Thermal conductivity of Fe-Si alloys and thermal stratification in Earth’s core

Light elements in Earth’s core play a key role in driving convection and influencing geodynamics, both of which are crucial to the geodynamo. However, the thermal transport properties of iron alloys at high-pressure and -temperature conditions remain uncertain. Here we investigate the transport properties of solid hexagonal close-packed and liquid Fe-Si alloys with 4.3 and 9.0 wt % Si at high pressure and temperature using laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments and first-principles molecular dynamics and dynamical mean field theory calculations. In contrast to the case of Fe, Si impurity scattering gradually dominates the total scattering in Fe-Si alloys with increasing Si concentration, leading to temperature independence of the resistivity and less electron–electron contribution to the conductivity in Fe-9Si. Our results show a thermal conductivity of ∼100 to 110 W⋅m−1⋅K−1 for liquid Fe-9Si near the topmost outer core. If Earth’s core consists of a large amount of silicon (e.g., > 4.3 wt %) with such a high thermal conductivity, a subadiabatic heat flow across the core–mantle boundary is likely, leaving a 400- to 500-km-deep thermally stratified layer below the core–mantle boundary, and challenges proposed thermal convection in Fe-Si liquid outer core.

METASTABLE STATE WITH HIGH ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY IN LiNaTaNbO SYNTHESIZED AT HIGH PRESSURE

Представлены результаты исследования сегнетоэлектрического твердого раствора LiNaTaNbO со структурой перовскита, основанного на ниобате натрия и синтезированного в условиях высокого давления и температуры. Методом импеданс спектроскопии в области температур 290 - 800 К были определены значения удельных проводимостей на постоянном токе, энергии активации носителей заряда и реальная часть диэлектрической проницаемости. Показана эволюция температурных аномалий удельной проводимости и диэлектрической проницаемости при термоциклировании. Обнаруженые эффекты связанны со структурными фазовыми переходами, определена температура Кюри. LiNaTaNbOпретерпевает фазовый переход второго рода. Установлено, что в LiNaTaNbO образуется метастабильная фаза, обладающая высокой электропроводностью в области комнатной температуры. При нагреве выше температуры Кюри данная фаза разрушается. Обсуждаются возможные механизмы обнаруженных явлений. The results are presented of a study of a ferroelectric solid solution LiNaTaNbO with a perovskite structure based on sodium niobate and synthesized under high pressure and temperature. In the temperature range of 290-800 K, the values of the specific conductivity at direct current, the activation energy of charge carriers, and the real part of the dielectric constant were determined by the method of impedance spectroscopy. Evolution of temperature anomalies of specific conductivity and dielectric constant during thermal cycling is shown. The observed effects are associated with structural phase transitions, and the Curie temperature is determined. The LiNaTaNbO undergoes a second-order phase transition. It was found that a metastable phase is formed in LiNaTaNbO, which has a high electrical conductivity at the room temperature. When heated above the Curie temperature, this phase is destroyed. Possible mechanisms of the discovered phenomena are discussed.

Microbial processes during deposition and diagenesis of Banded Iron Formations

Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) are marine chemical sediments consisting of alternating iron (Fe)-rich and silica (Si)-rich bands which were deposited throughout much of the Precambrian era. BIFs represent important proxies for the geochemical composition of Precambrian seawater and provide evidence for early microbial life. Iron present in BIFs was likely precipitated in the form of Fe3+ (Fe(III)) minerals, such as ferrihydrite (Fe(OH)3), either through the metabolic activity of anoxygenic photoautotrophic Fe2+ (Fe(II))-oxidizing bacteria (photoferrotrophs), by microaerophilic bacteria, or by the oxidation of dissolved Fe(II) by O2 produced by early cyanobacteria. However, in addition to oxidized Fe-bearing minerals such as hematite (FeIII2O3), (partially) reduced minerals such as magnetite (FeIIFeIII2O4) and siderite (FeIICO3) are found in BIFs as well. The presence of reduced Fe in BIFs has been suggested to reflect the reduction of primary Fe(III) minerals by dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria, or by metamorphic (high pressure and temperature) reactions occurring in presence of buried organic matter. Here, we present the current understanding of the role of Fe-metabolizing bacteria in the deposition of BIFs, as well as competing hypotheses that favor an abiotic model for BIF deposition. We also discuss the potential abiotic and microbial reduction of Fe(III) in BIFs after deposition. Further, we review the availability of essential nutrients (e.g. P and Ni) and their implications on early Earth biogeochemistry. Overall, the combined results of various ancient seawater analogue experiments aimed at assessing microbial iron cycling pathways, coupled with the analysis of the BIF rock record, point towards a strong biotic influence during BIF genesis.