Prediction of crystal-melt partition coefficients from elastic moduli

A study of the partitioning between silicate crystals and their melts in 15 elements showed that partition coefficients can be predicted using the quantitative relationship between elasticity of the crystal lattice and its element partitioning characteristics. A model based on the size and elastic nature of the crystal was able to explain element partitioning behavior based on the physical aspects of the cation sites. The cation site also influenced the elasticity of the crystal while the linear function of cation charge made the partitioning properties similar to these of ionic crystals.