Planet Size Controls Fe Isotope Fractionation Between Mantle and Core

As an element ubiquitous in the Solar system, the isotopic composition of iron exhibits rich variations in different planetary reservoirs. Such variations reflect the diverse range of differentiation and evolution processes experienced by their parent bodies. A key in deciphering iron isotope variations among planetary samples is to understand how iron isotopes fractionate during core formation. Here we report new Nuclear Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering experiments on silicate glasses of bulk silicate Earth compositions to measure their force constants at high pressures of up to 30 GPa. The force constant results are subsequently used to constrain iron isotope fractionation during core formation on terrestrial planets. Using a model that integrates temperature, pressure, core composition, and redox state of the silicate mantle, we show that core formation might lead to an isotopically light mantle for small planetary bodies but a heavy one for Earth-sized terrestrial planets.

Automated summary

The isotopic composition of iron shows variations in different planetary reservoirs, reflecting the differentiation and evolution processes of their parent bodies. Experimental results suggest that iron isotope fractionation during core formation on terrestrial planets may lead to a heavy mantle.