Subduction-related lithium metasomatism during exhumation of the Alpe Arami ultrahigh-pressure garnet peridotite (Central Alps, Switzerland)

Abstract

The inter- and intragrain distribution of Li and Be in the subduction-related ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) garnet peridotite from Alpe Arami, Central Swiss Alps, was studied using secondary ion mass spectrometry. The data indicate substantial Li infiltration during exhumation of this ultramafic body. Orthopyroxene porphyroclasts and neoblasts are characterised by low Li contents (0.11–0.36 µg/g) typical of depleted peridotites, whereas Li zonation profiles across porphyroclasts of garnet and clinopyroxene document a metasomatic addition of Li. Small clinopyroxene grains in the matrix contain extremely high and variable abundances of Li (4–16 µg/g). In marked contrast to the behaviour of Li, the abundances of Be (77–134 ng/g) are similar in all textural types of clinopyroxene. Olivine porphyroclasts and neoblasts are characterised by somewhat elevated Li contents (0.95–1.79 µg/g), typical of fertile lherzolites. All textural types of clinopyroxene in the Alpe Arami peridotite are enriched in Li, providing evidence for infiltration of Li-rich and Be-poor aqueous solutions after the peak of UHP metamorphism. The lack of Li enrichment in orthopyroxene is consistent with orthopyroxene dissolution and formation of secondary olivine and clinopyroxene during metasomatism. Cr-diopside pyroxenite veins and boudins within the peridotite show low abundances of Li, with 0.7–2.5 µg/g in clinopyroxene and 1.1–1.5 µg/g in olivine. These pyroxenites likely represent precipitates from aqueous solutions which infiltrated the host peridotite after Li enrichment of the peridotite. A slab-derived nature of the metasomatic agent is suggested by the general lack of Ti enrichment in the Alpe Arami rocks.