Distinct chalcophile-element inheritance from subducted continental crust in metasomatized mantle.

Primitive basaltic magmas from the North China Craton show copper depletion, silver enrichment, and low copper/silver ratios, reflecting inheritance from subducted continental crust.

• Why it matters: Understanding how subducted continental crust influences mantle chemistry is crucial for insights into Earth's chemical evolution and the distribution of critical metals in the mantle.
• What they did: The study analyzed 200 to 1200 copper/silver ratios, trace element patterns, and radiogenic-isotope compositions in magmas, comparing them to other mantle-derived rocks to identify inheritance signatures.
• The result: Findings suggest that continental subduction leaves distinct chalcophile-element imprints in the mantle, affecting its chemical evolution and the fertility of continental lithosphere for critical metals.