Deciphering mantle heterogeneity associated with ancient subduction-related metasomatism: Insights from Mg-K isotopes in potassic alkaline rocks

Melts and fluids derived from subducting/subducted oceanic lithosphere contribute significantly to man-tle compositional heterogeneity. Historically metasomatized lithospheric mantle modified by varying materials, especially volatile-rich slab fluids, has been understood to be crucial for the formation of giant ore deposits, thus providing potential prospective areas for mineral exploration. However, it is not straightforward to identify superimposed effects of slab melts and fluids on the sub-continental litho-sphere (SCLM) that has experienced long-lived and/or multiple metasomatism. In this study, we present a novel study using Mg and K isotopes, together with radioactive isotopes on mafic post-collisional alka-line potassic rocks (PARs) with the aim of deciphering varying agents contributing to the heterogeneous metasomatism of the SCLM beneath the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The PARs, formed at-36 Ma, are characterized by high abundances of large ion lithophile elements (LILE) but depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE) with high Rb/Sr ratios, indicating a phlogopite-bearing mantle source. We find that features of light Mg (826Mg =-0.52 to-0.25 parts per thousand) and heavy K (841K =-0.56 to +0.08 parts per thousand) isotopes observed in the PARs are largely inherited from their mantle sources with negligible effects of kinetic fractionation, fractional crystallization and crustal level processes. Our modelling reveals that the notable divergence of Sr-Nd-Pb-Mg-K isotope compositions between PAR suites in different tectonic blocks are best understood as resulting from varying contributions of slab-derived components into the overlying mantle lithosphere, including sediment-derived melts, ocean crust-derived supercritical fluids, and mar-ine carbonates. Particularly, their high Th/U ratios and negative correlations between 826Mg and 841K val-ues suggest that slab-derived supercritical fluids can dissolve and transport Mg-rich (dolomitic) carbonate into the mantle wedge.(c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Melts and fluids derived from subducting/subducted oceanic lithosphere play an important role in mantle compositional heterogeneity. This study focuses on post-collisional alkaline potassic rocks (PARs) beneath the southeastern Tibetan Plateau to examine the agents contributing to heterogeneous metasomatism of the sub-continental lithosphere (SCLM). The results indicate the influence of slab-derived components, including sediment-derived melts, ocean crust-derived supercritical fluids, and marine carbonates, on the mantle lithosphere.