Light oxygen isotopes in mantle-derived magmas reflect assimilation of sub-continental lithospheric mantle material

Oxygen isotope ratios in mantle-derived magmas that differ from typical mantle values are generally attributed to crustal contamination, deeply subducted crustal material in the mantle source or primordial heterogeneities. Here we provide an alternative view for the origin of light oxygen-isotope signatures in mantle-derived magmas using kimberlites, carbonate-rich magmas that assimilate mantle debris during ascent. Olivine grains in kimberlites are commonly zoned between a mantle-derived core and a magmatic rim, thus constraining the compositions of both mantle wall-rocks and melt phase. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analyses of olivine in worldwide kimberlites show a remarkable correlation between mean oxygen-isotope compositions of cores and rims from mantle-like 18O/16O to lower ‘crustal’ values. This observation indicates that kimberlites entraining low-18O/16O olivine xenocrysts are modified by assimilation of low-18O/16O sub-continental lithospheric mantle material. Interaction with geochemically-enriched domains of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle can therefore be an important source of apparently ‘crustal’ signatures in mantle-derived magmas.

Formation of ultrapotassic magma via crustal contamination and hybridization of mafic magma: an example from the Stomanovo monzonite, Central Rhodope Massif, Bulgaria

Generally all orogenic ultrapotassic rocks are formed after melting of metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle via subducted crustal mica-bearing lithologies. Here we present another possible model, based on the study of the small Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite porphyry intrusion in the Central Rhodope Massif, Bulgaria. The monzonite dated at 30.50 ± 0.46 Ma is intruded into the voluminous Oligocene (31.63 ± 0.40 Ma) Bratsigovo–Dospat ignimbrite. The monzonite hosts both normally and reversely zoned clinopyroxene phenocrysts. The normally zoned clinopyroxene is characterized by gradually diminishing core-to-rim Mg no. (89–74), whereas the reversely zoned clinopyroxene has green Fe-rich cores (Mg no. 71–55) mantled by normally zoned clinopyroxene (Mg no. 87–74). Neither the core of the normally zoned clinopyroxene nor the Fe-rich green cores are in equilibrium with the host monzonite. This ultrapotassic monzonite shows more radiogenic Sr isotopes ((87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.71066) and ϵNd(t) = −7.8 to −8.0 that are distinct from the host ignimbrites with (87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70917–0.70927 and ϵNd(t) = −4.6 to −6.5. The Sr–Nd isotopic data and the presence of copious zircon xenocrysts from the underlying metamorphic basement suggest extensive crustal assimilation. Our observations indicate that the Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite formed after extensive lower or middle crustal fractional crystallization from an evolved magma producing cumulates. The process was followed by hybridization with primitive mantle-derived magma and subsequent continuous crustal contamination. We suggest that instead of inheriting their high K2O and large-ion lithophile element enrichments from slab-derived/metasomatic fluids, the Stomanovo ultrapotassic monzonite may owe some of its unusually high alkalinity to the assimilation of potassium-rich phases from the Rhodope Massif basement rocks.

Old subcontinental mantle zircon below Oahu

Our understanding of mantle evolution suffers from a lack of age data for when the mantle geochemical variants (mantle components) developed. Traditionally, the components are ascribed to subduction of ocean floor over Earth history, but their isotopic signatures require prolonged storage to evolve. Here we report U-Pb age results for mantle-derived zircon from pyroxenite xenoliths in Oahu, Hawaii, using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and isotope dilution - thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The zircon grains have 14 million-year-old rims, Cretaceous cores, and Proterozoic Lu-Hf model ages which are difficult to reconcile with transport of the pyroxenites in the Hawaiian mantle plume because the ages would have been reset by high temperatures. We suggest the zircons may have been preserved in sub-continental lithospheric mantle. They possibly reached Oahu by asthenospheric transport after subduction at Papua New Guinea or may represent fragments of sub-continental lithospheric mantle stranded during Pangean breakup.

Petrogenesis and tectonic settings of Proterozoic mafic magmatism from the Northern Indian Shield and the Himalaya: possible role for interaction of mantle plume with the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM)

Northern Indian shield and the western Himalaya have an impressive record of mafic magmatism. The Aravalli Craton preserved 2.3 Ga komatiitic (picritic) and 2.1 Ga to 1.8 Ga tholeiities. Gwalior and Betul belts preserved 2.1 Ga and 1.5 Ga to 1.2 Ga tholeiites, respectively. Western Himalaya has preserved 2.1 Ga to 1.8 Ga tholeiites in Garhwal and Himachal regions. Studied rocks depict enriched REE, LILE and depleted HFSE. Whereas, komatiites/picrites represent higher degrees of partial melting (∼35-40%) at higher temperatures (∼1500° C), tholeiites represent lower degrees of partial melting (∼10%) at lower temperatures (∼1200° C). Our results indicate interaction of mantle plume with variably enriched SCLM sources, causing generation of these varied magmatic suites of rocks. Whereas, the higher temperature komatiitic/picritic melts from the Aravalli region appear to have been generated closer to the plume head, the lower temperature tholeiitic melts from the shield region and western Himalaya were generated towards the plume margins. Different terrains of the study have undergone plume tectonics causing development of the rift valleys, majority of these developed into aulacogens, except for the Aravalli basin, which developed into deeper marine facies.

Protogenetic sulfide inclusions in diamonds date the diamond formation event using Re-Os isotopes

Sulfides are the most abundant inclusions in diamonds and a key tool for dating diamond formation via Re-Os isotopic analyses. The manner in which fluids invade the continental lithospheric mantle and the time scale at which they equilibrate with preexisting (protogenetic) sulfides are poorly understood yet essential factors to understanding diamond formation and the validity of isotopic ages. We investigated a suite of sulfide-bearing diamonds from two Canadian cratons to test the robustness of Re-Os in sulfide for dating diamond formation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) allowed determination of the original monosulfide solid-solution (Mss) composition stable in the mantle, indicating subsolidus conditions of encapsulation, and providing crystallographic evidence supporting a protogenetic origin of the inclusions. The results, coupled with a diffusion model, indicate Re-Os isotope equilibration is sufficiently fast in sulfide inclusions with typical grain size, at mantle temperatures, for the system to be reset by the diamond-forming event. This confirms that even if protogenetic, the Re-Os isochrons defined by these minerals likely reflect the ages of diamond formation, and this result highlights the power of this system to date the timing of fluid migration in mantle lithosphere.

Lherzolite - carbonatite melt interaction in the presence of additive CO2 and H2O: Experimental data at 5.5 GPa and 1200-1450°C

<p>We study the reaction of garnet lherzolite with carbonatitic melt rich in molecular CO<sub>2</sub> and/or H<sub>2</sub>O in experiments at 5.5 GPa and 1200-1450°C. The experimental results show that carbonation of olivine with formation of orthopyroxene and magnesite can buffer the CO<sub>2</sub> contents in the melt, which impedes immediate separation of CO<sub>2</sub> fluid from melt equilibrated with the peridotite source. The solubility of molecular CO<sub>2</sub> in melt decreases from 20-25 wt.% at 4.5-6.8 wt.% SiO<sub>2</sub> typical of carbonatite to 7-12 wt.% in more silicic kimberlite-like melts with 26-32 wt.% SiO<sub>2</sub>. Interaction of garnet lherzolite with carbonatitic melt (2:1) in the presence of 2-3 wt.% H<sub>2</sub>O and 9-13 wt.% molecular CO<sub>2</sub> at 1200-1450°С yields low SiO<sub>2</sub> (<10 wt.%) alkali‐carbonatite melts, which shows multiphase saturation with magnesite-bearing garnet harzburgite. Thus, carbonatitic melts rich in volatiles can originate in a harzburgite source at moderate temperatures common to continental lithospheric mantle (CLM).</p><p>Having separated from the source, carbonatitic magma enriched in molecular CO<sub>2</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O can rapidly acquire a kimberlitic composition with >25 wt.% SiO<sub>2 </sub>by dissolution and carbonation of entrapped peridotite. Furthermore, interaction of garnet lherzolite with carbonatitic melt rich in K, CO<sub>2</sub>, and H<sub>2</sub>O at 1350°С produces immiscible kimberlite-like carbonate-silicate and K-rich silicate melts. Quenched silicate melt develops lamelli of foam-like vesicular glass. Differentiation of immiscible melts early during ascent may equalize the compositions of kimberlite magmas generated in different CLM sources. The fluid phase can release explosively from ascending magma at lower pressures as a result of SiO<sub>2</sub> increase which reduces the solubility of CO<sub>2</sub> due to decarbonation reaction of magnesite and orthopyroxene.</p><p>The research was performed by a grant of the Russian Science Foundation (19-77-10023).</p>