An introduction of Markov chain Monte Carlo method to geochemical inverse problems: Reading melting parameters from REE abundances in abyssal peridotites

Abstract

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation is a powerful statistical method in solving inverse problems that arise from a wide range of applications. In Earth sciences applications of MCMC simulations are primarily in the field of geophysics. The purpose of this study is to introduce MCMC methods to geochemical inverse problems related to trace element fractionation during mantle melting. MCMC methods have several advantages over least squares methods in deciphering melting processes from trace element abundances in basalts and mantle rocks. Here we use an MCMC method to invert for extent of melting, fraction of melt present during melting, and extent of chemical disequilibrium between the melt and residual solid from REE abundances in clinopyroxene in abyssal peridotites from Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Central Indian Ridge, Southwest Indian Ridge, Lena Trough, and American-Antarctic Ridge. We consider two melting models: one with exact analytical solution and the other without. We solve the latter numerically in a chain of melting models according to the Metropolis–Hastings algorithm. The probability distribution of inverted melting parameters depends on assumptions of the physical model, knowledge of mantle source composition, and constraints from the REE data. Results from MCMC inversion are consistent with and provide more reliable uncertainty estimates than results based on nonlinear least squares inversion. We show that chemical disequilibrium is likely to play an important role in fractionating LREE in residual peridotites during partial melting beneath mid-ocean ridge spreading centers. MCMC simulation is well suited for more complicated but physically more realistic melting problems that do not have analytical solutions.