Chemical basis of deep-Earth physics: Emphasis on the core-mantle boundary D''

TL;DR

This paper integrates chemical and physical data to explain Earth's deep interior, especially the core-mantle boundary D'', proposing that core precipitates like CaS and MgS account for seismic observations.

Contribution

It introduces a chemical perspective to Earth's deep physics, relating core-mantle boundary features to enstatite chondrite compositions and core precipitates.

Findings

Core-mantle boundary D'' is linked to Earth-core precipitates CaS and MgS.

The ultra-low velocity zone may consist of CaS.

A quantitative relationship between Earth's interior and enstatite chondrites is established.

Abstract

Currently popular ideas about the Earth's interior have developed almost entirely on the basis of physics. In the spirit of the United Nations' designation of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry, I unify chemical and physical inferences for Earth-matter below the depth of 660 km. I relate by fundamental mass ratio relationships the internal parts of that region with corresponding enstatite chondrite parts, providing a quantitative basis for understanding the "seismically rough" matter at the core mantle boundary, D'', as arising from Earth-core precipitates, the "core-floaters", CaS and MgS. I suggest that the ultra-low velocity zone consists of CaS.