2024-07-31 10:58:41
MADRID, July 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –
A new study shows that wonderful connection between solar radiation and processes that develop far below the Earth’s surface, in the mantle.
For years, scientists believed that changes in the Earth’s interior, such as volcanic eruptions and tectonic plate collisions, They mainly affect the surface environment. Events such as the mass extinction about 66 years ago and transitions between tropical and glacial climates are thought to be primarily driven by these deep-earth processes. However, a new study published Nature communications has introduced an amazing new look: Solar radiation can also affect the Earth’s deep interior.
Solar radiation varies with latitude, creating temperature gradients at the ocean surface that affect the distribution of marine life. These carbon-rich organisms are transported to Earth’s interior by the subduction of oceanic plates. Researchers from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered that This process significantly affects the redox state of the magma arc.
The “redox” state of arc magma refers to the balance between reducing (loss of oxygen or gain of electrons) and oxidizing (gain of oxygen or loss of electrons) conditions within the magma that forms in volcanic arcs. Aquatic organisms act as organic carbon and serve as an important catalyst for solid Earth. Therefore, The redox state of arc magma can reflect how the sun’s influence penetrates deep into the Earth.
Thousands of magma samples have been collected to reveal global variations in the redox state, which is important for the identification of metallic minerals such as copper, tin and lithium, essential elements for renewable energy technologies. These examples have provided surprising information about the interactions between atmospheric climate and deep Earth processes.
The vanadium and scandium levels of arc magma serve as key indicators in geochemical models. By collecting global geochemical data from Cenozoic arc magma and hosted olivine melt inclusions, the researchers found a latitude-dependent redox distribution of arc magma with less oxidized magma at lower latitudes. compared to higher latitudes.
“Previous studies primarily compared samples from the same latitudes, such as the United States in the north and Mexico in the tropics, without finding significant differences. However, our samples from different latitudes show the “The response to the change, which intrigued us. Trying to explain these differences led us to discover this unexpected pattern,” he said it is a statement Wan Bo, a scientist and co-author of this study.
“This unexpected pattern suggests that atmospheric climate has a direct effect on the deep Earth. It also suggests that the environment and climate on Earth have a significant effect on the deep Earth,” Wan said. .
So how does the Sun work in the Earth?
More evidence comes from ocean floor studies, which show smaller carbon pools at lower latitudes. This carbon reacts with sulfur to form sulfide, which is transported to the mantle, which contributes to the observed redox pattern.
“The observed pattern suggests a strong link between the surface environment and the deep Earth’s recovery state, providing new directions for exploring the material and environmental effects of the reduction systems in different areas. latitude,” said Hu Fangyang, corresponding author.
While the results are compelling, the researchers recognize the need for broader global ocean and sediment data.
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