The subducted component in island arc lavas: constraints from Be isotopes and B-Be systematics

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 344; no. 6261; pp. 31 - 36
• Main Authors: Morris, J. D, Leeman, W. P, Tera, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing 01.03.1990; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Basalt; Beryllium; Beryllium 10; Boron; Chemistry; Continental crust; Crystalline rocks; Detection limits; Earth; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Geology; Igneous and metamorphic rocks petrology, volcanic processes, magmas; Island arcs; Isotope geochemistry; Isotope geochemistry. Geochronology; Isotopes; Lava; Magma; Marine; Melts; Mid-ocean ridges; Oceanic crust; Oceans; Organic chemistry; Pelagic sediments; Plate tectonics; Ratios; Sediments; Slabs; Systematics; Trends; New York; United States > US; Marine sediments; Island arcs; Be-10/Be-9; Isotope geochemistry; Melange; Fluid phase; Mass transfer; Subduction; Boron; Upper mantle; Models; Plate convergence; Recycling; Oceanic crust
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/344031a0

Although high concentrations of beryllium-10 and boron are taken as unequivocal indicators of the contribution of subducting plates, controversy persists about the processes by which material is transferred from slabs to the sources of arc magmas. Data on (10)Be/Be and B/Be ratios from four arcs suggest that the contribution from the slab is compositionally homogeneous in each arc and that subducted boron is not stored in the sub-arc mantle. The link between subduction and magma-tism at convergent margins seems to be well regulated.