Molecular dynamics simulations of Y in silicate melts and implications for trace element partitioning

Element partitioning depends strongly on composition and structure of the involved phases. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the local environment of Y as an exemplary trace element in four silicate melts with different compositions and thus varying degrees of polymerization. Based on these structural results, we propose a mechanism which explains the observed partitioning trends of Y and other rare-earth elements between crystals and melts or between two melts. With our computational approach, we found a systematic correlation between melt composition and Y coordination as well as Y―O bond lengths, a result which was corroborated by EXAFS spectroscopy on glasses with the same compositions as the simulated melts. Our simulations revealed, moreover, the affinity of Y for network modifiers as second-nearest neighbors (Ca in this study) and the tendency to avoid network formers (Si and Al). This is consistent with the observation that Y (and other rare-earth elements) in general prefer depolymerized to polymerized melts in partitioning experiments (see, e.g., Schmidt et al. (2006)). Furthermore, we used the method of thermodynamic integration to calculate the Gibbs free energy which governs Y partitioning between two exemplary melts. These more quantitative results, too, are in line with the observed partitioning trends.

► Environment of Y in silicate melts depends systematically on melt polymerization
► Results from molecular dynamics simulations confirmed by EXAFS spectroscopy
► Y tends to form clusters with network modifiers in silicate melts
► Microscopic explanation for observed partitioning trends of Y and REE