Geoneutrinos and geoscience: an intriguing joint-venture

Abstract

The review is conceived to provide a useful toolbox to understand present geoneutrino results with a view to shed light on Earth's energetics and composition. The status of the geoneutrino field is presented starting from the comprehension of their production, propagation, and detection, and going on with the experimental and technological features of the Borexino and KamLAND ongoing experiments. The current understanding of the energetical, geophysical and geochemical traits of our planet is examined in a critical analysis of the currently available models. By combining theoretical models and experimental results, the mantle geoneutrino signal extracted from the results of the two experiments demonstrates the effectiveness in investigating deep earth radioactivity through geoneutrinos from different sites. The obtained results are discussed and framed in the puzzle of the diverse classes of formulated Bulk Silicate Earth models, analyzing their implications on planetary heat budget and composition. As final remarks, we turn our gaze to the prospects in the field of geoneutrinos presenting the expectations of experiments envisaged for the next decade and the engaging technological challenges foreseen. List of symbols a(K) XAbundance of potassium in the reservoir X (ng g −1 or mg g −1 ) a(Th) X Abundance of uranium in the reservoir X (ng g −1 or mg g −1 )B G. Bellini

Locating the core-mantle boundary using oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos

“…If we talk about the presence of light elements inside Earth, we don't know how much H 2 O is present in the mantle and how much H is present in the core [15,20,21]. The precise measurement of radioactive power produced in the mantle and core is important to understand the thermal dynamics inside Earth [22][23][24][25].…”

A Non-Newtonian View of the Universe Derived from Hydrodynamic Gravitation and Expanding Earth

“…However, this is not the case. The exiguous tidal dissipation (≈0.1 TW) and gravitational potential energy released in the differentiation of crust from mantle (≈0.2 TW) can be neglected [85]. The geodynamic approach with its hypothesis of convective currents in the mantle would imply a faster dissipation of primordial heat, estimating values below the average of ≈10 TW.…”

“…Furthermore, it is important to consider that the feedback from an Expanding Earth on primeval heat evaluation would lead to a primitive heat re-evaluation much lower than 5 -15 TW, making the lack of a plausible heat source more dramatic. This serious question of the Earth's actual evolution skews all estimates of the Earth's primordial heat, without the authors being aware since they are mainly interested in balancing the Earth's heat budget within the framework of current knowledge, in which the expansion of celestial bodies is not considered [83] [84] [85]. The budget can only be balanced by arguing the existence of an unidentified source of heat possibly linked to the unknown physical phenomenon that drives terrestrial expansion.…”