On the numerical modeling of the deep mantle water cycle in global-scale mantle dynamics: The effects of the water solubility limit of lower mantle minerals

Abstract

Water is the most important component in Earth system evolution. Here, I review the current understanding of the fate of water in the mantle dynamics system based on high-pressure and temperature experiments, geochemical analyses, seismological and geomagnetic observations, and numerical modeling of both regional- and global-scale mantle dynamics. In addition, as a numerical example, I show that the water solubility of the deep mantle is strongly sensitive to global-scale water circulation in the mantle. In a numerical example shown here, water solubility maps as functions of temperature and pressure are extremely important for revealing the hydrous structures in both the mantle transition zone and the deep mantle. Particularly, the water solubility limit of lower mantle minerals should be not so large as ~100 ppm for the mantle transition zone to get the largest hydrous reservoir in the global-scale mantle dynamics system. This result is consistent with the current view of mantle water circulation provided by mineral physics, which is also found as a hydrous basaltic crust in the deep mantle and the water enhancement of the mantle transition zone simultaneously. In this paper, I also discuss some unresolved issues associated with mantle water circulation, its influence on the onset and stability of plate motion, and the requirements for developing Earth system evolution in mantle dynamics simulations.

Keywords

numerical modeling / mantle convection / water cycle / water solubility limit

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