Homework – 2

Harsh Pushkar
16077
Isotope Geochemistry

Q1. Discuss the major reasons why an element is compatible or incompatible

in a given mineral. For olivine list four compatible cations (excluding Si) and
four incompatible lithophile elements. How is incompatibility distinct from
volatility? List four refractory and four volatile elements (excluding gases).
Where in the periodic table do most incompatible, lithophile elements occur?
Compatible elements? Volatile elements?
->In a crystal lattice structure, a particular element’s stability determines whether the
element is compatible or incompatible. More stable the structure with an element, more
compatible is that element for the crystal lattice of that mineral.
For example; Elements like Mg, Fe, Ca, Ni (&Mn) are considered to be compatible
elements for a mineral like Olivine. And elements like Rb, Sr, Ba, Ce are considered to
be incompatible lithophile elements for olivine.
Incompatibility/Compatibility of an element depends on the stability of the crystal
structure whereas in case of volatility, the extent of volatility is determined by its
boiling point and condensation temperatures.
Some volatile elements are: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, etc.
Some refractory elements are: Mg, Al, Si, Ti, etc.
Most incompatible, lithophile elements occur in Group 1 of the periodic table
predominantly and some occur in Group 2. Most of the compatible elements occur in the
d-block of periodic table i.e., the transition metals. Most of the volatile elements occur in
the s-block of the periodic table i.e., Group 1 and 2 elements and also, the first few
periods of the p-block.

Q2. With the help of a simple sketch, qualitatively discuss the temporal
evolution of the Hf isotope composition of the bulk silicate Earth, and of the
depleted mantle and continental crust. The discussion should focus on the
differences in Hf isotope compositions and parent/daughter ratios (= Lu/Hf
ratios) between these reservoirs. There is no need to provide any numbers; a
qualitative discussion that applies terms such as more radiogenic, larger,
smaller, etc., is sufficient.
-> The crustal rock that result from melt extraction from the mantle are typically
enriched in incompatible elements and conversely the mantle is depleted in
incompatible elements. Due to this differentiation the crustal reservoirs are enriched in
incompatible elements. However, since Lu is less incompatible than Hf, the Lu/Hf ratio
are lower than the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) and so their radiogenic entities evolve at a
slower rate.
And the reverse is true for the depleted mantle having higher Lu/Hf ratios as it is
depleted with incompatibles and the Lu is less incompatible than Hf. And as the Lu/Hf
ratio is higher the parent nuclei decays at a comparatively higher rate and thus the
176Hf/177Hf compositions evolve at a higher rate.
This can be seen in the diagram given below, showing different slopes for the evolution
of isotopic ratios of different reservoirs.

Consequently, in terms of epsilon values;

ƐHf = [(176Hf/177Hf(sample,t) – 176Hf/177Hf(chur,t))/(176Hf/177Hf(chur,t))] x 104
relative to CHUR, the depleted mantle components show a positive trend and enriched
crustal values show a negative trend on the ƐHf evolution schematic.