The evolution of REE profiles in the Galway granite western Ireland

The evolution of REE profiles in the late-Caledonian Galway granite is studied using 26 surface and 13 borehole core samples. The behaviour of the REE with granite evolution is established with reference to Si, Ti, Zr and Sr as fractionation indices. The granodiorites and granites display light REE rich patterns and the more evolved leucogranites are relatively depleted in light REE and Eu and enriched in heavy REE. It is argued that a major factor controlling the behaviour of REE in the Galway granite is the timing of accessory phase crystallisation. -from Authors