Cr-spinel records metasomatism not petrogenesis of mantle rocks

Hamed Gamal El Dien (), Shoji Arai, Luc-Serge Doucet, Zheng-Xiang Li, Youngwoo Kil, Denis Fougerouse, Steven M. Reddy, David W. Saxey and Mohamed Hamdy
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Hamed Gamal El Dien: Curtin University
Shoji Arai: Kanazawa University
Luc-Serge Doucet: Curtin University
Zheng-Xiang Li: Curtin University
Youngwoo Kil: Chonnam National University
Denis Fougerouse: Curtin University
Steven M. Reddy: Curtin University
David W. Saxey: Curtin University
Mohamed Hamdy: Tanta University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Mantle melts provide a window on processes related to global plate tectonics. The composition of chromian spinel (Cr-spinel) from mafic-ultramafic rocks has been widely used for tracing the geotectonic environments, the degree of mantle melting and the rate of mid-ocean ridge spreading. The assumption is that Cr-spinel’s core composition (Cr# = Cr/(Cr + Al)) is homogenous, insensitive to post-formation modification and therefore a robust petrogenetic indicator. However, we demonstrate that the composition of Cr-spinel can be modified by fluid/melt-rock interactions in both sub-arc and sub-mid oceanic mantle. Metasomatism can produce Al-Cr heterogeneity in Cr-spinel that lowers the Cr/Al ratio, and therefore modifies the Cr#, making Cr# ineffective as a geotectonic and mantle melting indicator. Our analysis also demonstrates that Cr-spinel is a potential sink for fluid-mobile elements, especially in subduction zone environments. The heterogeneity of Cr# in Cr-spinel can, therefore, be used as an excellent tracer for metasomatic processes.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13117-1

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