Experimental constraints on melting of mélanges in subduction zones

My research focuses on the element transfer in subduction zones, where oceanic lithosphere and sediments are introduced back into the mantle. Due to the lower solidus of sediments in comparison to basaltic lithosphere, the mass transfer from the subducted slab back to the surface is commonly thought to occur in the form of sediment melts and altered oceanic crust fluids. As an alternative theory, the mélange model proposes the formation of solid plumes by mixing of mantle, sediments, and altered oceanic crust prior to melting. These plumes gain buoyancy due to their large modal abundance of hydrous minerals, such as chlorite, and only melt in hotter parts of the mantle wedge. In my work, I conduct high pressure-high temperature experiments to gain insights on the melting behavior of these intermediate compositions under mantle P-T conditions.