Halogen Cycling in the Solid Earth
Mark A. Kendrick
Abstract
Each of the halogens constrains a different aspect of volatile cycling in the solid Earth. F is moderately incompatible in the mantle and has a low mobility at Earth's surface, meaning that it is preferentially retained in the mantle and continental crust. In contrast, Cl, Br, and I are strongly incompatible and highly soluble. Chloride is the dominant anion in seawater and many geofluids and a major component of evaporite minerals. Br and I are essential for life and significantly incorporated into organic matter that accumulates in marine sediments. Surficial fluids circulated into continental and oceanic crust incorporate surface-derived halogens into alteration minerals. As a result, subducting slabs and arc lavas are weakly enriched in F and strongly enriched in Cl, Br, and I. Subduction has maintained mantle Cl and Br concentrations at relatively constant levels since Earth's early differentiation, but mantle I/Cl has decreased over time. ▪ Halogen abundances on the early Earth were affected by I partitioning into Earth's core and possible loss of hydrophilic Cl, Br, and I in an early formed ocean. ▪ Halogens are powerful tracers of subduction zone processes on the modern Earth, with Cl, Br, and I having a dominantly subducted origin in Earth's mantle. ▪ The deep subduction cycles of Cl, Br, and I are more similar to that of H 2 O than they are to F, but the geochemical cycle of each halogen differs in detail. ▪ Halogen abundance ratios and stable isotope ratios vary systematically in Earth's surface reservoirs, meaning that halogens are powerful tracers of geological fluids and melts.