Space, Earth, ocean: mineralogical studies under extreme conditions

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2019.12.3

Abstract

Abstract:

Research of the Deep Space-Earth-Sea System involves micromineral study, mineral discovery as well as mineralogical investigations under extreme conditions, e.g. research on meteorolite samples and materials in meteorite craters, minerals in deep Earth, and seafloor methane hydrates. We mainly used diamond anvil cell (DAC) simultaneously in combination with synchronous radiation X-ray and neutron sources. In addition, we used various physical, chemical and optical methods (rock mineral chemical analysis, optical measurement, electron probe, ion probe, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, infrared, ultraviolet, Raman spectroscopy, laser heating, etc.). We investigated crystal structures and physical and chemical properties of mineral materials of different compositions under different temperature and pressure conditions. In this paper, we focused on a variety of typical minerals formed from various components at extreme temperatures and pressures from the Earth's core to crust. They include ε-Fe in the metallic solid inner core and liquid outer core, post-perovskite structure (ppv) magnesium iron silicate (Mg,Fe)SiO₃ in the D″ layer located at the core-mantle boundary (CMB), perovskite structure (pv) magnesium iron silicate in the lower mantle, Bridgmanite (Mg,Fe)SiO₃, mafic oxide (Fe,Mg)O and post-spinel structure containing Fe³⁺ Maohokite (HP-MgO₄), and magnesium ferrosilicate, silicon oxide, chromite, diamond and its inclusions, methane hydrate (CH₄·H₂O), etc., in the transition zone, upper mantle, crust and ocean bottom. The research of mineralogy under extreme conditions provides new insights into the structure and properties and dynamic evolution of the Earth.

Key words: microminerals, high temperature & high pressure, extreme conditions, diamond-anvil cell (DAC), synchronous radiation X-ray sources

CLC Number:

SHU Jinfu. Space, Earth, ocean: mineralogical studies under extreme conditions[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2020, 27(3): 133-153.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 The inner structure of the Earth

Fig.2 (a) High pressure diamond press. (b, c) Results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiment on ε-iron.

Fig.3 (Left) Core-mantle boundary (CMB). (Right) Low and ultra-low velocity zones (LVZ, ULVZ), where Fe-rich post-perovskite (ppv) FexMg1-xSiO3 with CaIrO3 structure can have Fe concentration as high as x=0.8, which may explain the presence of LVZ and ULVZ in the D″ layer.

Fig.4 The crystal structure of Wüstite FeO, showing progressive transformations under increasing p-T. From left: cubic NaCl (Bl) structure at room temperature and lower pressure; rhombohedral structure at high p-T; highly distorted rhombohedral and NiAs (B8 or α-B8) structures at p> 90 GPa.

Fig.5 Maohokite (HPM) and nanodiamonds (D). (a-c) Photomicrographs; (d) X-ray diffraction pattern; and (e) Raman spectrum.

Fig.6 Crystal structures and spectrometric analysis of chromites. (a) FeCr2O4 structure;(b) Structure of high p-T FeCr2O4 (CF) from hemingite; (c) Structure of high p-T FeCr2O4 (CT) from Xieite;(d) Electron back scattering pattern; (e) X-ray diffraction patterns; and (f) Raman spectra.

Fig.7 (a) Kimberlitic diamond single crystal with graphite single crystal inclusion from Shandong, China. (b) Venezuela kimberlitic diamond with coesite inclusions.

Fig.8 Diamonds from China's scientific deep drilling (CCSD-MH)

Fig.9 Diamonds from Tibet and Ural ophiolites

Fig.10 X-ray diffraction patterns of Tibet ophiolite-hosted diamonds

Fig.11 Structural types and characteristics of gas hydrates

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