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Residence time of thorium, uranium and lead in the mantle with implications for mantle convection

Nature volume 316, pages 778–782 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

The residence times of thorium, uranium and lead in the upper mantle are estimated at ∼600 Myr, and should be similar for related elements that are strongly concentrated in the continental lithosphere. Their upper mantle abundances are close to steady state and are mostly supported by entrainment of material from a lower mantle layer with long-term convective isolation. These lithophile trace elements and rare gases, such as 3He, are effective chemical probes of the deeper mantle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UK

    S. J. G. Galer & R. K. O'Nions

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  1. S. J. G. Galer
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  2. R. K. O'Nions
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Galer, S., O'Nions, R. Residence time of thorium, uranium and lead in the mantle with implications for mantle convection. Nature 316, 778–782 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/316778a0

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