Many lines of evidence from high P–T experiments, thermodynamic models, and natural observations suggest that slab-derived aqueous fluids, which flux mantle wedges contain variable amounts of dissolved carbon. However, constraints on the effects of H2O–CO2 fluids on mantle melting, particularly at mantle wedge P–T conditions, are limited. Here, we present new piston cylinder experiments on fertile and depleted peridotite compositions with 3.5 wt.% H2O and XCO2 [= molar CO2 / (CO2 + H2O)] of 0.04–0.17. Experiments were performed at 2–3 GPa and 1350°C to assess how temperature, peridotite fertility, and XCO2 of slab-derived fluid affects partial melting in mantle wedges. All experiments produce olivine + orthopyroxene +7 to 41 wt.% partial melt. Our new data, along with previous lower temperature data, show that as mantle wedge temperature increases, primary melts become richer in SiO2, FeO*, and MgO and poorer CaO, Al2O3, and alkalis when influenced by H2O–CO2 fluids. At constant P–T and bulk H2O content, the extent of melting in the mantle wedge is largely controlled by peridotite fertility and XCO2 of slab-fluid. High XCO2 depleted compositions generate ~7 wt.% melt, whereas, at identical P–T, low XCO2 fertile compositions generate ~30 to 40 wt.% melt. Additionally, peridotite fertility and XCO2 have significant effects on peridotite partial melt compositions. At a constant P–T–XCO2, fertile peridotites generate melts richer in CaO and Al2O3 and poorer in SiO2, MgO + FeO, and alkalis. Similar to previous experimental studies, at a constant P–T fertility condition, as XCO2 increases, SiO2 and CaO of melts systematically decrease and increase, respectively. Such distinctive effects of oxidized form of dissolved carbon on peridotite partial melt compositions are not observed if the carbon-bearing fluid is reduced, such as CH4-bearing. Considering the large effect of XCO2 on melt SiO2 and CaO concentrations and the relatively oxidized nature of arc magmas, we compare the SiO2/CaO of our experimental melts and melts from previous peridotite + H2O ± CO2 studies to the SiO2/CaO systematics of primitive arc basalts and ultra-calcic, silica-undersaturated arc melt inclusions. From this comparison, we demonstrate that across most P–T–fertility conditions predicted for mantle wedges, partial melts from bulk compositions with XCO2 ≥ 0.11 have lower SiO2/CaO than all primitive arc melts found globally, even when correcting for olivine fractionation, whereas partial melts from bulk compositions with XCO2 = 0.04 overlap the lower end of the SiO2/CaO field defined by natural data. These results suggest that the upper XCO2 limit of slab-fluids influencing primary arc magma formation is 0.04 < XCO2 < 0.11, and this upper limit is likely to apply globally. Lastly, we show that the anomalous SiO2/CaO and CaO/Al2O3 signatures observed in ultra-calcic arc melt inclusions can be reproduced by partial melting of either CO2-bearing hydrous fertile and depleted peridotites with 0 < XCO2 < 0.11 at 2–3 GPa, or from nominally CO2-free hydrous fertile peridotites at P > 3 GPa.
Melting and Evolution of Amphibole‐Rich Back‐Arc Abyssal Peridotites at the Mado Megamullion, Shikoku Basin
The Mado Megamullion is an oceanic core complex (OCC) in the Shikoku back‐arc basin within the Philippine Sea Plate. Mantle peridotites (serpentinized) recovered by six dredge and submersible cruises exhibit signatures of extensive deformation. Amorphous pseudomorphs after plagioclase in many of the samples, as well as plagioclase‐spinel intergrowths, are clear evidence of melt stagnation and mantle reaction. Spinels show a wide range of compositions in terms of their Cr#, Mg#, and TiO2content. The presence of apparently magmatic high‐temperature pargasitic amphibole in veins and as replacement of clinopyroxene suggests that it may be a primary or near‐primary mineral crystallized from a hydrous melt which is unusual for abyssal peridotites. Two trace‐element populations of clinopyroxenes are in equilibrium with depleted and enriched basaltic melts, respectively. Rare‐earth element (REE) in the most depleted clinopyroxenes are modeled by 10% fractional melting except for a ubiquitous La‐Ce “kick.” Multiple models of open system melting combined with subsequent mixing of an enriched melt can explain the REE data. Broadly it appears that the peridotites underwent variable degrees of partial melting with moderate influx of enriched melts, which agrees with the other textural and chemical evidence of melt‐rock reaction and re‐fertilization. The compositions of the accumulated melts simulated by the open system models reproduce the enrichments in fluid mobile elements (Ba, U, and Pb) observed in basalts dredged from the Shikoku basin. Back‐arc basin peridotites at Mado Megamullion appear to have a unique petrographic and geochemical character that is distinct from those of peridotites exposed at the seafloor after formation from mid‐ocean ridges.
more » « less- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10363455
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
- Volume:
- 22
- Issue:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 1525-2027
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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