Evolution of helium isotopes in the Earth's mantle

Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
2005
Journal Title: 
Nature
Journal Date: 
Aug 25
Volume: 
436
Issue: 
7054
Pages: 
1107-1112
ISBN Number: 
0028-0836
Accession Number: 
ISI:000231416600035
Abstract: 

Degassing of the Earth's mantle through magmatism results in the irreversible loss of helium to space, and high He-3/He-4 ratios observed in oceanic basalts have been considered the main evidence for a 'primordial' undegassed deep mantle reservoir. Here we present a new global data compilation of ocean island basalts, representing upwelling 'plumes' from the deep mantle, and show that island groups with the highest primordial signal ( high He-3/He-4 ratios) have striking chemical and isotopic similarities to mid-ocean-ridge basalts. We interpret this as indicating a common history of mantle trace element depletion through magmatism. The high He-3/He-4 in plumes may thus reflect incomplete degassing of the deep Earth during continent and ocean crust formation. We infer that differences between plumes and the upper-mantle source of ocean-ridge basalts reflect isolation of plume sources from the convecting mantle for similar to 1-2 Gyr. An undegassed, primordial reservoir in the mantle would therefore not be required, thus reconciling a long-standing contradiction in mantle dynamics.

Notes: 

958AKTimes Cited:28Cited References Count:49

DOI: 
Doi 10.1038/Nature03930