CO2/N2 in MORB vesicles using Raman spectroscopy: implications for global volatile fluxes

International audienc

Influence of magma ascent rate on carbon dioxide degassing at oceanic ridges: Message in a bubble

International audienceIn order to quantify the magma ascent rate beneath oceanic ridges, we propose a new method based on vesicle size distribution (VSD) and volatiles measurements (CO2 and H2O) on 65 fresh glasses from the global Mid-Ocean Ridge system. Comparisons of VSD between the main oceanic basins reveal that Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalts (MORB) from the Pacific Ocean have significantly higher bubble densities (View the MathML source bubbles/cm2) and initial population densities ln(n0)=19.6±2.8 cm−4 but lower vesicularities (∼0.1%). We determine the residence time of bubbles in the magma using the linear relationship between the logarithm of the density population and the vesicle diameters. Assuming a constant bubble growth rate (G=1.5×10−7 cm/s), we suggest that the transit times of the magmas through the oceanic crust are shorter beneath Pacific ridges (∼2 h) than elsewhere (∼15 h). In addition, the CO2 and H2O contents of the studied glasses allow the carbon saturation pressure to be calculated. Pacific MORB display a significantly lower carbon dioxide saturation pressure (View the MathML source bars) than Atlantic and Indian MORB (View the MathML source bars) but identical pressures of eruption (Pe∼310 bars). Consequently, the distance traveled by bubbles from the vesiculation depth to the seafloor is shorter for the Pacific (∼1.9 km) than for the Atlantic and Indian oceans (∼5.2 km): the longer the transit time, the longer the distance traveled. A closer inspection of the data revealed that the decompression rate (dP/dt) varied from 5.0×102 to 2.3×104 Pa/s and correlated positively with the measured bubble densities (nb/m3) as expected from experimental data and numerical modeling. At the global scale, most of the Pacific samples are characterized by high ascent rates (View the MathML source m/s) relative to those from the Atlantic (View the MathML source m/s) and the Indian samples (View the MathML source m/s). However, at the local scale some samples from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 37 °N (where the reflections of seismic waves from crustal magma chamber have been observed) are not distinguishable from the Pacific data set having high ascent rates and large bubble densities. We suggest that the method presented in this study could be used to identify spots along the Mid-Oceanic-Ridge system where magma chambers are possibly present

Etude micrométrique du fractionnement CO2/N2 dans les vésicules des basaltes océaniques

National audienc

Sedimentary halogens and noble gases within Western Antarctic xenoliths. Implications of extensive volatile recycling to the sub continental lithospheric mantle

Recycling of marine volatiles back into the mantle at subduction zones has a profound, yet poorly constrained impact on the geochemical evolution of the Earth's mantle. Here we present a combined noble gas and halogen study on mantle xenoliths from the Western Antarctic Rift System (WARS) to better understand the flux of subducted volatiles to the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and assess the impact this has on mantle chemistry. The xenoliths are extremely enriched in the heavy halogens (Br and I), with I concentrations up to 1 ppm and maximum measured I/C1 ratios (85.2 x 10(-3)) being similar to 2000 times greater than mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB). The Br/C1 and I/C1 ratios of the xenoliths span a range from MORB-like ratios to values similar to marine pore fluids and serpentinites, whilst the Kr-84/Ar-36 and Xe-136/Ar-36 ratios range from modern atmosphere to oceanic sediments. This indicates that marine derived volatiles have been incorporated into the SCLM during an episode of subduction related metasomatism. Helium isotopic analysis of the xenoliths show average He-3/He-4 ratios of 7.5 +/- 0.5 R-A (where R-A is the He-3/He-4 ratio of air = 1.39 x 10(-6)), similar to that of MORB. The He-3/He-4 ratios within the xenoliths are higher than expected for the xenoliths originating from the SCLM which has been extensively modified by the addition of subducted volatiles, indicating that the SCLM beneath the WARS must have seen a secondary alteration from the infiltration and rise of asthenospheric fluids/melts as a consequence of rifting and lithospheric thinning. Noble gases and halogens within these xenoliths have recorded past episodes of volatile interaction within the SCLM and can be used to reconstruct a tectonic history of the WARS. Marine halogen and noble gas signatures within the SCLM xenoliths provide evidence for the introduction and retention of recycled volatiles within the SCLM by subduction related metasomatism, signifying that not all volatiles that survive subduction are mixed efficiently through the convecting mantle. The global SCLM therefore represents a potentially important reservoir for the long term residence of subducted volatiles. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Sedimentary halogens and noble gases within Western Antarctic xenoliths: Implications of extensive volatile recycling to the sub continental lithospheric mantle

Recycling of marine volatiles back into the mantle at subduction zones has a profound, yet poorly constrained impact on the geochemical evolution of the Earth's mantle. Here we present a combined noble gas and halogen study on mantle xenoliths from the Western Antarctic Rift System (WARS) to better understand the flux of subducted volatiles to the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and assess the impact this has on mantle chemistry. The xenoliths are extremely enriched in the heavy halogens (Br and I), with I concentrations up to 1ppm and maximum measured I/Cl ratios (85.2 × 10-3) being ~2000 times greater than mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB). The Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios of the xenoliths span a range from MORB-like ratios to values similar to marine pore fluids and serpentinites, whilst the 84Kr/36Ar and 130Xe/36Ar ratios range from modern atmosphere to oceanic sediments. This indicates that marine derived volatiles have been incorporated into the SCLM during an episode of subduction related metasomatism. Helium isotopic analysis of the xenoliths show average 3He/4He ratios of 7.5±0.5 RA (where RA is the 3He/4He ratio of air = 1.39×10-6), similar to that of MORB. The 3He/4He ratios within the xenoliths are higher than expected for the xenoliths originating from the SCLM which has been extensively modified by the addition of subducted volatiles, indicating that the SCLM beneath the WARS must have seen a secondary alteration from the infiltration and rise of asthenospheric fluids/melts as a consequence of rifting and lithospheric thinning. Noble gases and halogens within these xenoliths have recorded past episodes of volatile interaction within the SCLM and can be used to reconstruct a tectonic history of the WARS. Marine halogen and noble gas signatures within the SCLM xenoliths provide evidence for the introduction and retention of recycled volatiles within the SCLM by subduction related metasomatism, signifying that not all volatiles that survive subduction are mixed efficiently through the convecting mantle. The global SCLM therefore represents a potentially important reservoir for the long term residence of subducted volatiles

Sedimentary halogens and noble gases within Western Antarctic xenoliths: Implications of extensive volatile recycling to the sub continental lithospheric mantle

Recycling of marine volatiles back into the mantle at subduction zones has a profound, yet poorly constrained impact on the geochemical evolution of the Earth's mantle. Here we present a combined noble gas and halogen study on mantle xenoliths from the Western Antarctic Rift System (WARS) to better understand the flux of subducted volatiles to the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and assess the impact this has on mantle chemistry. The xenoliths are extremely enriched in the heavy halogens (Br and I), with I concentrations up to 1ppm and maximum measured I/Cl ratios (85.2 and#215; 10-3) being ~2000 times greater than mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB). The Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios of the xenoliths span a range from MORB-like ratios to values similar to marine pore fluids and serpentinites, whilst the 84Kr/36Ar and 130Xe/36Ar ratios range from modern atmosphere to oceanic sediments. This indicates that marine derived volatiles have been incorporated into the SCLM during an episode of subduction related metasomatism. Helium isotopic analysis of the xenoliths show average 3He/4He ratios of 7.5and#177;0.5 RA (where RA is the 3He/4He ratio of air = 1.39and#215;10-6), similar to that of MORB. The 3He/4He ratios within the xenoliths are higher than expected for the xenoliths originating from the SCLM which has been extensively modified by the addition of subducted volatiles, indicating that the SCLM beneath the WARS must have seen a secondary alteration from the infiltration and rise of asthenospheric fluids/melts as a consequence of rifting and lithospheric thinning. Noble gases and halogens within these xenoliths have recorded past episodes of volatile interaction within the SCLM and can be used to reconstruct a tectonic history of the WARS. Marine halogen and noble gas signatures within the SCLM xenoliths provide evidence for the introduction and retention of recycled volatiles within the SCLM by subduction related metasomatism, signifying that not all volatiles that survive subduction are mixed efficiently through the convecting mantle. The global SCLM therefore represents a potentially important reservoir for the long term residence of subducted volatiles

The contribution of hydrothermally altered ocean crust to the mantle halogen and noble gas cycles

Recent studies suggest that seawater-derived noble gases and halogens are recycled into the deep mantle by the subduction of oceanic crust. To understand the processes controlling the availability of halogens and noble gases for subduction, we determined the noble gas elemental and isotopic ratios and halogen (Cl, Br, I) concentrations in 28 igneous samples from the altered oceanic crust (AOC) from 5 ODP sites in the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean. Crushing followed by heating experiments enabled determination of noble gases and halogens in fluid inclusions and mineral phases respectively. Except for He and Ar, Ne, Kr and Xe isotopic ratios were all air-like suggesting that primary MORB signatures have been completely overprinted by air and/or seawater interaction. In contrast, 3He/4He ratios obtained by crushing indicate that a mantle helium component is still preserved, and 40Ar/36Ar values are affected by radiogenic decay in the mineral phases. The 130Xe/36Ar and 84Kr/36Ar ratios are respectively up to 15 times and 5 times higher than those of seawater and the highest ratios are found in samples affected by low temperature alteration (shallower than 800-900 m sub-basement). We consider three possible processes: (i) adsorption onto the clays present in the samples; (ii) fluid inclusions with a marine pore fluid composition; and (iii) fractionation of seawater through phase separation caused by boiling. Ninety percent of the Cl, Br and I were released during the heating experiments, showing that halogens are dominantly held in mineral phases prior to subduction. I/Cl ratios vary by 4 orders of magnitude, from 3 × 10-6 to 2 × 10-2. The mean Br/Cl ratio is 30% lower than in MORB and seawater. I/Cl ratios lower than MORB values are attributed to Cl-rich amphibole formation caused by hydrothermal alteration at depths greater than 800-900 m sub-basement together with different extents of I loss during low and high temperature alteration. At shallower depths, I/Cl ratios higher than MORB values can be explained by the addition of organic-rich sediments or the presence of organic detritus, both known to efficiently sequester I. Concentrations of 36Ar of the pre-subducting materials are sufficient to account for the 36Ar and composition of the mantle in the context of existing subduction-flux models. We find the Cl subduction flux of the oceanic crust to be about three times higher than the previous estimates and that sufficient Cl and Br can potentially be delivered by subduction over the last 3 Ga to account for mantle source compositions

Microbial activity in basaltic glasses from Cayman Trough

Poste

Halogen behaviour in subduction zones: Eclogite facies rocks from the Western and Central Alps

We examined F, Cl, Br and I concentrations and distributions in eclogite facies rocks and minerals from the Western and Central Alpine ophiolitic zone to determine halogen behaviour in subduction zones, and to identify potential host phases that may be able to transport halogens to the deeper mantle. Analysis was carried out on a range of ophiolitic lithologies — peridotites, serpentinites, metagabbros, metabasalts and metasediments — to assess the distribution of halogens within deeply subducted oceanic crust. Halogen abundances in individual mineral phases range from below detection (∼100 ppm) to ∼1900 ppm for F, ∼1 to ∼3000 ppm for Cl, ∼1 to ∼11,000 ppb for Br and from <1 to ∼1300 ppb for I. Bulk rock estimates of Cl, Br and I abundances are variable, but are generally more than one order of magnitude lower than those in altered oceanic crust (AOC), suggesting major halogen loss prior to or during eclogite facies metamorphism. Fluorine, however, can be enriched within metabasalts and metasediments, relative to the heavy halogens, suggesting F can be retained at eclogite facies conditions within the upper layers of the subducting slab. Bulk rock estimates suggest that upon reaching eclogite facies, the subducting slab has lost over 90% Cl, Br and I. Bromine and iodine concentrations show positive correlation, suggesting that they exhibit similar behaviour at high pressure. A lack of any other correlations suggest that F and Cl behave differently to Br and I during subduction. Elevated F/Cl, Br/Cl and I/Cl ratios, relative to AOC, suggest the preferential loss of Cl during shallower depths of subduction. In situ analyses and chemical mapping using electron probe micro-analysis and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry indicate that measured halogen abundances are primarily hosted within the mineral structure. Overall, our dataset provides new constraints on the available inventory of halogens that can be transferred to the deeper mantle via the subduction of oceanic crust