Use of REE in apatite to discriminate the petrogeno-mineralization series of granites

REE studies of apatites in two series of granites, including more than ten types of rock and several tens of rock masses in eight provinces of South China permit us to come to some new understanding and hence the following conclusions have been drawn. Apatites in granites of different series show significant differences in REE distribution pattern, probably due to different material sources. Therefore, REE partition characteristics can be used to discriminate granites of different sources. Apatite in granite of the Nanling series (of shallow-seated source) has a lower content ofΣ REE (4571 ppm on average). Y is the highest of the REE group.Σ Y is rich relative toΣ Ce, thus giving rise to relatively lowΣCe/ΣY ratio (0.68 on average). Eu shows strong depletion, andδ Eu is extremely low (0.135 on average). The REE distribution patterns are represented by a group of “V”-shaped symmetric curves. Apatite in granites of the Yangtze series are relatively high inΣ REE (8571.3 ppm on average). Ce is the highest of the REE. group.Σ Ce is rich relative toΣ Y and theΣCe/ΣY is relatively high (7.15 on average). The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns are characterized by a group of rightward-inclined curves.