Can LREE Enriched Patterns in Clinopyroxenes in Abyssal Peridotites be Produced by Melting of a Depleted Mantle Source?

Abstract:

The enrichment of LREE in clinopyroxenes in abyssal peridotites has often been attributed to shallow level melt refertilization. Here we show an alternative mechanism that involves diffusive fractionation of REE during disequilibrium mantle melting. We present a simple model for trace element fractionation during disequilibrium melting in an upwelling steady-state column. We use linear kinetics to approximate crystal-melt mass exchange rate and obtain analytical solutions for cases of perfect fractional melting and batch melting. A key parameter determining the extent of chemical disequilibrium during partial melting is an element specific dimensionless ratio (ε) defined as the melting rate relative to the solid-melt chemical exchange rate for the trace element of interest. In the case of diffusion in mineral limited exchange, ε is inversely proportional to diffusivity of the element of interest. Disequilibrium melting is important for the trace element when e is comparable to or greater than the bulk solid-melt partition coefficient for the element (k). The disequilibrium fractional melting model is reduced to the equilibrium perfect fractional melting model when e is much smaller than k. Hence highly incompatible trace elements with slower mobilities in minerals are more susceptible to disequilibrium melting than moderately incompatible elements. Effect of chemical disequilibrium is to hinder the extent of fractionation between residual solid and partial melt, making the residual solid less depleted and the accumulated melt more enriched in incompatible trace element abundances relative the case of equilibrium melting.

Application of the disequilibrium fractional melting model to REE abundances in clinopyroxene in abyssal peridotites from the Central Indian Ridge and the Vema Lithospheric Section, Mid-Atlantic Ridge revealed a positive correlation between the disequilibrium parameter ε and the degree of melting, which can be explained by an increase in melting rate and a decrease in REE diffusion rate in the upper part of the melting column. Small extent of disequilibrium melting for LREE and equilibrium melting for HREE in the upper part of the mantle column can explain the elevated LREE abundances REE patterns in clinopyroxenes in more refractory abyssal peridotites.