Evidence for crustal components in the mantle and constraints on crustal recycling mechanisms: pyroxenite xenoliths from Hannuoba,North China

Spinel and garnet pyroxenite xenoliths in Cenozoic basalts from Hannuoba, North China show extremely heterogeneous chemical and isotopic compositions (ε_Nd=−27 to +34). Most of these pyroxenites are relatively young, probably late Mesozoic in age, although a few Al-pyroxenites could be very old (∼2 Ga). While their texture and major element compositions suggest an origin of high pressure cumulates, the trace element and isotopic compositions of the Hannuoba pyroxenites require multiple segregation processes from different parental magmas. Strong LREE enrichment, ubiquitous HFSE depletion and some Eu anomalies of the Al- and Cr-pyroxenites indicate the involvement of crust components in their source. Their Sr–Nd isotopic ratios are negatively correlated and plot below the MORB–OIB–IAB–sediment trend, suggesting that the parental melts of the Cr- and Al-pyroxenites may have been derived from a mixture of asthenospheric melts and a long-term evolved continental crust. The garnet pyroxenites significantly deviate from the isotopic array defined by the Al-pyroxenites, due to their relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr at given ε_Nd. They thus more likely represent segregates from melts derived from partial melting of hydrothermally altered oceanic crust (basalts+marine sediment). If the crustal component involved in the Al-pyroxenites is subducted terrigenous sediments or other continental materials from the Archean Sino-Korean Craton, the Al-pyroxenites and garnet pyroxenites may have formed contemporaneously at a palaeo-convergent plate margin. This may be related to the subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk plate beneath North China during the late Jurassic. Alternatively, if the delaminated lower crust was involved, it implies that most of the Al-pyroxenites are younger than the garnet pyroxenites, and their formation may be temporally correlated with lithospheric thinning during the Cretaceous. This model is attractive because the inferred tectonic evolution from a convergent setting to an extensional environment is consistent with the geologic record in the area.     

Geochemistry of subducted metabasites exhumed from the Mariana forearc: Implications for Pacific seamount subduction

Seamounts on the drifting oceanic crust are inevitably carried by plate motions and eventually accreted or subducted. However, the geochemical signatures of the subducted seamounts and the significance of seamount subduction are not well constrained. Hundreds of seamounts have subducted beneath the Philippine Sea Plate following the westward subduction of the Pacific Plate since the Eocene (~52 Ma). The subducted oceanic crust and seamount materials can be exhumed from the mantle depth to the seafloor in the Mariana forearc region by serpentinite mud volcanoes, providing exceptional opportunities to directly study the subducted oceanic crust and seamounts. The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expedition 366 has recovered a few metamorphosed mafic clasts exhumed from the Mariana forearc serpentinite mud volcanoes, e.g., the Fantangisña and Asùt Tesoru seamounts. These mafic clasts have tholeiitic to alkaline affinities with distinct trace elements and Nd-Hf isotopes characteristics, suggesting different provenances and mantle sources. The tholeiites from the Fantangisña Seamount have trace element characteristics typical of mid-ocean ridge basalt. The Pacific-type Hf-Nd isotopic compositions, combined with the greenschist metamorphism of these tholeiites further suggest that they came from the subducted Pacific oceanic crust. The alkali basalts-dolerites from the Fantangisña and Asùt Tesoru seamounts show ocean island basalt (OIB)-like geochemical characteristics. The OIB-like geochemical signatures and the low-grade metamorphism of these alkali basalts-dolerites suggest they came from subducted seamounts that originally formed in an intraplate setting on the Pacific Plate. The Pacific Plate origin of these metabasites suggests they were formed in the Early Cretaceous or earlier.Two types of OIBs have been recognized from alkali metabasites, one of which is geochemically similar to the HIMU-EMI-type OIBs from the West Pacific Seamount Province, and another is similar to the EMII-type OIBs from the Samoa Island in southern Pacific, with negative Nb-Ta-Ti anomalies and enriched Nd-Hf isotopes. Generally, these alkali metabasites are sourced from the heterogeneous mantle sources that are similar to the present South Pacific Isotopic and Thermal Anomaly. This study provides direct evidence for seamount subduction in the Mariana convergent margins. We suggest seamount subduction is significant to element cycling, mantle heterogeneity, and mantle oxidation in subduction zones.     

Zircon U-Pb and Hf isotope constraints on crustal melting associated with the Emeishan mantle plume

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dates, combined with in-situ Hf isotopic data, provide new constraints on the petrogenesis and protolith of peralkaline, metaluminous and peraluminous intrusions and rhyolitic tuffs in the Emeishan large igneous province, with significant bearing on crustal melting associated with mantle plumes. Syenite and A-type granitic intrusions from Huili, Miyi and Taihe in the center of this large igneous province yield U-Pb dates at ∼260 Ma, consistent with the ages obtained for mafic layered intrusions in the same province. Zircon from these rocks exhibits a wide range of initial Hf isotope ratios (ε_Hf(t) = −1.4 to +13.4), with corresponding T_DM1 of 400-900 Ma. The highest ε_Hf(t) value is only marginally lower than that of depleted mantle reservoir at 260 Ma, suggesting that their source is primarily juvenile crust added during Emeishan volcanism, with incorporation of variable amounts of Neoproterozoic crust. The trigger of crustal melting is most likely related to advective heating associated with magmatic underplating. In contrast, the 255-251 Ma peraluminous granites from Ailanghe and 238 Ma rhyolitic tuff from Binchuan, have negative initial ε_Hf values of −1.3 to −4.4, and of −7.7 to −14, respectively. Hf isotopic model ages and presence of inherited zircons indicate their derivation from Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic crust, respectively. Given the time lag relative to the plume impact (∼260 Ma) and insignificant mantle contribution to 255-238 Ma magmatism, conductive heating is suggested as the trigger of crustal melting that resulted in formation of delayed felsic magmas. The involvement of older crust in younger felsic magmas is consistent with upward heat transfer to the lithosphere during plume impregnation, if the age of crust is inversely stratified, i.e., changes from Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic to Permian with increasing depth. Such crust may have resulted from episodic, downward crustal growth during the evolution of the western Yangtze Craton.     

Chemical and mineralogical evidence of the occurrence of mantle metasomatism by carbonate-rich melts in an oceanic environment (Santiago Island, Cape Verde)

Lavas from Santiago Island attest to a complex magmatic history, in which heterogeneous mantle source(s) and the interactions of advecting magmas with thick metasomatised oceanic lithosphere played an important role in the observed isotopic and trace element signatures. Young (<3.3 Ma) primitive lavas from Santiago Island are characterised by pronounced negative K anomalies and trace element systematics indicating that during partial melting D_K>D_Ce. These features suggest equilibration with an oceanic lithospheric mantle containing K-rich hydrous mineral assemblages, consistent with the occurrence of amphibole + phlogopite in associated metasomatised lherzolite xenoliths, where orthopyroxene is partially replaced by newly formed olivine + (CO₂ + spinel + carbonate inclusion-rich) clinopyroxene. Metasomatism induced a decrease in $ a ^{{{\text{melt}}}}_{{{\text{SiO}}_{{\text{2}}} }} $ and Ti/Eu ratios, as well as an increase in fO ₂ , Ca/Sc and Sr/Sm in the Santiago magmas, suggesting a carbonatitic composition for the metasomatic agent. Santiago primitive lavas are highly enriched in incompatible elements and show a moderate range in isotopic compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.70318–0.70391, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd?=?0.51261–0.51287, ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf?=?0.28284–0.28297). Elemental and isotopic signatures suggest the involvement of HIMU and EM1-type mantle end-members, in agreement with the overall isotopic characteristics of the southern Cape Verde Islands. The overall geochemical characteristics of lavas from Santiago Island allow us to consider the EM1-like end-member as resulting from the involvement of subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the genesis of magmas on Santiago.     

Isotopic characteristics and petrogenesis of the lamproites and kimberlites of central west Greenland

Kimberlites which intruded the Sisimiut (formerly Holsteinsborg) region of central west Greenland during the Early Palaeozoic have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr between 0.7028 and 0.7033 and ε_Nd between + 1.3 and + 3.9. Mid-Proterozoic potassic lamproites from the same region have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr between 0.7045 and 0.7060, ε_Nd between −13 and −10 and unradiogenic initial Pb isotopic compositions. The isotopic data favour an asthenospheric mantle source for the kimberlite magmas, in common with “basaltic” kimberlites from other localities, whereas the lamproite magma sources evolved in isolation from the convecting mantle for > 1000 Ma, probably within the subcontinental lithospheric mantle of the Greenland craton, prior to emplacement of the lamproites.     

<Superscript>10</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>18</Superscript>O and radiogenic isotopic constraints on the origin of adakitic signatures: a case study from Solander and Little Solander Islands,New Zealand

Subduction-related Quaternary volcanic rocks from Solander and Little Solander Islands, south of mainland New Zealand, are porphyritic trachyandesites and andesites (58.20–62.19 wt% SiO₂) with phenocrysts of amphibole, plagioclase and biotite. The Solander and Little Solander rocks are incompatible element enriched (e.g. Sr ~931–2,270 ppm, Ba ~619–798 ppm, Th ~8.7–21.4 ppm and La ~24.3–97.2 ppm) with MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic signatures. Isotopically similar quench-textured enclaves reflect mixing with intermediate (basaltic-andesite) magmas. The Solander rocks have geochemical affinities with adakites (e.g. high Sr/Y and low Y), whose origin is often attributed to partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. Solander sits on isotopically distinct continental crust, thus excluding partial melting of the lower crust in the genesis of the magmas. Furthermore, the incompatible element enrichments of the Solander rocks are inconsistent with partial melting of newly underplated mafic lower crust; reproduction of their major element compositions would require unrealistically high degrees of partial melting. A similar argument precludes partial melting of the subducting oceanic crust and the inability to match the observed trace element patterns in the presence of residual garnet or plagioclase. Alternatively, an enriched end member of depleted MORB mantle source is inferred from Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions, trace element enrichments and εHf ? 0 CHUR in detrital zircons, sourced from the volcanics. ¹⁰Be and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic systematics are inconsistent with significant sediment involvement in the source region. The trace element enrichments and MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic characteristics of the Solander rocks require a strong fractionation mechanism to impart the high incompatible element concentrations and subduction-related (e.g. high LILE/HFSE) geochemical signatures of the Solander magmas. Trace element modelling shows that this can be achieved by very low degrees of melting of a peridotitic source enriched by the addition of a slab-derived melt. Subsequent open-system fractionation, involving a key role for mafic magma recharge, resulted in the evolved andesitic adakites.     

Volcanic arcs as archives of plate tectonic change

Processing of the oceanic lithosphere in subduction zones gives rise to arc magmatism, and strong compositional links exist between trench input and arc output. Here we address the question whether these compositional links are sufficiently strong to allow for ‘tracing’ the composition of the sedimentary and igneous oceanic crust through the chemistry of arcs. The tracing approach hinges critically on whether key characteristics of the subducted slab are transmitted to arcs. Results from forward and inverse modeling, verified by observations from modern arc settings, demonstrate that elements Sr, Pb, Nd and Hf that are associated with radiogenic isotopes may preserve chemical characteristics of the subducted slab in arc magmas. The data indicate that the much thicker igneous subducted crust dominates the recycled flux to arcs. The flux from the highly enriched, but thin sediment layer is buffered, and may be even concealed, by the concomitant contributions from igneous crust, and/or subarc mantle, despite the much better visibility of sediment components in trace element and isotope space. Arc Pb and Pb isotopes are the most promising tracers that may capture the isotopic diversity of subducted MORB-type and OIB-type crust with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution. While arc Sr is also strongly controlled by the flux from the subducted crust, arc data may allow for distinguishing among radiogenic Sr recycled from altered oceanic crust or from subducted sediment in moderately radiogenic arcs (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr < ~ 0.7045). Co-mingling of Nd and Hf from igneous subducted crust with mantle contributions mostly hinders the isotopic identification of subducted crust through arc chemistry. However, Nd and Hf may provide complementary information about the efficiency of recycling, and recycling via subduction erosion.The tracing approach appears feasible in Cenozoic arcs where much of the original subduction context is preserved. First results from the Izu Bonin and Central American arcs show that plate tectonic events like oceanic plate formation and destruction, subduction of hotspot tracks and the closure of oceanic gateways are recorded in the chemistry of arcs. A comparative evaluation of Cenozoic global arcs may hence significantly complement the information from the modern oceanic basins, help to obtain a more complete image of the oceanic crustal composition and implicate the geochemical processes by which it formed. Possibly, the tracing approach may also be useful in ancient, inactive arcs to obtain information on the composition of oceanic crust subducted in the geological past.     

Nature and origin of eclogite xenoliths from kimberlites

Eclogites from the Earth's mantle found in kimberlites provide important information on craton formation and ancient geodynamic processes because such eclogites are mostly Archean in age. They have equilibrated over a range of temperatures and pressures throughout the subcratonic mantle and some are diamond-bearing. Most mantle eclogites are bimineralic (omphacite and garnet) rarely with accessory rutiles. Contrary to their overall mineralogical simplicity, their broadly basaltic-picritic bulk compositions cover a large range and overlap with (but are not identical to) much younger lower grade eclogites from orogenic massifs. The majority of mantle eclogites have trace element geochemical features that require an origin from plagioclase-bearing protoliths and oxygen isotopic characteristics consistent with seawater alteration of oceanic crust. Therefore, most suites of eclogite xenoliths from kimberlites can be satisfactorily explained as samples of subducted oceanic crust. In contrast, eclogite xenoliths from Kuruman, South Africa and Koidu, Sierra Leone stem from protoliths that were picritic cumulates from intermediate pressures (1–2 Ga) and were subsequently transposed to higher pressures within the subcratonic mantle, consistent with craton growth via island arc collisions. None of the eclogite suites can be satisfactorily explained by an origin as high pressure cumulates from primary melts from garnet peridotite.     

Slab decarbonation and CO2 recycling in the Southwestern Colombian volcanic arc

The contribution of subducted carbonate sediments to the genesis of the Southwestern Colombian arc magmas was investigated using a comprehensive petrography and geochemical analysis, including determination of major and trace element contents and Sr, Nd, Hf and Pb isotope compositions. These data have been used to constrain the depth of decarbonation in the subducted slab, indicating that the decarbonation process continues into the sub-arc region, and ultimately becomes negligible in the rear arc. We propose on the basis of multi-isotope approach and mass balance calculations, that the most important mechanism to induce the slab decarbonation is the infiltration of chemically reactive aqueous fluids from the altered oceanic crust, which decreasingly metasomatize the mantle wedge, triggering the formation of isotopically different primary magmas from the volcanic front (VF) with relatively high ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, negative values of εNd and lower Pb isotopes compared to the rear arc (RA).The presence of more aqueous fluids at the volcanic front may increase the degree of decarbonation into carbonate-bearing lithologies. Moreover, with increasing pressure and temperature in the subduction system, the decrease in dehydration of the slab, leads to cessation of fluid-induced decarbonation reactions at the rear arc. This development allows the remaining carbonate materials to be recycled into the deep mantle.     

河南嵩山地区新太古代TTG质片麻岩的成因及其地质意义：来自岩石学、地球化学及同位素年代学的制约

河南嵩山地区位于华北克拉通南缘,是我国记录前寒武纪地质的典型地区之一。该区广泛出露新太古代TTG质片麻岩套,主要以英云闪长岩类为主,闪长岩类次之,测得的锆石SHRIMP年龄在2600~2500Ma。该套TTG质片麻岩富Na₂O(3%~7%)、SiO₂(>67%)、贫铁、镁,高的Na₂O/K₂O比值（多在1.5~5.2）,Al₂O₃=13.72%~16.37%,A/CNK=0.97~1.21,属英云闪长岩-奥长花岗岩系列,显示新太古代富铝型TTG岩石特征。岩石富Sr (平均433×10^-6),Rb/Sr比值(<0.5) 较低,Sr/Y比值高(平均165),Nb、Ta和Ti负异常,∑REE偏低,强烈分异((La/Yb) _N=27~150),基本无Eu异常,低的Nb/Ta(14左右)、La/Nb (平均约为7)比值及其它微量元素特征表明其与岛弧或大陆边缘弧玄武质岩石特征相似。全岩Nd同位素和锆石Hf同位素数据显示岩石源区是来自亏损地幔的约2.66Ga的初生地壳;Mg^#值变化较大反映存在地幔楔不同程度的混染。地球化学特征指示该岩浆是在较高温度和压力(约700~1000℃,>1.5Gpa)下由俯冲的含水玄武质洋壳部分熔融形成,残留相中有石榴石和角闪石而不含斜长石。嵩山地区TTG片麻岩的这种成因机制表明当时陆壳以水平方式增生,也说明在随后的2.5Ga左右微陆块碰撞拼合事件之前不同陆块之间很可能被一个古大洋所分隔。     

Recycling of sediment into the mantle source of K-rich mafic rocks: Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic evidence from the Fushui complex in the Qinling orogen

Potassium (K)-rich mafic rocks are viewed as being derived from partial melting of an enriched mantle source, but it is controversial about which processes cause the mantle enrichment. The Fushui intrusive complex is the largest early Paleozoic K-rich intrusive complex in the eastern Qinling orogen. Therefore, detailed studies on the Fushui complex can contribute not only to understanding of the petrogenesis of K-rich mafic rocks, but also to unraveling the Paleozoic evolution of the Qinling orogen. In this study, we provide an integrated investigation of in situ zircon U–Pb dating and Hf–O isotopes, in combination with whole-rock major and trace elements, as well as Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes, for the Fushui intrusive complex. In situ zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) / laser ablation induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) U–Pb dating reveals that different rock types of the Fushui complex have identical formation ages of 488–484 Ma. The Fushui complex belongs to the shoshonitic series, and is characterized by extreme large ion lithophile element (LILE, e.g., Ba, U, Th and Sr) and Pb enrichment and depletion of high field-strength elements (HFSEs, e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, P and Ti). It shows high initial Sr isotopic ratios (0.7100–0.7151), negative whole-rock ε _Nd(t) (?3.97 to ?5.68) and negative to slight positive whole-rock (?2.24 to 2.38) and zircon (?2.85 to 0.34) ε _Hf(t) values, as well as high zircon δ¹⁸O values (6.86 ± 0.13 ‰). The Hf–Nd isotopic systems are decoupled with positive Δε _Hf values (3.85–5.37). These geochemical features indicate that the mantle source has incorporated subducted zircon–barren oceanic sediments. A simple two-end-members mixing model constrains the amount of subducted sediments in the Fushui mantle source to 5–8 %. The Fushui complex originated from 1 to 6 % equilibrium melting of a phlogopite-bearing garnet lherzolite by non-modal melting. As shoshonitic magmas have been discovered in modern nascent arcs, we suggest that the generation of the Fushui complex was induced by the subduction of the Paleotethyan Ocean, when it jumped from the northern to the southern boundary of the North Qinling microcontinent.     

Nitrogen recycling in subducted oceanic lithosphere: The record in high- and ultrahigh-pressure metabasaltic rocks

This paper provides the first measurements of the nitrogen (N) concentrations and isotopic compositions of high- and ultrahigh-pressure mafic eclogites, aimed at characterizing the subduction input flux of N in deeply subducting altered oceanic crust (AOC). The samples that were studied are from the Raspas Complex (Ecuador), Lago di Cignana (Italy), the Zambezi Belt (Zambia) and Cabo Ortegal (Spain), together representing subduction to 50-90 km depths. The eclogites contain 2-20 ppm N with δ¹⁵N_air values ranging from −1 to +8‰. These values overlap those of altered oceanic crust, but are distinct from values for fresh MORB (for the latter, ∼1.1 ppm N and δ¹⁵N_air ∼ −4‰). Based on N data in combination with other trace element data, the eclogite suites can be subdivided into those that are indistinguishable from their likely protolith, AOC, with or without superimposed effects of devolatilization (Lago di Cignana, Cabo Ortegal), and those that have experienced metasomatic additions during subduction-zone metamorphism (Zambezi Belt, Raspas). For the former group, the lack of a detectable loss of N in the eclogites, compared to various altered MORB compositions, suggests the retention of N in deeply subducted oceanic crust. The metasomatic effects affecting the latter group can be best explained by mixing with a (meta)sedimentary component, resulting in correlated enrichments of N and other trace elements (in particular, Ba and Pb) thought to be mobilized during HP/UHP metamorphism. Serpentinized and high-pressure metamorphosed peridotites, associated with the eclogites at Raspas and Cabo Ortegal, contain 3-15 ppm N with δ¹⁵N_air values ranging from +3 to +6‰, significantly higher than the generally accepted values for the MORB mantle (δ¹⁵N_air ∼ −5‰). Based on their relatively high N contents and their homogeneous and positive δ¹⁵N values, admixing of sedimentary N is also indicated for the serpentinized peridotites.One possible pathway for the addition of sediment-derived N into eclogites and peridotites involves mixing with fluids along the slab-mantle wedge interface. Alternatively, sedimentary N could be incorporated into peridotites during serpentinization at bending-related faults at the outer rise and, during later deserpentinization, released into fluids that then infiltrate overlying rocks. Deep retention of N in subducting oceanic crust should be considered in any attempt to balance subduction inputs with outputs in the form of arc volcanic gases. If materials such as these eclogites and serpentinized peridotites are eventually subducted to beyond sub-arc depths into the deeper mantle, containing some fraction of their forearc-subarc N inventory (documented here), they could deliver isotopically heavy N into the mantle to potentially be sampled by plume-related magmas.     

In situ U–Pb age determination and Nd isotopic analysis of perovskites from kimberlites in southern Africa and Somerset Island,Canada

Determination of the emplacement ages and initial isotopic composition of kimberlite by conventional isotopic methods using bulk rock samples is unreliable as these rocks usually contain diverse clasts of crustal- and mantle-derived materials and can be subject to post-intrusion sub-aerial alteration. In this study, 8 samples from 5 kimberlites in southern Africa and twelve samples from 7 kimberlites from Somerset Island, Canada have been selected for in situ perovskite U–Pb isotopic age determination and Nd isotopic analysis by laser ablation using thin sections and mineral separates. These fresh perovskites occur as primary groundmass minerals with grain-sizes of 10–100 μm. They were formed during the early stage of magmatic crystallization, and record data for the least contaminated or contamination-free kimberlitic magma. U–Pb isotopic data indicate that the majority of the southern Africa kimberlites investigated were emplaced during the Cretaceous with ages of 88 ± 3 to 97 ± 6 Ma, although one sample yielded an Early Paleozoic age of 515 ± 6 Ma. Twelve samples from Somerset Island yielded ages ranging from 93 ± 4 Ma to 108 ± 5 Ma and are contemporaneous with other Cretaceous kimberlite magmatism in central Canada (103–94 Ma). Although whole-rock compositions of the kimberlites from southern Africa have a large range of ε_Nd(t) values (? 0.5 to + 5.1), the analysed perovskites show a more limited range of + 1.2 to + 3.1. Perovskites from Somerset Island have ε_Nd(t) values of ? 0.2 to + 1.4. These values are lower than that of depleted asthenospheric mantle, suggesting that kimberlites might be derived from the lower mantle. This study shows that in situ U–Pb and Nd isotopic analysis of perovskite by laser ablation is both rapid and economic, and serves as a powerful tool for the determination of the emplacement age and potential source of kimberlite magmas.     

Between carbonatite and lamproite—Diamondiferous Torngat ultramafic lamprophyres formed by carbonate-fluxed melting of cratonic MARID-type metasomes

New U-Pb perovskite ages reveal that diamondiferous ultramafic lamprophyre magmas erupted through the Archean crust of northern Labrador and Quebec (eastern Canada) between ca. 610 and 565 Ma, a period of strong rifting activity throughout contiguous Laurentia and Baltica. The observed Torngat carbonate-rich aillikite/carbonatite and carbonate-poor mela-aillikite dyke varieties show a large spread in Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotope ratios with pronounced correlations between isotope systems. An isotopically depleted component is identified solely within aillikites (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i = 0.70323-0.70377; εNd_i = +1.2-+1.8; εHf_i = +1.4-+3.5; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 18.2-18.5), whereas some aillikites and all mela-aillikites range to more enriched isotope signatures (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i = 0.70388-0.70523; εNd_i = −0.5 to −3.9; εHf_i = −0.6 to −6.0; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 17.8-18.2). These contrasting isotopic characteristics of aillikites/carbonatites and mela-aillikites, along with subtle differences in their modal carbonate, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O, Cs-Rb, and Zr-Hf contents, are consistent with two distinctive metasomatic assemblages of different age in the mantle magma source region.Integration of petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic information leads us to propose that the isotopically enriched component originated from a reduced phlogopite-richterite-Ti-oxide dominated source assemblage that is reminiscent of MARID suite xenoliths. In contrast, the isotopically depleted component was derived from a more oxidized phlogopite-carbonate dominated source assemblage. We argue that low-degree CO₂-rich potassic silicate melts from the convective upper mantle were preferentially channelled into an older, pre-existing MARID-type vein network at the base of the North Atlantic craton lithosphere, where they froze to form new phlogopite-carbonate dominated veins. Continued stretching and thinning of the cratonic lithosphere during the Late Neoproterozoic remobilized the carbonate-rich vein material and induced volatile-fluxed fusion of the MARID-type veins and the cold peridotite substrate. Isotopic modelling suggests that only 5-12% trace element contribution from such geochemically extreme MARID-type material is required to produce the observed compositional shift from the isotopically most depleted aillikites/carbonatites towards enriched mela-aillikites.We conclude that cold cratonic mantle lithosphere can host several generations of contrasting vein assemblages, and that each may have formed during past tectonic and magmatic events under distinctively different physicochemical conditions. Although cratonic MARID-type and carbonate-bearing veins in peridotite can be the respective sources for lamproite and carbonatite magmas when present as the sole metasome, their concomitant fusion in a complex source region may give rise to a whole new variety of deep volatile-rich magmas and we suggest that orangeites (formerly Group 2 kimberlites), kamafugites, and certain types of ultramafic lamprophyre are formed in this manner.     

Isotope-geochemical systematics of kimberlites and related rocks from the Siberian Platform

Using the ICP-MS method we have studied the isotope systematics of Sr and Nd as well as trace element composition of a representative collection of kimberlites and related rocks from the Siberian Platform. The summarized literature and our own data suggest that the kimberlites developed within the platform can be divided into several petrochemical and geochemical types, whose origin is related to different mantle sources. The petrochemical classification of kimberlites is based on persistent differences of their composition in mg# and in contents of indicator oxides such as FeO_tot, TiO₂, and K₂O. The recognized geochemical types of kimberlites differ from one another in the level of concentration of incompatible elements as well as in their ratios.Most of isotope characteristics of kimberlites and related rocks of the Siberian Platform correspond to the earlier studied Type 1 basaltoid kimberlites from different provinces of the world: Points of isotopic compositions are in the field of primitive and weakly depleted mantle. An exception is one sample of the rocks from veins of the Ingashi field (Sayan area), which is characterized by the Sr and Nd isotopic composition corresponding to Type 2 micaceous kimberlites (orangeites).The most important feature of distribution of isotopic and trace-element compositions (incompatible elements) is their independence of the chemical rock composition. It is shown that the kimberlite formation is connected with, at least, two independent sources, fluid and melt, responsible for the trace-element and chemical compositions of the rock. It is supposed that, when rising through the heterogeneous lithosphere of the mantle, a powerful flow of an asthenosphere-derived fluid provoked the formation of local kimberlite chambers there. Thus, the partial melting of the lithosphere mantle led to the formation of contrasting petrochemical types of kimberlites, while the geochemical specialization of kimberlites is due to the mantle fluid of asthenosphere origin, which drastically dominated in the rare-metal balance of a hybrid magma of the chamber.     

The osmium isotopic composition of convecting upper mantle deduced from ophiolite chromites

Chromites separated from the upper mantle or lower crustal portions of 18 ophiolites ranging in age from 900 Ma to 50 Ma are examined for Re-Os isotopic systematics. The ophiolites include both MORB and back arc types, although most are from supra-subduction zone (SSZ) settings. The chromites are robust indicators of the initial Os isotopic compositions of the systems sampled. There is very limited range in calculated initial γ_Os values, with the entire group averaging +1.31. Least squares linear regression of the age of chromite formation (in Ga) versus initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of a filtered suite yields a slope of −0.0058±0.0019 (2σ) and a present day intercept of 0.12809±0.00085 (2σ), equivalent to a γ_Os value of +0.9±0.6. Of the suite of 51 samples analyzed, 68% lie within ±1% of this evolution trajectory.Although most of the samples formed in SSZ environments, there is little evidence to suggest modification of the mantle Os isotopic composition via radiogenic melts or fluids derived from subducting slabs. The ophiolite data are interpreted as representative of the convecting upper mantle and suggest that the present isotopic composition of the convecting upper mantle averages approximately 1.2% less radiogenic than the estimated minimum composition of the primitive upper mantle of 0.1296±8 (Meisel et al., 2001). The most likely explanation for the difference is the formation, subduction and isolation of some portion of the mafic oceanic crust. Using models based on the assumption that the convecting upper mantle comprises 50% of the total mass of the mantle, and that the average isolation period for subducted oceanic crust is 1.5 to 2.0 Ga, it is estimated that approximately 2 to 3% of the total mass of the mantle is composed of subducted mafic oceanic crust that remains isolated from the convecting upper mantle. Because the isotopic compositions of the DMM and PUM overlap within uncertainties, however, the results do not require any isolated slab component.     

Geochemical and Sr–Pb–Nd isotopic characteristics of the Shakhtama porphyry Mo–Cu system (Eastern Transbaikalia,Russia)

The Shakhtama Mo–Cu porphyry deposit is located within the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, bordering the southern margin of the Mongol–Okhotsk suture zone. The deposit includes rocks of two magmatic complexes: the precursor plutonic (J₂) and ore-bearing porphyry (J₃) complexes. The plutonic complex was emplaced at the final stages of the collisional regime in the region; the formation of the porphyry complex may have overlapped with a transition to extension. The Shakhtama rocks are predominantly metaluminous, I-type high K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic in composition, with relatively high Mg#, Ni, Cr and V. They are characterized by crustal-like I_Sr (0.70741–0.70782), relatively radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions, ε_Nd(T) values close to CHUR (−2.7 to +2.1) and Nd model ages from 0.8 to 1.2 Ga. Both complexes are composed of rocks with K-adakitic features and rocks without adakite trace element signatures. The regional geological setting together with geochemical and isotopic data indicate that both juvenile and old continental crust contributed to their origin. High-Mg# K-adakitic Shakhtama magmas were most likely generated by partial melting of thickened lower crust during delamination and interaction with mantle material, while magmas lacking adakite-like signatures were probably generated at shallower levels of lower crust. The derivation of melts, related to the formation of plutonic and porphyry complexes involved variable amounts of old Precambrian lower crust and juvenile Phanerozoic crust. Isotopic data imply stronger contribution of juvenile mantle-derived material to the fertile magmas of the porphyry complex. Juvenile crust is proposed as an important source of fluids and metals for the Shakhtama ore-magmatic system.     

Fluid-mobile trace element constraints on the role of slab melting and implications for Archaean crustal growth models

We use published and new trace element data to identify element ratios which discriminate between arc magmas from the supra-subduction zone mantle wedge and those formed by direct melting of subducted crust (i.e. adakites). The clearest distinction is obtained with those element ratios which are strongly fractionated during refertilisation of the depleted mantle wedge, ultimately reflecting slab dehydration. Hence, adakites have significantly lower Pb/Nd and B/Be but higher Nb/Ta than typical arc magmas and continental crust as a whole. Although Li and Be are also overenriched in continental crust, behaviour of Li/Yb and Be/Nd is more complex and these ratios do not provide unique signatures of slab melting. Archaean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites (TTGs) strongly resemble ordinary mantle wedge-derived arc magmas in terms of fluid-mobile trace element content, implying that they did not form by slab melting but that they originated from mantle which was hydrated and enriched in elements lost from slabs during prograde dehydration. We suggest that Archaean TTGs formed by extensive fractional crystallisation from a mafic precursor. It is widely claimed that the time between the creation and subduction of oceanic lithosphere was significantly shorter in the Archaean (i.e. 20 Ma) than it is today. This difference was seen as an attractive explanation for the presumed preponderance of adakitic magmas during the first half of Earth's history. However, when we consider the effects of a higher potential mantle temperature on the thickness of oceanic crust, it follows that the mean age of oceanic lithosphere has remained virtually constant. Formation of adakites has therefore always depended on local plate geometry and not on potential mantle temperature.     

The Origins of Yakutian Eclogite Xenoliths

Owing to the association with diamonds, eclogite xenoliths havereceived disproportionate attention given their low abundancein kimberlites. Several hypotheses have been advanced for theorigin of eclogite xenoliths, from the subduction and high-pressuremelting of oceanic crust, to cumulates and liquids derived fromthe upper mantle. We have amassed a comprehensive data set,including major- and trace-element mineral chemistry, carbonisotopes in diamonds, and Rb–Sr, Sm–Nd, Re–Os,and oxygen isotopes in ultrapure mineral and whole-rock splitsfrom eclogites of the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe, Yakutia, Russia.Furthermore, eclogites from two other Yakutian kimberlite pipes,Mir and Obnazhennaya, have been studied in detail and offercontrasting images of eclogite protoliths. Relative to eclogitesfrom southern Africa and other Yakutian localities, Udachnayaeclogites are notable in the absence of chemical zoning in mineralgrains, as well as the degree of light rare earth element (LREE)depletion and unradiogenic Sr; lack of significant oxygen, sulfur,and carbon isotopic variation relative to the mantle; and intermineralradiogenic isotopic equilibration. Several of these eclogitescould be derived from ancient, recycled, oceanic crust, butmany others exhibit no evidence for an oceanic crustal protolith.The apparent lack of stable-isotope variation in the Udachnayaeclogites could be due to the antiquity of the samples and consequentlack of deep oceanic and biogenically diverse environments atthat time. Those eclogites that are interpreted to be non-recycledhave compositions characteristic of Group A eclogites from otherlocalities that also have been interpreted as being directlyfrom the mantle. At least two separate and diverse isotopicreservoirs are suggested by Nd isotopic whole-rock reconstructions.Most samples were derived from typical depleted mantle. However,two groups of three samples each indicate both enriched mantleand possible ultra-depleted mantle present beneath Yakutia duringthe late Archean and early Proterozoic. The vast majority ofeclogites studied from the Obnazhennaya pipe also exhibit characteristicsof Group A eclogites and are probably derived directly fromthe mantle. However, the eclogites from the Mir kimberlite aremore typical of other eclogites world-wide and show convincingevidence of a recycled, oceanic crustal affinity. We concurwith the late Ted Ringwood that eclogites can be formed in avariety of ways, both within the mantle and from oceanic crustalresidues. KEY WORDS: diamonds; eclogite xenoliths; isotopic composition; REE; Yakutia     

Recycled oceanic crust as a source for tonalite intrusions in the mantle section of the Khor Fakkan block,Semail ophiolite (UAE)

Several types of felsic granitoid rocks have been recognized, intrusive in both the mantle and the crustal sequence of the Semail ophiolite. Several models have been proposed for the source of this suite of tonalites, granodiorites, trondhjemites intrusions, however their genesis is still not clearly understood. The sampled Dadnah tonalites that intruded in the mantle section of the Semail ophiolite display arc-type geochemical characteristics, are high siliceous, low-potassic, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, enriched in LILE, show positive peaks for Ba, Pb, Eu, negative troughs for U, Ti and occur with low δ¹⁸O_H2O, moderate ε_Sr and negative ε_Nd values. They have crystallized at temperatures that range from ∼550 °C to ∼720 °C and pressure ranging from 4.4 kbar to 6.5 kbar. The isotopic ages from our tonalite samples range between 98.6 Ma and 94.9 Ma, slightly older and overlapping with the age of the metamorphic sole. Our field observations, mineralogical, petrological, geochemical, isotopic and melt inclusion data suggest that the Dadnah tonalites formed by partial melting (∼10%–15% continuous or ∼12% batch partial melting), accumulation of plagioclase, fractional crystallization (∼55%–57%), and interaction with their host harzburgites. These tonalites were the end result of partial melting and subsequent contamination and mixing of ∼4% oceanic sediments with ∼96% oceanic lithosphere from the subducted slab. This MORB-type slab melt composed from ∼97% recycled oceanic crust and ∼3% of the overlying mantle.We suggest that a possible protolith for these tonalites was the basaltic lavas from the subducted oceanic slab that melted during the initial stages of the supra-subduction zone (SSZ), which was forming synchronously to the spreading ridge axis. The tonalite melts mildly modified due to low degree of mixing and interaction with the overlying lithospheric mantle. Subsequently, the Dadnah tonalites emplaced at the upper part of the mantle sequence of the Semail ophiolite and are geochemically distinct from the other mantle intrusive felsic granitoids to the south.