Constraints on core chemistry from the pressure dependence of the bulk modulus

Details Constraints on core chemistry from the pressure dependence of the bulk modulus Constraints on core chemistry from the pressure dependence of the bulk modulus

Mar 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997pepi..100...49w&link_type=abstract

Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, v. 100, p. 49-59.

Physics

16

Scientific paper

A simple method for evaluating the compatibility of different alloying constituents with the elastic properties of the outer core is presented. This approach depends primarily on the value of the pressure derivative of the bulk modulus (K') of possible alloying phases, and has the advantages of being largely independent of temperature and being based on observable parameters: the sound speed as a function of depth in the outer core, and the sound speed of molten iron at high pressures. Accurate constraints on the K' values of light alloying element containing phases are, however, crucial in deriving purely geophysical constraints on the geochemistry of the core. Our results emphasize that the present bounds on K' of S, O and H-rich iron alloys are compatible with the change in sound velocity as a function of depth in the outer core. Alloying constituents with K' values less than or equal to about 4 are unable to satisfy this depth-dependence. Both shock and static compression data on Si-rich alloys indicate that the K' of Si-rich iron alloys fall in this range; moreover, other lighter alloying phases have values of K' which are unable to compensate for the effect of significant Si within the outer core. It thus appears that Si cannot be the primary light alloying element of the outer core. Our results indicate that dramatically reducing conditions and resultant reduction of silicates is unlikely to have occurred during core formation.

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