Source and Evolution of Subduction–Related Hot Springs Discharged in Tengchong Geothermal Field, Southwest China: Constrained by Stable H, O, and Mg Isotopes

Abstract

The hydrothermal system plays a crucial role in material and energy cycling between the lithosphere and hydrosphere. In general, seafloor hydrothermal systems are one of important Mg sinks, but the situation may not be the same as it is in terrestrial hydrothermal systems. In addition, the behavior of Mg isotopes during hydrothermal circulation is still unclear. Thus, in this study, we determined the Mg isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal fluids discharged in the Tengchong region to understand better the fate of Mg in the continental hydrothermal system. The δ2H and δ18O values of the Tengchong hydrothermal fluids indicate that the recharge water sources are primary from meteoric water and influenced by the evaporation process. In contrast, the subduction–related volcanic water input is limited, except in for the Rehai area. The Mg in most of the samples is contributed by percolated meteoric water. The measured δ26Mg values range from –0.969 to 0.173‰, which are enriched in light Mg compared to the volcanic rocks of Tengchong. Combined with the precipitation dissolution of carbonate, we calculated the δ26Mg value for the endmember fluid before precipitation, which shows that the process of carbonate precipitation changes the Mg isotope of the fluid, substantially. The Shiqiang (SQ) vent is unique among all of the samples, characterized by an extremely a high δ26Mg value and Mg concentration, and it is estimated that it could have been mixed with an upper crustal material. This also reveals the diversity of the hydrothermal fluid material sources in the subduction zone.