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主要单位的化学成分。多年来，研究试图使用同位素和化学质量平衡计算来更好地约束主要的基本问题，如地幔对流结构和地核中轻元素的测定。许多工作都集中在大范围压力和温度下的化学分配实验上，而不是这些过程产生的稳定同位素分馏的影响。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。研究生和本科生将参与并接受一系列实验和分析技术的培训。这个项目是高度跨学科的，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都有帮助。具有不同结合环境的相之间存在同位素分馏，储层间元素分离体现了这种分馏。在高压和高温下进行的实验可以揭示在行星物质中无法直接测量的平衡同位素分馏因子，并且当与在天然物质中发现的同位素比率相结合时，可以对这些物质的形成条件提供限制。这些研究人员将重点研究由于地幔部分熔融导致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，作为地球与环境科学中心课程的一部分。它将重点研究与火山爆发和环境危害有关的地幔熔融和岩浆产生。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并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.