Composition of the Earth's inner core from high-pressure sound velocity measurements in Fe-Ni-Si alloys

Editor: R.D. van der Hilst Keywords: Fe-Ni-Si alloy aggregate compressional and shear sound velocities high pressure inner core light elements We performed room-temperature sound velocity and density measurements on a polycrystalline alloy, Fe 0.89 Ni 0.04 Si 0.07 , in the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase up to 108 GPa. Over the investigated pressure range the aggregate compressional sound velocity is ∼ 9% higher than in pure iron at the same density. The measured aggregate compressional (V P ) and shear (V S ) sound velocities, extrapolated to core densities and corrected for anharmonic temperature effects, are compared with seismic profiles. Our results provide constraints on the silicon abundance in the core, suggesting a model that simultaneously matches the primary seismic observables, density, P-wave and S-wave velocities, for an inner core containing 4 to 5 wt.% of Ni and 1 to 2 wt.% of Si

Influence of liquid structure on diffusive isotope separation in molten silicates and aqueous solutions

Molecular diffusion in natural volcanic liquids discriminates between isotopes of major ions (e.g., Fe, Mg, Ca, and Li). Although isotope separation by diffusion is expected on theoretical grounds, the dependence on mass is highly variable for different elements and in different media. Silicate liquid diffusion experiments using simple liquid compositions were carried out to further probe the compositional dependence of diffusive isotopic discrimination and its relationship to liquid structure. Two diffusion couples consisting of the mineral constituents anorthite (CaAl{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 8}; denoted AN), albite (NaAlSi{sub 3}O{sub 8}; denoted AB), and diopside (CaMgSi{sub 2}O{sub 6}; denoted DI) were held at 1450°C for 2 h and then quenched to ambient pressure and temperature. Major-element as well as Ca and Mg isotope profiles were measured on the recovered quenched glasses. In both experiments, Ca diffuses rapidly with respect to Si. In the AB–AN experiment, D{sub Ca}/D{sub Si} ~ 20 and the efficiency of isotope separation for Ca is much greater than in natural liquid experiments where D{sub Ca}/D{sub Si} ~ 1. In the AB–DI experiment, D{sub Ca}/D{sub Si} ~ 6 and the efficiency of isotope separation is between that of the natural liquid experiments and the AB–AN experiment. In the AB–DI experiment, D{sub Mg}/D{sub Si} ~ 1 and the efficiency of isotope separation for Mg is smaller than it is for Ca yet similar to that observed for Mg in natural liquids. The results from the experiments reported here, in combination with results from natural volcanic liquids, show clearly that the efficiency of diffusive separation of Ca isotopes is systematically related to the solvent-normalized diffusivity—the ratio of the diffusivity of the cation (D{sub Ca}) to the diffusivity of silicon (D{sub Si}). The results on Ca isotopes are consistent with available data on Fe, Li, and Mg isotopes in silicate liquids, when considered in terms of the parameter D{sub cation}/D{sub Si}. Cations diffusing in aqueous solutions display a similar relationship between isotopic separation efficiency and D{sub cation} =D{sub H 2 O} , although the efficiencies are smaller than in silicate liquids. Our empirical relationship provides a tool for predicting the magnitude of diffusive isotopic effects in many geologic environments and a basis for a more comprehensive theory of isotope separation in liquid solutions. We present a conceptual model for the relationship between diffusivity and liquid structure that is consistent with available data

Systematics of metal-silicate partitioning for many siderophile elements applied to Earth's core formation

International audienceSuperliquidus metal-silicate partitioning was investigated for a number of moderately siderophile (Mo, As, Ge, W, P, Ni, Co), slightly siderophile (Zn, Ga, Mn, V, Cr) and refractory lithophile (Nb, Ta) elements. To provide independent constrains on the effects of temperature, oxygen fugacity and silicate melt composition, isobaric (3 GPa) experiments were conducted in piston cylinder apparatus at temperature between 1600 and 2600 C, relative oxygen fugacities of IW 1.5 to IW 3.5, and for silicate melt compositions ranging from basalt to peridotite. The effect of pressure was investigated through a combination of piston cylinder and multi-anvil isothermal experiments between 0.5 and 18 GPa at 1900 C. Oxidation states of siderophile elements in the silicate melt as well as effect of carbon saturation on partitioning are also derived from these results. For some elements (e.g. Ga, Ge, W, V, Zn) the observed temperature dependence does not define trends parallel to those modeled using metal-metal oxide free energy data. We correct partitioning data for solute interactions in the metallic liquid and provide a parameterization utilized in extrapolating these results to the P-T-X conditions proposed by various core formation models. A single-stage core formation model reproduces the mantle abundances of several siderophile elements (Ni, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, W, Zn) for core-mantle equilibration at pressures from 32 to 42 GPa along the solidus of a deep peridotitic magma ocean ( 3000 K for this pressure range) and oxygen fugacities relevant to the FeO content of the present-day mantle. However, these P-T-fO2 conditions cannot produce the observed concentrations of Ga, Ge, V, Nb, As and P. For more reducing conditions, the P-T solution domain for single stage core formation occurs at subsolidus conditions and still cannot account for the abundances of Ge, Nb and P. Continuous core formation at the base of a magma ocean at P-T conditions constrained by the peridotite liquidus and fixed fO2 yields concentrations matching observed values for Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Mn andWbut underestimates the core/mantle partitioning observed for other elements, notably V, which can be reconciled if accretion began under reducing conditions with progressive oxidation to fO2 conditions consistent with the current concentration of FeO in the mantle as proposed by Wade and Wood (2005). However, neither oxygen fugacity path is capable of accounting for the depletions of Ga and Ge in the Earth's mantle. To better understand core formation, we need further tests integrating the currently poorly-known effects of light elements and more complex conditions of accretion and differentiation such as giant impacts and incomplete equilibration

Metal-silicate partitioning of Ni and Co in a deep magma ocean

International audienceThe pattern of siderophile (iron-loving) element abundance in the silicate portion of the Earth is a consequence of metal separation during core formation. The apparent excess of nickel and cobalt in mantlederived rocks has been attributed to metal-silicate equilibration in a deep terrestrial magma ocean. Based on the extrapolation of phase equilibria and metal-silicate partitioning results obtained at lower pressure (P) and temperature (T), previous estimates of the P-T of equilibration are all greater than 25 GPa and 3000 K. Using the laser-heated diamond anvil cell, we have extended metal-silicate partitioning measurements for Ni and Co to 75 GPa and 4400 K, exceeding the liquidus temperatures for both metal and silicate (basalt or peridotite) and, therefore, achieving thermodynamic conditions directly comparable to those of the magma ocean. The metal-silicate partition coefficients of nickel and cobalt decrease with increasing pressure and reach the values required to yield present mantle concentrations at ~50 GPa. At these conditions, silicon and oxygen concentrations measured in the metallic liquid allow to solve the seismically constrained core density deficit. Above 60 GPa, the partition coefficients become too low, resulting in an overabundance of Ni and Co in the silicate mantle. Our data therefore support the paradigm of core formation in a deep mama ocean, providing an upper bound for the depth at which Earth's core may have formed, and explaining the main geophysical (density) and geochemical (excess siderophile elements) observables

Terrestrial Accretion Under Oxidizing Conditions

International audienceThe abundance of siderophile elements in the mantle preserves the signature of core formation. On the basis of partitioning experiments at high pressure (35 to 74 gigapascals) and high temperature (3100 to 4400 kelvin), we demonstrate that depletions of slightly siderophile elements (vanadium and chromium), as well as moderately siderophile elements (nickel and cobalt), can be produced by core formation under more oxidizing conditions than previously proposed. Enhanced solubility of oxygen in the metal perturbs the metal-silicate partitioning of vanadium and chromium, precluding extrapolation of previous results. We propose that Earth accreted from materials as oxidized as ordinary or carbonaceous chondrites. Transfer of oxygen from the mantle to the core provides a mechanism to reduce the initial magma ocean redox state to that of the present-day mantle, reconciling the observed mantle vanadium and chromium concentrations with geophysical constraints on light elements in the core

Experimental investigation of elemental and isotopic evaporation processes by laser heating in an aerodynamic levitation furnace

We carried out evaporation experiments on a B-type calcium-aluminium-rich inclusion (CAI) melt in a gas-mixing aerodynamic levitation laser furnace, at 1873 K and an oxygen partial pressure of 10−9.1 atm, for durations ranging from 60 to 600 s. Evaporation of SiO2 and MgO follow the same trend as those observed in vacuum furnace experiments at the same temperature and starting composition, showing that their evaporation relative to one another from the melt is independent of pressure, oxygen fugacity, and hydrodynamical regime specific to the furnace. Isotopic ratios of Mg and Si in evaporation residues are used to derive fractionation factors of α26/24Mgvap−liq = 0.9906 ± 0.0004 and α30/28Sivap−liq = 0.9943 ±0.0003, which are both significantly closer to unity than those found for evaporation in a vacuum, which translates to less isotope fractionation. The residues are also less isotopically fractionated than expected for cases in which transport of the gas species away from the melt is diffusion-controlled at 1-atm. By analysing the flow regimes in our furnace, we find that advection by the levitating gas is the primary mode of mass transport away from the melt surface, as opposed to diffusion-limited transport in a vacuum or 1-atm tube furnace. A modified Hertz-Knudsen-Langmuir formulation accounts for this process, and shows that isotopic fractionation of both Si and Mg reflect a saturation factor (ratio of the pressure of the evaporating species to vapour saturation pressure) equal to 0.75. This is in perfect accord with recent measurements of Cu isotopic fractionation using a similar furnace. The fact that three elements (Mg, Si, Cu) with varying equilibrium vapour pressures, activity coefficients in the liquid, and diffusion coefficients in the gas have the same scaling behaviour to saturation pressure is a strong indication that the mechanism controlling evaporation is driven by the hydrodynamical regime imposed in the furnace. Therefore, this class of experiments can be used to constrain processes in which advection dominates over diffusion, such as (but not limited to) planetary ejecta, tektites, giant impacts, nebular condensation in a turbulent flow, or nuclear fallout material. Finally, the possibility to reach high temperatures (in excess of 3500 K) in this furnace allows it to be used to evaluate the activity coefficients of melt components in extreme conditions relevant to molten planetary interiors (i.e., magma oceans), with a specific focus on refractory elements.ISSN:1778-7025ISSN:1631-071

Chemical imaging with NanoSIMS: A window into deep-Earth geochemistry

International audienceWe use a combination of nanometer-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) for chemical imaging of material transformed in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LH-DAC), in the pressure and temperature range of Earth's lower mantle. MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt), one of the components of subducted oceanic lithosphere, was transformed to an assemblage of Mg-perovskite, Ca-perovskite, stishovite and a calcium ferrite-structure phase at 55 GPa and 2100 °C in an LH-DAC. Elemental imaging spanning the entire range of concentrations, from major elements such as silicon (49.5 wt.% SiO2) to trace elements such as strontium (118 ppm), scandium, and yttrium (both at 40 ppm) was obtained with a Cameca NanoSIMS 50. We observe a preferential partitioning of scandium, yttrium and strontium in the calcium silicate perovskite phase, and we compare this to recently measured solid–liquid partition coefficients and fractionation at lower pressures. This type of measurement demonstrates that even the most complex mineral assemblages can be probed using this combination of techniques and opens new pathways towards the characterization and quantification of geochemical interactions and processes occurring in the deep Earth

Long-term slip rate of the southern San Andreas Faultfrom 10Be-26Al surface exposure dating of an offset alluvial fan

International audience[1] We determine the long-term slip rate of the southern San Andreas Fault in the southeastern Indio Hills using 10 Be and 26 Al isotopes to date an offset alluvial fan surface. Field mapping complemented with topographic data, air photos and satellite images allows precise determination of piercing points across the fault zone that are used to measure an offset of 565 ± 80 m. A total of 26 quartz-rich cobbles from three different fan surfaces were collected and dated. The tight cluster of nuclide concentrations from 19 samples out of 20 from the offset fan surface implies a simple exposure history, negligible prior exposure and erosion, and yields an age of 35.5 ± 2.5 ka. The long-term slip rate of the San Andreas Fault south of Biskra Palms is thus 15.9 ± 3.4 mm/yr. This rate is about 10 mm/yr slower than geological (0–14 ka) and short-term geodetic estimates for this part of the San Andreas Fault, implying changes in slip rate or in faulting behavior. This result puts new constraints on the slip rate of the San Jacinto and on the Eastern California Shear Zone for the last 35 kyr. Our study shows that more sites along the major faults of southern California need to be targeted to better constrain the slip rates over different timescales

Late Quaternary slip-rate along the central Bangong-Chaxikang segment of the Karakorum fault, western Tibet

International audienceInsight into the spatial and temporal changes of slip-rate is essential to understand the kinematic role of large strike-slip faults in continental collision zones. Geodetic and geologic rates from present to several million years ago along the Karakorum fault range from 0 to 11 mm/yr. Here, we determine the first late Quaternary slip-rate at the southern end of the linear Bangong-Chaxikang seg- ment of the Karakorum fault, using cumula- tive offsets (20–200 m) of fans and terraces at three sites, as well as 74 new 10Be surface- exposure ages to constrain the age of these offset geomorphic markers. The rate is >3 mm/yr at sites Gun and Chaxikang, and it is >1.7–2.2 mm/yr at the Gar fan site. Together with rates obtained along the southernmost Menshi-Kailas segment, the Karakorum fault slip-rate seems to increase southeast- ward from south of Bangong Lake to Kailas (from >3 to >8 mm/yr). These Karakorum fault slip-rate data (>3–8 mm/yr), together with the total length of the fault (>1000 km) and its initiation age (>13–23 Ma), confirm that the Karakorum fault is the major fault accommodating dextral strike-slip motion NE of the western Himalayas. The dextral Karakorum fault in the south and the con- jugate left-lateral Longmu Co–Altyn Tagh fault system in the north are thus the major strike-slip faults of western Tibet, which con- tribute to eastward extrusion of Tibet