Boron isotope composition of melt inclusions from porphyry systems of the Central Andes: a reconnaissance study

Abstract

Quartz-hosted melt inclusions from latite dykes of the Eocene El Salvador copper porphyry system in northern Chile display wide ranges in both boron concentration (15–155 p.p.m. B) and isotope composition (d11B )7 to +12&; n = 10), likely reflecting slab-derived fluid input from seawater-altered oceanic crust. In contrast, the major Miocene tin-silver and tin porphyry systems in the Bolivian back-arc region (Cerro Rico de Potosi, Chorolque, Llallagua) have distinctly different melt inclusion compositions with d11B of )11.4 ± 2.7& (n = 10), and magmatic boron enrichment up to several hundred p.p.m. B. The ‘seawater’ signature in the El Salvador melt inclusions explains the oxidized mineral assemblage of the copper porphyry system, as opposed to the more reduced nature of the Bolivian tin porphyry systems, which reflect intracrustal melting of pelitic rocks.