CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Melt structure and mineral/melt element partitioning

Experimentally-determined major, minor, and trace element partitioning between minerals and melts at high temperature and pressure is central to our understanding of the petrogenesis of igneous rocks. In order to describe and predict mineral/melt element partitioning for use in geochemistry and petrology of igneous rocks, the solution behavior of major, minor, and trace elements in both minerals and melts must be understood.
An example of the effect of melt polymerization on Fe2+-Mg exchange coefficients between olivine and melt at constant temperature (see Figure) illustrates that melt polymerization, NBO/T, is an important factor. However, the distinct maximum at intermediate NBO/T-values suggests several competing solution mechanisms.
Minor and trace elements in silicate melts occupy specific structurak position similar to that of major elements. T research activity is aimed at understanding the ordering of minor and trace elements among Q-species in silicate melts and how this ordering affect mineral/melt partitioning behavior.

Fe2+¤Mg exchange coefficient between olivine and melt as a function of NBO/T of the melt.

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