Subduction factory in an ampoule: Experiments on sediment–peridotite interaction under temperature gradient conditions

Abstract

To better understand processes above subducted oceanic slabs, we have undertaken experiments with juxtaposed sediment and peridotite layers at pressures of 7.5 and 10.5 GPa at a controlled temperature gradient from ∼100 to ∼500 °C per a sample length of ∼3 mm. The sediment starting material contains H2O (6.9 wt%) and CO2 (5.9 wt%) and has a major-element composition similar to GLOSS (Plank and Langmuir, 1998) doped with trace elements at 10–100 ppm levels. Several experiments were conducted with ∼0.5 wt% Cl or F. The peridotite layer is composed of natural olivine (66 wt%), orthopyroxene (27 wt%) and garnet (7 wt%) mixed with ∼15 wt% graphite. Several experimental configurations were investigated, but the “basic” setup has the sediment layer at the bottom in the cold zone (400–1200 °C) overlain by peridotite at 900–1500 °C. The temperature distribution was determined by two thermocouples and orthopyroxene–garnet thermometry.Features common to many experiments are (1) the development of multiple layers of various lithologies and a pool of hydrous silicate or carbonate–silicate melt in the hottest part of the capsule; (2) replacement of olivine by orthopyroxene in the metaperidotite; (3) preservation and growth of garnet and local development of magnesite in the metaperidotite layer; (4) enrichment in garnet within the metasediment layer at the contact with the metaperidotite; (5) formation of a clinopyroxene–garnet assemblage at the bottom (the coldest part); (6) presence of K-bearing phases (phlogopite or phengite) and carbonates in the metasediment layer only at temperatures <700 °C; and (7) occurrence of accessory zircon, rutile and phosphates in the coldest regions. In terms of element redistribution, the peridotite becomes strongly enriched in SiO2 compared to the starting composition, and the sediment gains MgO, FeO and Cr2O3. Potassium is fully extracted into the melt, while Na and Ca are largely retained in the coldest part of the metasediment layer in clinopyroxene, Ca-rich garnet and aragonite. The melt is a product of interaction between partial melt or fluid from the sediment and peridotite. It has a silico-carbonatite composition with variable SiO2, MgO, FeO and CaO contents and low Al2O3. The addition of Cl has almost no effect on element distribution, whereas the addition of F results in the appearance of humite-group minerals containing significant amounts of Ti. Trace-element distribution is controlled by pressure, temperature and mineral assemblages. At low temperatures in the sediment layer (<700 °C) Ba, Rb, Sr and Li are much more mobile than REE and HFSE, which results in high Ba/La, Ba/Nb, Sr/Nb etc. (fluid metasomatism). At higher temperatures in the sediment layer, the melt is markedly enriched in Ba, Rb, Sr, LREE and U relative to Ti, MREE and HREE. Negative Nb–Ta and Zr–Hf anomalies in melts are caused by the retention of rutile, zircon and humite-group minerals in the solid residue. Thermodiffusion may affect the ratios of some highly incompatible elements (e.g., Ta/La). Possible applications of the results to natural deep subduction are discussed in view of variations in mineral assemblages and trace element ratios.