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Altered chemistry of oxygen and iron under deep Earth conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Jin Liu

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research
    Stanford University)

  • Qingyang Hu

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research)

  • Wenli Bi

    (Argonne National Laboratory
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Liuxiang Yang

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research
    Carnegie Institution of Washington)

  • Yuming Xiao

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Paul Chow

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Yue Meng

    (Argonne National Laboratory)

  • Vitali B. Prakapenka

    (University of Chicago)

  • Ho-Kwang Mao

    (Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research
    Carnegie Institution of Washington)

  • Wendy L. Mao

    (Stanford University
    SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)

Abstract

A drastically altered chemistry was recently discovered in the Fe-O-H system under deep Earth conditions, involving the formation of iron superoxide (FeO2Hx with x = 0 to 1), but the puzzling crystal chemistry of this system at high pressures is largely unknown. Here we present evidence that despite the high O/Fe ratio in FeO2Hx, iron remains in the ferrous, spin-paired and non-magnetic state at 60–133 GPa, while the presence of hydrogen has minimal effects on the valence of iron. The reduced iron is accompanied by oxidized oxygen due to oxygen-oxygen interactions. The valence of oxygen is not –2 as in all other major mantle minerals, instead it varies around –1. This result indicates that like iron, oxygen may have multiple valence states in our planet’s interior. Our study suggests a possible change in the chemical paradigm of how oxygen, iron, and hydrogen behave under deep Earth conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin Liu & Qingyang Hu & Wenli Bi & Liuxiang Yang & Yuming Xiao & Paul Chow & Yue Meng & Vitali B. Prakapenka & Ho-Kwang Mao & Wendy L. Mao, 2019. "Altered chemistry of oxygen and iron under deep Earth conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-08071-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08071-3
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