Tracer versus trace element diffusion - Diffusional decoupling of Sr concentration from Sr isotope composition

Abstract

Chemical diffusivities for nonalkali major, minor, and selected trace elements have been measured at 10 kbar, 1300 C during interdiffusion of dacitic and rhyolitic melts. Sr tracer diffusivities were measured at the same conditions in melts of dacitic and rhyolitic composition and in a diffusion couple of these two melts undergoing simultaneous chemical diffusion. Chemical diffusivities of all elements studied are functions of the silica content of the melt, but at any one silica content the chemical diffusivities of all elements studied are within a factor of five of the Si and Al diffusivities. Si diffusivity varies from 2.8 x 10 to the -9th sq cm/s at 65 percent SiO2 to 5.1 x 10 to the -10th sq cm/s at 75 percent SiO2. The diffusivities of minor and trace elements are proposed to be controlled by the ability of the local melt structure to accommodate these elements while maintaining LTE. The measured Sr tracer diffusivities are an order of magnitude above Sr chemical diffusivities.