Methane and propane micro-inclusions in olivine in titanoclinohumite-bearing dunites from the Sanbagawa high-P metamorphic belt, Japan: Hydrocarbon activity in a subduction zone and Ti mobility

Micro-inclusions of methane and propane were examined in olivine and titanoclinohumite in dunite from Fujiwara, Sanbagawa high-P/T metamorphic belt, Japan, in order to understand the behavior of hydrocarbons in the subduction zone and mantle wedge. In the Fujiwara dunite, olivines coexist with magnetite and exhibit a wide range of chemical compositions (Fo88-96 and 0.2-0.6 wt% NiO), possibly indicating a deserpentinization origin for the dunite. The primary chromian spinel shows an intermediate Cr/(Cr+Al) atomic ratio, 0.5-0.6, and 1-3 wt% TiO2, and are enclosed by its alteration phases (ferritechromite and magnetite) that contain less than 0.8 wt% TiO2. Titanoclinohumite is frequently accompanied with the altered spinels, suggesting its Ti was provided by spinel alteration. Thin (<1 cm) titanoclinohumite veinlets are commonly found, indicating Ti was mobile during the metamorphic formation of the Fujiwara meta-dunite. Hydrocarbons are usually associated with serpentine and brucite, almost free of magnetite, in individual micro-inclusions, suggesting initial entrapment of hydrocarbon-rich aqueous fluids and subsequent reaction only between their water component and the wall olivine. The primary dunite of Fujiwara, originally formed as a cumulate from intra-plate magma, and was serpentinized and brecciated to contain carbonaceous matter in the matrix part before incorporation in the subduction zone. The hydrocarbons possibly formed with maturation of the carbonaceous matter in the process of subduction. The continuously formed hydrocarbons mobilized Ti from chromian spinel to leave low-Ti ferritechromite and magnetite in the Fujiwara dunite, and finally stabilized as titanoclinohumite and other Ti-rich minerals during deserpentinization at high pressures. The titanoclinohumite veinlet formation suggests the Ti mobility, although in a short distance in this specific case. Ti is possibly mobile within the mantle wedge if hydrocarbons are available from the slab, but mostly within its forearc part. The Ti mobility by hydrocarbons may contribute to the formation of heterogeneity in Ti of the mantle wedge.

► We report methane micro-inclusions in minerals from high-P meta-dunite. ► The dunite was intra-plate cumulate, serpentinized and dehydrated via subduction. ► Hydrocarbons were involved in titanoclinohumite formation in meta-dunite. ► Hydrocarbons were supplied from the subducted and maturing organic matter. ► Hydrocarbons possibly mobilize Ti in the subduction zone and the mantle wedge.