Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxygen and nitrogen isotopes as tracers of fluid activities in serpentinites and metasediments during subduction

  • Published:
Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

N and O isotope systematics of a suite of high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metasediments of the Schistes Lustrés nappe and metaperidotites of the Erro Tobbio Massif from the Alpine-Appennine system are compared with their unmetamorphosed or hydrothermally-altered equivalent from the same localities and from the South West Indian Ridge (SWIR). The HP and UHP rocks studied represent a sequence of pelagic sediments and altered ultramafic rocks subducted to different depths of down to 90 km along a cold geothermal gradient (8 °C/km). Unmetamorphosed and HP metasediments show the same range in δ15N values irrespective of their metamorphic grade and bulk nitrogen concentrations. Together with several other geochemical features (K, Rb and Cs contents, δD), this indicates that δ15N values were unaffected by metamorphism and N was not released during subduction. N isotope analysis of serpentinites coupled with δ18O systematics suggests the involvement of a mafic (crustal) component during partial deserpentinization of the subducted oceanic mantle at the depth locus of island arc magmatism. This does not imply large-scale fluxes as the metagabbros are spatially associated with the analyzed serpentinites. It rather indicates preservation of presubduction chemical and isotopic heterogeneities on a local scale as documented for the metasediments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ader M, Cartigny P, Boudou JP, Oh JH, Petit E, Javoy M (2006) Nitrogen isotopic evolution of carbonaceous matter during metamorphism: methodology and preliminary results. Chem Geol (in press)

  • P Agard L Jolivet B Goffé (2001) ArticleTitleTectonometamorphic evolution of the Schistes Lustrés complex: implications for the exhumation of HP and UHP rocks in the western Alps Bull Soc Geol Fr 5 617–636 Occurrence Handle10.2113/172.5.617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AC Barnicoat I Cartwright (1995) ArticleTitleFocused fluid flow during subduction: oxygen isotope data from high-pressure ophiolites of the western Alps Earth Planet Sci Lett 132 53–61 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0012-821X(95)00040-J

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GE Bebout M Fogel (1992) ArticleTitleNitrogen-isotope compositions of metasedimentary rocks in the Catalina Schist, California: implications for metamorphic devolatilization history Geochim Cosmochim Acta 56 2839–2849 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0016-7037(92)90363-N

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Bigeleisen ML Perlman HC Prosser (1952) ArticleTitleConversion of hydrogenic materials to hydrogen for isotopic analysis Anal Chem 24 1356–1357 Occurrence Handle10.1021/ac60068a025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SR Boyd A Rejou-Michel M Javoy (1994) ArticleTitleNoncryogenic purification of nanomole quantities of nitrogen gas for isotopic analysis Anal Chem 66 1396–1402 Occurrence Handle10.1021/ac00081a006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busigny V (2004) Comportement géochimique de l’azote dans les zones de subduction. PhD Thesis, Université Denis Diderot, 301 pp

  • V Busigny P Cartigny P Philippot M Ader M Javoy (2003a) ArticleTitleMassive recycling of nitrogen and other fluid-mobile elements (K, Rb, Cs, H) in a cold slab environment: evidence from HP to UHP oceanic metasediments of the schistes Lustrés nappe (western Alps, Europe) Earth Planet Sci Lett 215 27–42 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00453-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V Busigny P Cartigny P Philippot M Javoy (2003b) ArticleTitleAmmonium quantification in muscovite by infrared spectroscopy Chem Geol 198 21–31 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0009-2541(02)00420-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V Busigny M Ader P Cartigny (2005) ArticleTitleQuantification and isotopic analysis of nitrogen in rocks at the ppm level using sealed-tube combustion technique: a prelude to the study of altered oceanic crust Chem Geol 223 249–258 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.chemgeo.2005.08.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Cannat C Mével M Maïa C Deplus P Gente P Agrinier A Belarouchi G Dubuisson E Humler JR Reynolds (1995) ArticleTitleThin crust, ultramafic exposure and rugged faulting patterns at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (22–24° N) Geology 23 49–52 Occurrence Handle10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0049:TCUEAR>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P Cartigny K De Corte VS Shatsky M Ader P De Paepe NV Sobole M Javoy (2001) ArticleTitleThe origin and the formation of metamorphic microdiamonds from the Kokchetav massif, Kazakhstan: a nitrogen and carbon isotopic study Chem Geol 176 265–281 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0009-2541(00)00407-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Decitre S (2000) Variations de la composition isotopique du lithium dans les péridotites océaniques serpentinisées et dans le manteau: implications pour le cycle du lithium. PhD Thesis, Institut National Polytechique de Lorraine, 250 pp

  • S Decitre E Deloule L Reisberg R James P Agrinier C Mèvel (2002) ArticleTitleBehavior of Li and its isotopes during serpentinization of oceanic peridotites Geochem Geophys Geosystems 3 1007 Occurrence Handle10.1029/2001GC000178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KJ Domanik JR Holloway (2000) ArticleTitleExperimental synthesis and phase relations of phengitic muscovite from 6.5 to 11 GPa in a calcareous metapelite from the Dabie Mountains, China Lithos 52 51–77 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0024-4937(99)00084-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TP Fischer DR Hilton MM Zimmer AM Shaw ZD Sharp JA Walker (2002) ArticleTitleSubduction and recycling of nitrogen along the Central American margin Science 297 1154–1157 Occurrence Handle10.1126/science.1073995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GL Früh-Green M Scambelluri F Vallis (2001) ArticleTitleO–H isotope ratios of high-pressure ultramafic rocks: implications for fluid sources and mobility in the subducted hydrous mantle Contrib Mineral Petrol 141 145–159 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004100000228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C Henry M Burkhard B Goffé (1996) ArticleTitleEvolution of synmetamorphic veins and their wallrocks through a western Alps transect: no evidence for large-scale fluid flow. Stable isotope, major- and trace-element systematics Chem Geol 127 81–109 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0009-2541(95)00106-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J Hermann DH Green (2001) ArticleTitleExperimental constraints on high pressure melting in subducted crust Earth Planet Sci Lett 188 149–168 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-821X(01)00321-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S Martin R Polino (1984) ArticleTitleLe metaradiolariti a ferro di Cesana (Valle di Susa-Alpi occidentali) Mem Soc Geol It 29 107–125

    Google Scholar 

  • B Messiga M Scambelluri GB Piccardo (1995) ArticleTitleFormation and breakdown of chloritoid-omphacite high-pressure assemblages in mafic systems: evidence from the Erro-Tobbio eclogitic metagabbros (Ligurian Western Alps) Eur J Mineral 7 1149–1167

    Google Scholar 

  • C Mével (2003) ArticleTitleSerpentinization of abyssal peridotites at mid-ocean ridges C R Geoscience 335 825–852 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.crte.2003.08.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B Mingram K Bräuer (2001) ArticleTitleAmmonium concentration and nitrogen isotope composition in metasedimentary rocks from different tectonometamorphic units of the European Variscan Belt Geochim Cosmochim Acta 65 273–287 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00517-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AE Moran VB Sisson WP Leeman (1992) ArticleTitleBoron depletion during progressive metamorphism: implications for subduction processes Earth Planet Sci Lett 111 331–349 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0012-821X(92)90188-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AR Pawley JR Holloway (1993) ArticleTitleWater sources for subduction zone volcanism – new experimental constraints Science 260 664–667 Occurrence Handle10.1126/science.260.5108.664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SM Peacock (1990) ArticleTitleFluid processes in subduction zones Science 248 329–336 Occurrence Handle10.1126/science.248.4953.329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P Philippot (1993) ArticleTitleFluid-melt-rock interaction in mafic eclogites and coesite-bearing metasediments: constraints on volatile recycling during subduction Chem Geol 108 93–112 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0009-2541(93)90319-E

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P Philippot J Selverstone (1991) ArticleTitleTrace-element rich brines in eclogitic veins; implications for fluid composition and transport during subduction Contrib Mineral Petrol 106 417–430 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00321985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S Poli MW Schmidt (2002) ArticleTitlePetrology of subducted slabs Ann Rev Earth Planet Sci 30 207–235 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.earth.30.091201.140550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T Reinecke (1991) ArticleTitleVery-high pressure metamorphism and uplift of coesite-bearing metasediments from the Zermatt-Saas Zone, western Alps Eur J Mineral 3 7–17

    Google Scholar 

  • M Reinhardt (1991) ArticleTitleVitrinite reflectance, illite crystalinity and tectonics: results from the Northern Apennines (Italy) Org Geochem 17 175–184 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0146-6380(91)90075-U

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Scambelluri P Philippot (2001) ArticleTitleDeep fluids in subduction zones Lithos 55 213–227 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0024-4937(00)00046-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Scambelluri O Muentener J Hermann GB Piccardo V Trommsdorff (1995) ArticleTitleSubduction of water into the mantle: history of an alpine peridotite Geology 23 459–462 Occurrence Handle10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0459:SOWITM>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Scambelluri GB Piccardo P Philippot A Robbiano L Negretti (1997) ArticleTitleHigh salinity fluid inclusions formed from recycled seawater in deeply subducted alpine serpentinite Earth Planet Sci Lett 148 485–500 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-821X(97)00043-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Scambelluri E Rampone GB Piccardo (2001) ArticleTitleFluid and element cycling in subducted serpentinite: a trace element study of the Erro-Tobbio high-pressure ultramafites (western Alps NW Italy) J Petrol 42 55–67 Occurrence Handle10.1093/petrology/42.1.55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M Scambelluri O Müntener L Ottolini T Pettke R Vannucci (2004) ArticleTitleThe fate of B, Cl and Li in the subducted oceanic mantle and in the antigorite-breakdown fluids Earth Planet Sci Lett 222 217–234 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.epsl.2004.02.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ZD Sharp JD Barnes (2004) ArticleTitleWater soluble chlorides in massive seafloor serpentinites: a source of chloride in subduction zones Earth Planet Sci Lett 226 243–254 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.epsl.2004.06.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AM Shaw DR Hilton TP Fischer JA Walker GE Alvarado (2003) ArticleTitleContrasting He–C relationships in Nicaragua and Costa Rica: insights into C cycling through subduction zones Earth Planet Sci Lett 214 499–513 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00401-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SM Straub GD Layne (2003) ArticleTitleThe systematics of chlorine, fluorine, and water in Izu arc front volcanic rocks: implications for volatile recycling in subduction zones Geochim Cosmochim Acta 67 4179–4203 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0016-7037(03)00307-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Synder G, Poreda R, Hunt A, Fehn U (2001) Regional variations in volatile composition: isotopic evidence for carbonate recycling in the Central American volcanic arc. Geochem Geophy Geosystems 2 (doi: 10.129/2001GC000163)

  • P Ulmer V Trommsdorff (1995) ArticleTitleSerpentinite stability to mantle depths and subduction-related magmatism Science 268 858–861 Occurrence Handle10.1126/science.268.5212.858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer MM, Fischer TP, Hilton DR, Alvarado GE, Sharp ZD, Walker JA (2004) Nitrogen systematics and gas fluxes of subduction zones: insights from Costa Rica arc volatiles. Geochem Geophy Geosystems 5 (doi: 10.1029/2003GC000651)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire Géobiosphère Actuelle et Primitive, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France

    P. Philippot

  2. Origins Laboratory, Department of the Geophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, IL, USA

    V. Busigny

  3. Dipartimento per lo studio del Territorio e delle sue Risorse, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy

    M. Scambelluri

  4. Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie des Fluides Géologiques, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France

    V. Busigny & P. Cartigny

Authors
  1. P. Philippot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. Busigny
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Scambelluri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Cartigny
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Philippot, P., Busigny, V., Scambelluri, M. et al. Oxygen and nitrogen isotopes as tracers of fluid activities in serpentinites and metasediments during subduction. Mineralogy and Petrology 91, 11–24 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-007-0183-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-007-0183-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation