Abstract
Partitioning of sulfur (S), oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) between liquid Fe‐Ni‐alloy (LA) and liquid silicate (LS) was studied with a multi‐anvil apparatus at pressures between 2 and 25 GPa and temperatures between 2073 and 2623 K. We found that S has a strong affinity for liquid Fe‐Ni‐alloy at all the experimental conditions investigated. Partition coefficient of S between liquid Fe‐Ni‐alloy and liquid silicate (DSLA/LS) increases with pressure and decreases with temperature. At the proposed pressure and temperature of core‐mantle equilibrium during early Earth differentiation [Li and Agee, 1996; Righter et al., 1997], S is highly siderophile (DSLA/LS ∼ 1000), while Si and O are highly lithophile (DSiLA/LS, DOLA/LS < 0.03). Our study suggests that if the core composition was largely established by equilibrium partitioning in a deep magma ocean, then S is the most plausible principle light element in the core.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
