REE pattern rotation in an open system melting: case studies from slow and ultraslow spreading ridges

The REE compositional space provides a reliable means to recognize the degree of depletion and melt rock reactional events undergone by a parcel of mantle. We model residual clinopyroxene compositions from slow (MAR) and ultraslow (SWIR) sectors of the Mid Ocean Ridges. REE ratios (e.g. SmN/YbN vs. YbN) show compositional trends crosscutting the expected partial melting trends at the typical kilometer length scale. In the REE compositional space they appear as pattern rotations around a mid-point. Open-system melting modeling reveals the intensity of the rotation and the position of the pivot element, depending mainly on the ratio between input/output melt flux and on the enrichment of the percolating melt with respect to the depleted screen. Variations of the residual porosity of the system (Ø) with respect to the degree of melting F result in variations of the nature of the melting process. At low Ø/F the process behaves as near-fractional while at high Ø/F the process behaves as near batch. In an open melting system scenario the effect of an enriched melt fluxing a melting portion can be strongly enhanced by melt stagnation i.e. approaching a near-batch process with low melt output. Model trends present strong enrichment of SmN/YbN at decreasing YbN values. At high Ø/F even YbN increases along with SmN/YbN. These trends well fit measured countertrends at the km lengthscale, i.e. a typical dredge lengthscale. Our observations suggest that in some portions of the melting region the vertical porosity profile can vary resulting in a variability of the nature of the melting process from near-fractional (when extraction prevails) to near batch (when stagnation prevails). Percolation of enriched melts through a melting mantle parcel results in REE pattern rotation whose intensity and midpoint depends on Ø/F, mixing factors and obviously on the composition of the melt itself. Our preliminary results suggest that, first, melt batches generated deep in the mantle are transported out of equilibrium to shallower portions of the melting region and redistributed to the rock porosity. Second, that porosity barriers are present at depth resulting in melt accumulation and stagnation in the spinel facies of the melting region.