WATER IN NATURAL MANTLE MINERALS II: OLIVINE, GARNET AND ACCESSORY MINERALS

Abstract

Hydrogen traces change the physical properties of mantle minerals to an extent that is far out of proportion to its low concentration. These properties include mechanical strength, melting behavior, diffusion rate, electrical conductivity, viscosity and rheology. Besides minerals of the pyroxene group, the close-packed mineral structures of olivine, garnet and some accessory minerals offer important storage sites for hydrogen traces in the Earth’s mantle.