Major Mineral Fraction and Physical Properties of Carbonated Peridotite (Listvenite) From ICDP Oman Drilling Project Hole BT1B Inferred From X-Ray CT Core Images

We quantified mineral proportions in listvenite (completely carbonated peridotite) in Hole BT1B drilled across the basal thrust of the Samail ophiolite by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Project Oman Drilling Project using 3D X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT). We analyzed >250,000 XCT images from a continuous similar to 200 m listvenite core. Histograms of the intensity of X-ray attenuation of each XCT core-slice image were fitted assuming that the listvenites are composed of magnesite, quartz, and dolomite. The XCT mineral peaks were confirmed by comparison with chemical mapping data obtained using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanner. Listvenite matrix is composed almost entirely of magnesite and quartz, consistent with discrete XRD and XRF data. Veins are composed mostly of dolomite. The mean abundance of dolomite in listvenite from BT1B is 11 vol.%, whereas that in core sections within 15 m of the basal thrust is >50 vol.%, suggesting the basal thrust acted as a source of Ca- and CO2-rich fluids. The SiO2:MgO:CaO molar ratio in the entire core from BT1B is 42:52:6, similar to that of onboard XRF data for discrete samples (41:54:5), whereas average Oman peridotites have ratios of (39:60:1), indicating Ca addition perhaps during carbonation. P- and S-wave velocities and density of listvenite are close to those of peridotite and are higher than those of serpentinites. These results suggest that limited material transfer during carbonation and hydration of the Samail ophiolite, except for Ca, CO2, and H2O. Listvenites formed in the mantle wedge above subduction zones may be an overlooked reservoir for carbon in the Earth's interior. Plain Language Summary To understand planetary-scale fluid circulation from the surface to deep regions of Earth, it is important to constrain how fluids are captured/released by hydration/dehydration and carbonation/decarbonation of minerals and the associated volumes of these fluids. Listvenite, completely carbonated mantle material, occurs in the Samail ophiolite. Continuous similar to 200 m drill core samples of listvenite overlying the basal thrust of the Samail ophiolite were obtained by the International Continental Scientific Drilling Project Oman Drilling Project. We evaluated the mineral fractions of listvenite from 3D X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) images of these core samples with confirmation using chemical mapping data from an X-ray fluorescence core scanner. More than 125,000 XCT images were analyzed using this method. We found that dolomite (CaMg(CO3)(2)) abundance is highest within 15 m of the base of listvenite layer, which is the paleo-plate boundary. These results suggest that the mantle carbonation involved CO2-, H2O-, and Ca-rich fluids and that the paleo-plate boundary acted as a pathway for these fluids. Because listvenite contains 36 mol% CO2 and has seismic properties different from serpentinites and similar to volatile-free peridotites, listvenite in the mantle wedge overlying subduction zone may be an overlooked reservoir for carbon in the Earth's interior.

Automated summary

Mineral proportions in listvenite in the Samail ophiolite were quantified using 3D X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) technology. Dolomite abundance is highest near the base of the listvenite layer, suggesting a source of Ca- and CO2-rich fluids at the paleo-plate boundary. Listvenite may serve as an overlooked reservoir for carbon in the Earth's interior as it shows limited material transfer during carbonation.