Compositional variations and abundances of selected elements in granitoid rocks and constituent minerals, central Sierra Nevada Batholith, California

Abstract

Contents of several elements have been determined in 27 representative granitoid samples from the central Sierra Nevada batholith and in 36 separates of their major constituent minerals. The chemical data confirm some previously established lateral compositional trends and also demonstrate eastward increase in light rareearth elements and tantalum across the batholith. These variations are attributable to the heterogeneity of the source regions from which magmas were derived.