Abstract

The formation of copper-rich cumulates at the base of arc crusts has been proposed as a key process modulating the geochemical evolution of the continental crust and the genesis of giant ore deposits of copper. Despite the importance of these phenomena, the degree to which the lower crustal evolution of magmatic systems is influenced by open-system interaction and the assimilation of pre-existing crustal materials remains unclear. To tackle this issue, we provide direct isotopic constraints on the evolution of deep magmatic systems in arcs by measuring the osmium and oxygen isotope composition of hydrous copper-rich (similar to 730 mu g.g(-1) Cu) ultramafic cumulates formed at the base of the Acadian orogen (similar to 40 km deep) in the New England Appalachians (northeastern USA). The radiogenic Os-187/Os-188 initial ratios (ranging from 0.31 to 0.67) and the elevated delta O-18 values (8.97 +/- 0.42 parts per thousand for orthopyroxene; 9.25 +/- 0.26 for phlogopite) suggest a significant role of open-system magmatic differentiation, involving crustal assimilation, in the formation of these cumulates. Modeling of the Os-187/Os-188 and delta O-18 composition of the cumulates suggests that the observed isotopic compositions result from the initial evolution of parental magmas under sulfide-undersaturated conditions, followed by saturation after approximately 15% to 20% of assimilation and fractional crystallization progression. These results suggest that the assimilation of crustal material led to a drop in the magmatic system's f(O2) (similar to Delta FMQ < -1), triggering sulfide segregation and the formation of copper-rich cumulates. Our findings align with the hypothesis that magma-crust interactions can lead to the formation of lower crustal domains enriched with Cu, which may constitute a pre-stage in the formation of some porphyry copper deposits, particularly in collisional orogens.