随机变量之间的线性依赖程度,互信息法捕获其他种类的统计相关性。3种检验方法互相印证,得出了统计学可靠的重要分类特征。在数据分类过程中,本文对比了K-近邻、决策树和支持向量机3种主流机器学习分类算法在辉长岩数据上的表现。研究表明,对于上述3种构造背景,Al2O3、TiO2为最有区分度的辉长岩单斜辉石主量元素成分,Sr为最有区分度的微量元素成分。另外,对于3种构造背景的辉长岩单斜辉石主量元素和微量元素数据,机器学习模型分类准确率均达94%。     

The major and trace element chemistry of kaersutite and its bearing on the petrogenesis of alkaline rocks

New major and trace element analyses are presented for 7 kaersutites from basic alkaline rocks. K/Rb ratios lie between 1209 and 4276. Rb is low, averaging 6 ppm. Sr ranges from 532 to 1060 ppm and Ba from 181 to 701 ppm. Zr averages 109 ppm, Nb 44 ppm and V 390 ppm. There is a moderate enrichment in light REE. Zn correlates with FeO + Fe₂O₃ but the concentrations of Ni, Co, Cr, Cu and Pb are variable. Large variations in trace element concentration in kaersutites reflect only small variations in the melt when the distribution coefficient for a given element strongly favours the amphibole.Kaersutite is significant in the petrogenesis of alkaline rocks as a possible accessory phase in the upper mantle source regions, and as an important phase in the fractionation of basic alkaline liquids over a wide range of pressures.     

Interpretation of trace element and isotope features of basalts: relevance of field relations, petrology, major element data, phase equilibria, and magma chamber modeling in basalt petrogenesis

The concentrations and ratios of the major elements determine the physical properties and the phase equilibria behavior of peridotites and basalts in response to the changing energy contents of the systems. The behavior of the trace elements and isotopic features are influenced in their turn by the phase equilibria, by the physical character of the partial melting and partial crystallization processes, and by the way in which a magma interacts with its wall rocks. Concentrating on the trace element and isotope contents of basalts to the exclusion of the field relations, petrology, major element data, and phase equilibria is as improvident as slaughtering the buffalo for the sake of its tongue. The crust is a cool boundary layer and a density filter, which impedes the upward transfer of hot, dense “primary” picritic and komatiitic liquids. Planetary crusts are sites of large-scale contamination and extensive partial crystallization of primitive melts striving to escape to the surface. Escape of truly unmodified primitive melts to the surface is a rare event, requiring the resolution of daunting problems in chemical and mechanical engineering. Primary status for volumetrically abundant basalts such as mid-ocean ridge basalt, ocean island basalt, and continental flood basalts is denied by their low-pressure cotectic character, first remarked upon on petrological grounds in 1928 and on experimental grounds in 1962. These basalt liquids are products of crystal-liquid separation at low pressure. Primary status for these common basalts is further denied by the phase equilibria of such compositions at elevated pressures, when the required residual mantle mineralogy (magnesian olivine and orthopyroxene) is not stable at the liquidus. It is also denied by the picritic or komatiitic nature of partial melts of candidate upper-mantle compositions at high pressures—a conclusion supported by calculation of the melt composition, which would need to be extracted in order to explain the chemical variation between fertile and residual peridotite in natural ultramafic rock suites. The subtleties of magma chamber partial crystallization processes can produce an astounding array of “pseudospidergrams,” a small selection of which have been explored here. Major modification of the trace element geochemistry and trace element ratios, even those of the highly incompatible elements, must always be entertained whenever the evidence suggests the possibility of partial crystallization. At one extreme, periodically recharged, periodically tapped magma chambers might undergo partial crystallization by ∼95% consolidation of a succession of small packets of the magma. Refluxing of the 5% residual melts from such a process into the main body of melt would lead to eventual discrimination between highly incompatible elements in that residual liquid comparable with that otherwise achieved by 0.1 to 0.3% liquid extraction in equilibrium partial melting. Great caution needs to be exercised in attempting the reconstruction of more primitive compositions by addition of troctolite, gabbro, and olivine to apparently primitive lava compositions. Special attention is focussed on the phase equilibria involving olivine, plagioclase (i.e., troctolite), and liquid because a high proportion of erupted basalts carry these two phases as phenocrysts, yet the equilibria are restricted to crustal pressures and are only encountered by wide ranges of basaltic compositions at pressures less than 0.5 GPa. The mere presence of plagioclase phenocrysts may be sufficient to disqualify candidate primitive magmas. Determination of the actual contributions of crustal processes to petrogenesis requires a return to detailed field, experimental, and forensic petrologic studies of individual erupted basalt flows; of a multitude of cumulate gabbros and their contacts; and of upper-mantle outcrops.     

滇东南老寨湾金矿床主微量元素迁移及稀土元素地球化学特征

老寨湾金矿床位于扬子地台西南缘与华夏地块结合部位的南盘江造山褶皱带文山—富宁断褶束西畴拱凹北缘。矿体主要赋存于下泥盆统坡松冲组下段(D_1ps~1)石英砂岩、石英岩,硅化石英细砂岩、石英细砂岩中。本文运用Gresens和Grant提出的蚀变岩成分、体积公式和C_i~0—C_i~A图解法,对老寨湾金矿床岩(矿)石形成过程中主要元素迁移规律进行了研究,结果表明:1)石英砂岩在硅化过程中,SiO_2和As被带入,Au被带出进入流体;在氧化矿形成过程中,SiO_2和Au被带入;而在黄铁矿化矿石形成过程中,As、Au、FeO和Fe_2O_3被带入,SiO_2被带出。2)矿区各类岩(矿)石稀土元素分布模式图均呈右倾型式,为轻稀土富集型;氧化型岩(矿)石、硅化型岩(矿)石和石英砂岩的稀土元素分布型式类似,均表现为负铕异常,无明显的铈异常。3)黄铁矿化型矿石稀土元素分布模式图中样品分为2类:沉积成因和热液成因;沉积成因黄铁矿化型矿石含金低,w(ΣREE)值高,表现为负铕异常;热液成因黄铁矿化型矿石含金较高,w(ΣREE)值低,表现为正铕异常。4)黄铁矿化型矿石w(ΣREE)值明显低于其它几类岩矿石,说明热液型黄铁矿化型矿石的形成可能与矿区辉绿岩脉相关,表现出了深源的特征。     

Relation between trace and major element composition of the Chitaldrug metabasalts,Mysore, India,and the Archaean mantle

The ferromagnesium trace-element content of the Chitaldrug metabasalts is not compatable with its normative composition. The major elements resemble quartz-normative tholeiites and some trace-elements like Co are even higher or similar to that of olivine-normative tholeiites or the deep-oceanic tholeiites. The relationship between MgO and ferromagnesium traces is sympathetic but of very low order. The high ferromagnesium trace content in this suite and its poor relation with major elements suggest that probably the Archaean/Early Precambrian upper mantle had higher levels of these elements than the present mantle. Lateral compositional inhomogeneities in the Archaean upper mantle are also indicated from the available trace-element data over the Archaean metabasalts from different shields.     

An approach to the use of packaged statistical programs for cluster,classification, and discriminant analysis of trace element data

The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to be taken when using packaged statistical programs for the evaluation of multivariate data, in particular those programs designed for clustering, classification, and discrimination purposes. A systematic step-by-step approach is outlined starting with those steps which should be conducted in order to assure that the assumptions underlying the statistical analyses are satisfied. The use of various methods and computational options in cluster, classification, and discriminant analysis is then discussed. Finally the need for an assessment of the results in view of the overall knowledge of the problem is pointed out.     

Evolution of major mineral compositions and trace element abundances during fractional crystallization of a model lunar composition

The evolution of major mineral compositions and trace element abundances during fractional crystallization of a model lunar magma ocean have been calculated. A lunar bulk composition consistent with petrological constraints has been selected. Major mineral compositions have been calculated using published studies of olivine-melt, plagioclase-melt, and pyroxene-olivine equilibria. Trace element abundances have been calculated using experimentally-determined partition coefficients where possible. In the absence of experimental determinations, published partition coefficients obtained by analyzing phase separates from porphyritic volcanic rocks have been used. Trace elements studied are La, Sm, Eu, Lu, Rb, Sr( Eu²⁺), Ni, Co, and Cr.The first mineral to crystallize is olivine, which varies in composition from Fo₉₈ at the liquidus to Fo₉₅ at 50% solidification. Orthopyroxene crystallizes from 50 to 60% solidification with a restricted composition range of En₉₅-En₉₃. Plagioclase and Ca-rich clinopyroxene (X_Wo arbitrarily set equal to 0.5) co-crystallize during the final 40% solidification. Plagioclase changes in composition from An₉₇ to approximately An₉₃, while clinopyroxene evolves from En₄₆ to approximately En₄₀. The concomitant evolution of major element abundances in the melt is also discussed.The concentration of Ni in the melt decreases rapidly because solid-melt partition coefficients are significantly greater than unity at all stages of crystallization. The concentration of Cr in the melt increases slowly during olivine crystallization, then drops precipitously during the crystallization of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. The concentration of Co in the melt decreases slowly during olivine and orthopyroxene crystallization, after which it returns slowly to its initial concentration. Rubidium and Sr are not fractionated relative to one another until the onset of plagioclase crystallization. Ratios of Rb/Sr, normalized to their initial concentrations in the magma, do not rise above 10 until 95% of the magma has solidified. The ratios of Eu/Sm and La/Lu, normalized to their initial concentrations in the magma, remain essentially unfractionated until the onset of crystallization of clinopyroxene plus plagioclase, at which point the normalized La/Lu ratio increases to approximately 1.3 at 100% solidification and the normalized Eu/Sm ratio decreases to approximately 0.2 at 100% solidification.The model calculations are used to place approximate constraints on the bulk composition of the primitive Moon. Consideration of the effect on plagioclase composition of the activities of NaO_0.5 and SiO₂ in the melt suggests that the primitive Moon contained less than 0.4 wt % NaO_0.5 and approximately 42–43 wt % SiO₂. Concentrations of the REE in model lunar anorthosites are consistent with the returned samples. Concentrations of the REE in several model ‘highland basalts’ (considered to be representative of the average lunar terrae) are too low when compared with returned samples. Several possible explanations of this discrepancy are considered. The possible role of spinel in a twostage geochemical evolution of mare basalt liquids is discussed.     

Comparison of major,volatile, and trace element contents in the melts of mid-ocean ridges on the basis of data on inclusions in minerals and quenched glasses of rocks

Using our database on major, trace, and volatile element contents in melt inclusions in minerals and quenched glasses of volcanic rocks reported in the literature, we compared the mean contents of 71 chemical elements in melts from the mid-ocean ridges (MORB) of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans and determined the mean MORB composition for all the oceans of the Earth (global MORB composition). Mean ratios of incompatible trace and volatile components (H₂O/Ce, K₂O/Cl, Nb/U, Ba/Rb, Ce/Pb, Nb/U, etc.) were calculated for magmatic melts from all the oceans. Variations of these parameters were estimated, and significant differences between the melts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans were established.     

The “North American shale composite”: Its compilation,major and trace element characteristics

The compilation and major element composition of the “North American shale composite” (NASC) are reported for the first time, along with redeterminations for the REE and selected other elements by modern, high precision analytical methods. The NASC is not strictly of North American origin; 5 of the constituent samples are from Africa and Antarctica, and 15 are from unspecified locations. The major element composition of the NASC compares quite closely with other average shale compositions. New analyses of the NASC document that significant portions of the REE and some other trace elements are contained in minor phases (zircon and possibly other minerals) and that their uneven distribution in the NASC powder appears to have resulted in heterogeneity among analyzed aliquants. The results of this study show that the REE distributions of detrital sediments can be dependent to some extent on their minor mineral assemblages and the sedimentological factors that control these assemblages. Consequently, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of the REE distributions of sediment samples as they may be variable and biased relative to average REE distribution of the crustal rocks supplying detritus. These effects appear to be largely averaged out in sediment composites, with the result that their REE distributions are more likely to be representative of their provenances.     

Particulate trace metal and major element distributions over consecutive tidal cycles in Port Jackson Estuary,Australia

Particulate trace metal (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) and major element (Fe, Mn and Al) concentrations have been determined following intensive sampling over two consecutive spring tidal cycles in the 'turbidity maximum zone' (TMZ) of the Port Jackson estuary, Australia. Salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and chlorophyll a were also determined. A three-factor analysis of variance was used to test temporal variability in concentrations of particulate trace metals and major elements as a result of tidal oscillation. Estuarine master variables, such as temperature and pH, varied within a narrow range; nevertheless, the tidal signal was clear for surface and bottom waters. In surface water, no variance was detected in SPM concentrations between consecutive tidal cycles or between tidal stages (i.e. flood, ebb and slack water). In bottom water, however, SPM concentrations were significantly higher (PА.05) at flood tide than at slack high water and ebb tide. Concentrations of particulate trace metals and major elements in surface water do not display significant variability between tidal cycles or stages. Nevertheless, differences within each tidal stage were significant (PА.05) for all elements. In bottom water, only particulate Fe and Al exhibited significant differences (PА.05) between tidal cycles, whereas particulate Ni was the only trace element that presented significant differences (PА.05) between tidal stages, following the distribution of SPM, with highest concentrations at flood tide. Among the metals studied, significant variation was found at all three temporal scales examined (i.e. from hours to consecutive tidal cycles), although the patterns of variation were different for each metal. The semi-diurnal fluctuation of SPM and particulate trace metal concentrations during spring tides is interpreted as a resuspension-deposition cycle caused by cyclical oscillations of bottom currents. The results are discussed in the context of the implications of tidal cycle influence on the geochemistry and cycling of particulate trace metals in the Port Jackson estuary.     

Mineralogy,major and trace element geochemistry of riverbed sediments in the headwaters of the Yangtze,Tongtian River and Jinsha River

We collected riverbed sediments of the headwaters of the Yangtze River (Chumaer River, Tuotuo River, Gaerqu River and Buqu River), Tongtian River and Jinsha River (HTJR) flowing on the eastern Tibetan Plateau and analyzed their mineralogical features, major and trace element contents. The results show: (i) very poor correlations of Na₂O, K₂O, CaO, Ba, and Sr to SiO₂, LREE to Th, HREE to Hf, and Ta/La to Ti, and characteristics of Eu anomaly (the ratios of (Eu/Eu^*)_N range from 0.60 to 0.83 with an average value of 0.71) all indicate that the Jinsha River sediments have not undergone much mineralogical sorting; (ii) illite and chlorite are predominant clay minerals, and quartz, calcite, dolomite, albite, and K-feldspar are prevailing non-clay minerals. The characteristics of mineral assemblage indicate relatively weak chemical weathering degree in these river basins; (iii) very high contents of Fe₂O₃, MgO, TiO₂, Sc, V, Cr, Co, and Ni at Panzhihua mainly result from the huge-sized V–Ti magnetite deposits occurred in layered gabbroic intrusion; and (iv) the chemical alteration index (CIA) in the HTJR ranges from 46.5 to 69.2 and with an average value of 60.5 which indicates relatively weak weathering degree.