Control of reaction kinetics on mantle serpentinization and double Benioff zones.

Iyer, Karthik , Rüpke, Lars H. , Grevemeyer, Ingo and Phipps Morgan, Jason (2012) Control of reaction kinetics on mantle serpentinization and double Benioff zones. [Poster] In: The Lübeck Retreat, Collaborative Research SFB 574 Volatiles and Fluids in Subduction Zones: Climate Feedback and Trigger Mechanisms for Natural Disasters. , 23.05.-25.05.2012, Lübeck . The Lübeck Retreat: final colloquium of SFB 574; May 23-25, 2012: program & abstracts. ; p. 13 .

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Abstract

The subduction of partially serpentinized oceanic mantle may potentially be the key geologic process leading to the regassing of Earth’s mantle and also has important consequences for subduction zone processes such as element cycling, slab deformation, and intermediate-depth seismicity. Little is known about the quantity of water that is retained in the slab during mantle serpentinization. Recent
studies using thermodynamical and/or experimental models of subduction zone processes have assumed that the mantle is uniformly serpentinized to a depth determined from the equilibrium stability of serpentine minerals in P-T space. This approach yields an incomplete picture of the pattern of serpentinization that may occur during bending-related faulting; an initial state that is essential for quantifying subsequent dehydration processes. In order to provide further constraints on the pattern of hydration and the amount of water trapped in the subducting mantle, we build a 2-D reactive-flow
model incorporating the kinetic rate-dependence of serpentinization based on experimental results. After simulating hydration processes at the trench outer-rise, we find that the water content in serpentinized mantle strongly depends on the age of the subducting lithosphere and subduction rate, with values ranging between 1.8x105 and 4.0x106 kgm-2 reactive water uptake into the subducting mantle column. Serpentinization also results in a reduction in surface heat flux towards the trench caused by advective downflow of seawater into the reaction region. Observed heat flow reductions are larger than the reduction due to the minimum-water downflow needed for partial serpentinization, predicting that active hydrothermal vents and chemosynthetic communities should also be associated
with bend-fault serpentinization. Model results agree with previous studies that the lower plane of double Benioff zones can be generated due to dehydration of serpentinized mantle at depth. The depth-dependent pattern of serpentinization including reaction kinetics predicts a separation between the two Benioff planes consistent with seismic observations.

Document Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Keywords: Geodynamics
Research affiliation: OceanRep > SFB 574 > C5
OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-MUHS
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-JRG-B3 Seabed Resources
OceanRep > SFB 574 > A5
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB4 Dynamics of the Ocean Floor > FB4-GDY Marine Geodynamics
Publisher: CAU
Projects: Future Ocean
Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2012 10:59
Last Modified: 12 Oct 2012 12:18
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/15172

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