Iron oxyhydroxide as water carrier to the Earth’s mantle

Abstract

The discovery of new mineral phases capable of transporting water into the Earth’s mantle via subduction zones is essential for understanding the deep Earth water cycle and its influence on mantle dynamics. Recent experimental and computational studies have proposed that certain hydrated oxyhydroxides may remain stable under deep mantle conditions, particularly within cold subducting slabs. Here, we report an advanced synchrotron multi-technique study on a natural complex iron oxyhydroxide mineral preserved within a Juína diamond, which may offer new evidence on water transport via cold subducted slabs and highlights the potential role of iron oxyhydroxides as carriers of volatiles into Earth’s interior.