The stable vanadium isotope composition of the mantle and mafic lavas

Vanadium exists in multiple valence states under terrestrial conditions (2+, 3+, 4+, 5+) and its isotopic composition in magmas potentially reflects the oxidation state of their mantle source. We present the first stable vanadium isotope measurements of 64 samples of well-characterized mantle-derived mafic and ultramafic rocks from diverse localities. The δ51V ranges from −0.27‰ to −1.29‰, reported relative to an Alfa Aesar (AA) vanadium solution standard defined as 0‰. This dataset is used to assess the effects of alteration, examine co-variation with other geochemical characteristics and define a value for the bulk silicate Earth (BSE). Variably serpentinised peridotites show no resolvable alteration-induced δ51V fractionation. Likewise, altered mafic oceanic crustal rocks have identical δ51V to fresh hand-picked MORB glass. Intense seafloor weathering can result in slightly (∼0.2–0.3‰) heavier isotope compositions, possibly related to late-stage addition of vanadium. The robustness of δ51V to common alteration processes bodes well for its potential application to ancient mafic material. The average δ51V of mafic lavas, including MORB, Icelandic tholeiites and lavas from the Shatsky Rise large igneous province is −0.88±0.27‰ 2sd. Peridotites show a large range in primary δ51V (−0.62‰ to −1.17‰), which co-varies positively with vanadium concentrations and indices of fertility such as Al2O3. Although these data suggest preferential extraction of heavier isotopes during partial melting, the isotope composition of basalts (δ51V=−0.88±0.27‰ 2sd) and MORB glass in particular (δ51V=−0.95±0.13‰ 2sd) is lighter than fertile peridotites and thus difficult to reconcile with a melt extraction scenario. Determination of fractionation factors between melt and mineral phases such as pyroxenes and garnet are necessary to fully understand the correlation. We arrive at an estimate of δ51VBSE=−0.7±0.2‰ (2sd) for the bulk silicate Earth by averaging fertile, unmetasomatised peridotites. This provides a benchmark for both high and low temperature applications addressing planet formation, cosmochemical comparisons of the Earth and extraterrestrial material, and an inorganic baseline for future biogeochemical investigations. Whilst δ51V could relate to oxidation state and thus oxygen fugacity, further work is required to resolve the isotopic effects of oxidation state, partial melting, and mineral fractionation factors.

► First stable vanadium isotope dataset for the mantle and mantle-derived lavas.
► Resolvable vanadium isotope fractionation at high temperature.
► Altered and fresh MORB have similar V isotope compositions.
► Positive correlations between δ51V, V, and Al2O3 in peridotites.
► Bulk Silicate Earth is estimated at δ51V=−0.7±0.2‰.