Volatile systematics of the Lau Basin - resolving the effects of source variation, magmatic degassing and crustal contamination

Abstract

The Lau Basin erupts lavas with a range of geochemical features reflecting a complex history of interaction involving different mantle sources. The Valu Fa Ridge (VFR) and Mangatolu Triple Junction (MTJ) region has lavas with arc-like characteristics, Niuafo' ou Island (NV), Peggy Ridge and Central and Eastern Lau Spreading Centers (PR, CLSC and ELSC) erupt mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like volcanics, whereas the Rochambeau Bank (RB) has features akin to ocean island basalt (OIB). To characterize the volatile systematics of these various regions, we report a comprehensive study of 39 submarine lavas from these various eruptive centers encompassing analyses of the noble gases (He, Ne, and Ar) and carbon (CO2) – both isotopes and abundances - together with other major volatile phases (H2O, S, Cl, and F). Helium isotope ratios of the NV, MTJ, CLSC, and ELSC are MORB-like for the most part except for differentiated lavas that tend to have lower, more radiogenic 3He/4He values. The RB has considerably higher 3He/4He ratios (up to 23 RA in this work) which extend as far south as the PR. The influence of 'plume-like' sources in the RB is also apparent in Ne isotopes: RB samples follow a trend similar to Hawaiian basalts in 3- isotope neon space. However, RB lavas have lower 40Ar/36Ar (300-730) and higher [36Ar] than CLSC and ELSC, suggesting greater air contamination. Elemental He/Ne