Crustal Signatures in Mantle Peridotites From Yakutian Kimberlites

Peridotites and eclogites are considered as the original hosts for diamonds in the mantle. However, it is now generally agreed that these "mantle" eclogites from kimberlites had their origin in the subduction of oceanic crust beneath the major cratons of the world. One of the first indications for such crustal protoliths was from studies of oxygen and carbon isotopes (e.g., Peter Deines and colleagues, Ian McGregor, as well as our group). Indeed, subsequent studies of such rocks have revealed several additional crustal signatures. A possible scenario involves the subduction of an ophiolite sequence, whereby the basaltic and lower mafic components were metamorphosed, devolatilized/partially melted, and otherwise transformed into eclogites. Being within the diamond-stability field, they later experience metasomatic diamond formation. Surprisingly, the closely associated diamondiferous peridotites are considered to be of original mantle origin. We pose the query: What became of the ultramafic portion at the bottom of the crustal sequence? Could this be the origin of at least some of the mantle peridotites? The restricted δ13C values for P-type (peridotitic) diamonds is commonly used as evidence for the mantle origin of peridotites. However, a compilation of δ13C data, published by Peter Deines and our group, for P-type diamonds, mainly from numerous south African pipes, also shows a significant number of values that are well below the mantle field (to -20 \permil). Fresh, clean garnets were carefully selected from over a hundred peridotites collected from several Yakutian kimberlites. These were subjected to oxygen-isotope analyses by laser-fluorination at the University of Wisconsin. The majority of the δ¹⁸O values plot within the accepted mantle value of 5.5+/-0.4 \permil (Mattey et al., 1994). However, a significant number (~20%) lies outside this window, both above and below. These values are interpreted to represent the effects of both high- and low-temperature hydrothermal alterations that occurred in the crust. Armed with these crustal signatures, we propose that some of the mantle peridotites that are hosts for diamonds have their ultimate origin in the crust, prior to subduction to depth, possibly along with eclogite crustal protoliths as well.