Abstract
Jadeitites are formed either through direct precipitation from Na-Al-Si rich fluids (P-type), or by replacement of magmatic protoliths (R-type) in subduction zones. They are valuable targets for investigating the mobility behavior and chemical composition of subduction zone fluids. The Rio San Juan Complex (RSJC) in the northern Dominican Republic hosts both P- and R-type jadeitites and jadeite-rich rocks, which provide ideal samples for addressing such issues. Here, we present trace element and Sr-Nd-O-Si isotope compositions of RSJC jadeitites and related rocks. Most samples show similar REE patterns, trace element distributions and O isotope compositions to those of plagiogranite protoliths, indicating the predominance of R-type origin in RSJC. The P-type samples exhibit slightly higher Si isotope compositions than that of R-type samples, which place above the igneous array. The low intial Sr isotope compositions and high epsilon Nd values of the P-type jadeitites and quartzites, along with relatively low isotope compositions of their forming fluids, indicate that the fluids are likely derived from the altered basaltic crust rather than from oceanic sediment. However, the estimated jadeitite- and quartzite-forming fluids exhibit distinct Si isotope compositions, implying an evolution of the fluids that modified the Si isotopic compositions. Since fluid metasomatism and related desilication process could have lowered the whole-rock Si isotope compositions, the heavy Si isotope compositions of the R-type samples are produced from the external fluids. Combing Rayleigh distillation and binary mixing simulations, we propose that fluids derived from altered oceanic crust obtained high Si isotope compositions after crystallization of minerals enriched in light Si isotopes. The P-type jadeitites are formed through direct precipitation from this fluid. As the plagiogranite protoliths were continuously replaced by this fluid, the formed R-type samples (jadeitites and quartzites) also exhibit high Si isotope compositions. Such rocks could significantly alter the Si isotope compositions of local mantle when they are deeply subducted at convergent plate margins.
