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Is phosphorus predictably incompatible in igneous processes?

Authors :
Goodrich, C. A
Barnes, S
Source :
Lunar Planetary Inst. Conf. on the Origin of the Moon.
Publication Year :
1984
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1984.

Abstract

Siderophile element abundances are central to recent models for core formation in the Earth and Moon and the origin of the Moon. It is important to identify siderophile elements whose behavior in igneous processes is predictable, so that primary mantle abundances can be deduced by subtracting out the effects of igneous processes. Newsom's model for core formation in the Moon requires subchondritic P, and suggests that P was depleted due to volatility. Experiments were conducted to determine P olivine/liquid distribution coefficients. Preliminary results indicate that P can be compatible with olivine during rapid cooling, but is not during isothermal crystallization with long growth times, and tends to be expelled during annealing. It is therefore not likely that P is compatible under any widespread igneous conditions, and the incompatible behavior of P in lunar crustal rocks can be safety assumed. In addition, low fO2 is insufficient to cause P compatibility, so it is unlikely that P-rich silicates formed during the early evolution of the Earth or Moon. These results indicate that P is depleted in the Moon.

Subjects

Subjects :
Lunar And Planetary Exploration

Details

Language :
English
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Journal :
Lunar Planetary Inst. Conf. on the Origin of the Moon
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.19850005413
Document Type :
Report