9710158 Gasparik Recent identification of the deep origin of some inclusions from diamonds opens a way to constrain the mineral and chemical composition of the deep mantle through direct observation of these samples. The PIs propose to determine the origin of selected inclusions by matching their major and trace element chemistry in experiments under the P-T conditions of the transition zone and lower mantle. They hope to identify the original assemblages and thus place constraints on the chemistry of the source region. In addition, they will develop a rapid in- situ X-ray technique for identifying inclusions in diamonds from the deep mantle and thus obtain new samples for the future studies of their origin. The proposed research is likely to increase substantially our understanding of the composition of the deep mantle and its structure. ***
