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The ‘zero charge’ partitioning behaviour of noble gases during mantle melting

Nature volume 423, pages 738–741 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Noble-gas geochemistry is an important tool for understanding planetary processes from accretion to mantle dynamics and atmospheric formation1,2,3,4. Central to much of the modelling of such processes is the crystal–melt partitioning of noble gases during mantle melting, magma ascent and near-surface degassing5. Geochemists have traditionally considered the ‘inert’ noble gases to be extremely incompatible elements, with almost 100 per cent extraction efficiency from the solid phase during melting processes. Previously published experimental data on partitioning between crystalline silicates and melts has, however, suggested that noble gases approach compatible behaviour, and a significant proportion should therefore remain in the mantle during melt extraction5,6,7,8. Here we present experimental data to show that noble gases are more incompatible than previously demonstrated, but not necessarily to the extent assumed or required by geochemical models. Independent atomistic computer simulations indicate that noble gases can be considered as species of ‘zero charge’ incorporated at crystal lattice sites. Together with the lattice strain model9,10, this provides a theoretical framework with which to model noble-gas geochemistry as a function of residual mantle mineralogy.

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Figure 1: Experimental cpx–melt partition coefficients for noble gases.
Figure 2: Calculated solution energies for noble gases in interstitial positions or lattice sites in jadeite (see Methods).
Figure 3: Computational and experimentally determined Onuma-type30 diagrams for cpx partitioning.
Figure 4: Comparison of lattice strain model parameters.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Craven and R. Hinton for analytical assistance with the Edinburgh ion-probe; we also thank M. Carroll for originally inspiring the idea of a ‘flat’ parabola, and J. Jones for comments. This work was supported by the NERC, and by research fellowships from the Royal Society, the European Commission and the Leverhulme Trust.

Author information

Author notes

  1. E. M. Chamorro

    Present address: Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, 46 Allée d'Italie, Lyon, Cedex 7, 69364, France

  2. J.-A. Wartho

    Present address: School of Applied Geology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6001, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CETSEI, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, BS8 1RJ, Bristol, UK

    R. A. Brooker, Z. Du, J. D. Blundy, B. J. Wood & E. M. Chamorro

  2. School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, BS8 1TS, Bristol, UK

    Z. Du & N. L. Allan

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK

    S. P. Kelley & J.-A. Wartho

  4. CLRC, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 4AD, UK

    J. A. Purton

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Brooker, R., Du, Z., Blundy, J. et al. The ‘zero charge’ partitioning behaviour of noble gases during mantle melting. Nature 423, 738–741 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01708

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