Soret separation of mid-ocean ridge basalt magma

Chemical differentiation of an initially homogeneous mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) liquid has been experimentally observed in a temperature gradient above the liquidus. The magnitude of this effect in producing differences in composition is comparable to that of crystal-liquid fractionation for a given temperature difference. However the chemical changes produced by the two processes, Soret and crystal-liquid fractionation, are different. Soret separations resemble those observed in a third process — silicate liquid immiscibility. This similarity is a reflection of the fact that the Soret-separable components are the same network-former/network-modifier structural components which segregate during silicate liquid immiscibility.The differences between Soret and crystal-liquid separations allow the recognition of Soret processes as “anomalies” in MORB suites which are not compatible with normal crystal fractionation processes. The common occurrence of primary, cumulus, magnesian orthopyroxene in MOR gabbros and the absence of such orthopyroxene as phenocrysts in the coeval erupted MORBS is one such anomaly. The peculiar covariation of plagioclase and olivine compositions in some 3-phase olivine-plagioclase-clinopyroxene MOR gabbros, when compared with normal crystal fractionation results, is another anomaly which may be understood in terms of Soret processes operating in conjunction with normal crystal fractionation. These Soret processes must operate through some sort of convective thermal boundary layer at the margin of a MOR magma chamber to allow Soret diffusive exchange to occur before the temperature contrasts which drive it are dissipated. These driving temperature contrasts are also maintained in part by the periodic replenishment of hot, fresh magma into the MOR magma chamber.

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