Articles | Volume 36, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-985-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-985-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
02 Dec 2024
Research article |
| 02 Dec 2024
| 02 Dec 2024
Li diffusion in plagioclase crystals and glasses – implications for timescales of geological processes
Florian Pohl
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Institute of Earth System Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, 30625, Germany
Harald Behrens
Institute of Earth System Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, 30625, Germany
Martin Oeser
Institute of Earth System Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, 30625, Germany
Felix Marxer
Institute of Earth System Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, 30625, Germany
Ralf Dohmen
Institute for Geology, Mineralogy and Geophysics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, 44780, Germany
Related authors
Diego González-García, Florian Pohl, Felix Marxer, Stepan Krasheninnikov, Renat Almeev, and François Holtz
Eur. J. Mineral., 36, 623–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-623-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-623-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the exchange of chemical elements by diffusion between magmas of tephritic and phonolitic composition from the Canary Islands, performing experiments at high pressure and high temperature with different amounts of added water. Our results characterize the way water and temperature affect the diffusion process, and we also find unexpectedly high mobility of aluminium, which may be related to its variable chemical bonding in highly alkaline melts.
Christian Ronny Singer, Harald Behrens, Ingo Horn, Martin Oeser, Stefan Weyer, and François Holtz
Eur. J. Mineral., 38, 497–518, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-38-497-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-38-497-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a novel experimental setup to investigate the transport of Li and B between two melt reservoirs that were connected only via a fluid phase. This was used to simulate fluid exsolution occurring during late-stage pegmatite formation. We found that both Li and B were transported via the fluid, but the observed transport rates were low. It was shown experimentally that the Li isotopes fractionate between melt and fluid with the fluid being preferentially enriched in the heavier 7Li.
Jens Jarnot, Ralf Dohmen, Claus O. W. Trost, Christian Mitterer, Patrick Cordier, and Oleksandr Glushko
Eur. J. Mineral., 37, 91–99, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-37-91-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-37-91-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The amorphous phase of the natural mineral olivine was synthesized to investigate its mechanical properties. Tensile tests with in situ optical microscopy revealed brittle behaviour of amorphous olivine. Using digital image correlation, we estimated the intrinsic strength of amorphous olivine to be about 1.8 GPa. The measured intrinsic strength of amorphous olivine should help to better identify the “weak link” that initiates or promotes macroscopic material failure.
Diego González-García, Florian Pohl, Felix Marxer, Stepan Krasheninnikov, Renat Almeev, and François Holtz
Eur. J. Mineral., 36, 623–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-623-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-36-623-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the exchange of chemical elements by diffusion between magmas of tephritic and phonolitic composition from the Canary Islands, performing experiments at high pressure and high temperature with different amounts of added water. Our results characterize the way water and temperature affect the diffusion process, and we also find unexpectedly high mobility of aluminium, which may be related to its variable chemical bonding in highly alkaline melts.
Christian R. Singer, Harald Behrens, Ingo Horn, Martin Oeser, Ralf Dohmen, and Stefan Weyer
Eur. J. Mineral., 35, 1009–1026, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-35-1009-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-35-1009-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Li is a critical element that is often enriched in pegmatites. To better understand the enrichment of Li in such systems, it is necessary to understand the underlying transport mechanisms. We performed experiments to investigate diffusion rates and exchange mechanisms of Li between a Li-rich and a Li-poor melt at high temperature and pressure. Our results indicate that fluxing elements do not increase the diffusivity of Li compared to a flux-free melt.
Martin Oeser, Ingo Horn, Ralf Dohmen, and Stefan Weyer
Eur. J. Mineral., 35, 813–830, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-35-813-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-35-813-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a new method designed to analyze micrometer-scale chemical and isotopic profiles in minerals, glasses, and other solids. The employed technique combines plasma mass spectrometers and a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser equipped with open-source software (LinuxCNC) that controls the movement of the laser beam. It allows for equably drilling into the sample surface, e.g., in order to measure chemically or isotopically zoned or heterogeneous materials at micrometer scales.
Xudong Wang, Tong Hou, Meng Wang, Chao Zhang, Zhaochong Zhang, Ronghao Pan, Felix Marxer, and Hongluo Zhang
Eur. J. Mineral., 33, 621–637, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-33-621-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-33-621-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper we calibrate a new empirical clinopyroxene-only thermobarometer based on new models. The new models show satisfying performance in both calibration and the test dataset compared with previous thermobarometers. Our new thermobarometer has been tested on natural clinopyroxenes in the Icelandic eruptions. The results show good agreement with experiments. Hence, it can be widely used to elucidate magma storage conditions.
Cited articles
Audétat, A., Zhang, L., and Ni, H.: Copper and Li diffusion in plagioclase, pyroxenes, olivine and apatite, and consequences for the composition of melt inclusions, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 243, 99–115, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.09.016, 2018.
Behrens, H.: Na and Ca tracer diffusion in plagioclase glasses and supercooled melts, Chem. Geol., 96, 267–275, 1992.
Behrens, H.: Hydrogen defects in feldspars: defect properties and implications for water solubility in feldspar, Phys. Chem. Miner., 48, 8, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-020-01128-0, 2021a.
Behrens, H.: Hydrogen defects in feldspars: kinetics of D/H isotope exchange and diffusion of hydrogen species in alkali feldspars, Phys. Chem. Miner., 48, 1–23, 2021b.
Behrens, H.: Hydrogen defects in feldspars: alkali-supported dehydrogenation of sanidine, Phys. Chem. Miner., 50, 18, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00269-023-01242-9, 2023.
Behrens, H., Johannes, W., and Schmalzried, H.: On the Mechanisms of Cation Diffusion Processes in Ternary Feldspars, Phys. Chem. Miner., 17, 62–78, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209227, 1990.
Berndt, J., Liebske, C., Holtz, F. o., Freise, M., Nowak, M., Ziegenbein, D., Hurkuck, W., and Koepke, J.: A combined rapid-quench and H2-membrane setup for internally heated pressure vessels: Description and application for water solubility in basaltic melts, Am. Mineral., 87, 1717–1726, 2002.
Chakraborty, S. and Dohmen, R.: Diffusion chronometry of volcanic rocks: looking backward and forward, B. Volcanol., 84, 1–9, 2022.
Charlier, B. L. A., Morgan, D. J., Wilson, C. J. N., Wooden, J. L., Allan, A. S. R., and Baker, J. A.: Lithium concentration gradients in feldspar and quartz record the final minutes of magma ascent in an explosive supereruption, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 319–320, 218–227, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2011.12.016, 2012.
Cherniak, D. J.: Silicon self-diffusion in single-crystal natural quartz and feldspar, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 214, 655–668, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00394-7, 2003.
Cherniak, D. J.: Cation Diffusion in Feldspars, Rev. Mineral. Geochem., 72, 691–733, https://doi.org/10.2138/rmg.2010.72.15, 2010.
Costa, F., Dohmen, R., and Chakraborty, S.: Time scales of magmatic processes from modeling the zoning patterns of crystals, Rev. Mineral. Geochem., 69, 545–594, 2008.
Crank, J.: The mathematics of diffusion, 2nd edn., reprinted, Oxford science publications, Oxford University Press, Oxford, ISBN 0198533446, 1975.
Cunningham, G., Henderson, P., Lowry, R., Nolan, J., Reed, S., and Long, J.: Lithium diffusion in silicate melts, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 65, 203–205, 1983.
Dohmen, R., Kasemann, S. A., Coogan, L., and Chakraborty, S.: Diffusion of Li in olivine. Part I: Experimental observations and a multi species diffusion model, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 74, 274–292, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.10.016, 2010.
Giletti, B. J. and Shanahan, T. M.: Alkali diffusion in plagioclase feldspar, Chem. Geol., 139, 3–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(97)00026-0, 1997.
Giuffrida, M., Viccaro, M., and Ottolini, L.: Ultrafast syn-eruptive degassing and ascent trigger high-energy basic eruptions, Sci. Rep., 8, 147, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18580-8, 2018.
Grove, T. L., Baker, M. B., and Kinzler, R. J.: Coupled CaAl-NaSi diffusion in plagioclase feldspar: Experiments and applications to cooling rate speedometry, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 48, 2113–2121, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(84)90391-0, 1984.
Holycross, M., Watson, E., Richter, F., and Villeneuve, J.: Diffusive fractionation of Li isotopes in wet, highly silicic melts, Geochemical Perspectives Letters, 6, 39–42, 2018.
Horn, I. and von Blanckenburg, F.: Investigation on elemental and isotopic fractionation during 196 nm femtosecond laser ablation multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Spectrochim. Acta B, 62, 410–422, 2007.
Horn, I., von Blanckenburg, F., Schoenberg, R., Steinhoefel, G., and Markl, G.: In situ iron isotope ratio determination using UV-femtosecond laser ablation with application to hydrothermal ore formation processes, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 70, 3677–3688, 2006.
Hummel, W. and Arndt, J.: Variation of viscosity with temperature and composition in the plagioclase system, Contrib. Mineral. Petr., 90, 83–92, 1985.
Imre, A., Staesche, H., Voss, S., Ingram, M. D., Funke, K., and Mehrer, H.: Pressure-dependent diffusion coefficients and haven ratios in cation-conducting glasses, J. Phys. Chem. B, 111, 5301–5307, 2007.
Jambon, A. and Carron, J.-P.: Diffusion of Na, K, Rb and Cs in glasses of albite and orthoclase composition, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 40, 897–903, 1976.
Jambon, A. and Semet, M. P.: Lithium diffusion in silicate glasses of albite, orthoclase, and obsidian composition: an ion-microprobe determination, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 37, 445–450, 1978.
Jochum, K. P., Nohl, U., Rothbarth, N., Schwager, B., Stoll, B., and Weis, U.: Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research Bibliographic Review 2011, Geostand. Geoanal. Res., 36, 415–419, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-908X.2012.00221.x, 2012.
Kasper, R. B.: Cation and oxygen diffusion in albite, PHD Dissertation, Brown University, ISBN 9798660873171, 1975.
Lasaga, A. C.: Multicomponent exchange and diffusion in silicates, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 43, 455–469, 1979.
Lin, T.-H. and Yund, R.: Potassium and sodium self-diffusion in alkali feldspar, Contrib. Mineral. Petr., 34, 177–184, 1972.
Lowry, R., Reed, S., Nolan, J., Henderson, P., and Long, J.: Lithium tracer-diffusion in an alkali-basaltic melt – An ion-microprobe determination, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 53, 36–40, 1981.
Matthews, W., Linnen, R. L., and Guo, Q.: A filler-rod technique for controlling redox conditions in cold-seal pressure vessels, Am. Mineral., 88, 701–707, 2003.
Mehrer, H.: Diffusion in Solids, Springer Series in Solid-State Sciences, Springer Science & Business Media, ISBN 354071488X, 2007.
Neukampf, J., Ellis, B. S., Laurent, O., Steinmann, L., Ubide, T., Oeser, M., Magna, T., Weyer, S., and Bachmann, O.: Time scales of syneruptive volatile loss in silicic magmas quantified by Li isotopes, Geology, 49, 125–129, 2021.
Richter, F. M., Liang, Y., and Davis, A. M.: Isotope fractionation by diffusion in molten oxides, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 63, 2853–2861, 1999.
Richter, F., Watson, B., Chaussidon, M., Mendybaev, R., and Ruscitto, D.: Lithium isotope fractionation by diffusion in minerals. Part 1: Pyroxenes, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 126, 352–370, 2014.
Richter, F., Chaussidon, M., Bruce Watson, E., Mendybaev, R., and Homolova, V.: Lithium isotope fractionation by diffusion in minerals Part 2: Olivine, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 219, 124–142, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2017.09.001, 2017.
Ryan, M. J. and Smedley, S. I.: The effect of pressure on fast ion conductivity in glasses, J. Non-Cryst. Solids, 65, 29–37, 1984.
Schäffer, A.-K., Petrishcheva, E., Habler, G., Abart, R., Rhede, D., and Giester, G.: Sodium-potassium interdiffusion in potassium-rich alkali feldspar II: Composition-and temperature-dependence obtained from cation exchange experiments, Am. J. Sci., 314, 1300–1318, 2014.
Shannon, R.: Revised effective ionic radii and systematic studies of interatomic distances in halides and chalcogenides, Acta Crystallogr. A, 32, 751–767, https://doi.org/10.1107/S0567739476001551, 1976.
Singer, C. R., Behrens, H., Horn, I., Oeser, M., Dohmen, R., and Weyer, S.: Li–Na interdiffusion and diffusion-driven lithium isotope fractionation in pegmatitic melts, Eur. J. Mineral., 35, 1009–1026, https://doi.org/10.5194/ejm-35-1009-2023, 2023.
Spallanzani, R., Koga, K. T., Cichy, S. B., Wiedenbeck, M., Schmidt, B. C., Oelze, M., and Wilke, M.: Lithium and boron diffusivity and isotopic fractionation in hydrated rhyolitic melts, Contrib. Mineral. Petr., 177, 74, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-022-01937-2, 2022.
Steinmann, L. K., Oeser, M., Horn, I., Seitz, H.-M., and Weyer, S.: In situ high-precision lithium isotope analyses at low concentration levels with femtosecond-LA-MC-ICP-MS, J. Anal. Atom. Spectrom., 34, 1447–1458, 2019.
Turner, S. and Costa, F.: Measuring timescales of magmatic evolution, Elements, 3, 267–272, 2007.
Van Orman, J. A. and Krawczynski, M. J.: Theoretical constraints on the isotope effect for diffusion in minerals, Geochim. Cosmochim. Ac., 164, 365–381, 2015.
Vogt, K., Dohmen, R., and Chakraborty, S.: Fe-Mg diffusion in spinel: New experimental data and a point defect model, Am. Mineral., 100, 2112–2122, 2015.
Short summary
The growing interest in lithium (Li) diffusion for the determination of timescales of magmatic events increases the necessity to better understand Li diffusion in common mineral phases. In this context we analyzed Li diffusion in plagioclase, one of the most common mineral phases. Our study is the first to confirm two diffusion mechanisms for Li in plagioclase, and our results indicate timescales derived from Li diffusion data in previous studies were underestimated by a factor of up to 100.
The growing interest in lithium (Li) diffusion for the determination of timescales of magmatic...
Special issue