They have been detected in rocks down to depths of nearly three km, where the temperature is approximately 75 °C. Terrestrial Lithophiles can be found in canyons primarily composed of granite, an igneous rock, and soils saturated with fractured rock.

Where are lithophile elements found?

Lithophile elements have a strong affinity for oxygen, and thus mostly form silicate minerals, and thus are the elements that make up Earth's crust and mantle.

Is gold a lithophile?

Given a system where all three melts are in equilibrium (i.e. molten Fe-Ni, sulphide and silica magma), a lithophile element, such as potassium, will be in highest concentration in the silica magma; whereas a siderophile element, such as one of the precious metals: platinum, palladium or gold; will be most enriched in ...