Abstract
Elements with variable valence state (i.e. redox-sensitive) often show
contrasting mineral/melt partition coefficients as a function of oxygen
fugacity (fO2) in magmatic systems. This is because trace-element
incorporation into crystal lattices depends on the charge, size, and
crystal-field stabilization energy of atoms, all of which differ greatly
between oxidized and reduced species of the same element. This has two
critical implications: (1) petrologic/ geochemical modelling of
partitioning behavior of redox-sensitive trace-elements in magmatic
systems requires some knowledge of their oxidation state, and (2) the
oxidation state of magmatic systems may be inferred from partitioning
relations of redox-sensitive trace elements preserved in mineral and
melt phases of rapidly cooled magmas. The advantage of this
oxybarometric approach is that mineral/melt partitioning relations are
not sensitive to late stage degassing, charge-transfer on quenching, or
surficial alteration. In this chapter we discuss the theoretical
treatment of experimental mineral/melt partitioning data of
redox-sensitive trace elements, and review aspects concerning the
partitioning behavior of well-known redox-sensitive elements, including
transition metals (Ti, V, Cr, Fe), rare earth elements (Ce, Eu), U, and
siderophile elements (Mo, W, Re, and platinum group elements) under
planetary magmatic fO2 conditions.