Volatile cycle in the mantle

Abstract

Understanding volatile behavior, budget, and cycle in the mantle is one of fundamental questions in mantle geochemistry. In order to approach this issue, studies for volatiles on mantle-derived rocks, such as mid-ocean ridge basalts and ocean island basalts (OIB), have been conducted for decades. Overviewing the existing data of volatiles, OIB sourced from recycled mantle components show depletion in water relative to similarly incompatible trace elements, indicating water loss during slab subduction. However, F and Cl enrichment in some types of OIB suggests subduction transport of F and Cl. Carbon recycle is poorly understood because of low solubility of C in the melt, and therefore carbon in OIB should be a focus in the future studies.