Role of melting process and melt–rock reaction in the formation of Jurassic MORB-type basalts (Alpine ophiolites)

This study reports a geochemical investigation of two thick basalt sequences, exposed in the Bracco-Levanto ophiolite (northern Apennine, Italy) and in the Balagne ophiolite (central-northern Corsica, France). These ophiolites are considered to represent an oceanward and a continent- near paleogeographic domain of the Jurassic Liguria-Piedmont basin. Trace elements and Nd isotopic compositions were examined to obtain information about: (1) mantle source and melting process and (2) melt-rock reactions during basalt ascent. Whole- rock analyses revealed that the Balagne basalts are slightly enriched in LREE, Nb, and Ta with respect to the Bracco-Levanto counterparts. These variations are paralleled by clinopyroxene chemistry. In particular, clinopyroxene from the Balagne basalts has higher Ce-N/Sm-N (0.4-0.3 vs. 0.2) and Zr-N/Y-N (0.9-0.6 vs. 0.4-0.3) than that from the Bracco- Levanto basalts. The basalts from the two ophiolites have homogeneous initial Nd isotopic compositions (initial epsilon(Nd) from + 8.8 to + 8.6), within typical depleted mantle values, thereby excluding an origin from a lithospheric mantle source. These data also reject the involvement of contaminant crustal material, as associated continent-derived clastic sediments and radiolarian cherts have a highly radiogenic Nd isotopic fingerprint (epsilon N-d at the time of basalt formation = -5.5 and -5.2, respectively). We propose that the Bracco-Levanto and the Balagne basalts formed by partial melts of a depleted mantle source, most likely containing a garnet-bearing enriched component. The decoupling between incompatible elements and Nd isotopic signature can be explained either by different degrees of partial melting of a similar asthenospheric source or by reaction of the ascending melts with a lower crustal crystal mush. Both hypotheses are reconcilable with the formation of these two basalt sequences in different domains of a nascent oceanic basin.