Oldhamite: a new link in mantle for C-O-S-Ca cycles and an indicator for planetary habitability

TL;DR

This study reveals that oldhamite can form in planetary mantles under high-pressure conditions and its presence indicates low oxygen environments, which are unfavorable for habitability, impacting Earth's atmospheric evolution.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates a new formation mechanism for oldhamite in planetary mantles at mantle-like conditions, linking its presence to planetary habitability and atmospheric history.

Findings

Oldhamite forms through reactions at mantle pressures and temperatures.

Presence of oldhamite indicates low oxygen, suggesting uninhabitable conditions.

Oldhamite oxidation affects atmospheric composition and planetary habitability.

Abstract

In the solar system, oldhamite (CaS) is generally considered to be formed by the condensation of solar nebula gas. Enstatite chondrites, one of the most important repositories of oldhamite, are believed to be the representative of the material which formed Earth. Thus, the formation mechanism and the evolution process of oldhamite are of great significance to the deeply understanding about the solar nebula, meteorites, the origin of Earth, and the C-O-S-Ca cycles of Earth. To date, no report about the oldhamite in the mantle exists. However, here we show the formation of oldhamite through the reaction between sulfide-bearing orthopyroxenite and molten calcite at 1.5 GPa/1510 K and 0.5 GPa/1320 K. Surprisingly the oxygen fugacities in our experiments are within the range of mantle conditions, which is 6 orders of magnitude higher than that of the solar nebula mechanism. Oldhamite is easily oxidized to calcium sulfate. Both low oxygen fugacity of magma and extreme low oxygen content of atmosphere are necessary for existence of oldhamite on the surface of a planet; otherwise, anhydrite or gypsum will exist in large quantities. The widespread existence of oldhamite on the planet surface indicates the planet is definitely not habitable because of the scarcity of oxygen. The formation and oxidation of oldhamite are accompanied by the production of carbon dioxide and the consumption of oxygen, which may have an impact on the Earth atmosphere before the Great Oxidation Event and during the Permian-Triassic Boundary.