Nitrogen isotopes in mantle-derived diamonds: indications of a multi-component structure

Abstract

Mantle nitrogen trapped in diamonds is commonly defined by an isotopic composition (δ¹⁵N) of ~-5% based on the central tendency of total combustion diamond data that vary from -25 to +18%. We present here the nitrogen isotopic data from stepped combustion of diamonds, which together with data from other mantlederived materials suggest a multi-component structure of diamond-nitrogen. Mantle nitrogen sampled in diamonds apparently has δ¹⁵N ~-15%, similar to that observed in mantle xenoliths and mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORBs), while nitrogen in a minor population of diamonds from China is consistent with contributions from an ocean island basalt like mantle source.