Sulfide-scale insights into platinum-group element behavior during carbonate mantle metasomatism and evolution of Spitsbergen lithospheric mantle

We report combined Re-Os isotope and highly siderophile element data for whole-rock and whole-sulfide grains from Spitsbergen peridotites. The Os-Ir contents in whole-rocks are elevated compared to those of the primitive mantle, but the Pt-Pd-Re contents are depleted, reflecting refractory monosulfide solid solution (Mss) control during mantle melting. There are two general types of sulfide documented in global mantle samples: primary residual Mss with subchondritic Pd/Ir ratios and secondary metasomatic sulfides with suprachondritic Pd/Ir ratios. Most Spitsbergen sulfides have elevated Ir contents, and belong to the residual group. Most but not all Spitsbergen sulfides, however, are unusual in that they show a fractionation of Os (and Ru) from Ir which cannot be reconciled with a simple partial melting process. The Os(+ Ru) fractionation from Ir is most notable in a sample containing mantle-derived carbonate-bearing pockets. Infiltration of carbonate-rich S-undersaturated melt into the Spitsbergen lithospheric mantle may result in the formation of localized S-rich liquid by dissolving residual Mss. Such melt compositions may promote laurite crystallization before Mss, causing the combined depletion of Os + Ru relative to Ir in later-formed Mss. The Re-depletion model ages of residual sulfide grains from Spitsbergen peridotites coincide with crustal ages determined for Spitsbergen, indicating coupled mantle-crust evolution, and furthermore, they coincide with the previously proposed major peaks of pulsed crustal formation periods in Earth at ca. 2.7, 1.9 and 1.2 Ga.