『Abstract
We propose a new model of Earth's bulk composition based on enstatite
chondrites (E-chondrites), the only chondrite group isotopically
identical to the Earth. This model allows a quantitative study
of accretion and differentiation processes in the early Earth.
Conditions for core formation are evaluated using data on silica-iron
equilibrium at high pressure and temperature and the exchange
budget equation SiO2 + 2Fe = Si + 2FeO, which
is the result of IW and Si-SiO2 oxygen buffers'
interaction and controls the evolution of mantle fO2. Based on that equation, ranges for the compositions
of the Bulk Silicate Earth, the lower mantle and the core are
deduced from the compositions of E-chondrites and their constituents.
For these ranges of compositions, we show that during core differentiation,
the mantle fO2 evolves
naturally from ≒IW -3.2 to IW -1.4±0.1. The model compositions
are tightened using geophysical constraints on (1) the amount
of light elements in the core, (2) the petrology of the upper
and lower mantle and (3) the thermal and convective structure
of the lower mantle. Our results indicate that the lower mantle
is enriched in Si and Fe, which is consistent with recent geophysical
studies, and depleted in highly refractory elements, notably in
Uranium and Thorium.
Keywords: chemical earth models; enstatite chondrites; Redox state;
isotopic anomalies; core composition; heterogeneous mantle; early
Earth; radioactive heating』
1. Introduction
2. Enstatite chondrites
2.1. The isotopic parenthood of Earth and E-chondrites
2.2. The space of E-chondrite compositions
2.3. Critical features of E-chondrites for Earth modeling
3. Composition of the Bulk Silicate Earth and of the core
3.1. Internal Redox evolution
3.2. Calculation of the core and mantle compositions
3.3. Average core and mantle compositions
3.4. Average P-T conditions of core formation
3.5. Lower mantle composition
4. Geophysical constraints
4.1. Light elements in the core: experimental results and ab
initio calculations
4.2. Bulk mantle composition: seismological and geodynamical
constraints
5. Discussion and perspectives: composition and dynamics of the
Earth
5.1. The heterogeneous mantle
5.2. RLE enrichment factor and volatility of elements during
Earth formation
5.3. Heat production in the lower mantle
5.4. Origin of mantle chemical heterogeneity
5.5. The way to future experimental tests of E-Earth model
6. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References