170 Using trace alemen: data

crystallization for each sample was calculated from a knowledge of the composition of the primary
melt and the bulk partition coefficient.

Constraining In the cast of partial melting the unknowns ire (I) the chemistry of the source, (2)
partial melting the bulk partition coefficient for each element considered and (3) the degree of
ui;n an partial melting for each sample. There are too many unknowns for a direct solution
inversion method and so t number of initio assumptions have to be made.
Bender el a/. (1984), in a study of ocean-door basalts, used the modal batch melting equation
(Eqn [4.10]) and made two initial assumptions. Firstly, they selected * reference element (in this
case the most incompatible element) and assigned it a bulk distribution coefficient (1). Secondly,
an initial \aJue was assumed for the degree of partial melting. This value is subsequently checked
and refined by the geological plausibility of the end result. From these two assumptions the
concentration in die source (Ca) may be calculated for the reference element: this is usually done for
the most enriched sample. From die values obtained for D and Cn for the reference clement, values
for the percentage melting (F) can be calculated for all the other samples. The batch melting
equation now has two known parameters for each element the concentration its the melt (Cl) and
the percentage melting (F) and two unknowns, Cg and D. These unknowns may be found by
solving simultaneous equations for pairs of parental magmas and by assuming that in each case a
pair of magmas has values of C0 and D which arc constant.
The results of a preliminary calculation are inspecied and refined as necessary. A comparison of
calculated D values for each pur of parental magmas gives a test of the assumed batch melting model
for these rocks. The calculated inverted partition coefficients may be compared with experimentally
determined values to sec if they arc geologically plausible. The relative values of the inverted
distribution coefficients are a robust feature of this inversion method over a range D and F values.
Values for the composition of the source are more sensitive to values of D and F bur solutions ai
restricted to a small range of geologically plausible possibilities.

4.9.5 A final comment on geochemical modelling

The development of trace element modelling in petrology represents a major advance in

geochemistry. However, this approach must be used with some caution for two reasons.
(1) Most of the models developed in Section 4.2.2 of this chapter are idealized
and do not always conform to the actual physical conditions of the process
being meddled.
(2) Rarely can pctrologica! modelling produce a unique solution. Often problems
of this type contain too many unknowns.
For this reason, trace clement modelling must be regarded as a means of
hypothesis testing and should be used to verify an already constrained model. Wherever possible,
trace clement studies should be part of a broader approach to a geochemical problem which includes
the constraints of the major element and istxopic chemistry.