Densities of fertile and sterile garnet peridotites

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Abstract
Densities of a fertile peridotite (PHN 1611) and a depleted sterile peridotite (PHN 1569) have been calculated to be 3.39 and 3.30, respectively. These densities were calculated from the cell dimensions of the component minerals, the mineral analyses, and the bulk rock analyses. Studies of kimberlite nodules suggest that lighter, sterile peridotites overlie heavier, more fertile peridotites uniformly in the upper mantle beneath southern Africa. A temperature difference of 500°C reduces the density of fertile peridotite PHN 1569 to approximately 3.33, which is insufficient to cause it to float in sterile peridotite. However, if fertile peridotite PHN 1569 undergoes 25% partial melting and the garnet is dissolved, its zero pressure density would be reduced to approximately 3.2, which is less than that of depleted, sterile mantle.

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