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Isotopic relationships of volatile and lithophile trace elements in continental ultramafic xenoliths

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Abstract

The concentrations and isotopic compositions of Sr, Nd, Pb, He and C have been determined for suites of xenoliths from Bullenmerri (Australia), Ichinomegata (Japan), Geronimo (Arizona), and East Africa. The wehrlites and pyroxenites from Bullenmerri have Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions that are generally similar to those found for alkali basalts in the region. The spinel lherzolites, in contrast, have higher 87Sr/86Sr and 206Pb/204Pb and lower 143Nd/144Nd ratios. Whereas the isotopic compositions of He are generally within the range of mid-ocean-ridge basalts (MORB) and do not covary with those of other trace elements, there is an apparent correlation between the 13C/12C and 143Nd/144Nd ratios for each of the two petrologic groups. These relationships, if substantiated for other xenolith suites, greatly limit the possible mechanisms for generating lithophile and volatile isotopic variations in the continental lithosphere. The helium isotopic compositions for all of the xenoliths fall within the range for MORB. This includes those from Ichinomegata, suggesting that the lower 3He/4He ratios found for He sampled at the surface at subduction zones result from mixing mantle He with near-surface crustal He rather than with subducted radiogenic He. Measured C isotopic compositions (relative to Peedee belemnite) for the Ichinomegata xenoliths \(\left( {\mathop \delta \nolimits^{^{13} } C_{PD{\text{B}}} = - 3.2 to - 17.5} \right)\) include values that are both lighter and heavier than those in MORB, and are compatible with contributions from subducted carbon. The Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of the Ichinomegata xenoliths exhibit a correlation over a substantially greater range of values than typically observed for other light-rare-earth-element (LREE)-depleted xenoliths, and include more radiogenic Sr and less radiogenic Nd compositions. The carbon isotopic compositions found for the East African and Geronimo xenoliths extend to values that are lighter than those typically found for MORB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EQ, Cambridge, UK

    D. R. Porcelli, R. K. O'Nions, S. J. G. Galer & A. S. Cohen

  2. 55 Eastern Drive, 10502, Ardsley, NY, USA

    D. R. Porcelli

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Saarstraße 23, Postfach 3060, W-6500, Mainz, Germany

    S. J. G. Galer

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, MK7 6AA, Milton Keynes, UK

    D. P. Mattey

  5. Department of Geology, RHB-New College, University of London, TW20 0EX, Egham, Surrey, UK

    D. P. Mattey

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Porcelli, D.R., O'Nions, R.K., Galer, S.J.G. et al. Isotopic relationships of volatile and lithophile trace elements in continental ultramafic xenoliths. Contrib Mineral Petrol 110, 528–538 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344086

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