Enrichment of rare earth elements in garnets from the offshore of Anjengo, south-west coast of India

Abstract

Offshore sediments off Anjengo contain garnet grains that vary from light to dark pink and shades of red in colour and morphology from sub-rounded to irregular shapes. These garnets of the area are mainly almandine-pyrope variety with low grossular and spessartine. Electron Probe Micro analysis data indicated that the garnet grains have a good concentration of REEs (0.17 – 0.53 wt %). During partial melting and anatexis, REE from accessory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and zircon might have got entrapped in garnet resulting in the enrichment of REE in Anjengo garnet.