Geochemical characterization of basalts from west of Khash (SE Iran): an approach to the nature of the mantle source

Monogenic basaltic cinder cones and lava flows from west of Khash are part of volcanic arc of northern Makran, formed as a result of subduction of Oman oceanic lithosphere beneath the Eurasian plate. The basalts belong to medium-K calc-alkaline series as they contain high Al2O3 (16.5- 19.04 wt. %) and CaO (8.4- 12.0 wt. %) and moderate amounts of K2O (0.5- 1.1 wt. %). They share arc geochemical features such as high LILE/HFSE ([Rb/Zr]N-MORB up to 19) LILE/LREE ([Ba/La]N-MORB up to 4.86) and LREE/HREE ([La/Yb]N-MORB up to 10), and depletion of Ta, Nb, Zr, and Ti relative to N-MORB. Partial melting models indicate that near-primary basalts were derived from an enriched source type mantle wedge peridotite after low to medium degrees (2-10%) of partial melting. This source peridotite was enriched in LREE and LILE, by subduction derived fluids in the supra-subduction zone. Negative correlation of Th/La vs. Sm/La, and relationships between Pb/Ce and Th/Nb values of the studied basalts which are between two end compositions of global subducting sediment (GLOSS) and N-MORB are indicative of significant contribution of subducting sediments to the genesis of the basaltic rocks. Estimates made using binary mixing model are indicative of about 16% of sediment participation in the magma genesis. Low Pb/Ce ratio (1.6 - 11.1), compared to OIB (>20) may be a signature of participation of fluids resulted from dehydration of the subducting slab.