Mantle source heterogeneity and magmatic evolution at Carlsberg Ridge (3.7°N): constrains from elemental and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb) data

Abstract

We present new major element, ICP-MS trace element, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data of basalts from four locations along the Carlsberg Ridge (CR), northern Indian Ocean. The basalts are low-K tholeiites with 7.52–9.51 wt% MgO, 49.40–50.60 wt% SiO2, 0.09–0.27 wt% K2O, 2.55–2.90 wt% Na2O, and 0.60–0.68 Mg#. Trace element contents of the basalts show characteristics similar to those of average normal MORB, such as LREE depleted patterns with (La/Sm)N ratio of 0.55–0.69; however, some samples are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements such as K and Rb, suggesting probable modification of the mantle source. Poor correlations between the compatible elements [e.g. Ni, Cr, and Sr (related to olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase, respectively)] and the incompatible elements (e.g. Zr and Y), and positive correlations in the Zr versus Zr/Y and Nb versus Nb/Y plots suggest a magmatic evolution controlled mainly by mantle melting rather than fractional crystallization. Our results extend the CR basalt range to higher radiogenic Pb isotopes and lower 143Nd/144Nd. These basalts and basalts from the northern Indian Ocean Ridge show lower 143Nd/144Nd and higher 87Sr/86Sr values than those of the depleted mantle (DM), defining a trend towards pelagic sediment composition. The Pb isotopic ratios of basalts from CR 3–4°N lie along the compositional mixing lines between the DM and the upper continental crust. However, the low radiogenic Pb of basalts from CR 9–10°N lie on the mixing line between the DM and lower continental crust. Since the Pb isotopic ratio of MORB would decrease if the source mantle was contaminated by continental lithospheric mantle, we suggest that CR contains continental lithospheric material, resulting in heterogeneous mantle beneath different ridge segments. The continental lithospheric material was introduced into the asthenosphere before or during the breakup of the Gondwana. These results support the long-term preservation of continental material in the oceanic mantle which would significantly influence the isotopic anomaly of the Indian Ocean MORB.