During crystallization of a magma, which one of the following schematic paths (I, II, III and IV) describes the behavior of compatible elements in the residual melt?
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Compatible elements are those that tend to remain in the residual melt as crystallization progresses. Their concentration increases as more crystals form.
In the crystallization of a magma, compatible elements tend to remain in the residual melt as crystallization proceeds. As the fraction of crystals increases, the concentration of compatible elements in the melt increases because they are not incorporated into the crystals. This is typically reflected in the path where the concentration of compatible elements increases as the fraction of crystals increases.
- Path I and II are typically associated with incompatible elements, where the concentration in the residual melt decreases as the fraction of crystals increases.
- Path III represents the behavior of elements that remain constant in concentration as crystallization progresses.
- Path IV accurately represents the behavior of compatible elements, where the concentration increases with the fraction of crystals.
Thus, the correct answer is (B) IV.
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