广西涠洲岛晚新生代玄武岩地幔源区及岩浆成因

涠洲岛作为我国最年轻的第四纪火山岩岛,其火山活动表现出多期、多旋回和多喷发中心的特征,但其地幔源区特征和岩浆成因依然存在争议。本文对涠洲岛玄武岩开展了详细的矿物学和全岩主、微量元素及Sr-Nd-Pb同位素研究,以揭示其地幔源区特征和岩浆成因。涠洲岛玄武岩主要为碱性玄武岩,在岩浆上升过程,几乎未受到地壳物质的混染,经历了橄榄石和单斜辉石的分离结晶作用。轻稀土(LREE)富集、重稀土(HREE)亏损,轻、重稀土强烈分馏((La/Yb)N=14.42～28.64),Nb、Ta明显正异常,显示出与洋岛玄武岩(OIB)相似的微量元素和Sr-Nd-Pb同位素特征。Sr-Nd-Pb同位素比值变化较均一,且呈现出亏损地幔端元(DM)与富集地幔端元(EM2)的二元混合趋势。其中,EM2端元可能源于海南地幔柱。Sr/Sr*(1.21～2.36)和Eu/Eu*(1.01～1.11)正异常,指示源区存在再循环辉长岩洋壳组分。结合已有的地震层析成像结果和岩石地球化学数据,得出南海及周缘地区的晚新生代玄武岩的形成受控于海南地幔柱。伴随着海南地幔柱的上升,再循环的辉长岩洋壳经部分熔融与地幔橄榄岩反应生成石榴石辉石岩(贫硅辉石岩),石榴石辉石岩和未反应的地幔橄榄岩混合部分熔融形成涠洲岛玄武岩。     

中国东部陆下岩石圈地幔中的再循环地壳流体组分

地幔捕虏体中的流体挥发份保存了地幔演化过程的流体介质.中国东部二辉橄榄岩捕虏体中橄榄石、斜方辉石和单斜辉石流体挥发份的化学组成和碳、氢和氧同位素组成分步加热质谱法测定结果表明,陆下岩石圈地幔以较轻的碳、氢同位素和氧同位素组成变化范围大为特征,高温(800～1200 ℃)释放的CO2和CO呈现较轻的δ13C值,与世界其他地区的地幔捕虏体明显不同[1].     

地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的指示意义

橄榄石是地幔橄榄岩和辉石岩的主要组成矿物,但也经常以斑晶和捕虏晶的形式出现在玄武质岩石中。结合近年来在地幔橄榄岩的主要元素（如Mg和Fe）组成特征以及Li、Mg和Fe稳定同位素地球化学方面的研究成果,重点对橄榄石的地球化学特征与华北克拉通岩石圈地幔演化过程之间的联系进行了讨论,旨在加深对华北克拉通岩石圈地幔演化过程的理解。现有研究表明：地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的矿物学特征、元素和同位素地球化学组成能够很好地指示岩石圈地幔的特征及其演化过程,因而具有重要的意义。对于克拉通地区的地幔橄榄岩来说,橄榄石的Mg#通常可以指示岩石圈地幔的属性,古老、难熔的地幔橄榄岩中的橄榄石一般具有较高的Mg#（〉92）,而新生的岩石圈地幔橄榄岩中的橄榄石则具有较低的Mg#（〈91）。因此,地幔橄榄岩中橄榄石的Mg#在一定程度上具有年龄意义。橄榄岩中橄榄石的Li、Mg和Fe同位素组成也可以明确指示岩石圈地幔的属性及其所经历的演化过程,正常地幔的δ7Li、δ26Mg和δ57Fe组成相对均一,如果上述同位素组成偏离正常地幔值,则说明岩石圈地幔经历了熔体/流体的交代作用。华北克拉通地区地幔橄榄岩捕虏体中橄榄石的Li、Mg和Fe同位素组成研究表明：该区的岩石圈地幔经历了多个阶段、不同来源的熔体/流体的改造过程。     

华北中、新生代岩石圈地幔的交代作用：含金云母地幔岩提供的证据

本文对华北克拉通三个不同地区(河北汉诺坝、内蒙古集宁三义堂、河南鹤壁)新发现的含金云母尖晶石二辉橄榄岩和尖晶石橄榄单斜辉石岩捕虏体进行了详细的矿物组成、单斜辉石的微量元素和 Sr-Nd 同位素研究。通过与相同地区不含金云母尖晶石二辉橄榄岩捕虏体的系统对比发现通常含金云母的地幔橄榄岩比不含金云母的地幔橄榄岩岩富 Al_2O_3、CaO、NaO、K_2O、TiO_2,但相对贫镁;其单斜辉石的 LREE 更为富集,但 Sr、Nd 同位素组成则相对亏损。这说明地幔交代作用不仅能够造成地幔橄榄岩的玄武质组分和稀土元素的富集,而且亦能够造成全岩和橄榄石 Mg~#的降低和同位素组成的相对亏损。捕虏体的 Rb-Sr 等时线年龄暗示地幔交代作用发生在中、新生代;其交代熔体来源于软流圈。同时说明华北新生代岩石圈地慢普遍存在的主、微量元素和同位素组成类似于"大洋型"岩石圈地幔的特征很可能是岩石圈地幔橄榄岩与软流圈来源的熔体的大规模反应的结果,而非真正意义上的新增生的岩石圈地幔。     

Fe同位素体系及其在地幔地球化学中的应用

在简要介绍Fe同位素体系的基础上,对Fe同位素在地幔地球化学研究中的应用进行了较为系统的评述。根据华北克拉通新生代玄武岩及其携带的地幔捕虏体Fe同位素研究最新进展和国际上已发表的有关数据,总结了Fe同位素在大洋玄武岩,地幔捕虏体及其单矿物中的分布特征。统计结果表明,来自世界不同地区的大洋玄武岩的Fe同位素组成比较均一,并且相对地幔橄榄岩Fe同位素组成总体偏重,表明地幔部分熔融过程导致Fe同位素分馏。而地幔捕虏体及其单矿物的Fe同位素组成明显不均一。没有受到地幔交代作用影响的橄榄岩,Fe同素组成变化范围小,而经受不同类型地幔交代作用影响的地幔橄榄岩,Fe同位素组成存在明显的差异,这说明地幔交代作用是导致地幔Fe同位素组成不均一的重要机制。     

华北北缘汉诺坝地区不同类型辉石岩捕掳体Fe同位素地球化学研究

<正>辉石岩是上地幔仅次于橄榄岩捕虏体的重要组成部分,其类型多样,具有复杂的成因与来源;成因方面既有高压环境下的堆晶成因,又有再循环洋壳变质成因,也包括熔体与橄榄岩交代成因;而来源方面又包括来自于软流圈,富集的岩石圈地幔或俯冲变质的大洋岩石圈。随着同位素分析技术和质谱仪器性能的提高,新兴的Fe同位素体系因特有的地球化学性质而成为研究地幔不均一性、交代作用和岩浆演化的新工具。为了对不同类型辉石岩的成因和来源提供新制约,我们对华北克拉通北缘汉诺坝地区不同类型辉石     

中国东部陆下岩石圈地幔中的再循环地壳流体组分

地幔捕虏体中的流体组分记录了地幔演化的信息,可用来认识地幔中再循环地壳组分的性质和来源。采用分步加热质谱法测定中国东部二辉橄榄岩捕虏体组成矿物中流体挥发份的碳、氢和氧同位素组成,结合化学组成(Zhang et al., 2004)综合分析表明,早期流体包裹体、矿物晶格缺陷和空隙中的流体挥发分主要在高温段(800-1200°C)释出,CO2和CO显示较轻的δ13C值,与世界其它地区地幔捕虏体明显不同;晚期流体包裹体中的流体挥发分主要在低温段(300-600°C)释出。根据中国东部地幔演化事件、地幔矿物性质认为陆下岩石圈地幔中三种类型的流体挥发份中均存在来源不同的再循环地壳组分：（1）地幔初始流体：主要为耐熔矿物橄榄石在800-1200°C释出的流体组分,华北克拉通地幔初始流体的化学组成（主要为CO）与华南克拉通（主要为CO2）明显不同,反映二者拼合前各自演化时期捕获的流体组分。地幔特征的δD、δ13CCH4和δ18OCO2反映初始流体组分可能为元古代克拉通大陆型岩石圈地幔成分,较轻的CO2 和 CO的δ13C值揭示初始流体中存在部分再循环地壳流体,可能在1.9Ga的大陆碰撞过程中混入。（2）地幔交代流体：指斜方辉石和单斜辉石800-1200°C释气峰的流体组分,以H2为主。华北克拉通交代流体主要组分H2含量(80.73 mm3.STP/g) 明显低于华南克拉通(138.91 mm3.STP/g),地幔特征的δDH2和δ13CCH4表明交代流体主体为地幔来源,较轻的δ13CCO2,CO和较重δ18OCO2揭示其中存在再循环陆壳流体,其可能的来源为华北与华南中生代拼合过程中的壳幔相互作用。（3）岩石圈减薄流体：指二辉橄榄岩捕虏体组成矿物在400-600°C释放出的流体,华北与华南克拉通在流体组成方面相似,壳源特征的CO2、CO和CH4的δ13C值,以及较轻的δ18OCO2和δDH2O值指示该流体可能为岩石圈地幔减薄过程中引起的再循环洋壳流体,可能与中国东部转换带中水平俯冲的太平洋岩石圈(或其前身)脱气有关。     

海南岛新生代玄武质熔岩源区中再循环物质及其年龄的限定:来自Hf-Sr-Nd-Pb同位素的制约

再循环洋壳和沉积物在壳.幔循环过程中扮演着重要的角色。前人研究指出板片俯冲与海南地幔柱形成关系密切,然而地幔柱源区中是否存在再循环沉积物仍然不得而知。本文将首次报导海南岛新生代玄武质熔岩的Hf同位素,并将新的Sr-Nd-Pb同位素与前人数据相结合,限定再循环物质的组成及其年龄。与同位素地幔趋势相比,给定εNd时,海南岛玄武质熔岩的εHf值更低;而且Eu/Eu*>1、Sr/Sr*>1,与Al2O3、MgO都不存在相关性,说明Eu和Sr的正异常是继承了源区的特征,指示源区中存在再循环洋壳物质的参与。海南岛玄武质熔岩的Ce/Pb与εNd、εHf呈正相关关系,Nd/Pb与87Sr/86Sr呈负相关关系,它们都指向了沉积物端元。根据εHf-εNd模型和Pb同位素演化模型,推断源区中再循环洋壳和沉积物相对年轻,其年龄应小于1.0Ga。这些再循环洋壳和沉积物将进入深部地幔,并与地幔中的橄榄岩反应形成二阶段辉石岩,随着海南地幔柱不断上升而发生熔融,最终熔体喷发至地表形成海南岛玄武质熔岩。     

全球幔源岩Pb-Sr-Nd同位素体系

根据各种同位素数据库得到的3万多个晚古生代以来的幔源岩(包括洋中脊玄武岩、洋岛玄武岩、岛弧火山岩、大陆与大洋溢流玄武岩以及大陆板内玄武岩)Pb-Sr-Nd同位素资料和图解分析,对各类火山岩的源区以及地幔的垂向与横向不均一性问题作了进一步讨论。笔者认为不存在具有公共性质的EM1、EM2和HIMU地幔端员,它们的源区可能来自上、下地幔过渡带,只在局部地区出现,独一无二。PREMA(FOZO)则是洋岛玄武岩和溢流玄武岩公共端员。DUAPAL异常现象不只是在洋中脊玄武岩中出现,在洋岛玄武岩、岛弧火山岩和大洋溢流玄武岩中也存在同步的地球化学分区现象。溢流玄武岩的同位素体系特征表明它们的源区涉及再循环地幔的壳幔混合、岩石圈减压熔融、上—下地幔过渡带和似原始-略亏损的下地幔。Pb同位素体系为鉴别俯冲带的存在提供了更严格的证据,这种鉴别表明,安第斯弧火山作用不是洋陆俯冲带产生的。     

顽火辉石中Li同位素扩散与分馏

顽火辉石作为斜方辉石晶系的重要Mg端元矿物,是地球上地幔主要组成矿物之一。Li同位素作为重要的地幔地球化学示踪剂,在主要地幔矿物中(如橄榄石,辉石等)的扩散分馏相关性质的研究显得尤为重要。我们通过经典力学的方法,计算模拟了原子尺度下Li同位素在顽火辉石晶格以2种不同的迁移机制(填隙机制和取代空位机制)迁移的活化能和其在不同晶格位上不同温度条件下的分馏作用程度。计算结果表明,Li同位素易以填隙位机制在顽火辉石中迁移。重同位素~7Li会更多的进入晶格填隙位中,而6Li相对更多进入Mg位。温度是影响这种分馏作用的1个关键因素,相应的结果可用来解释地幔Li同位素组成特征及冷却条件下的同位素分馏等科学问题。     

Combined Sr,Nd, Pb and Li isotope geochemistry of alkaline lavas from northern James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula) and implications for back-arc magma formation

We present a comprehensive geochemical data set for a suite of back-arc alkaline volcanic rocks from James Ross Island Volcanic Group (JRIVG), Antarctic Peninsula. The elemental and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb and Li) composition of these Cenozoic basalts emplaced east of the Antarctic Peninsula is different from the compositions of the fore-arc alkaline volcanic rocks in Southern Shetlands and nearby Bransfield Strait. The variability in elemental and isotopic composition is not consistent with the JRIVG derivation from a single mantle source but rather it suggests that the magma was mainly derived from a depleted mantle with subordinate OIB-like enriched mantle component (EM II). The isotopic data are consistent with mantle melting during extension and possible roll-back of the subducted lithosphere of the Antarctic plate. Magma contamination by Triassic–Early Tertiary clastic sediments deposited in the back-arc basin was only localized and affected Li isotopic composition in two of the samples, while most of the basalts show very little variation in δ⁷Li values, as anticipated for “mantle-driven” Li isotopic composition. These variations are difficult to resolve with radiogenic isotope systematics but Li isotopes may prove sensitive in tracking complex geochemical processes acting through the oceanic crust pile, including hydrothermal leaching and seawater equilibration.     

Nd, Pb and Sr Isotopic Compositions of East African Carbonatites: Evidence for Mantle Mixing and Plume Inhomogeneity

New Pb isotopic data are presented for 10 young Mesozoic toCenozoic (0–116 Ma) carbonatites from a 1400 km long segmentof the East African Rift. Patterns observed in Pb vs Pb, Srvs Pb and Nd vs Pb isotope diagrams define unusual, nearly linear,trends that are interpreted as mixing between two componentsthat are broadly similar to the two mantle end-member components,HIMU and EM1, which were first recognized from ocean-islandbasalts. The two plutons with isotope signatures closest toHIMU and EM1 crop out within 140 km of each other. From thesedata, EM1 and HIMU are now known to occur in both continentaland oceanic settings that are associated with plumes or rifts.Moreover, these isotopic signatures tend to occur in regionswhere seismic tomography indicates prominent low-velocity zonesin the lower mantle. For these reasons, we favour a model forthe origin of the East African Rift carbonatites that involvesmelting and mixing of HIMU and EM1 components contained withinan isotopically heterogeneous mantle plume. We consider theHIMU and EM1 sources to be stored within the deep (lower 1000km) mantle, possibly the core–mantle boundary. The rolethat continental lithosphere plays in carbonatite generationis probably one of concentrating volatiles at the upper levelsof an ascending mantle plume. KEY WORDS: carbonatites; isotopes; rifts; plumes; FOZO     

Isotope geochemistry of Jeongok basalts,northernmost South Korea: Implications for the enriched mantle end-member component

South Korea separates two mantle source domains for Late Cenozoic intraplate volcanism in East Asia: depleted mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) mantle-enriched mantle type 1 (DMM-EM1) in the north and DMM-EM2 in the south. We determined geochemical compositions, including Sr, Nd, Pb, and Hf isotopes for the Jeongok trachybasalts (∼0.51 to 0.15 Ma K–Ar ages) from northernmost South Korea, to better constrain the origin and distribution of the enriched mantle components. The Jeongok basalts exhibit light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched patterns ([La/Yb]_N = 9.2–11.6). The (La/Yb)_N ratios are lower than that of typical oceanic island basalt (OIB). On a primitive mantle-normalized incompatible element plot, the Jeongok samples show OIB-like enrichment in highly incompatible elements. However, they are depleted in moderately incompatible elements (e.g., La, Nd, Zr, Hf, etc.) compared with the OIB and exhibit positive anomalies in K and Pb. These anomalies are also prime characteristics of the Wudalianchi basalts, extreme EM1 end-member volcanics in northeast China. We have compared the geochemistry of the Jeongok basalts with those of available Late Cenozoic intraplate volcanic rocks from East Asia (from north to south, Wudalianchi, Mt. Baekdu and Baengnyeong for DMM-EM1, and Jeju for DMM-EM2). The mantle source for the Jeongok volcanics contains an EM1 component. The contribution of the EM1 component to East Asian volcanism increases toward the north, from Baengnyeong through Jeongok to Mt. Baekdu and finally to Wudalianchi. Modeling of trace element data suggests that the Jeongok basalts may have been generated by mixing of a Wudalianchi-like melt (EM1 end-member) and a melt that originated from a depleted mantle source, with some addition of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Jeongok area. In Nd–Hf isotope space, the most enriched EM1-component-bearing Jeongok sample shows elevation of ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf at a given ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd compared with OIB. Recycled pelagic sediments may explain the EM1-end-member component of northeastern Asian volcanism, possibly from the mantle transition zone.     

High field strength element ratios in Archean basalts: a window to evolving sources of mantle plumes?

In terms of high field strength element ratios Nb/Th, Zr/Nb, Nb/Y and Zr/Y, most basalts from non-arc type Archean greenstones are similar to oceanic plateau basalts, suggestive of mantle plume sources. A large number of these basalts have ratios similar to primitive mantle composition. Perhaps the Archean mantle was less fractionated than at present and “primitive mantle” comprised much of the deep mantle and made a significant contribution to mantle plumes. The near absence of Archean greenstone basalts similar to NMORB in composition is also consistent with a relatively unfractionated mantle in which a shallow depleted source (DM) was volumetrically insignificant. The element ratios in basalts also indicate the existence of recycled components (HIMU, EM1, EM2) in the mantle by the Late Archean. This suggests that oceanic lithosphere was recycled into the deep mantle and became incorporated in some mantle plumes by the Late Archean. High field strength element ratios also indicate an important contribution of continental crust or/and subcontinental lithosphere to some non-arc Archean greenstone basalts. This implies that at least thin continental lithosphere was relatively widespread in the Archean.     

Insights into Li and Li isotope cycling and sub-arc metasomatism from veined mantle xenoliths,Kamchatka

Harzburgitic xenoliths cut by pyroxenite veins from Avachinsky volcano, Kamchatka, are derived from the sub-arc mantle and record element transfer from the slab to the arc. Olivine and orthopyroxene in the harzburgites have Li isotopic compositions (δ⁷Li = +2.8 to +5.6) comparable to estimates of the upper mantle (δ⁷Li ~ +4 ± 2). The pyroxenite veins, which represent modal metasomatism and may therefore provide information about the metasomatic agent, have mantle-normalized trace element characteristics that suggest overprinting of their mantle source by an aqueous, slab-derived fluid. These include relative enrichments of Pb over Ce, U over Th and Sr over Nd. Li is enriched relative to the HREE, and ortho- and clinopyroxene from the veins are in Li elemental and isotopic equilibrium with each other and the surrounding harzburgite. Vein samples (δ⁷Li = +3.0 to +5.0) do not record a significant slab-derived δ⁷Li signature. These observations can be reconciled if slab Li diffusively re-equilibrates in the mantle wedge. Modeling demonstrates that Li equilibration of small (1–2 cm width) veins or melt conduits is achieved at mantle wedge temperatures within 10¹–10⁵ years. We conclude that strongly fractionated Li isotopic signatures cannot be sustained for long periods in the sub-arc mantle, at least at shallow (<70 km) depths. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The Lithium, Boron and Beryllium content of serpentinized peridotites from ODP Leg 209 (Sites 1272A and 1274A): Implications for lithium and boron budgets of oceanic lithosphere

Despite the key importance of altered oceanic mantle as a repository and carrier of light elements (B, Li, and Be) to depth, its inventory of these elements has hardly been explored and quantified. In order to constrain the systematics and budget of these elements we have studied samples of highly serpentinized (>50%) spinel harzburgite drilled at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Fifteen-Twenty Fracture zone, ODP Leg 209, Sites 1272A and 1274A). In-situ analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry reveals that the B, Li and Be contents of mantle minerals (olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene) remain unchanged during serpentinization. B and Li abundances largely correspond to those of unaltered mantle minerals whereas Be is close to the detection limit. The Li contents of clinopyroxene are slightly higher (0.44-2.8 μg g⁻¹) compared to unaltered mantle clinopyroxene, and olivine and clinopyroxene show an inverse Li partitioning compared to literature data. These findings along with textural observations and major element composition obtained from microprobe analysis suggest reaction of the peridotites with a mafic silicate melt before serpentinization. Serpentine minerals are enriched in B (most values between 10 and 100 μg g⁻¹), depleted in Li (most values below 1 μg g⁻¹) compared to the primary phases, with considerable variation within and between samples. Be is at the detection limit. Analysis of whole rock samples by prompt gamma activation shows that serpentinization tends to increase B (10.4-65.0 μg g⁻¹), H₂O and Cl contents and to lower Li contents (0.07-3.37 μg g⁻¹) of peridotites, implying that—contrary to alteration of oceanic crust—B is fractionated from Li and that the B and Li inventory should depend essentially on rock-water ratios. Based on our results and on literature data, we calculate the inventory of B and Li contained in the oceanic lithosphere, and its partitioning between crust and mantle as a function of plate characteristics. We model four cases, an ODP Leg 209-type lithosphere with almost no igneous crust, and a Semail-type lithosphere with a thick igneous crust, both at 1 and 75 Ma, respectively. The results show that the Li contents of the oceanic lithosphere are highly variable (17-307 kg in a column of 1 m × 1 m × thickness of the lithosphere (kg/col)). They are controlled by the primary mantle phases and by altered crust, whereas the B contents (25-904 kg/col) depend entirely on serpentinization. In all cases, large quantities of B reside in the uppermost part of the plate and could hence be easily liberated during slab dehydration. The most prominent input of Li into subduction zones is to be expected from Semail-type lithosphere because most of the Li is stored at shallow levels in the plate. Subducting an ODP Leg 209-type lithosphere would mean only very little Li contribution from the slab. Serpentinized mantle thus plays an important role in B recycling in subduction zones, but it is of lesser importance for Li.     

Incompatible element and isotopic evidence for tectonic control of source mixing and melt extraction along the Central American arc

The Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of Central American volcanics can be described by the mixing of four components, marine sediment from DSDP Site 495, MORB-source mantle (DM), EMORB-source mantle (EM), and continental crust. Most of the isotopic data define a trend between EM and a modified mantle (MM) formed as a mixture of DM and less than 0.5% marine sediment, or fluid derived there from. The MM to EM trend is equally apparent in the incompatible-element data and is most clearly seen in a Ba/La versus La/Yb plot. A hyperbolic trend connects high Ba/La and low La/Yb at the MM end of the trend to low Ba/La and high La/Yb at the EM end. Smooth regional variations in incompatible-element and isotopic ratios correlate with the dip of the subducted slab beneath the volcanic front and the volume of lava erupted during the last 100,000 years (volcanic flux). Steep dip and low flux characterize the MM end-member and shallow dip and high flux characterize the EM end-member. The simplest model to explain the linked tectonic and geochemical data involves melting in the wedge by two distinct mechanisms, followed by mixing between the two magmas. In one case, EM magma is generated by decompression of EM plus DM asthenosphere, which is drawn in and up toward the wedge corner. EM mantle is preferentially melted to small degrees because of the presence of low melting components. The second melt is formed by release of fluid from the subducted slab beneath the volcanic front to form MM magma. Mixing between EM and MM magmas is controlled by subduction angle, which facilitates delivery of EM magma to the volcanic front at low-dip angles and impedes it at steep-dip angles.     

Lithium Isotopic Geochemistry in Subduction Zones: Retrospects and Prospects

Subduction zones involve many complex geological processes, including the release of slab-derived fluids, fluid/rock interactions, partial melting, isotopic fractionations, elemental transporting, and crust/mantle interactions. Lithium (Li) isotopes (6Li and 7Li) have relative mass difference up to 16%, being the largest among metal elements. Thus, Li isotopes have advantage to interprete trace various geological processes. Most importantly, during crust/mantle interactions in deep subduction zones, surface materials and mantle rocks usually have distinct Li isotopic compositions. Li isotopes can be potential tracer for subduction processes, from the onset of subduction to the release of Li from subducted slabs and interaction with mantle wedge, as well as the fate of Li in slab-derived fluids and residual slabs. Moreover, the Li isotopic composition of subducting output materials can provide useful information for understanding global Li circulation. With developments in measurement and expansion of Li isotopic database, Li isotopic geochemistry will provide more inference and be a powerful tracer for understanding subduction-related processes. This work retrospected the application of Li isotopes in tracing successive subduction processes, and made some prospects for further studies of Li isotopes.