Cu‐Isotope Evidence for Subduction Modification of Lithospheric Mantle

Ultramafic xenoliths from southeastern Arizona, USA, provide evidence for Cu‐isotope heterogeneity in the lithospheric mantle. We report new data on Type I (Cr‐, Mg‐rich) peridotites, but also the first Cu‐isotope data for Fe‐Ti‐Al‐rich Type II pyroxenite (±amphibole) xenoliths. Whole rock δ65Cu values of the pyroxenites and cryptically metasomatized Type I lherzolites range to isotopically heavier compositions than asthenospheric mantle (i.e., up to +1.44‰ and +1.12‰, respectively, vs. ∼0‰ ± 0.2‰). Copper leached from the xenoliths using aqua regia, assumed to be hosted in interstitial sulfides, is even more variable (δ65Cu −0.78 to +3.88‰), indicating considerable isotopic heterogeneity within individual samples. Host basalts have low δ65Cu (−0.23‰ to −1.30‰), so basalt—xenolith interactions are not responsible for the compositional variations observed. While mass‐dependent fractionation may be partly responsible, metasomatism by fluids derived from recycled crustal materials is the predominant control on isotopic variations observed. Amphibole megacrysts and amphiboles separated from Type II amphibole‐bearing clinopyroxenite have normal, mantle‐like 18O/16O ratios but H‐isotope compositions (δ2HSMOW −82‰ to −45‰) that range between that of nominally anhydrous mantle (−80 ± 10‰) and seawater (0‰). Host basalts are also enriched in 34S relative to depleted asthenospheric mantle, having δ34SCDT values up to +8‰, i.e., compositions commonly attributed to a component of recycled seawater or hydrated oceanic crust. These new data suggest that formation of Type II metasomes in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Basin and Range Province was associated with subduction of the Farallon plate and not alkali basalt magmatism associated with Basin and Range extension.

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