Martian differentiation history inferred from copper isotopes

Wang De-Liang, Dan Zhu, Ying-Kui Xu (), Shui-Jiong Wang, Shi-Jie Li (), Zi-Ru Liu, Yang Li, Zhi Li, Hong Tang, Xiong-Yao Li and Jian-Zhong Liu
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Wang De-Liang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dan Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ying-Kui Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shui-Jiong Wang: China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Shi-Jie Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zi-Ru Liu: China University of Geosciences (Beijing)
Yang Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhi Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Hong Tang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiong-Yao Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jian-Zhong Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Sulfide segregation plays an important role in redistributing chalcophile elements during planetary differentiation, yet its efficiency on Mars remains poorly constrained. Here, we report the Cu isotopic evidence for planetary-scale sulfide segregation during martian differentiation. We find that the bulk silicate Mars exhibits a measurable enrichment in isotopically heavy Cu (δ65CuBSMa = −0.03 ± 0.08‰, 2 SD) compared with its chondritic precursors (δ65Cu = −0.30 ± 0.09‰). This isotopic offset cannot be explained by magma ocean devolatilization alone and instead requires preferential incorporation of isotopically light Cu into the core via sulfide segregation. A two-stage core formation model, constrained by established martian building blocks, yields an upper limit for mantle sulfur (400–443 μg/g) with corresponding copper (6–8 μg/g) abundances. These values are consistent with previous estimates for a sulfur-poor martian mantle, as such a mantle facilitates the generation of S-undersaturated melts. Our model further supports a sulfur-rich martian core (~16.1 wt.% S and ~354 μg/g Cu). These findings identify sulfide segregation as a key control on Cu isotopic compositions and chalcophile element budgets during planetary differentiation, providing constraints on Mars’ early evolution.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64331-z

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