Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle

Carbon isotopes in magmatic systems serve as powerful tracers for understanding magma evolution, mantle processes, the deep carbon cycle, and the origin of Earth’s carbon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon isotope measurements and behavior in magmatic systems, highlighting rece...

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Main Author: Yves Moussallam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Geosciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/266
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author Yves Moussallam
author_facet Yves Moussallam
author_sort Yves Moussallam
collection DOAJ
description Carbon isotopes in magmatic systems serve as powerful tracers for understanding magma evolution, mantle processes, the deep carbon cycle, and the origin of Earth’s carbon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon isotope measurements and behavior in magmatic systems, highlighting recent technological advancements and scientific insights. We begin by examining methods for measuring δ<sup>13</sup>C in volcanic gases, vesicles, glasses, melt, and fluid inclusions. We then explore the behavior of carbon isotopes in magmatic systems, especially during magmatic degassing. Finally, we evaluate what recent advances mean for our understanding of the carbon isotope signature of the Earth’s upper mantle.
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spelling doaj-art-ce7496c2212f4c009f08e04425e6ce7a2025-08-20T03:58:29ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-07-0115726610.3390/geosciences15070266Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s MantleYves Moussallam0Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USACarbon isotopes in magmatic systems serve as powerful tracers for understanding magma evolution, mantle processes, the deep carbon cycle, and the origin of Earth’s carbon. This review provides a comprehensive overview of carbon isotope measurements and behavior in magmatic systems, highlighting recent technological advancements and scientific insights. We begin by examining methods for measuring δ<sup>13</sup>C in volcanic gases, vesicles, glasses, melt, and fluid inclusions. We then explore the behavior of carbon isotopes in magmatic systems, especially during magmatic degassing. Finally, we evaluate what recent advances mean for our understanding of the carbon isotope signature of the Earth’s upper mantle.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/266carbon isotopesvolcanic gasessilicate meltsmelt inclusionsfluid inclusionsdegassing
spellingShingle Yves Moussallam
Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
Geosciences
carbon isotopes
volcanic gases
silicate melts
melt inclusions
fluid inclusions
degassing
title Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
title_full Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
title_fullStr Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
title_full_unstemmed Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
title_short Carbon Isotopes in Magmatic Systems: Measurements, Interpretations, and the Carbon Isotopic Signature of the Earth’s Mantle
title_sort carbon isotopes in magmatic systems measurements interpretations and the carbon isotopic signature of the earth s mantle
topic carbon isotopes
volcanic gases
silicate melts
melt inclusions
fluid inclusions
degassing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/7/266
work_keys_str_mv AT yvesmoussallam carbonisotopesinmagmaticsystemsmeasurementsinterpretationsandthecarbonisotopicsignatureoftheearthsmantle