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Experimental evidence for the existence of iron-rich metal in the Earth's lower mantle

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel J. Frost

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Christian Liebske

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Falko Langenhorst

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Catherine A. McCammon

    (University of Bayreuth)

  • Reidar G. Trønnes

    (University of Bayreuth
    University of Iceland)

  • David C. Rubie

    (University of Bayreuth)

Abstract

The oxidation state recorded by rocks from the Earth's upper mantle can be calculated from measurements of the distribution of Fe3+ and Fe2+ between the constituent minerals1,2,3. The capacity for minerals to incorporate Fe3+ may also be a significant factor controlling the oxidation state of the mantle4,5, and high-pressure experimental measurements of this property might provide important insights into the redox state of the more inaccessible deeper mantle. Here we show experimentally that the Fe3+ content of aluminous silicate perovskite, the dominant lower-mantle mineral, is independent of oxygen fugacity. High levels of Fe3+ are present in perovskite even when it is in chemical equilibrium with metallic iron. Silicate perovskite in the lower mantle will, therefore, have an Fe3+/total Fe ratio of at least 0.6, resulting in a whole-rock ratio of over ten times that of the upper mantle5,6. Consequently, the lower mantle must either be enriched in Fe3+ or Fe3+ must form by the disproportionation of Fe2+ to produce Fe3+ plus iron metal. We argue that the lower mantle contains approximately 1 wt% of a metallic iron-rich alloy. The mantle's oxidation state and siderophile element budget have probably been influenced by the presence of this alloy.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel J. Frost & Christian Liebske & Falko Langenhorst & Catherine A. McCammon & Reidar G. Trønnes & David C. Rubie, 2004. "Experimental evidence for the existence of iron-rich metal in the Earth's lower mantle," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6981), pages 409-412, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:428:y:2004:i:6981:d:10.1038_nature02413
    DOI: 10.1038/nature02413
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    Cited by:

    1. Li Zhang & Yongjin Chen & Ziqiang Yang & Lu Liu & Yanping Yang & Philip Dalladay-Simpson & Junyue Wang & Ho-kwang Mao, 2024. "Pressure stabilizes ferrous iron in bridgmanite under hydrous deep lower mantle conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Ekaterina S. Kiseeva & Nester Korolev & Iuliia Koemets & Dmitry A. Zedgenizov & Richard Unitt & Catherine McCammon & Alena Aslandukova & Saiana Khandarkhaeva & Timofey Fedotenko & Konstantin Glazyrin , 2022. "Subduction-related oxidation of the sublithospheric mantle evidenced by ferropericlase and magnesiowüstite diamond inclusions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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