Preservation of mantle heterogeneities and serpentinization signature during antigorite dehydration: The example of the Bergell contact aureole

Abstract

Major, minor, and trace element geochemistry as well as iron oxidation state and isotopes were investigated in serpentinites and olivine-talc fels present along a metamorphic gradient in the Bergell contact aureole (Central European Alps) to evaluate element mobility during serpentine. This aureole is an ideal target to study dehydration of mantle rocks due to the increase in temperature from greenschist facies conditions (350°C) to amphibolite facies conditions (750°C) at low pressures of 0.4 GPa. Petrography and geochemistry document several events of fluid–rock interaction and metamorphism. Serpentinization of the mantle rocks started on the ocean floor. Subsequent Alpine regional metamorphism led to the formation of antigorite-serpentinites containing olivine and diopside. These antigorite-serpentinites were transformed into olivine-talc fels in a large part of the contact-aureole. Bulk-rock major and trace element compositions maintain the geochemical signature of the precursor antigorite-serpentinites. No apparent changes are indeed observed despite the fact that major dehydration reactions occurred. In addition, changes neither in Fe³⁺/Fe_tot ratio nor in δ⁵⁶Fe values were observed. Local composition variations of antigorite-serpentinites and olivine-talc fels reflect chemical heterogeneities related to protolith composition and serpentinization processes on the ocean floor prior to contact metamorphism. Hence, prograde dehydration reactions occurring during contact metamorphism did not induce substantial element mobility, change in redox state, or isotopic fractionation in these contact metamorphic rocks.