Geochemical and Textural Consequences of Compaction

在岩浆室中成核和生长的9725394 Meurer晶体可以从液体中分离出来，并积累在岩浆室的底部。这一过程被称为分离结晶，在火成岩研究中具有重要意义。由晶体堆积形成的岩石被称为堆积物，它记录了分离结晶是如何进行的。堆积体蕴藏着重要的经济矿藏，包括铂族金属、铬矿石以及铜和镍硫化物。洋壳的大部分和月球的大部分也是由堆积物组成的。在缓慢冷却过程中，堆积的晶体在晶体和间隙液体之间的密度差的驱动下会发生压实。压实作用可以将液体从晶体堆中排出，或者简单地将其重新分配到晶体堆中。在压实过程中，可能会发生再结晶，改变颗粒的形状，使它们更有效地堆积。现代计算机技术现在可以对累积物进行定量的纹理研究。这项研究将提供第一个结合化学和质地数据的大规模分析。通过记录压实的后果，我们将加深我们对分离结晶的理解，从而加深对堆积体的形成及其在地球和月球上所蕴含的矿产资源的理解。

9725394 Meurer Crystals that nucleate and grow in magma chambers can separate from the liquid and accumulate on the chamber floor. This process, termed fractional crystallization, is of fundamental importance in the study of igneous rocks. Rocks formed by the accumulation of crystals are called cumulates and provide a record of how fractional crystallization proceeds. Cumulates host significant economic minerals deposits including platinum group metals, chromium ore, and copper-and nickel-sulfides. The bulk of the ocean crust and most of the moon are also made of cumulates. During slow cooling, accumulated crystals can undergo compaction driven by the density contrast between the crystals and interstitial liquid. Compaction can expel liquid from the crystal pile or simply redistribute it within it. During compaction, recrystallization may take place changing the shape of grains and allowing them to pack more efficiently. Modern computer technology now allows quantitative textural study of cumulates. This study will provide the first large scale analysis that combines both chemical and textural data. By documenting the consequences of compaction we will further our understanding of fractional crystallization and hence the formation of cumulates and the mineral resources they host on the Earth and moon.