Platinum-Group Elements (PGE) in Basalts of the Seaward-Dipping Reflector Sequence, SE Greenland Coast

The rift-related, seaward-dipping reflector sequence (SDRS)SE of Greenland consists of basaltic lavas that exhibit variabledegrees of magmatic differentiation, derived from a heterogeneousmantle source. Platinum-group elements (PGE) are used to provideinsights into the petrogenetic evolution of the SDRS, and tocharacterize the magma sources. Noble metal concentrations correlatewell with indicators for magmatic differentiation (mg-number,MgO), exhibiting two distinct trends. Concentrations of Ir,Ru and Rh tend to decrease with progressive differentiation,indicating compatible behaviour of these elements during fractionalcrystallization processes. The variation of Pt and Pd showssegmented trends. In primitive magmas, Pt and Pd are incompatibleand become enriched in the melt. The primitive magma is S undersaturated,despite derivation from a depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt sourceat a moderate degree of melting, reflecting enhanced S solubilityin the melt caused by high Fe content and elevated temperature.In the more evolved lavas, Pt and Pd decrease with decreasingMgO and mg-number. This indicates that S saturation had occurredwith Pt and Pd being incorporated in sulphides, which probablysegregated during ascent. Bulk partition coefficients for thePGE during partial melting are calculated based on data froma primitive basaltic unit with MgO