Radiative conductivity in the Earth’s lower mantle

Alexander F. Goncharov (), Benjamin D. Haugen, Viktor V. Struzhkin, Pierre Beck and Steven D. Jacobsen
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Alexander F. Goncharov: Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA
Benjamin D. Haugen: Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA
Viktor V. Struzhkin: Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA
Pierre Beck: Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA
Steven D. Jacobsen: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA

Nature, 2008, vol. 456, issue 7219, 231-234

Abstract: Lower mantle conductivity Iron in crust and mantle minerals adopts several possible oxidation states, affecting biogeochemical processes, oxygenation of the atmosphere and the oxidation state of the mantle. In the deep Earth, the iron in rocks influences their thermal conductivity and therefore the heat flux from the core, however little is known about the effect of iron oxidation states on transport properties. Goncharov et al. show that the radiative component of thermal conductivity in the dominant silicate perovskite material of Earth's lower mantle is controlled by the amount of ferric iron. The estimated pressure-dependent radiative conductivity from these data is two to five times lower than previously inferred from model extrapolations, with implications for the evolution of the mantle such as generation and stability of thermo-chemical plumes in the lower mantle.

Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07412

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