METAL/SILICATE EQUILIBRIUM IN THE EARLY EARTH-NEW CONSTRAINTS FROM THE VOLATILE MODERATELY SIDEROPHILE ELEMENTS GA, CU, P, AND SN

Abstract

We report new measurements of metal/silicate partition coefficients for Ga, Cu, and Sn at 10 to 90 kb and 1250 to 1900°C. We show that all three of these siderophile elements (D(metal/silicate) > 10) become more lithophile at high pressure and temperature conditions. Metal/silicate partition coefficients calculated for the conditions of an early deep magma ocean are all close to or less than 1. Thus, in an early terrestrial magma ocean scenario, the depletions of these elements in the mantle must be caused by volatility rather than by metal/silicate equilibrium. For Mars, moderate mantle depletions of both Sn and Cu (relative to Earth) may be due to separation of an S-rich metallic core. In contrast, the sizable depletions of Ga in the Moon and Vesta must be caused by both volatility and core formation. Volatility controlled depletions of these elements may have been inherited from early solar system materials.