Evaluating Reaction Stoichiometry in Magmatic Systems Evolving Under Generalized Thermodynamic Constraints: Examples Comparing Isothermal and Isenthalpic Assimilation
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Magmatic Processes: Physicochemical Principles © The Geochemical Society, Special Publication No. I, 1987 Editor B. O. Mysen Evaluating reaction stoichiometry in magmatic systems evolving under generalized thermodynamic constraints: Examples comparing isothermal and isenthalpic assimilation MARK S. GHIORSO and PETER B. KELEMEN Department of Geological Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A. Abstract-Legendre transforms are utilized to construct thermodynamic potentials which are minimal in systems at thermodynamic equilibrium under conditions offixed enthalpy, volume and chemical potential of oxygen. Numerical methods that facilitate the minimization of these potentials are de- scribed. These methods form the core of an algorithm for the calculation of reaction stoichiometry for irreversible processes in open magmatic systems proceeding under isenthalpic or isochoric con- straints, or both. As an example of the use of these methods, calculations of isothermal and isenthalpic assimilation in fractionating basaltic magma are presented. Isenthalpic calculations are most useful in considering the effects of solid-liquid reactions which are endothermic. In general, such reactions involve the assimilation of a less refractory phase in a high temperature magma, or assimilation of phases across a cotectic "valley" in the liquidus surface. The mass of crystals calculated to form during isenthalpic assimilation of pelitic rock in a magnesian MORB is six to ten times as great if the rock is assumed to be at 500°C than if the rock is at 1250°C. The examples illustrate the necessity of characterizing the temperature and phase assemblage, as well as the bulk composition, of the assimilate when considering the effect of solid-liquid reaction on the liquid line of descent. INTRODUCTION linear functions of their independent variables, i.e., the enthalpy, H, is a non-linear function of tem- CHEMICAL MASSTRANSFER in magmatic systems perature, pressure and the number of moles of sys- has been simulated previously as a succession of tem components. Therefore, after deduction of the steps in temperature, pressure or bulk composition, appropriate potential, its minimum must be com- with each step characterized by heterogeneous puted by finding those particular values of the in- equilibrium (GHIORSO, 1985; GHIORSO and CAR- dependent variables of the system that satisfy the MICHAEL, 1985). This approach has made possible non-linear constraint(s). This is a formidable nu- the numerical simulation of magmatic processes merical problem, which in magmatic systems has such as equilibrium crystallization and crystal frac- only been attempted in an approximate fashion tionation. This method has also proven useful in (GHIORSO, 1985). the investigation of the assimilation of solid phases In this paper we review the theory behind the (GHIORSO and CARMICHAEL, 1985; KELEMEN and construction of potentials which are minimal in GHIORSO, 1986). However, existing computational systems subject to generalized thermodynamic techniques are inadequate for calculation of reaction constraints. This theory is rendered practical for stoichiometry in thermodynamic systems evolving computational purposes by a modification of the toward an equilibrium state under general system numerical algorithm utilized by GHIORSO (1985) constraints. By general constraints we mean those along the lines suggested by GILL et al. (1981). These other than temperature (T), pressure (P) and fixed general procedures are applied to evaluate reaction bulk composition. There are two reasons for this stoichiometry in magmatic systems evolving under inadequacy. Firstly, the Gibbs free energy, G, is not isenthalpic or isochoric constraints, or both. In ad- necessarily minimal in a thermodynamic system dition, a more rigorous treatment ofthe calculation that is generally constrained. Thus, to calculate het- of equilibria in thermodynamic systems open to a erogeneous equilibrium at each step in a mass perfectly mobile component (KORZHINSKII, 1959; transfer calculation, proceeding under a specified THOMPSON, 1970) is given. Numerical examples set of generalized constraints, requires the genera- that model assimilation in magmas under both iso- tion of a thermodynamic potential which is minimal thermal and isenthalpic conditions are provided. under these conditions. The second difficulty is These examples illustrate the utility of the technique computational. Constraints other than temperature, in predicting the effects of assimilation on derivative pressure or fixed bulk composition are usually non- liquids. 319 320 M. S. Ghiorso and P. B. Kelemen CONSTRUCTION OF THERMODYNAMIC mole numbers held constant except those of oxygen, POTENTIALS the potential 4> can be expressed as [Equation (2)]: In this section we utilize mathematical methods (3) for defining thermodynamic potentials which have been described by CALLEN (1961) and THOMPSON Potentials of the form of Equation (3), which are (1970). Let 'l1 be an unspecified thermodynamic minimal in systems open to perfectly mobile com- potential which is minimal at equilibrium. This ponents, are usually referred to as Korzhinskii po- minimum is constrained by the specification oflin- tentials (THOMPSON, 1970). ear and possibly non-linear relationships among We now utilize Equation (2) to construct a num- ber of thermodynamic potentials which are useful the independent variables of'l1. For example, if'l1 in calculating reaction paths in magmatic systems. = G(T, P, nh na, ... , nc), where nh nz to nc are variables denoting the number of moles of each of the c system components in each phase, then G is Isenthalpic constraints minimal at equilibrium subject to constant tem- We seek the potential 4>(H, P, n1, n2, ... , nc)' perature, pressure and fixed bulk composition. The From the definition of the Gibbs free energy a new latter constraint does not imply that nl through n, potential may be defined: must be held constant in the processes of minimiz- ing G, but rather that linear combinations of the nl G/T=H/T-S, (4) through nc must be constrained in order that the The total derivative of G/T may be deduced from system bulk composition remain constant. There Equation (4): will always be more n/s than compositional vari- ables in a multi-phase thermodynamic system. Mathematically, finding the minimum of G is sim- ~¥)= Hd(~) + ~dH - dS, ply a case of optimizing a non-linear function sub- and given that ject to linear equality constraints. Let the independent variables of 'l1 be denoted by x, y, nh nz, ... , nc. For convenience, we will dH= TdS+ VdP+ Lµ;dn;, ;=1 group the mol numbers of the various system com- we have: ponents to form the elements of a vector denoted by n such that: (1) Equation (5) demonstrates that aG/T)_- -H ( a I/T P,n - , Thus, we may write 'l1 = 'l1(x, y, n). If a new ther- modynamic potential, 4>, is to be defined such that which allows us to write, by using Equation (2): 4> = 4>«a'l1/ax)y,n, y, n), then 4> is given by the Le- gendre transform (CALLEN, 1961) of 'l1: G 1(aG/T) 4>(H,p,n)=y-y al/T P,n 4>((~~) ,y,n)='l1(x,y,n)-x(~~), (2) G 1 y,n y.n =---H T T As an example, we might consider the case treated by THOMPSON (1970) and GHIORSO (1985) of a 4>(H,P,n) = =S. (6) perfectly mobile component. Imagine a magmatic system whose boundaries are open to oxygen ex- Equation (6) establishes that equilibrium in a closed change such that the chemical potential of oxygen system subject to constant enthalpy and pressure is in the system is fixed by external constraints, By given by a maximum in entropy, denoting this chemical potential µ02' we seek a new potential, 4>, which is minimal at equilibrium in Isochoric constraints this partially open magmatic system at constant temperature and pressure. By recognizing that ~ In this case we seek the function 4>(T, V, n). The is defined as (aG/anO')T,p,n*, where n* denotes all formalism of the Legendre transform is unnecessary Evaluating reaction stoichiometry 321 in the case of isochoric constraints as the required such that function 4> is just the Helmholtz free energy, de- Cn-b=O noted by the symbol A: Ilx(n, T, P) = 0 4>(T,V,n)=A=G-PV. (7) and Combined isenthalpic and isochoric constraints Ily(n, T, P) = O. (10) Under conditions of constant enthalpy and vol- From examination of Equation (10) it is clear that ume the potential 4> can be obtained from Equation the calculation of heterogeneous equilibrium in (5) by recognizing that generally constrained thermodynamic systems is essentially a problem in non-linear optimization aG/T) V subject to non-linear constraints. A numerical ( ap (l/n,n T' method for the solution of Equation (10) is provided in Appendix A. from which the Legendre transform may be con- structed as: THE ADDITION OF PERFECTLY MOBILE COMPONENTS 4>(HVn)=Q_.!.(aG/T) _p(aG/T) " T T a I/T P,n ap (I/T),n The necessity of modelling phase equilibria in magmatic systems open to oxygen exchange has G 1 V =---H-P- been discussed by GHIORSO (1985), GHIORSO and T T T CARMICHAEL (19850 and CARMICHAEL and GHIORSO (1986). This need arises out of a lack of 4>(H,V,n) = -S- VP (8) knowledge regarding relevant oxidation-reduction T' couples which buffer the ferric/ferrous ratio in a Equation (8) establishes the potential which is min- crystallizing magma. For modelling purposes it is imal under conditions of constant enthalpy, volume convenient to approximate the effect of these un- and fixed bulk composition. known homogeneous redox equilibria by specifying the chemical potential of oxygen in the system. THE MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM OF GHIORSO (1985) formulated a solution to the min- MINIMIZING <) imization of the Korzhinskii potential for open sys- tem oxygen exchange by approximating the non- In order to calculate heterogeneous equilibrium linear equality constraint corresponding to fixed with the chemical mass transfer algorithm of chemical potential of oxygen in the system with an GHIORSO (1985) we require a numerical method to empirical linearized constraint.