Experimental studies of planetary accretion and differentiation
Planetary formation and dynamics: from the Solar System to exoplanets
Observational study and dynamic of binary systems in the exoplanet context.
Grant number: | 10/05512-1 |
Support Opportunities: | Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants |
Start date: | September 01, 2010 |
End date: | November 30, 2013 |
Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences |
Principal Investigator: | Guilherme Mallmann |
Grantee: | Guilherme Mallmann |
Host Institution: | Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
Associated scholarship(s): | 10/15341-0 - Experimental studies of planetary accretion and differentiation, BP.JP |
Abstract
The term siderophile was introduced by Victor M. Goldschmidt to describe those elements that occur in the metallic phases of meteorites and, by inference, the metallic cores of planets. Their defining property of preferentially partitioning into metal relative to silicate phases provides unique insights into planetary accretion and differentiation. For instance, the absolute and relative abundances of siderophile elements may be used to identify the building blocks of terrestrial planets, trace core-mantle differentiation processes and the chemical interactions between these two reservoirs, as well as the late accretion histories of diverse planetary bodies like the Earth, Moon and Mars. Despite their importance, still very little is known about the geochemical properties of siderophile elements at the high temperature and pressure conditions relevant to planetary formation. Hence, the interpretation of an enormous amount of analytical data acquired by geochemists over the last two decades remains controversial. This is particularly so for the highly siderophile elements, HSE (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and Re). This proposal seeks support toinvestigate experimentally the geochemical behaviour of the HSEs, particularly in regardsto the effect of intensive variables such as temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity onthe partitioning of these elements between metal, minerals and silicate melt. As an additionalbenefit, the first laboratory dedicated exclusively to experimental petrology andgeochemistry will be installed in Brazil, opening up the possibility of a vast range of futureresearch endeavours in the experimental area in the country and elevating the status of Brazilian petrology and geochemistry internationally. (AU)
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