Heterogeneous mantle source compositions for boninite from Bonin and Troodos, evidence from iron isotope variations

Boninite has been widely accepted to be the melting product of highly refractory mantle with the addition of slab-derived fluids. Previous studies have found that boninite, like other subduction-related magmas (e.g., mature arc basalts), has generally consistent chondrite-like iron isotope composition (c. +0.03%o), which is on average lighter than those of oceanic basalts. However, it remains unclear whether the lighter iron isotope composition of subduction-related magmas is inherited from the depleted mantle source or caused by the addition of slab-derived oxidized fluids. Moreover, boninite has highly varied element patterns (e.g., Yb, Zr), reflecting varying degrees of mantle depletion and different contributions of slab-derived fluids. Given the limited data for iron isotope composition of boninite so far available, it is thus required to systematically study iron isotope composition of boninite with different compositions to further understand the petrogenesis of boninite and the iron isotope variation of subduction-related magmas. Here we report iron isotope compositions of boninite from two classic suites on Earth, i.e., those from Bonin islands and submarine forearc (low-Ca boninite; CaO/Al2O3 mainly <0.75) and Troodos ophiolite complex, Cyprus (high-Ca boninite: CaO/Al2O3 = c. 0.85). The 856Fe values of the Bonin boninite vary from -0.046 & PLUSMN; 0.003%o to +0.078 & PLUSMN; 0.031%o (2SD, SD = standard deviation of 4 times repeated analysis; with an average of +0.03 & PLUSMN; 0.03%o, n = 14). The 856Fe value of the Troodos boninite is relatively constant, i.e., from +0.046 & PLUSMN; 0.010%o to +0.091 & PLUSMN; 0.016%o with an average of +0.06 & PLUSMN; 0.01%o (n = 7). Bonin forearc basalts (FAB) were also analyzed for comparison with 856Fe of -+0.10%o, except for those FABs with higher Th/U ratio and Cu contents (856Fe = +0.01- 0.05%o). Together with previously reported 856Fe data for boninite from New Caledonia (low-Ca boninite with CaO/Al2O3 = - 0.4, 856Fe = - +0.03%o), the lower 856Fe values of the Bonin boninite than Bonin FAB and Troodos boninite reflect the lighter iron isotope composition of the more depleted mantle source. Based on relationships between different indicators for various fluids (e.g., Ba/La, Zr/Sm) and modeling, Bonin boninite is likely produced by partial melting of the refractory mantle with an addition of -5-10% melts from sediments and oceanic crust, while the formation of Troodos boninite can be ascribed to the melting of less refractory mantle, which has been previously metasomatized by -5% fluids derived from oceanic crust and sediments.

Automated summary

Boninite is the melting product of refractory mantle with the addition of slab-derived fluids. It has a lighter iron isotope composition compared to oceanic basalts, but it is unclear whether this is inherited from the depleted mantle source or caused by the addition of oxidized fluids. Boninite also has highly varied element patterns, reflecting different degrees of mantle depletion and contributions of slab-derived fluids. Further study is needed to understand the petrogenesis of boninite and the iron isotope variation of subduction-related magmas.