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Grain boundary diffusion cannot explain the W isotope heterogeneities of the deep mantle

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Listed:
  • Yihang Peng

    (Princeton University)

  • Takashi Yoshino

    (Okayama University, Misasa)

  • Jie Deng

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

The low 182W/184W and high 3He/4He in some ocean island basalts compared to the bulk mantle values may derive from the Earth’s core through long-term core-mantle interactions. It has been proposed that the grain boundary diffusion of siderophile elements is an efficient mechanism for core-mantle interaction and may effectively modify the W isotopic compositions of the plume-source mantle. In this study, we perform large-scale molecular dynamics simulations driven by machine learning potentials of ab initio quality to investigate the diffusion of W along ferropericlase grain boundaries and in (Mg,Fe)O liquid. Here we show that the diffusion of W is sluggish under core-mantle boundary conditions, and thus is unlikely to have observable impacts on the W isotopic compositions of terrestrial igneous rocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Yihang Peng & Takashi Yoshino & Jie Deng, 2025. "Grain boundary diffusion cannot explain the W isotope heterogeneities of the deep mantle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57120-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57120-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leslie A. Hayden & E. Bruce Watson, 2007. "A diffusion mechanism for core–mantle interaction," Nature, Nature, vol. 450(7170), pages 709-711, November.
    2. M. W. Ammann & J. P. Brodholt & J. Wookey & D. P. Dobson, 2010. "First-principles constraints on diffusion in lower-mantle minerals and a weak D′′ layer," Nature, Nature, vol. 465(7297), pages 462-465, May.
    3. T. Kleine & C. Münker & K. Mezger & H. Palme, 2002. "Rapid accretion and early core formation on asteroids and the terrestrial planets from Hf–W chronometry," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6901), pages 952-955, August.
    4. Yunguo Li & Lidunka Vočadlo & Chris Ballentine & John P. Brodholt, 2022. "Primitive noble gases sampled from ocean island basalts cannot be from the Earth’s core," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Qingzhu Yin & S. B. Jacobsen & K. Yamashita & J. Blichert-Toft & P. Télouk & F. Albarède, 2002. "A short timescale for terrestrial planet formation from Hf–W chronometry of meteorites," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6901), pages 949-952, August.
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