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Free carbon & electrical conductivity in the Earth's mantle
Author(s) -
Duba A. G.,
Shankland T. J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl009i011p01271
Subject(s) - mantle (geology) , abiogenic petroleum origin , electrical resistivity and conductivity , geology , conductivity , carbon fibers , graphite , solid earth , earth (classical element) , geophysics , petrology , mineralogy , materials science , physics , chemistry , composite material , quantum mechanics , mathematical physics , organic chemistry , methane , composite number
Laboratory measurements indicate that solid carbon, either amorphous or as graphite, enhances the electrical conductivity of rocks. Carbon in quantities of only a few ppm, providing it forms an interconnected phase, could give rise to electrical conductivities of the order seen in the high conductivity layers in the earth's mantle. This possibility is consistent with carbon petrology in mantle rocks and puts the formation and migration of abiogenic carbon compounds into a broader context.