The effect of assimilation, fractional crystallization, and ageing on U-series disequilibria in subduction zone lavas

Although most arc lavas have experienced significant magma differentiation, the effect of the differentiation process on U-series disequilibria is still poorly understood. Here we present a numerical model for simulating the effect of time-dependent magma differentiation processes on U-series disequilibria in lavas from convergent margins. Our model shows that, in a closed system with fractional crystallization, the ageing effect can decrease U-series disequilibria via radioactive decay while in an open system, both ageing and bulk assimilation of old crustal material serve to reduce the primary U-series disequilibria. In contrast, with recharge of refresh magma, significant ²²⁶Ra excess in erupted lavas can be maintained even if the average residence time is longer than 8000 years. The positive correlations of (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th) between Sr/Th or Ba/Th in young lavas from convergent margins have been widely used as evidence of fluid addition generating the observed ²²⁶Ra excess in subduction zones. We assess to what extent the positive correlations of (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th) with Sr/Th and Ba/Th observed in the Tonga arc could reflect AFC process. Results of our model show that these positive correlations can be produced during time-dependent magma differentiation at shallow crustal levels. Specifically, fractional crystallization of plagioclase and amphibole coupled with contemporaneous decay of ²²⁶Ra can produce positive correlations between (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th) and Sr/Th or Ba/Th (to a lesser extent). Therefore, the correlations of (²²⁶Ra/²³⁰Th) with Sr/Th and Ba/Th cannot be used to unambiguously support the fluid addition model, and the strength of previous conclusions regarding recent fluid addition and ultra-fast ascent rates of arc magmas is significantly lessened.