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Influence of oxygen partial pressure on the Mg/Fe distribution in olivines

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Abstract

The dependence of Mg/Fe ordering on oxygen partial pressure in natural olivine crystals of volcanic origin has been studied by X-ray diffraction. Two natural crystals with 10% and 12% fayalite have been investigated and the atomic positions, anisotropic temperature factors, extinction coefficients and site occupancies have been refined, reaching R-values of 2.2%. After subjecting the crystals to oxygen partial pressures of 10−16 bar and 10−21 bar the crystals were studied again. In total six crystals were studied and the distribution coefficients K D determined. The natural untreated crystals had K D=1.09 and 1.06, e.g., a slight preference of Fe in (M1). p(O2) of 10−16 bar increased the ordering of Fe in (M1) to K D=1.2, while p(O2)=10−21 bar reversed K D to 0.8 with ordering of Fe in (M2).

These experiments suggest that Mg/Fe ordering in olivines is primarily determined by the prevailing oxygen partial pressure.

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  1. Lehrstuhl für Mineralogie und Kristallographie, Mineralogisches Institut der Universität Bonn, Poppelsdorfer Schloß, 5300, Bonn, Germany (F.R.G.)

    G. Will & G. Nover

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  1. G. Will
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  2. G. Nover
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Will, G., Nover, G. Influence of oxygen partial pressure on the Mg/Fe distribution in olivines. Phys Chem Minerals 4, 199–208 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307563

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