Origin of water and mantle–crust interactions on Mars inferred from hydrogen isotopes and volatile element abundances of olivine-hosted melt inclusions of primitive shergottites

Volatile elements have influenced the differentiation and eruptive behavior of Martian magmas and played an important role in the evolution of Martian climate and near-surface environments. However, the abundances of volatiles, and in particular the amount of water in the Martian interior, are disputed. A record of volatile reservoirs is contained in primitive Martian basalts (shergottites). Olivine-hosted melt inclusions from a geochemically depleted shergottite (Yamato 980459, representing a very primitive Martian melt) possess undegassed water with a chondritic and Earth-like D/H ratio (δD≤275‰). Based on volatile measurements in these inclusions, the water content of the depleted shergottite mantle is calculated to be 15–47 ppm, which is consistent with the dry mantle hypothesis. In contrast to D/H in the depleted shergottite, melt from an enriched shergottite (Larkman Nunatak 06319), which either formed by melting of an enriched mantle or by assimilation of crust, exhibits an extreme δD of ∼5000‰, indicative of a surface reservoir (e.g., the Martian atmosphere or crustal hydrosphere). These data provide strong evidence that the Martian mantle had retained the primordial low-δD component until at least the time of shergottite formation, and that young Martian basalts assimilated old Martian crust.

► Mars accreted water from a source with chondritic D/H composition similar to Earth.
► The Martian mantle had retained the primordial, chondritic δD component.
► The geochemically depleted Martian mantle is relatively dry (15–47 ppm H2O).
► Young Martian basalts (shergottites) have assimilated old Martian crust.