Noble Gas Constraints on Mantle Structure and Convection对地幔结构和对流的惰性气体的限制.pptVIP

Noble Gas Constraints on Mantle Structure and Convection Sujoy Mukhopadhyay Harvard University Which (if any) of these views of the mantle are correct? What are the constraints on mantle reservoirs provided by the noble gases? - what we know, what we infer, and what we do not understand Outline Helium, Neon, and Argon isotopic composition of Mid Ocean Ridge Basalts (MORBs) and Ocean Island Basalts (OIBs) – observations and constraints Missing Argon problem He Heat paradox Combined noble gases and lithophile tracers (Sr, Nd, Pb) Noble gas concentrations and elemental ratios- challenges in reconciling isotopic and elemental composition He isotope geochemistry Two isotopes of helium: 3He and 4He 3He is primordial 4He produced by radioactive decay of U and Th He isotopes are a measure of time-integrated (U+Th)/3He ratio: Helium behaves as an incompatible element during mantle melting (i.e. prefers melt over minerals) Helium expected to be more incompatible than U and Th during mantle melting Helium not recycled back into the mantle If so high 3He/4He ratios reflect less degassed mantle material Histogram of He isotope ratios in mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) 3He/4He ratios reported relative to the atmospheric ratio of 1.39 x 10-6 No relation between isotopic composition and spreading rate but the variance is inversely related to spreading rate Either reflects - efficiency of mixing in the upper mantle - differences in degree of magma homogenization Comparison of He isotope ratios from selected MORs, OIBs, and continental hotspots The mean 3He/4He ratio from different ridge segments is nearly identical although the variance is different OIBs are much more variable 3He/4He ratios less than MORBs are frequently associated with radiogenic Pb (HIMU) and reflects recycled components in the mantle He isotope ratios in ocean island basalts (OIBs) OIBs display a very large range in He isotopic composition He isotopic distribution has a