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Carbon precipitation from heavy hydrocarbon fluid in deep planetary interiors

Author

Listed:
  • Sergey S. Lobanov

    (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington
    V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS)

  • Pei-Nan Chen

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Xiao-Jia Chen

    (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Center for Energy Matter in Extreme Environments and Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research)

  • Chang-Sheng Zha

    (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington)

  • Konstantin D. Litasov

    (V.S. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, SB RAS
    Novosibirsk State University)

  • Ho-Kwang Mao

    (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research)

  • Alexander F. Goncharov

    (Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Center for Energy Matter in Extreme Environments and Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The phase diagram of the carbon–hydrogen system is of great importance to planetary sciences, as hydrocarbons comprise a significant part of icy giant planets and are involved in reduced carbon-oxygen-hydrogen fluid in the deep Earth. Here we use resistively- and laser-heated diamond anvil cells to measure methane melting and chemical reactivity up to 80 GPa and 2,000 K. We show that methane melts congruently below 40 GPa. Hydrogen and elementary carbon appear at temperatures of >1,200 K, whereas heavier alkanes and unsaturated hydrocarbons (>24 GPa) form in melts of >1,500 K. The phase composition of carbon-hydrogen fluid evolves towards heavy hydrocarbons at pressures and temperatures representative of Earth’s lower mantle. We argue that reduced mantle fluids precipitate diamond upon re-equilibration to lighter species in the upwelling mantle. Likewise, our findings suggest that geophysical models of Uranus and Neptune require reassessment because chemical reactivity of planetary ices is underestimated.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergey S. Lobanov & Pei-Nan Chen & Xiao-Jia Chen & Chang-Sheng Zha & Konstantin D. Litasov & Ho-Kwang Mao & Alexander F. Goncharov, 2013. "Carbon precipitation from heavy hydrocarbon fluid in deep planetary interiors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms3446
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3446
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