Deep carbon cycle constrained by carbonate solubility

Stefan Farsang (), Marion Louvel, Chaoshuai Zhao, Mohamed Mezouar, Angelika D. Rosa, Remo N. Widmer, Xiaolei Feng, Jin Liu and Simon A. T. Redfern ()
Additional contact information
Stefan Farsang: University of Cambridge
Marion Louvel: WWU Münster
Chaoshuai Zhao: Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR)
Mohamed Mezouar: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Angelika D. Rosa: European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Remo N. Widmer: Laboratory for Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures
Xiaolei Feng: University of Cambridge
Jin Liu: Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR)
Simon A. T. Redfern: Nanyang Technological University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Earth’s deep carbon cycle affects atmospheric CO2, climate, and habitability. Owing to the extreme solubility of CaCO3, aqueous fluids released from the subducting slab could extract all carbon from the slab. However, recycling efficiency is estimated at only around 40%. Data from carbonate inclusions, petrology, and Mg isotope systematics indicate Ca2+ in carbonates is replaced by Mg2+ and other cations during subduction. Here we determined the solubility of dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2] and rhodochrosite (MnCO3), and put an upper limit on that of magnesite (MgCO3) under subduction zone conditions. Solubility decreases at least two orders of magnitude as carbonates become Mg-rich. This decreased solubility, coupled with heterogeneity of carbon and water subduction, may explain discrepancies in carbon recycling estimates. Over a range of slab settings, we find aqueous dissolution responsible for mobilizing 10 to 92% of slab carbon. Globally, aqueous fluids mobilise $${35}_{-17}^{+20}$$ 35 − 17 + 20 % ( $${27}_{-13}^{+16}$$ 27 − 13 + 16 Mt/yr) of subducted carbon from subducting slabs.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24533-7

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