Fe-Mg partitioning between perovskite and ferropericlase in the lower mantle

Fe-Mg partitioning between perovskite and ferropericlase in the MgO-FeO-SiO2 system has been studied up to about 100 GPa at around 2000 K using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell (LHDAC). The compositions of both phases were determined by using analytical transmission electron microscopy (ATEM) on the recovered samples. Present results reveal that the Fe-Mg apparent partition coefficient between perovskite and ferropericlase [K-D(Pv/Fp) = ((XFeXMgFp)-X-Pv)/((XMgXFeFp)-X-Pv)] decreases with increasing pressure for a constant FeO of the system, and it decreases with increasing FeO content of ferropericlase. The gradual decrease of K-D(Pv/FP) with increasing pressure is consistent with the spin transition in ferropericlase Occurring in the broad pressure range from 50 to 100 GPa at around 2000 K.