Core formation in the shergottite parent body and comparison with the earth

Journal Article · Mon Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JB092iB04p0E627· OSTI ID:6349406

Treiman, A H; Jones, J H; Drake, M J

The mantle of the shergottite parent body (SPB) is depleted relative to the bulk SPB in siderophile and chalcophile elements; these elements are inferred to reside in the SPB's core. Our chemical model of these depletions rests on a physically plausible process of segregation of partially molten metal form partially molten silicates as the SPB grows and is heated above silicate and metallic solidi during accretion. Metallic and silicate phases equilibrate at low pressures as new material is accreted to the SPB surface. Later movement of the metallic phases to the planet's center is so rapid that high-pressure equilibration is insignificant. Partitioning of siderophile and chalcophile elements among solid and liquid metal and silicate determines their abundances in the SPB mantle. Using partition coefficients and the SPB mantle composition determined in earlier studies, we model the abundances of Ag, Au, Co, Ga, Mo, Ni, P, Re, S, and W with free parameters being oxygen fugacity, proportion of solid metal formed, proportion of metallic liquid formed, and proportion of silicate that is molten.

• Research Organization: Department of Geology, Boston University, Massachusetts
• OSTI ID: 6349406
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 92:B4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHEMISTRY
EARTH MANTLE
EARTH PLANET
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GEOCHEMISTRY
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
METALS
MINERALOGY
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION