Effect of Water on Lattice Thermal Conductivity of Ringwoodite and Its Implications for the Thermal Evolution of Descending Slabs

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 47; no. 13
• Main Authors: Marzotto, Enrico, Hsieh, Wen‐Pin, Ishii, Takayuki, Chao, Keng‐Hsien, Golabek, Gregor J., Thielmann, Marcel, Ohtani, Eiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington John Wiley & Sons, Inc 16-07-2020
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Crystal lattices; Crystal structure; Diamonds; Earth mantle; Evolution; Heat; Heat conductivity; Heat diffusion; Heat transfer; Heat transport; Hydrologic cycle; Hydrological cycle; hydrous ringwoodite; lattice thermal conductivity; Low temperature; Lower mantle; Magnesium; Magnesium silicates; mantle transition zone; Mathematical models; Minerals; Moisture content; Optics; Physical properties; Pressure; Silicates; Slabs; Thermal conductivity; Thermal evolution; Transition zone; Water content; water cycle
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2020GL087607

The presence of water in minerals generally alters their physical properties. Ringwoodite is the most abundant phase in the lowermost mantle transition zone and can host up to 1.5–2 wt% water. We studied high‐pressure lattice thermal conductivity of dry and hydrous ringwoodite by combining diamond‐anvil cell experiments with ultrafast optics. The incorporation of 1.73 wt% water substantially reduces the ringwoodite thermal conductivity by more than 40% at mantle transition zone pressures. We further parameterized the ringwoodite thermal conductivity as a function of pressure and water content to explore the large‐scale consequences of a reduced thermal conductivity on a slab's thermal evolution. Using a simple 1‐D heat diffusion model, we showed that the presence of hydrous ringwoodite in the slab significantly delays decomposition of dense hydrous magnesium silicates, enabling them to reach the lower mantle. Our results impact the potential route and balance of water cycle in the lower mantle.
Plain Language Summary
The physical properties of minerals are determined by the interaction of atoms in the crystal lattice. Water can be incorporated into the crystal structure and alter its behavior. Ringwoodite is a high‐pressure mineral that can host large quantities of water and is expected to be abundant in the lower part of Earth's mantle transition zone, a region ranging from 520 to 660‐km depth. Here we studied ringwoodite thermal conductivity, describing how effectively heat is transported through solids. Based on our measurements we determined that water in ringwoodite significantly slows down heat propagation. We performed computer simulations to investigate the large‐scale implications of our findings. For this purpose, we modeled a cold oceanic plate, entirely made of ringwoodite, which is surrounded by warm mantle. The delayed heat transport is sufficient to maintain low temperatures in the inner part of the oceanic plate and potentially preserve the hydrous minerals for an extended period of time.
Key Points
Ringwoodite thermal conductivity is reduced by 40% due to the presence of 1.73 wt% water in the crystal structure
Lower thermal conductivity of hydrous ringwoodite might delay the breakdown of hydrous phases hosted in a subducting slab
Hydrous ringwoodite acts as a heat propagation barrier, supporting preservation of hydrous minerals down to the lower mantle