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The hidden fluid metasomatism recorded in diamond inclusions

Project description

Research sheds light on how fluids shape mineral formation and tectonic processes

Fluids play a crucial role in transferring materials in planets. Recent advances in thermodynamic modelling suggest that carbon-rich fluids are particularly effective in this process. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MEDIAN project aims to challenge existing assumptions in mantle geochemistry, particularly the idea that diamond inclusions directly reflect their formation environment. Through experiments in high pressures and temperatures, MEDIAN will explore how fluids drive mass transfer in Earth’s silicate mantle. Furthermore, it will recalibrate the deep earth water model to improve predictions of fluid-rock interactions in high-pressure systems. By uncovering how fluids influence mineral formation and interpreting diamond inclusions, MEDIAN will provide fresh insights into Earth’s tectonic evolution and the impact of fluid injection at plate boundaries.

Objective

The role of fluids as agents of mass transfer within terrestrial planets and moons has become a rapidly expanding area of research in Earth and Planetary Sciences. This work builds on very recent advances in thermodynamic modelling which have provided predictive models suggesting that carbon-rich fluids are powerful mass transfer agents. The primary objective of MEDIAN is to challenge the framework within which mantle geochemistry operates and the assumption that diamond inclusion geochemistry reflects the formation environment.
MEDIAN will perform a comprehensive and innovative suite of high-pressure, high-temperature multi-layer experiments to constrain the mass transfer power of fluid metasomatism in Earth’s silicate mantle. Additionally, a recalibration of the Deep Earth Water model thermodynamic database will result in an improvement in the accuracy and precision of predictive computational models to predict the outcome of fluid-rock interaction in high-pressure systems. This recalibration will facilitate a comprehensive investigation of environmental conditions that are otherwise challenging to replicate experimentally.
In conclusion, MEDIAN will investigate the ability of fluids to precipitate mineral assemblages traditionally associated with magmatic processes, providing new exciting insights into the behaviour of metasomatic fluids and deciphering the important messages trapped in diamond inclusions regarding Earth’s tectonic evolution. MEDIAN will speak to one of the most pressing questions in planetary science: how exactly has the sustained injection of aqueous fluids into the mantle at convergent plate boundaries changed Earth since the onset of plate tectonics?

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
Net EU contribution
€ 193 643,28
Address
Via Festa Del Perdono 7
20122 Milano
Italy
Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data