Halogen enrichment in the North American lithospheric mantle from the dehydration of the Farallon plate

Abstract

A greater quantity of halogens (F, Cl, Br, and I) appear to be subducted globally than are erupted at magmatic arcs, requiring either an increase in the mantle halogen budget through time or an additional output pathway or reservoir. The sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) is one such reservoir. SCLM can be enriched in volatile elements after metasomatism by fluids or melts from subducting oceanic lithosphere. We analyzed the bulk halogen content (F, Cl, Br, and I) of 28 variably metasomatized spinel and garnet peridotite xenoliths from the Navajo Volcanic Field (NVF; Central Colorado Plateau) to constrain the effects of the subducting Farallon plate-derived metasomatism on the halogen content of the western North American SCLM. We also analyzed 33 anhydrous spinel peridotites from various localities on and around the Colorado Plateau, as well as xenoliths from Oahu, Hawaii, and Eifel, Germany to compare them to the modally hydrated NVF xenoliths. Cl, Br, and I are enriched in NVF xenoliths relative to the depleted mantle, correlating with olivine oxygen isotope values and indices of metasomatism. F is less enriched, indicating preferential retention in the slab residue. Br/Cl and I/Cl are similar to partially dehydrated serpentinite, indicating that the source of these fluids is consistent with serpentinized oceanic lithosphere of the Farallon plate. Anhydrous xenoliths from the southwestern United States have more depleted mantle-like Cl and F contents but have highly enriched Br contents similar to the NVF xenoliths. Similar to NVF xenoliths, anhydrous xenolith Br/Cl and I/Cl suggest a Farallon derived serpentinite source of halogen enrichment. These results indicate that the Farallon slab sequestered halogens in the North American SCLM of the central and south Colorado Plateau and the southern Rio Grande Rift. Therefore, halogen sequestration in the SCLM may be a critical component in the global halogen cycle.