Content of rare earth elements in basalt aggregate from Winna Góra, Poland

looking for easily available sources located in Europe. REE in
evolved magmatic systems are predominantly associated with alkali
environments. Therefore, it was decided to identify the content of
REE in alkali igneous rocks of the Winna Góra basalt quarry
located in Lower Silesia, Poland. In this study, a commercially
available basalt aggregate from Winna Góra deposit located in the
south-western part of Poland near Jawornik was examined for REE
content. Mineral content and chemical composition were examined
with a light microscope, XRD and XRF, whereas trace element
content was measured with the ICP-MS technique. A new method
of sample preparation for the purpose of REE identification in
basalt aggregate based on pressure microwave mineralisation was
developed. Mineral composition and TAS diagram classify
aggregate as tephrite. The mineral composition of samples reflects
typical mafic and ultramafic rocks. Quantitative mineralogical
analysis by the Rietveld method showed that the main minerals are
anorthite (46.7%) and augite (37.4%) with a minor content of
forsterite (7.5%), nepheline (7.4%) and apatite below 1%. The total
content of REE does not exceed 132 ppm. Chondrite normalised
curves show the highest concentration of La and Pr. In the case of
HREE, the majority of elements (Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb)
concentrations were below 1 ppm, a Tm and Lu were not detected.
The low enrichment in HREE was also reflected in La/Gd ratios.
Obtained results are comparable to the REE contents in the western
part of the Cenozoic European Volcanic Province.