Ultramafic Rock Carbonation: Constraints From Listvenite Core BT1B, Oman Drilling Project. Issue 6 (3rd June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beinlich, A.; Plümper, O.; Boter, E.; Müller, I. A.; Kourim, F.; Ziegler, M.; Harigane, Y.; Lafay, R.; Kelemen, P. B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 125:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-06-03
• Subjects: Samail ophiolite -- Listvenite -- carbonation -- clumped isotope -- fluid–rock interaction -- mineral replacement; Geomagnetism -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; 551.1
• DOI: 10.1029/2019JB019060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9313

Abstract

Abstract: The occurrence of the quartz‐carbonate alteration assemblage (listvenite) in ophiolites indicates that ultramafic rock represents an effective sink for dissolved CO2 . However, the majority of earlier studies of ultramafic rock carbonation had to rely on the surface exposure of reaction textures and field relationships. Here we present the first observations on ultramafic rock alteration obtained from the 300 m deep BT1B drill hole, ICDP Oman Drilling Project, allowing for a continuous and high‐resolution investigation. Hole BT1B recovered continuous drill core intersecting surface alluvium, 200 m of altered ultramafic rock comprising mainly listvenite and minor serpentinite bands at 90 and 180 m depth, and 100 m of the underlying metamorphic sole. Textural evidence suggests that the carbonation of fully serpentinized harzburgite commenced by non‐equilibrium growth of spheroidal carbonate characterized by sectorial zoning resulting from radially oriented low‐angle boundaries. In the serpentinite, carbonate spheroids are composed of alternating magnesite cores and dolomite rims, whereas texturally similar carbonate in the listvenite is composed of Fe‐rich magnesite cores and Ca‐Fe‐rich magnesite rims. The distinct compositions and mineral inclusions indicate that the carbonation extent was controlled by fluid accessibility resulting in the simultaneous formation of limited carbonate in the serpentinite bands and complete carbonation in the listvenite parts of BT1B. The presence of euhedral magnesite overgrowing spheroidal carbonate in the listvenite suggests near‐equilibrium conditions during the final stage of carbonation. The carbonate clumped isotope thermometry constrains carbonate crystallization between 50 °C and 250 °C, implying repeated infiltration of reactive fluids during ophiolite uplift and cooling. Key Points: Large‐scale carbonation resulted in pervasive replacement of serpentinite by the magnesite‐quartz‐fuchsite (listvenite) assemblage Clumped isotope thermometry indicates carbonation temperatures between 50 °C and 250 °C Carbonation textures indicate a transition from non‐equilibrium spheroidal growth to near‐equilibrium euhedral growth