Minor element chemistry of leucite and pseudoleucite

Abstract

Summary: Leucite and pseudoleucite invariably have lower K/Rb ratios and higher K/Sr and K/Ba ratios than the groundmasses of the rocks in which they occur. The distribution of Rb, Sr, and Ba between K-rich minerals (e.g. alkali feldspars) and the liquids from which they crystallize is generally such that Rb is impoverished and Sr and Ba enriched, relative to K, in the crystallizing phase. Leucite shows the opposite relationship and this is attributed to the leucite structure being sensitive to the size and valency of the ions replacing K.