A Low-Li Geochemical Province in the NE Atlantic

• Published in: Lithos
• Main Authors: Bailey, J. C., Gwozdz, R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1978
• Subjects: North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/f4c28671-74b4-41fd-93d5-26b22a7c88bd; https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-4937(78)90032-4

Lithium was analysed in 392 basalts and related igneous rocks from the North Atlantic Tertiary-Recent province using activation analysis and Čerenkov counting. Monotonous Li values of 5.5±2 ppm in NE Atlantic basalts define a low-Li geochemical province which has persisted for 60 million years, over 20° of latitude and regardless of basalt type and chemistry. This low-Li province and the increasing Li contents of ocean-ridge tholeiites into the S Atlantic are believed to monitor Li heterogeneity in the underlying mantle. Li, like Na, increases gently during the differentiation of several basalt series. No whole-rock coherence is observed between Li and Mg, K, Rb or Ca. Mantle phlogopite is considered to play an insignificant rôle in controlling the Li levels of NE Atlantic basalts.