Review of experimental and analytical techniques to determine H, C, N, and S solubility and metal–silicate partitioning during planetary differentiation

Abstract

During their formation, terrestrial planets underwent a magma ocean phase during which their metallic cores segregated from their silicate mantles and their early atmospheres formed. These planetary formation processes resulted in a redistribution of the abundances of highly volatile elements (HVEs, such as H, C, N, and S) between the planets’ metallic cores, silicate mantles, and atmospheres. This review presents the numerous experimental techniques used to simulate the conditions and identify the parameters that influenced the behavior of HVEs during planetary formation. We also review the analytical techniques used to characterize the different types of experimental samples and quantify the distribution of HVEs between metallic and silicate phases, as well as their solubilities in silicate glasses. This exhaustive review targets students and young researchers beginning their work on the subject, or, more generally, scientists seeking a better understanding of this field of research.