Highly N-enriched chondritic clasts in the CB/CH-like meteorite Isheyevo

The metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites (CB and CH) have the highest whole-rock ¹⁵N-enrichments (δ¹⁵N up to 1500‰) among planetary materials. They are also characterized by the absence of interchondrule fine-grained matrix. The only fine-grained material is present as lithic clasts, which experienced extensive aqueous alteration in contrast to the surrounding high-temperature components (chondrules, refractory inclusions, metal grains). Hence, the clasts are foreign objects that were incorporated at a late stage into the final parent body of Isheyevo. Their origin is poorly constrained. Based on mineralogy, petrography, and thermal processing of the aromatic carbonaceous component, different types of clasts have been previously identified in the CB/CH-like chondrite Isheyevo. Here, we focus on the rare lithic clasts characterized by the presence of anhydrous silicates (chondrules, chondrule fragments, and CAIs). Their mineralogy and oxygen isotopic compositions reveal them to be micro-chondrules, fragments of chondrules, and refractory inclusions related to those in the Isheyevo host, suggesting accretion in the same region. In contrast to previously studied IDPs or primitive chondritic matrices, the fine-grained material in the clasts we studied is highly and rather uniformly enriched in heavy nitrogen, with bulk δ¹⁵N values ranging between 1000‰ and 1300‰. It is also characterized by the presence of numerous ¹⁵N hotspots (δ¹⁵N ranging from 1400‰ to 4000‰). No bulk (δD <-240‰) or localized deuterium enrichments were observed. These clasts have the highest bulk enrichment in heavy nitrogen measured to date in a fine-grained material. They represent a unique material, of asteroidal or cometary origin, in our collection of cosmomaterials. We show that they were ¹⁵N-enriched before their incorporation in the final parent body of Isheyevo. They experienced an extensive aqueous alteration that most likely played a role in redistributing ¹⁵N over the whole fine-grained material and may have significantly modified its initial hydrogen isotopic composition. Based on a review of isotopic fractionation models, we conclude that the nitrogen isotopic fractionation process, its timing, and its location are still poorly constrained. The ¹⁵N-rich clasts may represent the surviving original carrier of the ¹⁵N anomaly in Isheyevo whole-rock.     

Formation of the Bencubbin polymict meteoritic breccia

The Bencubbin meteorite is a polymict breccia consisting of a host fraction of ~60% metal and ~40% ferromagnesian silicates and a selection of carbonaceous, ordinary and ‘enstatite’ chondritic clasts. Concentrations of 27 elements were determined by neutron activation in replicate samples of the host silicates and the ordinary and carbonaceous chondritic clasts; 12 elements were determined in the host metal. Compositional data for the ordinary chondrite clast indicate a classification of LL4 ± 1. Refractory element data for the carbonaceous chondrite clast indicate that it belongs to the CI-CM-CO clan; its volatile element abundances are intermediate between those of CM and CO chondrites. Abundances of nonvolatile elements in the silicate host are similar to those in the carbonaceous chondrite clast and in CM chondrites; the rare earths are unfractionated. We conclude that it is not achondritic as previously designated, but chondritic and that it is probably related to the CI-CM-CO clan; its volatile abundances are lower than those in CO chondrites. Oxygen isotope data are consistent with these classifications. Host metal in Bencubbin and in the closely related Weatherford meteorite has low abundances of moderately volatile siderophiles; among iron meteorite groups its nearest relative is group IIIF.We suggest that Bencubbin and Weatherford formed as a result of an impact event on a carbonaceous chondrite regolith. The impact generated an ‘instant magma’ that trapped and surrounded regolithic clasts to form the polymict breccia. The parent of this ‘magma’ was probably the regolith itself, perhaps mainly consisting of the so-called ‘enstatite’ chondrite materials. Accretion of such a variety of materials to a small parent body was probably only possible in the asteroid belt.     

Dark inclusions in CO3 chondrites: new indicators of parent-body processes

A petrographic and scanning electron microscopic study of the four CO3 chondrites Kainsaz, Ornans, Lancé, and Warrenton reveals for the first time that dark inclusions (DIs) occur in all the meteorites. DIs are mostly smaller in size than those reported from CV3 chondrites. They show evidence suggesting that they were formed by aqueous alteration and subsequent dehydration of a chondritic precursor and so probably have a formation history similar to that of DIs in CV3 chondrites. DIs in the CO3 chondrites consist mostly of fine-grained, Fe-rich olivine and can be divided into two types on the basis of texture. Type I DIs contain rounded, porous aggregates of fine grains in a fine-grained matrix and have textures suggesting that they are fragments of chondrule pseudomorphs. Veins filled with Fe-rich olivine are common in type I DIs, providing evidence that they experienced aqueous alteration on the parent body. Type II DIs lack rounded porous aggregates and have a matrix-like, featureless texture. Bulk chemical compositions of DIs and mineralogical characteristics of olivine grains in DIs suggest that these two types of DIs have a close genetic relationship.The DIs are probably clasts that have undergone aqueous alteration and subsequent dehydration at a location different from the present location in the meteorites. The major element compositions, the mineralogy of metallic phases, and the widely dispersed nature of the DIs suggest that their precursor was CO chondrite material. The CO parent body has been commonly regarded to have been dry, homogeneous, and unprocessed. However, the DIs suggest that the CO parent body was a heterogeneous conglomerate consisting of water-bearing regions and water-free regions and that during asteroidal heating, the water-bearing regions were aqueously altered and subsequently dehydrated. Brecciation may also have been active in the parent body.The DIs and the matrices are similarly affected by thermal metamorphism in their own host CO3 chondrites (petrologic subtypes 3.1 to 3.6), but the degree of the secondary processing (aqueous alteration and subsequent dehydration) of the DIs has no apparent correlation with the petrologic grades of the host chondrites. These observations suggest that the DIs had been incorporated into the host chondrites before the thermal metamorphism took place and that the secondary processes that affected the DIs largely occurred before the thermal metamorphism.     

The Kaidun chondrite breccia: Petrology, oxygen isotopes, and trace element abundances

Oxygen isotope and trace element data for 13 samples of the Kaidun chondritic breccia reaffirm the complex polymict nature of this unique meteorite. Bulk Kaidun samples most closely resemble CR chondrites, but the matrix is CI-like. Two separated clasts are CR-like but have some properties that resemble CM, two clasts are enstatite chondrites (one EL and one EH), one clast is an aubrite-like metal-rich impact melt, and one clast is a unique layered olivine-bearing pyroxenite with the isotopic composition of an aubrite. Yet, although each clast resembles a known meteorite group, all deviate in some respect from the norms for those groups. Collectively, Kaidun has sampled materials not yet represented in the world meteorite collections and which greatly extend the definitions of known meteorite groups. Phyllosilicates in Kaidun span a very wide range in composition and vary from clast to clast, suggesting that the aqueous alteration experienced by the clasts predated assembly of the Kaidun parent body.     

A hydrated clast in the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite: Evidence for intensive aqueous alteration in the CV parent body

We report the discovery of a highly hydrated clast in the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite that contains eight chondrules and one amoeboid olivine inclusion (AOI), embedded in a matrix dominated by hydrous phyllosilicates. Anhydrous silicates in the chondrules and AOI were extensively replaced by phyllosilicates. The matrix has a composition intermediate between saponite and serpentine and contains abundant framboidal magnetite, being similar to the matrices of the CI chondrites. The mineralogy and texture indicate that the clast resulted from intensive aqueous alteration of a precursor equivalent to the host Mokoia meteorite, and it can be regarded as the CV2-type lithology. The results indicate that there was in fact an extremely wet region within the Mokoia parent body and that this clast escaped subsequent thermal metamorphism.This clast reveals abundant evidence of progressive and dynamic aqueous alteration processes. The chondrules were replaced inward from their margins, and the alteration products were disaggregated and mixed into the matrix; as a result, the chondrules increasingly became smaller in size and irregular in shape. Some of the chondrules were separated into pieces. The results indicate that a major proportion of the matrix materials were produced by the alteration of chondrules and inclusions and that there was a stage in which the alteration products and the original matrix material were extensively and uniformly mixed together.The presence of the clast supports a previously proposed model, which suggests that hydrated chondrules, inclusions, and the rims surrounding them in the host Mokoia chondrite are clasts produced by brecciation within a wet region of the parent body and that they were subsequently transported and incorporated into the dry matrix.     

Carbonaceous xenoliths in the Krymka LL3.1 chondrite: Mysteries and established facts

The results of a detailed study on mineralogy, chemistry, and the carbon and oxygen isotopes of two exotic Krymka carbonaceous xenoliths are presented in this article. The investigated xenoliths are metamorphosed and shocked and have the following characteristics, which distinguish them from the Krymka host: 1. resemblance of their SiO₂/MgO ratio to that of carbonaceous chondrites; 2. higher Fe content and FeO/(FeO + MgO) ratio; 3. lower concentration of Si, Ca, Al and an enrichment of S and probably of Ag; 4. smaller sizes and lower content (10 vol%) of chondrules and their clasts, and correspondingly higher content of matrix; 5. dominance of porphyritic chondrules and lack of nonporphyritic chondrules; 6. occurrence of an amoeboid olivine grain with ¹⁶O-rich composition; 7. existence of carbon in three different forms: graphite, carbon-rich material, and organic compounds.The bulk chemistry of the xenoliths is similar, but not identical, to that of carbonaceous chondrites, suggesting that they represent a chondrite parent body that has not been previously sampled. Among any known type of meteoritic material the mineralogy of the xenoliths corresponds only to that of other Krymka graphite-containing xenoliths. It differs, however, from the latter by having a lower grade of metamorphism. We infer that metamorphism of the primary carbonaceous body of the xenoliths and/or shock of the Krymka parent body are responsible for the major metamorphic alteration of the xenoliths, including the crystallization of graphite from primary organic compounds.A comparison of the features of the Krymka xenoliths with the inferred characteristics of cometary meteorites attests that their genetic relationship to cometary material remains highly inconclusive.     

Early solar system processes recorded in the matrices of two highly pristine CR3 carbonaceous chondrites, MET 00426 and QUE 99177

The mineralogy and bulk compositions of the matrices of the CR chondrites MET 00426 and QUE 99177 have been studied using a combination of SEM, EPMA, and TEM techniques. The matrices of these two chondrites are texturally, chemically, and mineralogically similar and are characterized by significant FeO-enrichments with respect to other CR chondrite matrices, nearly flat refractory lithophile patterns, variable volatile element patterns, and a simple mineral assemblage dominated by amorphous silicate material and Fe,Ni sulfides. Fine-grained, crystalline silicate phases such as olivine and pyroxene appear to be extremely rare in the matrices of both meteorites. Instead, the mineralogy of matrices and fine-grained rims of both meteorites consists of abundant amorphous FeO-rich silicate material, containing nanoparticles of Fe,Ni sulfides (troilite, pyrrhotite, and pentlandite). Secondary alteration minerals that are characteristic of other CR chondrites (e.g., Renazzo and Al Rais), such as phyllosilicates, magnetite, and calcite are also rare. The texture and mineralogy of the matrices of MET 00426 and QUE 99177 share many features with matrices in the primitive carbonaceous chondrites ALH A77307 (CO3.0) and Acfer 094 (unique). These observations show that MET 00426 and QUE 99177 are very low petrologic type 3 chondrites that have escaped the effects of aqueous alteration, unlike other CR chondrites, which are typically classified as petrologic type 2. We suggest that these meteorites represent additional samples of highly primitive, but extremely rare carbonaceous chondrites of petrologic type 3.00, according to the classification scheme of Grossman and Brearley (2005). The highly pristine nature of MET 00426 and QUE 99177 provides important additional insights into the origins of fine-grained materials in carbonaceous chondrites. Based on our new observations, we infer that the amorphous silicate material and nanosulfide particles that dominate the matrices of these meteorites formed in the solar nebula by rapid condensation of material following high-temperature events, such as those that formed chondrules.     

Carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous lithic fragments in the Plainview,Texas, chondrite: origin and history

The Plainview. Texas, meteorite is a polymict-brecciated H-group chondrite composed of recrystallized light-colored portions embedded in a well-compacted, dense, somewhat recrystallized, dark-colored matrix. Both portions consist of equilibrated silicates (H5 classification), but a small number of silicate grains and unequilibrated lithic fragments not compatible with equilibrated ordinary H-group material are present in the dark-colored matrix. Lithic fragments include: (i) dark-colored, more or less altered, type II carbonaceous chondrites. (ii) unequilibrated ordinary chondrites and (iii) light-colored, unequilibrated and equilibrated fragments, some of which are compositionally similar to the host. Also present are fragment-like dark areas that are highly-shocked host material and not true lithic fragments (pseudo-fragments). Conclusions: Plainview represents a complex regolith breccia formed by repeated impact episodes. Recrystallized, light-colored portions represent surface or near-surface material of a small (asteroidal-sized) parent body. Impacts broke up this material to form fine-grained, dark material which enclosed light-colored protolith. Lithic fragments (i-iii) and some unequilibrated silicate grains and chondrules (apparently derived from unequilibrated chondrites) were embedded in the dark matrix during these repeated impacts. Xenolitlils of carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are either residues of projectiles that impacted the Plainview parent body, or material from coexisting regoliths impact-splashed into Plainview regolith. Chondrules and silicate grains in the dark matrix which differ from H-group material are likely related to these xenoliths and their regoliths. Light-colored lithic fragments may represent shock-melted chondritic material, sometimes compositionally-modified, or new, achondritic meteoritic types. Unequilibrated and carbonaceous lithic fragments in the dark-colored host matrix indicate that equilibration of the host occurred before incorporation of the fragments and that compaction and lithification of the Plainview regolith to form a coherent meteorite must have occurred at temperatures below 300°C and/or on a short time scale.     

Aqueous alteration of the Bali CV3 chondrite: evidence from mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and oxygen isotopic compositions

A petrographic, geochemical, and oxygen isotopic study of the Bali CV3 carbonaceous chondrite revealed that the meteorite has undergone extensive deformation and aqueous alteration on its parent body. Deformation textures are common and include flattened chondrules, a well-developed foliation, and the presence of distinctive (100) planar defects in olivine. The occurrence of alteration products associated with the planar defects indicates that the deformation features formed prior to the episode of aqueous alteration. The secondary minerals produced during the alteration event include well-crystallized Mg-rich saponite, framboidal magnetite, and Ca-phosphates. The alteration products are not homogeneously distributed throughout the meteorite, but occur in regions adjacent to relatively unaltered material, such as veins of altered material following the foliation. The alteration assemblage formed under oxidizing conditions at relatively low temperatures (<100 degrees C). Altered regions in Bali have higher Na, Ca, and P contents than unaltered regions which suggests that the fluid phase carried significant dissolved solids. Oxygen isotopic compositions for unaltered regions in Bali fall within the field for other CV3 whole-rocks, however, the oxygen isotopic compositions of the heavily altered material lie in the region for the CM and CR chondrites. The heavy-isotope enrichment of the altered regions in Bali suggest alteration conditions similar to those for the petrographic type-2 carbonaceous chondrites.     

Indicators of parent-body processes: Hydrated chondrules and fine-grained rims in the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite

A petrographic and electron microscopic study of the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite shows that all of the chondrules and inclusions (>400 μm in diameter) and most of their fine-grained rims studied (referred to as chondrules/rims) contain various amounts of hydrous phyllosilicates (mostly saponite) formed by aqueous alteration of anhydrous silicates. The rims mainly consist of fine-grained olivine and saponite in varying proportions and contain crosscutting veins of Fe-rich olivine. The boundaries between the chondrules and their rims are irregular and show abundant evidence of aqueous alteration interactions between them. In contrast, the host matrix contains very minor amounts of saponite and shows no evidence of such extensive aqueous alteration. The boundaries between the chondrules/rims and the matrix are sharp and show no traces of the matrix having been involved in the alteration of the chondrules/rims. These observations indicate that the aqueous alteration in the chondrules/rims did not occur in the present setting.We suggest that the chondrules/rims are actually clasts transported from a location on the meteorite parent body different from where the Mokoia meteorite was from. The aqueous alteration of the chondrules/rims probably occurred there. The veins in the rims were originally fractures produced in an interchondrule matrix by impacts; these were later filled by Fe-rich olivine during aqueous activity. This location was then involved in impact brecciation, and individual chondrules were ejected as clasts with remnants of the matrix surrounding them. During the continuing brecciation, those chondrule/rim clasts were transported, mixed with anhydrous matrix grains, and finally lithified to the present meteorite. Therefore, the rims are fragmented remnants of a former matrix.Textures characterized by fine-grained rims surrounding chondrules in chondrites have been widely thought to have formed in the solar nebula before they accreted into their parent bodies. However, our results suggest that some textures may not be explained by such an accretionary model; instead, the multi-stage parent-body process modeled for the Mokoia rim formation may be a more plausible explanation.     

Investigating the variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopes in carbonaceous chondrites

The carbonaceous chondrites contain significant amounts of carbon- and nitrogen-bearing components, the most abundant of which is organic matter. Stepped combustion data of whole rock and HF/HCl residues of carbonaceous chondrites reveal that the organic material can be subdivided operationally into three components: (1) free organic matter (FOM), which is readily extractable from whole-rock meteorites and is enriched in ¹³C and ¹⁵N; (2) labile organic matter (LOM), which has a macromolecular structure but is liberated by hydrous pyrolysis; LOM is the parent structure for some FOM and is also enriched in ¹³C and ¹⁵N; and (3) refractory organic matter (ROM), which is also macromolecular but is virtually unaffected by hydrous pyrolysis and is relatively depleted in ¹³C and ¹⁵N. The macromolecular entities (LOM and ROM) are by far the most abundant organic components present, and as such, the relative abundances of the ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-enriched LOM and the ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-depleted ROM will have a major influence on the overall isotopic composition of the whole-rock meteorite. Laboratory experiments designed to simulate the effects of parent body aqueous alteration indicate that this form of processing removes LOM from the macromolecular material, allowing ROM to exert a stronger influence on the overall isotopic compositions. Hence, aqueous alteration of macromolecular materials on the meteorite parent body may have a significant control on the stable isotopic compositions of whole-rock carbonaceous chondrites. The enstatite chondrites are also carbon rich but have been subjected to high levels of thermal metamorphism on their parent body. Stepped combustion data of HF/HCl residues of enstatite chondrites indicate, that if they and carbonaceous chondrites inherited a common organic progenitor, metamorphism under reducing conditions appears to incorporate and preserve some of the ¹³C enrichments in LOM during graphitisation. However, when metamorphism is at its most extreme, the ¹⁵N enrichments in LOM are lost.     

Modal abundances of coarse-grained (>5 μm) components within CI-chondrites and their individual clasts – Mixing of various lithologies on the CI parent body(ies)

For the bulk rocks of CI chondrites, various values are given for the modal abundance of matrix (95–100 vol%) and the accompanying mineral constituents. Here, we have determined the modal abundance of phases >5 μm in the CI chondrites Orgueil, Ivuna, Alais, and Tonk. Considering this cut-off grain-size to distinguish between matrix and coarse-grained constituents, then, we find the modal abundance of the minor phases magnetite, pyrrhotite, carbonate, olivine, and pyroxene to be 6 vol% in total, and these phases are embedded within the fine-grained, phyllosilicate-rich matrix, making up 94 vol%. The values vary slightly from meteorite to meteorite. Considering all four chondrites, the most abundant phase is - by far - magnetite (4.3 vol%) followed by pyrrhotite (∼1.1 vol%). All four CI chondrites are complex breccias, and their degree of brecciation decreases in the sequence: Orgueil > Ivuna > Alais ∼ Tonk. Because these meteorites contain clasts with highly variable modal abundances, we therefore also studied individual clasts with high abundances of specific coarse-grained phases. In this respect, in Orgueil we found a fragment with a 21.5 vol% of magnetite as well as a clast having 31.8 vol% phosphate. In Ivuna, we detected an individual clast with a 21.5 vol% of carbonates. Thus, since the CI composition is used as a geochemical standard for comparison, one also should keep in mind that sufficiently large sample masses are required to reveal a homogeneous CI composition. Small aliquots with one dominating lithology may significantly deviate from the suggested standard CI composition.     

The Yamato-type (CY) carbonaceous chondrite group: Analogues for the surface of asteroid Ryugu?

We report new mineralogical, petrographic and noble gas analyses of the carbonaceous chondrite meteorites Y-82162 (C1/2_ung), Y-980115 (CI1), Y-86029 (CI1), Y-86720 (C2_ung), Y-86789 (C2_ung), and B-7904 (C2_ung). Combining our results with literature data we show that these meteorites experienced varying degrees of aqueous alteration followed by short-lived thermal metamorphism at temperatures of >500 °C. These meteorites have similar mineralogy, textures and chemical characteristics suggesting that they are genetically related, and we strongly support the conclusion of Ikeda (1992) that they form a distinct group, the CYs (“Yamato-type”). The CY chondrites have the heaviest oxygen isotopic compositions (δ¹⁷O ˜12‰, δ¹⁸O ˜22‰) of any meteorite group, high abundances of Fe-sulphides (˜10 ‒ 30 vol%) and phosphates, and contain large grains of periclase and unusual objects of secondary minerals not reported in other carbonaceous chondrites. These features cannot be attributed to parent body processes alone, and indicate that the CYs had a different starting mineralogy and/or alteration history to other chondrite groups, perhaps because they formed in a different region of the protoplanetary disk. The short cosmic-ray exposure ages (≤1.3 Ma) of the CY chondrites suggest that they are derived from a near-Earth source, with recent observations by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft highlighting a possible link to the rubble-pile asteroid Ryugu.     

Mineralogy of carbonaceous chondritic microclasts in howardites: identification of C2 fossil micrometeorites

Seventy-one carbonaceous chondritic microclasts of average size 150 μm have been found in three howardites (Yamato-793497, Jodzie, Kapoeta). All carbonaceous chondritic microclasts are made of a fine-grained phyllosilicate-rich matrix supporting a variety of minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, spinel, iron oxides, iron-nickel sulfides, and calcium carbonates. Such a mineralogy is typical of chondritic C2 matter. Half of the carbonaceous chondritic microclasts are tochilinite-rich, and have been tentatively called CM2 microclasts. The other half are magnetite-rich, and have been tentatively called CR2 microclasts. The absence of a correlation between the CM2/CR2 ratio in carbonaceous chondritic microclasts and in numerous millimeter-sized clasts found in the same sections argues for carbonaceous chondritic microclasts being true micrometeorites rather than fragments of larger objects. Dynamical simulations show that it is possible for asteroidal dust to encounter Vesta (the howardite’s putative parent-asteroid) at velocity low enough (<1 km.s⁻¹) to prevent fragmentation. Because the micrometeorite flux in the inner Solar System has been decreasing with time, we argue that carbonaceous chondritic microclasts have been trapped in Vesta’s regolith early in the history of the Solar System and are fossil micrometeorites. Because both microclasts and clasts found in howardites are related to C2 chondritic matter, we propose that C2 matter represents the bulk, or at least a significant fraction of the primordial howardite parent-asteroid. Considering the abundance of C2 matter among fossil micrometeorites, we speculate that the C2 fossil micrometorites are the so far unidentified agent of the late chondritic veneer that endowed the Earth’s mantle with an excess of siderophile elements relative to the contents predicted by the core-mantle separation models. The discovery that C2 fossil micrometeorites are similar to C2 modern Antarctic micrometeorites supports recent models proposing a micrometeoritic origin for the Earth’s oceans and volatile species.     

Chondrules in the CB/CH-like carbonaceous chondrite Isheyevo: Evidence for various chondrule-forming mechanisms and multiple chondrule generations

The recently discovered metal-rich carbonaceous chondrite Isheyevo consists of Fe, Ni-metal grains, chondrules, heavily hydrated matrix lumps and rare refractory inclusions. It contains several lithologies with mineralogical characteristics intermediate between the CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites; the contacts between the lithologies are often gradual. Here we report the mineralogy and petrography of chondrules in the metal-rich (70 vol%) and metal-poor (20 vol%) lithologies. The chondrules show large variations in textures [cryptocrystalline, skeletal olivine, barred olivine, porphyritic olivine, porphyritic olivine-pyroxene, porphyritic pyroxene], mineralogy and bulk chemistry (magnesian, ferrous, aluminum-rich, silica-rich). The porphyritic magnesian (Type I) and ferrous (Type II) chondrules, as well as silica- and Al-rich plagioclase-bearing chondrules are texturally and mineralogically similar to those in other chondrite groups and probably formed by melting of mineralogically diverse precursor materials. We note, however, that in contrast to porphyritic chondrules in other chondrite groups, those in Isheyevo show little evidence for multiple melting events; e.g., relict grains are rare and igneous rims or independent compound chondrules have not been found. The magnesian cryptocrystalline and skeletal olivine chondrules are chemically and mineralogically similar to those in the CH and CB carbonaceous chondrites Hammadah al Hamra 237, Queen Alexandra Range 94411 (QUE94411) and MacAlpine Hills 02675 (MAC02675), possibly indicating a common origin from a vapor–melt plume produced by a giant impact between planetary embryos; the interchondrule metal grains, many of which are chemically zoned, probably formed during the same event. The magnesian cryptocrystalline chondrules have olivine–pyroxene normative compositions and are generally highly depleted in Ca, Al, Ti, Mn and Na; they occasionally occur inside chemically zoned Fe, Ni-metal grains. The skeletal olivine chondrules consist of skeletal forsteritic olivine grains overgrown by Al-rich (up to 20 wt% Al₂O₃) low-Ca and high-Ca pyroxene, and interstitial anorthite-rich mesostasis. Since chondrules with such characteristics are absent in ordinary, enstatite and other carbonaceous chondrite groups, the impact-related chondrule-forming mechanism could be unique for the CH and CB chondrites. We conclude that Isheyevo and probably other CH chondrites contain chondrules of several generations, which may have formed at different times, places and by different mechanisms, and subsequently accreted together with the heavily hydrated matrix lumps and refractory inclusions into a CH parent body. Short-lived isotope chronology, oxygen isotope and trace element studies of the Isheyevo chondrules can provide a possible test of this hypothesis.     

Amoeboid olivine aggregates and related objects in carbonaceous chondrites: records of nebular and asteroid processes

Amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) are the most common type of refractory inclusions in CM, CR, CH, CV, CO, and ungrouped carbonaceous chondrites Acfer 094 and Adelaide; only one AOA was found in the CB_b chondrite Hammadah al Hamra 237 and none were observed in the CB_a chondrites Bencubbin, Gujba, and Weatherford. In primitive (unaltered and unmetamorphosed) carbonaceous chondrites, AOAs consist of forsterite (Fa_<2), Fe, Ni-metal (5-12 wt% Ni), and Ca, Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) composed of Al-diopside, spinel, anorthite, and very rare melilite. Melilite is typically replaced by a fine-grained mixture of spinel, Al-diopside, and ±anorthite; spinel is replaced by anorthite. About 10% of AOAs contain low-Ca pyroxene replacing forsterite. Forsterite and spinel are always ¹⁶O-rich (δ^17,18O∼−40‰ to −50‰), whereas melilite, anorthite, and diopside could be either similarly ¹⁶O-rich or ¹⁶O-depleted to varying degrees; the latter is common in AOAs from altered and metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites such as some CVs and COs. Low-Ca pyroxene is either ¹⁶O-rich (δ^17,18O∼−40‰) or ¹⁶O-poor (δ^17,18O∼0‰). Most AOAs in CV chondrites have unfractionated (∼2-10×CI) rare-earth element patterns. AOAs have similar textures, mineralogy and oxygen isotopic compositions to those of forsterite-rich accretionary rims surrounding different types of CAIs (compact and fluffy Type A, Type B, and fine-grained, spinel-rich) in CV and CR chondrites. AOAs in primitive carbonaceous chondrites show no evidence for alteration and thermal metamorphism. Secondary minerals in AOAs from CR, CM, and CO, and CV chondrites are similar to those in chondrules, CAIs, and matrices of their host meteorites and include phyllosilicates, magnetite, carbonates, nepheline, sodalite, grossular, wollastonite, hedenbergite, andradite, and ferrous olivine.Our observations and a thermodynamic analysis suggest that AOAs and forsterite-rich accretionary rims formed in ¹⁶O-rich gaseous reservoirs, probably in the CAI-forming region(s), as aggregates of solar nebular condensates originally composed of forsterite, Fe, Ni-metal, and CAIs. Some of the CAIs were melted prior to aggregation into AOAs and experienced formation of Wark-Lovering rims. Before and possibly after the aggregation, melilite and spinel in CAIs reacted with SiO and Mg of the solar nebula gas enriched in ¹⁶O to form Al-diopside and anorthite. Forsterite in some AOAs reacted with ¹⁶O-enriched SiO gas to form low-Ca pyroxene. Some other AOAs were either reheated in ¹⁶O-poor gaseous reservoirs or coated by ¹⁶O-depleted pyroxene-rich dust and melted to varying degrees, possibly during chondrule formation. The most extensively melted AOAs experienced oxygen isotope exchange with ¹⁶O-poor nebular gas and may have been transformed into magnesian (Type I) chondrules. Secondary mineralization and at least some of the oxygen isotope exchange in AOAs from altered and metamorphosed chondrites must have resulted from alteration in the presence of aqueous solutions after aggregation and lithification of the chondrite parent asteroids.     

Concentrically zonal textures in a sample of the Kaidun meteorite

The paper reports the results of the textural and mineralogical studying of clast Kaidun #d6A. The principal minerals of the clast are phyllosilicates, carbonates, and sulfides, but the clast contains no anhydrous silicates. The clast is characterized by extremely high concentration of inclusions, which broadly vary in size, composition, and texture, from completely remelted to practically unchanged when brought to the parent body. The latter group includes two inclusions having a concentrically zonal texture, which have never before been found in meteorites. One of the inclusions consists of serpentine replaced by talc in the margins. The inclusion was formed in relation to silification under the effect of silicon-bearing aqueous fluid at a temperature of more than 300°C. The other inclusion consists of alternating Ca carbonate and phyllosilicate zones. The texture and composition of the inclusion suggest that its genesis was related to the metasomatic alteration of carbonates under the effect of silicon- and alumina-bearing aqueous fluids at temperatures of about 400–500°C. These processes are typical of large differentiated planets, and there are no reasons to expect them in the parent bodies of carbonaceous chondrites, such as Kaidun. Our results obtained on clast #d6A are in good agreement with the hypothesis that the parent body of the Kaidun meteorite was Phobos [1]. Correspondingly, inclusions #d6Aa and #d6Ab likely originated from Mars, as previously examined alkali-rich clasts did. The clast described in this publication seems to originate from the surface regolith of Phobos, which was compacted in the process of the aqueous alteration of the material and subsequently buried at a greater depth.     

Hydrogen isotopic composition of water from fossil micrometeorites in howardites

We have measured the hydrogen isotopic composition (D/H ratios) of the water from 13 carbonaceous chondritic microclasts (CCMs, size <1 mm) trapped in two howardites (Kapoeta and Yamato-793497) early in the evolution of Solar System. The division into tochilinite-rich; magnetite-rich, olivine-poor; magnetite-rich, olivine-rich CCM types is corroborated by the hydrogen isotopic compositions. Both mineralogy and hydrogen isotopic compositions demonstrate that tochilinite-rich CCMs represent CM2 chondritic matter. In contrast, there is no good match between the isotopic and mineralogical properties of the magnetite-rich CCMs and the known groups of carbonaceous chondrites, suggesting that magnetite-rich CCMs represent a new kind of chondritic matter, not yet sampled in meteorite collections. This demonstrates that the view of the asteroid belt revealed by the collection of meteorites is incomplete. The study of (micro)clasts offers a unique opportunity to better decipher the nature and relative abundance of asteroids.The average hydrogen isotopic composition of water belonging to CCMs, D/H = (152.0 ± 4.8) × 10⁻⁶ (1σ_m), is similar to that of Antarctic micrometeorites (AMMs), D/H = (161.2 ± 3.8) × 10⁻⁶ (1σ_m). The similarity, in terms of mineralogy and hydrogen isotopic composition, between CCMs and AMMs demonstrates that the composition of the micrometeorites has not been modified over the whole history of the Solar System. It indicates that the composition of the micrometeorite flux onto Earth has been, and is, dominated by a mixture of CM2-like; magnetite-rich, olivine-poor; magnetite-rich, olivine-rich carbonaceous chondritic matter exemplified by CCMs found in howardites. Because CCMs have not suffered atmospheric entry, they provide an abundant source of pristine micrometeorites.The average D/H ratio of the whole population of CCMs is identical within errors to that of the Earth (149 ± 3 × 10⁻⁶). The match between the CCMs D/H ratio and that of the Earth is especially remarkable because 1) three different populations of CCMs are needed to make the D/H ratio of the Earth; 2) there is no single carbonaceous chondrite group for which a similar match exists. This observation suggests that CCMs population might be representative of the late veneer agent(s) that delivered water to the Earth.     

Mineralogy and spectroscopy (visible near infrared and Fourier Transform Infrared) of Mukundpura CM2: Implications for asteroidal aqueous alteration

We report the textures, mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Mukundpura matrix component, a clast-bearing, brecciated, new CM2 carbonaceous chondrite. Like other CMs, Mukundpura is matrix-enriched and has experienced different degrees of aqueous alteration with evidences of fracturing and compaction of clasts due to the impact. A few relict chondrule clasts and CAIs (diopside and spinel) survived despite of the alteration amidst accessory phases of olivine, magnetite, sulphides and calcite. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Visible Near Infrared (VNIR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies reveal higher phyllosilicate content (∼90 %) comprising of both Mg and Fe-serpentine and abundant serpentine-sulphide intergrowths. Even then, the presence of accessory olivine as relict clasts can be interpreted from the presence of certain typical olivine absorptions in the FTIR spectra. The non-stoichiometric, Tochilinite-Cronstedtite occurrences probably relate to broadening of XRD and FTIR spectra and can be explained by coupled Al–Si and Mg–Al substitutions in talc and serpentine. The FTIR spectra suggest widespread transformation of olivine to serpentine, unlike the largely unaltered chondrules. The correlations of mineralogical alteration index with FeO/SiO₂ and S/SiO₂ in different domains of matrix suggest different extent of alterations. Thus, the aqueous alteration is extensive but not pervasive. The majority of alteration seems to have occurred within the asteroidal parent body. The Mukundpura CM2 thus preserves a unique combination of relict chondrules and highly aqueous altered variegated matrix clasts, although the surface mineralogy resembles the C-type asteroids recently probed by OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa-2 missions.     

Impact features of enstatite-rich meteorites

Enstatite-rich meteorites include EH and EL chondrites, rare ungrouped enstatite chondrites, aubrites, a few metal-rich meteorites (possibly derived from the mantle of the aubrite parent body), various impact-melt breccias and impact-melt rocks, and a few samples that may be partial-melt residues ultimately derived from enstatite chondrites. Members of these sets of rocks exhibit a wide range of impact features including mineral-lattice deformation, whole-rock brecciation, petrofabrics, opaque veins, rare high-pressure phases, silicate darkening, silicate-rich melt veins and melt pockets, shock-produced diamonds, euhedral enstatite grains, nucleation of enstatite on relict grains and chondrules, low MnO in enstatite, high Mn in troilite and oldhamite, grains of keilite, abundant silica, euhedral graphite, euhedral sinoite, F-rich amphibole and mica, and impact-melt globules and spherules. No single meteorite possesses all of these features, although many possess several. Impacts can also cause bulk REE fractionations due to melting and loss of oldhamite (CaS) – the main REE carrier in enstatite meteorites. The Shallowater aubrite can be modeled as an impact-melt rock derived from a large cratering event on a porous enstatite chondritic asteroid; it may have been shock melted at depth, slowly cooled and then excavated and quenched. Mount Egerton may share a broadly similar shock and thermal history; it could be from the same parent body as Shallowater. Many aubrites contain large pyroxene grains that exhibit weak mosaic extinction, consistent with shock-stage S4; in contrast, small olivine grains in some of these same aubrites have sharp or undulose extinction, consistent with shock stage S1 to S2. Because elemental diffusion is much faster in olivine than pyroxene, it seems likely that these aubrites experienced mild post-shock annealing, perhaps due to relatively shallow burial after an energetic impact event. There are correlations among EH and EL chondrites between petrologic type and the degree of shock, consistent with the hypothesis that collisional heating is mainly responsible for enstatite-chondrite thermal metamorphism. Nevertheless, the apparent shock stages of EL6 and EH6 chondrites tend to be lower than EL3-5 and EH3-5 chondrites, suggesting that the type-6 enstatite chondrites (many of which possess impact-produced features) were shocked and annealed. The relatively young Ar–Ar ages of enstatite chondrites record heating events that occurred long after any ²⁶Al that may have been present initially had decayed away. Impacts remain the only plausible heat source at these late dates. Some enstatite meteorites accreted to other celestial bodies: Hadley Rille (EH) was partly melted when it struck the Moon; Galim (b), also an EH chondrite, was shocked and partly oxidized when it accreted to the LL parent asteroid. EH, EL and aubrite-like clasts also occur in the polymict breccias Kaidun (a carbonaceous chondrite) and Almahata Sitta (an anomalous ureilite). The EH and EL clasts in Kaidun appear unshocked; some clasts in Almahata Sitta may have been extensively shocked on their parent bodies prior to being incorporated into the Almahata Sitta host.