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Abstract Cycling of elements with multiple valences (e.g., Fe, C, and S) through subduction and magmatism may dictate the redox evolution of the deep mantle and atmosphere. To investigate the potential of Fe isotopes as a tracer of such cycles, here we report Fe isotopic compositions of thirty-seven Cenozoic basalts from eastern China. A nephelinitic melt component with δ 56 Fe up to 0.29 has been identified, which cannot be explained by weathering, alteration, magma differentiation, or chemical diffusion. Its low Fe/Mn ∼58, relatively low TiO 2 and high Na 2 O + K 2 O argue against a significant contribution of pyroxenite melting. Instead, the heavy Fe component requires enhanced isotope fractionation during partial melting of a peridotitic source with Fe3+/ΣFe ≥ 0.15. Low Ba/Th ∼ 50 and depleted 87Sr/86Sr(i) and ε Nd (t) suggest that the source was insignificantly affected by hydrous fluids and recycled terrigenous sediments. The heavy Fe component is known to be unique in its low δ 26 Mg and high δ 66 Zn and indicates hybridization by recycled carbonates. The source Fe3+/ΣFe was most likely enhanced at cost of reduction of recycled carbonates to diamonds in a mantle depth ≥300 km. The origin of the heavy Fe component illustrates a pathway with net transportation of oxidizer back to Earth's surface: CO 2 (in carbonates) → C (as diamond frozen in the deep mantle) + O 2 (ferric Fe being scavenged by melt extraction). Secular cooling of global subduction zones may have stepwisely increased the efficiency of this carbon driven deep oxygen cycle in the past, providing an alternative explanation for the rise of atmospheric O 2. Highlights • Three magma components are identified in Cenozoic basalts from eastern China. • A nephelinitic and heavy Fe component has δ 56 Fe up to 0.29. • Two tholeiitic components have δ 56 Fe typical of MORB and most OIB. • The heavy Fe component from a peridotitic source oxidized by recycled carbonates. • Illustration of a deep oxygen cycle induced by subducted carbonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]