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Carbon Solubility in Silicon-Iron-Bearing Metals during Core Formation on MercuryRecent results obtained from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft showed the surface of Mercury has high S abundances (approximately 4 wt%) and low Iron(II) Oxide abundances (less than 2 wt%). Based on these extreme values, the oxygen fugacity of Mercury's surface materials was estimated to be approximately 3 to 7 log(sub 10) units below the IW buffer (Delta IW-3 to Delta IW-7). This highly reducing nature of the planet has resulted in a large core and relatively thin mantle, extending to only approximately 420 km depth (corresponding to a core-mantle boundary pressure of approximately 4-7 GPa) within the planet. Furthermore, MESSENGER results have suggested the presence of carbon on the surface of the planet. Previous experimental results from have also suggested the possibility of a primary floatation crust on Mercury composed of graphite, produced after a global magma ocean event. With these exotic conditions of this compositional end-member planet, it begs the question, what is the core composition of Mercury? Although no definitive conclusion has been reached, previous studies have made advances towards answering this question. Riner et al. and Chen et al. looked at iron sulfide systems and implemented various crystallization and layered core scenarios to try and determine the composition and structure of Mercury's core. Malavergne et al. examined core crystallization scenarios in the presence of sulfur and silicon. Hauck et al. used the most recent geophysical constraints from the MESSENGER spacecraft to model the internal structure of Mercury, including the core, in a iron-sulfur-silicon system. More recently, Chabot et al. conducted a series of metal-silicate partitioning experiments in a iron-sulfur-silicon system. These results showed the core of Mercury has the potential to contain more than 15 wt% silicon. However, with the newest results from MESSENGER's low altitude campaign, carbon is another potential light element that could be incorporated into Mercury's core. The goal of this study is to determine the carbon concentration at graphite saturation in various silicon-iron bearing metals relevant to possible mercurian core compositions. Future experiments will include the addition of sulfur into these metals.
Document ID
20160002635
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vander Kaaden, Kathleen E. (New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
McCubbin, Francis M. (New Mexico Univ. Albuquerque, NM, United States)
Ross, D. Kent (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Rapp, Jennifer F. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Danielson, Lisa R. (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Keller, Lindsay P. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Righter, Kevin (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
March 1, 2016
Publication Date
March 21, 2016
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-CN-35399
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 21, 2016
End Date: March 25, 2016
Sponsors: Universities Space Research Association
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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