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A detailed description of alkali water springs (pH > 10) found within the ultrabasic massif of Mount Soldatskaya in the Kamchatsky Mys Peninsula in Kamchatka is presented for the first time. The chemical composition of the springs and the dependence of the ratios and concentrations of some components on pH are indicative of the fact that these waters were involved in the present-day serpentinization of ultrabasic rocks. The springs with the highest alkali levels (pH 12.3) contain dissolved hydrogen at a concentration of about 0.6 mmol/l. The isotopic composition behavior of carbonate travertines deposited from these springs ([delta].sup.13C and [delta].sup.18O) differs from the known trend of \"meteogenic\" travertines related to serpentinization of ultrabasic rocks in Oman and California. The age of travertines determined by the radiocarbon method is close to modern.

Serpentinites are metamorphic rocks constituted primarily by serpentine-group minerals (antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite) resulting from the transformation and low-temperature hydration of previous olivine-rich ultramafic rocks, such as dunite, lherzolite, wehrlite, and harzburgite. The peculiar features of the serpentinites such as the greenish color and the intricate vein and mesh-like texture, as well as their role in CO[sub.2] sequestration when carbonated, have hugely increased interest in studying these rocks over recent decades. Moreover, since antiquity, serpentinites have long been exploited, traded, and exported worldwide as daily tools, as well as in buildings and decorative stones in both internal and external architectural elements, because of their aesthetic appeal, attractiveness, and durability. In this work, we analyzed and compared petrographic features, geochemical signatures, and physical–mechanical properties of serpentinites from historical quarries from Andalusia (southern Spain), Basilicata, and Calabria (southern Italy) where they have been used as dimension stones in religious and civil buildings and as construction materials. We aim to evaluate and assess differences in petrographic, carbonation, uniaxial compressive strength, and seismic behavior, that could affect the efficiency when these serpentinites are used as either building and construction materials or for preservation/renovation purposes in cultural heritage. Results obtained from petrophysical investigations of serpentinites from these regions highlight that these materials are suitable for use in construction to various extents and are considered a valuable georesource, behind a detailed characterization carried out before their implementation in construction or conservation/restoration of architectural heritage.

Many exposed high‐pressure meta‐serpentinites comprise a channelized network of olivine‐rich veins that formed during dehydration at depth and allowed the fluid to escape from the dehydrating rock. While previous studies have shown that chemical heterogeneities in rocks can control the formation of olivine‐enriched vein‐like interconnected porosity networks on the sub‐millimeter scale, it is still unclear how these networks evolve toward larger scales and develop nearly pure olivine veins. To explore this, we study the effect of reactive fluid flow on a dehydrating serpentinite. We use thermodynamic equilibrium calculations to investigate the effect of variations in the bulk silica content in serpentinites on the dehydration reaction of antigorite + brucite = olivine + fluid and the silica content of this fluid phase. Further, we develop a numerical model that combines the effects of intrinsic chemical heterogeneities with reactive transport with dissolved silica as metasomatic agent. Our model shows how reactive transport can lead to vein widening and olivine enrichment within a vein in an antigorite‐rich matrix, such as observed in the veins of the Erro Tobbio meta‐serpentinites. This is a critical step in the evolution toward larger‐scale vein systems and in the evolution of dynamic porosity, as this step helps account for the chemical feedback between the dehydrating rock and the liberated fluid. Key Points Brucite abundant domains release a fluid with a lower silica content than antigorite‐rich domains Reactive fluid flow can trigger dehydration Preexisting vein‐like structures form pathways for a low silica fluid to generate near pure olivine veins

Exhumed serpentinites are fragments of ancient oceanic lithosphere or mantle wedge that record deep fluid‐rock interactions and metasomatic processes. While common in suture zones after closure of ocean basins, in non‐collisional orogens their origin and tectonic significance are not fully understood. We study serpentinite samples from five river basins in a segment of the non‐collisional Andean orogen in Ecuador (Cordillera Real). All samples are fully serpentinized with antigorite as the main polymorph, while spinel is the only relic phase. Watershed delineation analysis and in‐situ B isotope data suggest four serpentinite sources, linked to mantle wedge (δ11B = ∼−10.6 to −0.03‰) and obducted ophiolite (δ11B = −2.51 to +5.73‰) bodies, likely associated with Triassic, Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous, and potentially Late Cretaceous‐Paleocene high‐pressure (HP)–low‐temperature metamorphic sequences. Whole‐rock trace element data and in‐situ B isotopes favor serpentinization by a crust‐derived metamorphic fluid. Thermodynamic modeling in two samples suggests serpentinization at ∼550–500°C and pressures from 2.5 to 2.2 GPa and 1.0–0.6 GPa for two localities. Both samples record a subsequent overprint at ∼1.5–0.5 GPa and 680–660°C. In the Andes, regional phases of slab rollback have been reported since the mid‐Paleozoic to Late Cretaceous. This tectonic scenario favors the extrusion of HP rocks into the forearc and the opening of back‐arc basins. Subsequent compressional phases trigger short‐lived subduction in the back‐arc that culminates with ophiolite obduction and associated metamorphic rock exhumation. Thus, we propose that serpentinites in non‐collisional orogens are sourced from extruded slivers of mantle wedge in the forearc or obducted ophiolite sequences associated with regional back‐arc basins. Plain Language Summary Serpentinites are metamorphic rock products of fluid‐mediated alteration of the mantle. They occur in the ocean floor and the core of mountain belts resulting from continental collisions after the closure of ancient oceanic basins. However, their origin in non‐collisional mountain belts, such as the Andes, remains unclear. To address this conundrum, we studied serpentinite boulders from five river basins in the Ecuadorian northern Cordillera Real. We found that rocks are composed of the high‐temperature serpentine mineral, while spinel is the only original mineral preserved. River basin analysis and boron stable isotopes indicate four potential sources for the studied rocks, juxtaposed to rocks ranging in age from ∼240 to 55 million. Bulk‐rock chemistry and boron isotopes suggest that the serpentinization was triggered by crustal fluids at depths between 80 and 30 km in a subduction zone environment. Through time, the Andes have been characterized by extensional and compressional tectonic phases. These tectonic scenarios enhance the extraction of rocks at deep sections of the Earth along major faults. We propose that Andean serpentinites are fragments of the Earth's mantle sourced from ancient subduction zones and back‐arc basins. Key Points Serpentinites associated with HP–LT rocks are common in the Andes, but their origin and tectonic significance are not fully understood Our results in Cordillera Real serpentinites suggest four sources derived from the mantle wedge and obducted ophiolites Serpentinites in non‐collisional orogens are exhumed during slab rollback and back‐arc basin closure phases

Serpentinite carbonation contributes to the deep carbon (C) cycle. Recently, geophysical and numerical studies have inferred considerable hydrothermal alteration in plate bending faults, opening the possibility of significant C storage in the slab mantle. However, there is a lack of quantitative determination of C uptake in serpentinized mantle rocks. Here, we experimentally constrain serpentinite carbonation in H 2 O–CO 2 –NaCl fluids to estimate C uptake in hydrated mantle rocks. We find that serpentinite carbonation results in the formation of talc and magnesite along the serpentinite surface. The presence of porous reaction zones (49.2% porosity) promotes the progress of carbonation reactions through a continuous supply of CO 2 -bearing fluids to the reaction front. Added NaCl effectively decreases the serpentinite carbonation efficiency, particularly at low salinities (< 5.0 wt%), which is likely attributed to the reduction in fluid pH and the transport rate of reactants, and the increase in magnesite solubility. Based on previous and our experiments, we fit an empirical equation for the reaction rate of serpentinite carbonation. Extrapolation of this equation to depths of plate bending fault systems suggests that serpentinite carbonation may contribute to an influx of up to 7.3–28.5 Mt C/yr in subduction zones. Our results provide new insights into serpentinite carbonation in environments with high fluid salinities and potentially contribute to the understanding of the C cycle in subduction zones.

New hydrothermal experiments in rapid-quench pressure vessels have been performed to investigate the effect of redox state on the serpentinization reaction. The experimental hydrogen fugacity (fH2) was controlled by monitoring the mobility of H.sub.2 in the reacting system (internal vs. external fH2 control). This was achieved by using either Au (H.sub.2 impermeable) or AgPd (H.sub.2 permeable) capsules and Ar pressurizing gas to control fH2. The experiments were performed with either San Carlos olivine powders or Ãheim dunite chips. Water / rock mass ratios of 1-2, a total pressure of 50 MPa, and temperatures of 300 and 350 °C were investigated. Experimental durations of 30, 45, or â80 d were imposed. Serpentine production is observed in almost all experiments but is favored at 300 °C under external fH2 control. The serpentine-magnetite assemblage is observed in Au capsules (high fH2) at 300 °C, while the serpentine-hematite(-magnetite) is observed in AgPd capsules (low fH2). At 350 °C, less H.sub.2 is produced than at 300 °C and the serpentine-hematite(-magnetite) assemblage is present in both Au and AgPd capsules. Brucite is absent and this is interpreted to reflect both the initially oxidizing conditions and relatively low serpentine production in our experiments. Differences in product phase assemblages found in this study imply that natural serpentinization reaction mechanisms vary with redox conditions, and consequences for H.sub.2 production fluxes and rates can be expected. The high-fH2 (reduced) internally controlled experiments simulate low-permeability \"closed\" oceanic hydrothermal systems. The low-fH2 (oxidized) externally controlled experiments are analogous to \"open\" oceanic hydrothermal systems where serpentinization is driven by tectonically aided infiltration of an external fluid.

The De’erni Cu–Zn-Co deposit is a typical altered ultramafic-hosted volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit comprising four lenticular main orebodies (0.57 Mt Cu, 1.27% Cu average ore grade; 0.03 Mt Co, 0.09% Co average ore grade; 0.16 Mt Zn, 1.04% Zn average ore grade) hosted in serpentinite and a 200-m-thick basalt was found below the No. I orebody. Serpentinite spinel Al2O3, TiO2, Cr#, and Mg# indicate a mantle-source. Serpentinite magmatic-hydrothermal genesis is indicated by the following: (i) high Rb/Y and Th/Zr ratios, low Nb/Zr ratios, and low δ65Cu values; (ii) altered magnetite rims on spinel being characterized by high Cr, Ni, and Ti, and low Ga contents; (iii) pyrite appears along the boundary of spinel grains and has a higher Co and Ni content than pyrite in ores. Therefore, the ultramafic host rocks are formed by strong fluid alteration of primary mantle rocks. The compositional zoning of Co, Cu, and Zn in euhedral coarse-grained pyrite from massive sulfide ore suggests that metal enrichment was associated with three fluid phases, with a clear temporal interval between the fluid activity that introduced Co/Cu enrichment and Zn enrichment (Zn-rich veins in magnetite cross-cut early spinel). Serpentinite exhibits a higher Zn content and decoupling of Ni and Co contents compared to Dur’ngoi ophiolite serpentinite distal from the orebody, implying primary ultramafic rocks may have provided Co to the ores. The apparently high Cu content of the Dur’ngoi ophiolite basalt in comparison with ophiolite basalts worldwide indicates basalt may have supplied the Cu.

The iron chemistry of serpentinites and serpentine group minerals is often invoked as a record of the setting and conditions of serpentinization because Fe behaviour is influenced by reaction conditions. Iron can be partitioned into a variety of secondary mineral phases and undergo variable extents of oxidation and/or reduction during serpentinization. This behaviour influences geophysical, geochemical and biological aspects of serpentinizing systems and, more broadly, earth systems. Iron chemistry of serpentinites and serpentines is frequently analysed and reported for single systems. Interpretations of the controls on, and the implications of, Fe behaviour drawn from a single system are often widely extrapolated. There is a wealth of serpentinite/serpentine chemical composition data available in the literature. Consequently, compilation of a database including potential predictors of Fe behaviour and measures of Fe chemistry enables systematic investigation of trends in Fe behaviour across a variety of systems and conditions. The database presented here contains approximately 2000 individual data points including both bulk rock and serpentine mineral geochemical data which are paired whenever possible. Measures of total Fe and Fe oxidation state, which are more limited, are compiled with characteristics of the systems from which they were sampled. Observations of trends in Fe chemistry in serpentinites and serpentines across the variety of geologic systems and parameters will aid in verifying and strengthening interpretations made on the basis of Fe chemistry. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Serpentinite in the Earth system’.

The mantle rocks from Kadaboura and Madara areas represent sections of dismembered ophiolitic complexes developed during the Neoproterozoic in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, which is located in the northwestern corner of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. The Kadaboura mantle rocks comprise serpentinites and serpentinized dunites, whereas those of the Madara consist of serpentinites and serpentinized pyroxenites. Despite the serpentinization of the studied mantle rocks, few relicts of primary chromite, olivine and pyroxene are preserved. Chromite is partly altered having unaltered Al-rich chromite cores surrounded by Fe-rich chromite and Cr-rich magnetite rims. The unaltered Al-rich chromite cores show compositions equilibrated at temperatures mostly below ~500-600°C, which is a temperature comparable to that estimated for primary chromite in greenschist up to lower amphibolite facies rocks. The high Cr# [100×Cr/(Cr+Al)= 47-76] of the unaltered chromite cores and the Mg-rich nature of the olivine relicts (Fo91–94) indicate that the studied mantle rocks were produced from a highly depleted mantle that experienced high degrees of melt extraction (mostly ~30-40%). This range of melt extraction resembles that estimated for supra-subduction zone peridotites, but higher than that in abyssal and passive margin peridotites. Furthermore, the clinopyroxene relicts show compositions comparable to those from the Mariana forearc peridotites. Bulk-rock geochemistry also reflects derivation from an extremely depleted and a highly refractory mantle source. Modelling of rare-earth elements suggests that the studied mantle rocks were possibly formed by the interaction of their highly depleted harzburgitic mantle precursors with subduction-related melts/fluids during their evolution in a fore-arc basin of the supra-subduction zone. The proposed geodynamic model suggests that the oceanic lithosphere generated during the seafloor spreading of the Mozambique Ocean was emplaced in the upper plate of the intra-oceanic subduction zone, in which the formely depleted Neoproterozoic mantle of the Arabian-Nubian Shield experienced mature phases of hydrous melting, extreme depletion and enrichment.