ABSTRACT

Partition coefficients for -1, -2, -3, +1, +2, +3, +4 and +5 valent ions between the groundmass of boninite and coexisting phenocrysts, bronizite, protoenstatite, augite and chrome spinel, from Bonin Island, Japan have been determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The SIMS method could reveal the equilibria between the phenocrysts and the groundmass glass. The method has been useful in determining the partition coefficient for trace elements of the rock. The present anion and cation partitioning strongly supports the “crystal structure control” mechanism (Onuma et al., 1968; Yurimoto and Sueno, 1984a). Each of the crystallographic site gives rise to a parabola-shaped peak on partition coefficient vs. ionic radius diagram. On the diagrams for three kinds of pyroxene, sharpness of their peaks is consistent with geometrical flexibility of the corresponding coordination polyhedra, and relative height between the partition curves for homovalent ions is controlled by electrostatic charge balancing their crystallographic sites.