Collaborative Research: Investigating Iron Isotope Fractionation during Partial Melting

地球科学研究的主要目标之一是确定地球及其基本单位的化学组成。多年来，研究一直试图使用同位素和化学质量平衡计算，以更好地约束主要的基本问题，如地幔对流的结构和核心中轻元素的测定。许多工作都集中在化学分配实验在一个大范围的压力和温度，但不稳定的同位素分馏，从这些过程中产生的效果。通过这个项目，该团队的目标是在稳定同位素地球化学和实验岩石学的界面上创建新的跨学科研究。一个研究生和本科生将从事和一系列的实验和分析技术的培训。该项目是一个高度跨学科的项目，将对岩石学家、地球化学家、地球动力学家、行星科学家、宇宙化学家和天文学家有用。同位素分馏将存在于具有不同成键环境的相之间，储层之间的元素分离体现了这种分馏。高温高压下的实验可以揭示行星物质中无法直接测量的平衡同位素分馏因子，并且当与天然物质中发现的同位素比率结合时，可以对这些物质的形成条件进行限制。这些研究人员将集中研究由于地幔部分熔融而引起的铁的平衡稳定同位素分馏。他们的目标是了解地幔的部分熔融是否以及如何在地幔岩石上留下同位素指纹。在这个项目的过程中，将开发一个新的模块，作为地球和环境科学课程中心的一部分。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

One of the main goals in earth science research is to determine the chemical composition of the Earth and its primary units. For years, studies have tried to use isotopic and chemical mass balance calculations to better constrain major fundamental issues such as the structure of mantle convection and determination of the light elements in the core. Much work has focused on chemical partitioning experiments at a large range of both pressures and temperatures but not on the effect of the stable isotopic fractionation that results from these processes. With this project, the team aims to create new interdisciplinary research at the interface of stable isotope geochemistry and experimental petrology. A graduate and undergraduate student will be engaged and trained in a range of experimental and analytical techniques. This project is highly interdisciplinary and will be of use to petrologists, geochemists, geodynamicists, planetary scientists, cosmochemists and astronomers.Isotope fractionation will exist between phases with distinct bonding environments, and separation of elements between reservoirs manifests this fractionation. Experiments at high pressure and temperature can reveal equilibrium isotopic fractionation factors that cannot be directly measured in planetary materials, and, when combined with isotopic ratios found in natural materials, provide constraints on the formation conditions of those materials. These researchers will focus on the equilibrium stable isotopic fractionation of iron due to partial melting of the mantle. They aim to understand if and how partial melting of the mantle leaves an isotopic fingerprint on mantle rocks. During the course of this project, a new module will be developed to be part of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science curriculum. It will focus on mantle melting and magma production, which are relevant to volcanic eruptions and environmental hazards.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.