Single-crystal elasticity of majoritic garnets: stagnant slabs and thermal anomalies at the base of the transition zone

The elastic properties of two single crystals of majoritic garnet (Mg3.24Al1.53Si3.23O12 and Mg3.01Fe0.17Al1.68Si3.15O12), have been measured using simultaneously single-crystal X-ray diffraction and Brillouin spectroscopy in an externally heated diamond anvil cell with Ne as pressure transmitting medium at conditions up to 3c30 GPa and 3c600 K. This combination of techniques makes it possible to use the bulk modulus and unit-cell volume at each condition to calculate the absolute pressure, independently of secondary pressure calibrants. Substitution of the majorite component into pyrope garnet lowers both the bulk (Ks) and shear modulus (G). The substitution of Fe was found to cause a small but resolvable increase in Ks that was accompanied by a decrease in 02Ks/ 02P, the first pressure derivative of the bulk modulus. Fe substitution had no influence on either the shear modulus or its pressure derivative. The obtained elasticity data were used to derive a thermo-elastic model to describe Vs and Vp of complex garnet solid solutions. Using further elasticity data from the literature and thermodynamic models for mantle phase relations, velocities for mafic, harzburgitic and lherzolitic bulk compositions at the base of Earth's transition zone were calculated. The results show that Vs predicted by seismic reference models are faster than those calculated for all three types of lithologies along a typical mantle adiabat within the bottom 150 km of the transition zone. The anomalously fast seismic shear velocities might be explained if laterally extensive sections of subducted harzburgite-rich slabs pile up at the base of the transition zone and lower average mantle temperatures within this depth range

The role of fluids in high-pressure polymorphism of drugs: Different behaviour of β-chlorpropamide in different inert gas and liquid media

Compression of β-chlorpropamide gives different phases depending on the choice of non-dissolving pressure-transmitting fluid (paraffin, neon and helium).</p

A summary of ODP leg 141 hydrogeologic, geochemical and thermal results

The subduction of the oceanic spreading center at the Chile Triple Junction is marked by a substantial thermal perturbation and marked changes in the hydrogeologic and aqueous geochemical regimes in the overthrust plate. Ridge subduction substantially changes the fluid chemistry in the wedge through variably hydrating the oceanic basement, accretionary wedge, and continental backstop. This generates positive anomalies in salinity and chloride values with respect to sea water. The wedge immediately above the subducted ridge also experiences greatly enhance diagenesis and cementation together with the influx of primordial mantle derived ⁴He. Linear temperature and pore fluid chemistry profiles suggest a predominantly diffusive/conductive regime predominates in the interior eastern portion of the wedge and continental backstop region. In contrast, a vigorous and transient hydrogeolgic system within 5 km of the toe of the wedge at both Sites 859 and 863 generates spatially narrow, large, and complex anomalies in temperature and fluid chemistry. At the toe the vigorous hydrogeologic system may be variably influenced by the episodic expulsion of fluid from both the deeper parts of the wedge and oceanic basement driven convection systems. Structural and diagenetic observations are also consistent with a hydrogeologic regime that both evolves with time and that is dominated by episodic processes. In particular, studies of cements, mineralized veins, deformation bands, and Fe sulfide distribution suggest that above the subducting ridge (i.e., Site 863) the lithification in the wedge is greatly enhanced and that and periods of enhanced fluid expulsion are associated with local hydrofracture and dilation episodes

Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition in grain size fractions of sediments in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California

The paper presents data on the contents of macro- and microelements (rare earth elements included) determined in grain size fractions of the Upper Pleistocene hydrothermally altered and unaltered sediments from the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California). Sediments subjected to high-temperature hydrothermal alteration were recovered by DSDP Hole 477A. In the finely dispersed fractions, which are mainly composed of clay minerals, alteration of the chemical composition was provoked by the hydrothermal transformation of terrigenous clay minerals. The concentration of microelements in these fractions takes place primarily at the cost of the hydrothermal finely dispersed ore minerals. Alteration of the chemical composition of the coarse-grained fractions is related to the replacement of clastogenic minerals by the secondary varieties and the formation of new minerals (including ore minerals and native metals) from the solutions. Hydrothermal alterations of the chemical composition of bulk samples depend on the degree of chemical element concentration in fractions and their content in samples

Geochemistry, minerals and b-parameter at DSDP Leg 70 Holes

Clay minerals recovered from the Galapagos hydrothermal mounds (Holes 506C, 507D, and 509B) are mainly iron-rich nontronite-like minerals enriched in potassium. Nontronites from Hole 509B show a distinct tendency to become micaceous toward the lower beds of clay sediments. Mn-crusts consist mainly of todorokite or a mixture of todorokite and nontronite. Minerals of clay and Mnrich sediments in the mounds originated from hydrothermal solutions of uncertain origin. Pelagic oozes from hydrothermal mounds and from areas between mounds (Hole 506D) consist mainly of calcite. In the carbonate beds on or near the hydrothermal mounds an admixture of smectite is often found