Behavior of Light Elements in the Reaction Between Iron and Hydrous Minerals under High Pressure and High Temperature

Abstract

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the solar system and one of the promising candidates of the light elements existing in the Earth’s core. Hydrogen is considered to be supplied from water in early Earth. However, the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the core and its process are still unknown. We have investigated the iron−hydrous mineral system (simulating the ideal composition of primordial Earth) under high pressure and high temperature using in-situ neutron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray imaging measurements. We have clarified the mutual interactions among light elements and sulfur’s effect on the hydrogenation of iron during the core−mantle formation process.