Geochemical Constraints on the Petrogenesis of Diamond Facies Pyroxenites from the Beni Bousera Peridotite Massif, North Morocco

The petrogenesis of pyroxenite layers within the Beni Bouseraperidotite massif is investigated by means of elemental andNd-Sr-Pb-O-S isotope analyses. The light rare earth element(LREE) depleted nature of many of the pyroxenites, their widevariation in composition, and lack of correlation between incompatibleelements and fractionation indices preclude them from representingcrystallized melts from a peridotitic source. The physical characteristicsof the pyroxenites and their large (greater than a factor of20) range in Ni rule out partial melting as the cause of theirpetrological and geochemical diversity. Major and compatibletrace element geochemistry is consistent with formation of mostof the pyroxenite suite via high-pressure crystal segregationin magma conduits intruding the peridotites. These magmas crystallizedclinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and garnet. The pressure of crystallizationis constrained to be above {small tilde}45 kbar from the presenceof graphitized diamonds in pyroxenite layers. Lack of correlationbetween fractionation indices and highly incompatible elementsand the wide variation in incompatible element abundances suggestthat the suite did not form from genetically related magmas.The presence of positive and negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* =0•54–2•0) in pyroxenites which crystallizedat pressures much greater than the plagioclase stability field({small tilde} 45 kbar) suggests that the parental magmas originatedfrom precursors which formed in the crust. Oxygen isotope compositionsof coexisting minerals in the pyroxenites indicate high-temperatureequilibration but ¹⁸O values vary from +4•9 to + 9•3,ruling out their derivation from the host peridotites or othernormal mantle sources. The extreme O-isotope variation, togetherwith ³⁴S values of up to + 13 in sulphides included within CPXstrongly suggests that the melts from which the pyroxenitescrystallized were derived from hydrothermally altered, subductedoceanic lithosphere. Extreme initial radiogenic isotope variationin the pyroxenites (_Nd + 26 to –9 , ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0•7025–0•7110,²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18•21–19•90) support such an originbut also require a component with ancient, high U/Pb and Th/Pbin their source to explain the high 7/4 and 8/4 values of somepyroxenites. This component may be subducted hemi-pelagic sediment.Further evidence for a sediment component in the pyroxenitesis provided by isotopically light carbon in the graphite pyroxenites(¹³C–16 to – 28). Parentdaughter isotopes in thepyroxenites are strongly decoupled, making estimation of formationages speculative. The decoupling occurred recently (<200Ma), probably as a result of partial melting associated withdiapiric upwelling and emplacement of the massif into the crustfrom the diamond stability field. This late partial meltingevent further depleted the pyroxenites in incompatible elements.The variably altered nature of the subducted protolith and complexhistory of trace element fractionation of the pyroxenites haslargely obscured geochemical mixing trends. However, Nd–Pbisotope systematics indicate that incorporation of the componentwith high U/Pb–Th/Pb occurred relatively recently (<200Ma) for some pyroxenites. Other pyroxenites do not show evidencefor incorporation of such a component and may be substantiallyolder. Tectonic, geophysical, and isotopic constraints indicateformation of the pyroxenites in the mantle wedge above a subductingslab during the Cretaceous. Physical and chemical evidence forhigh-pressure fractionation seen in most of the pyroxenitesprecludes them from simply representing ancient subducted oceaniclithosphere, thinned by diffusion. However, the petrologicaland isotopic diversity of the massif support the concept ofa ‘marble cake’ mantle capable of producing theobserved geochemical diversity seen in oceanic magmas. *Present Address: Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, 5241 Broad Branch Road, N.W., Washington, DC 20015 Present address: Department of Geological Sciences, 1066 C.C. Little Building, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109