Dynamic tracking of mica breakdown reactions with electrochemical measurements

The breakdown of hydrous minerals involves multiple reactions of dehydration and often oxidation of ferric iron. Such reactions are important in mantle metasomatism, metamorphic petrology and material sciences. Here we track these reactions dynamically over the temperature range from 400° to 1100° C using Y-doped ZrO₂ sensors in a novel manner, comparable to differential thermal analyses. This contrasts to the conventional use of ZrO₂ cells in equilibrium electrochemical measurements for oxygen fugacity.