Stability of dense hydrous magnesium silicate phases in the systems Mg2SiO4-H2O and MgSiO3-H2O at pressures up to 27 GPa

We conducted high-pressure phase equilibrium experiments in the systems MgS iO3 with 15 wt% H2O and Mg2SiO4 with 5 wt% and 11 wt% H2O at 20 similar to 27 GPa. Based on the phase relations in these systems, together with the pr evious works on the related systems, we have clarified the stability relati ons of dense hydrous magnesium silicates in the system MgO-SiO2H2O in the p ressure range from 10 to 27 GPa. The results show that the stability field of phase G, which is identical to phase D and phase F, expands with increas ing water contents. Water stored in serpentine in the descending cold slabs is transported into depths greater than 200 km, where serpentine decompose s to a mixture of phase A, enstatite, and fluid. Reaction sequences of the hydrous phases which appear at higher pressures vary with water content. In the slabs with a water content less than about 2 wt%, phase A carries wate r to a depth of 450 km. Hydrous wadsleyite, hydrous ringwoodite, and ilmeni te are the main water reservoirs in the transition zone from 450 to 660 km. Superhydrous phase B is the water reservoir in the uppermost part of the l ower mantle from 670 to 800 km, whereas phase G appears in the lower mantle only at depths greater than 800 km. In cold slabs with local water enrichm ent greater than 2 wt%, the following hydrous phases appear with increasing depths; phase A to 450 km, phase A and phase G from 450 km to 550 km, bruc ite, superhydrous phase B, and phase G from 550 km to 800 km, and phase G a t depths greater than 800 kin.