Radioelement geochemistry of Irish granites

Data for U, Th, and K, determined by neutron activation analysis, in 128 rock samples from 14 Irish Caledonian and Tertiary granite plutons are summarized. Irish Newer Caledonian granites (ninety-four samples) have values of radioelements (average 3.6 ppm U, 12.1 ppm Th, and 3.4% K) consistent with derivation from a source of broadly uniform composition. U mineralization occurs in the voluminous and forcefully emplaced Main Donegal and Leinster plutons whereas smaller passively emplaced granites (Galway, Barnesmore, Rosses) lack mineralization. Irish Tertiary granites (thirty-four samples), which represent small batches of highly fractionated acid magmas, show moderate or high radioelement contents (11.5 ppm U, 39.9 ppm Th, 4.5% K) but are not mineralized. It is concluded that the use of elevated radioelement contents as a criterion of granite 'fertility' may be misleading in the British Isles Caledonian Province. The radioelement chemistry of granites may reflect their source composition more closely than expected for differentiated and/or contaminated acid melts. (author)