Trace element zoning in clinopyroxenes from spinel peridotite xenoliths

Abstract

The excellent spatial resolution of the proton microprobe allows trace element zoning profiles to be determined within single grains of mantle minerals. Analyses of clinopyroxenes from two spinel peridotite xenoliths from the young basaltic volcanic field of the Western Districts of Victoria show they have pronounced zoning in Ti, Zr and Sr. These zoning profiles demonstrate that regions of the lithospheric mantle have undergone recent metasomatism by infiltrating basaltic melts resulting in enrichment in Ti, Zr and Sr. © 1993.