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Science 19 July 1991:
Vol. 253. no. 5017, pp. 303 - 306
DOI: 10.1126/science.253.5017.303
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Articles

Early Differentiation of the Earth and the Problem of Mantle Siderophile Elements: A New Approach

V. RAMA MURTHY 1

1 Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, and Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455

The long-standing problem of the excess abundances of siderophile elements in the mantle can be resolved by considering an equilibrium core-mantle differentiation in the earth at 3000 to 3500 kelvin. This high-temperature differentiation results in mantle siderophile element abundances that closely match the observed values. Some lithophile (light) elements could enter the core in this process as is necessary to account for its low density. The abundances of siderophile elements in the mantle are consistent with the conclusion derived from the recent physical models that the earth was molten during accretion.

Submitted on April 16, 1991
Accepted on May 30, 1991


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Os solubility in silicate melts: New efforts and results.
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American Mineralogist 85, 912-917
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Platinum-Group Element Abundance Patterns in Different Mantle Environments.
M. Rehkämper, A. N. Halliday, D. Barfod, J. G. Fitton, and J. B. Dawson (1997)
Science 278, 1595-1598
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Partitioning of Tungsten and Molybdenum Between Metallic Liquid and Silicate Melt.
M. J. Walter and Y. Thibault (1995)
Science 270, 1186-1189
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High-Pressure and High-Temperature Experiments on Core-Mantle Segregation in the Accreting Earth.
V. J. Hillgren, V. J. Hiligren, M. J. Drake, and D. C. Rubie (1994)
Science 264, 1442-1445
   Abstract »    PDF »
Superheating Effects on Metal-Silicate Partitioning of Siderophile Elements.
D. Walker, D. Walker, L. Norby, and J. H. Jones (1993)
Science 262, 1858-1861
   Abstract »    PDF »
Siderophile Elements and the Earth's Formation.
J. H. Jones, J. H. Jones, C. J. Capobianco, and M. J. Drake (1992)
Science 257, 1281-1282
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Siderophile Elements and the Earth's Formation.
H. O'Neill (1992)
Science 257, 1282-1284
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Response.
V. R. Murthy (1992)
Science 257, 1284-1285
   PDF »


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