Fate of subducted argon in the deep mantle

The physical properties of argon (Ar) are investigated to 382 GPa and 3000 K using diamond anvil cell experiments and first-principles molecular dynamics. The estimated density of Ar is smaller that of the Preliminary reference Earth model (PREM) mantle, which indicates that the density crossover does not occur at the bottom of the lower mantle. A large volume dependence of the thermal pressure of Ar is revealed at pressures higher than 200 GPa, and a significant temperature dependence of the calculated effective Grüneisen parameters is confirmed at high pressures. A melting temperature of Ar is estimated from the calculation data and a significant pressure dependence is confirmed. If the pressure-temperature path of the subducted slab is lower than the critical condition, ~750 K and ~7.5 GPa, solid Ar can be carried down into the deep mantle. Melting of solid Ar in the upwelling mantle plume occurs at the bottom of the transition zone. Thus, solid Ar plays an important role in Ar recycling in the Earth’s interior.