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Fractional crystallization of iron meteorites: Constant versus changing partition coefficients
Author(s) -
Jones J. H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
meteoritics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 0026-1114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1994.tb00608.x
Subject(s) - partition coefficient , crystallization , fractional crystallization (geology) , constant (computer programming) , partition (number theory) , meteorite , fractionation , thermodynamics , chemistry , mineralogy , mathematics , physics , geology , mantle (geology) , combinatorics , chromatography , computer science , geochemistry , astrobiology , programming language
— Analyses of magmatic iron meteorites, plotted on LogC i vs . LogC Ni diagrams, often form linear arrays. Traditionally, this linearity has been ascribed to fractional crystallization under the assumption of constant partition coefficients ( i.e ., Rayleigh fractionation). Paradoxically, however, partition coefficients in the Fe‐Ni‐S‐P system are decidedly not constant. This contribution provides a rationale for understanding how trends on LogC i vs . LogC Ni diagrams can be linear, even when partition coefficients are changing rapidly.