Probing iron chemistry in the deep mantle

Upper mantle carbonates are magnesium-rich and iron-poor. Under lower mantle conditions, it is thought that the arrangement of electrons in carbonate minerals changes under the pressure stress in such a way that iron may be significantly redistributed. A research team has now focused on the high-pressure chemistry of a carbonate mineral called siderite, FeCO3, commonly found in hydrothermal vents. Their findings help resolve questions about the presence of iron-containing lower mantle carbonates.

Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - May 15, 2015 Category: Science Source Type: news