陨石分类研究进展及其地学意义

近40年来陨石分类学经历了3个发展阶段，60－70年代，由根据陨石的矿物结构的分类方法发展为球粒陨石的化学一岩石学分类法和铁陨石的化学群分类法；70－80年代，提出了分异型陨石和未分异型陨石的概念，球粒陨石被认为是未分异型陨石，而其它陨石（铁陨石，石铁陨石和无球粒陨石）大多被划入分异型陨石，80－90年代以来，陨石氧同位素组成成为了陨石成因分类的一个主要依据，使陨石分类学进入了一个新的成因分类阶段，作者对80－90年代以来新确立的R群，K小群，CR群和CK群球粒陨石，以及根据氧同位素划分出的原始型无球粒陨石系列：A－L无球粒陨石，Winonaites无球粒陨石和Brachinites无球粒陨石进行了介绍，笔者对陨石研究和陨石分类学的发展在估算地球整体成分，探讨地球成因和早期演化历史方面的重要意义进行了说明，并建议地球科学家应对陨石学和陨石分类的发展现状给以关注。     

吉林陨石锂同位素相对丰度的初步探讨

陨石、地球、太阳、恒星和宇宙线中锂同位素组成的对比研究,不仅可为阐明太阳系锂的起源提供一定依据,而且对于了解太阳系历史中的天然核作用过程和天体化学过程也具有一定价值。 各类陨石的锂同位素组成,已用经典质谱法、二次离子质谱法和热离子质谱法进行了研究。经典质谱法与热离子质谱法的结果表明,石陨石的锂同位素组成在实验     

不同类型球粒陨石钙同位素组成特征及对比研究

准确限定球粒陨石的Ca同位素组成对于研究太阳星云物质演化和行星形成都具有重要意义.选取7块典型的球粒陨石,包括3块CV3型陨石(Leoville、Allende和Vigarano)、1块CM2型陨石(Murchison)、1块CO3.2型陨石(Kainsaz)、1块EH4型陨石(Indarch)以及1块H4型陨石(LaPaz Icefield 03601),进行了Ca同位素组成的研究.其中,Kainsaz、Leoville和LaPaz Icefield 03601共3块陨石的Ca同位素组成是首次报道.结果显示:(1)在增大样品量以规避"样品量效应"的情况下,我们对CV群球粒陨石Ca同位素组成进行更加精确的制约,δ44/40Ca的平均值为0.45‰±0.04‰(n=3,2SE);(2)碳质球粒陨石的Ca同位素组成相对于硅酸盐地球偏轻,从CV群(0.45‰±0.04‰,2SE)、CM群(0.73‰±0.04‰,2SE)到CO群(0.78‰±0.03‰,2SE)逐渐变重,可能与不同化学群陨石中富钙铝难熔包体(CAIs)丰度的变化有关;(3)顽火辉石球粒陨石和普通球粒陨石的Ca同位素组成与硅酸盐地球(BSE)组成一致,证实它们可以作为地球初始的组建物质.本研究丰富了球粒陨石Ca同位素组成数据库,有利于正确认识球粒陨石的Ca同位素组成及变化原因.     

锌同位素在行星科学中的研究进展

近年来有关太阳系天体中等挥发性元素的研究掀起了一波浪潮。锌作为中等挥发性元素,其稳定同位素对于高温挥发过程具有很好的指示作用。因此,在行星科学领域锌同位素逐渐成为研究星云和行星演化的一个理想工具。本文系统地归纳了各类陨石和行星天体储库的锌同位素组成,并对不同种类的陨石以及地外样品(碳质球粒陨石、普通球粒陨石、顽火辉石球粒陨石、橄辉无球粒陨石、铁陨石、石铁陨石、月球陨石和Apollo样品、火星陨石、灶神星陨石等)中的锌稳定同位素研究内容进行了较全面的总结。主要包括不同陨石和行星锌同位素组成的控制因素以及锌同位素对太阳系内星云过程和行星过程的指示;同时,简要论述了锌同位素在太阳系形成和演化过程中的分馏机制,并立足目前的研究基础,探讨锌同位素在行星科学领域的研究前景和发展趋势。     

上地幔Os同位素组成的演化

Re-Os同位素体系为研究地幔的成分-结构-演化提供了新的地球化学示踪和定年的工具.上地幔Os同位素组成演化的球粒陨石模型是Re-Os体系用于地幔物质定年的基础, 尤其在采用Re亏损模式年龄和Os同位素代理等时线年龄时.综合了铁陨石和各类球粒陨石、地幔橄榄岩包体和蛇绿岩豆荚状铬铁矿的Re-Os同位素体系研究的近期成果, 为认识对流上地幔Os同位素组成的演化提供了制约.对河北遵化蛇绿岩豆荚状铬铁矿岩的研究, 获得新太古代(2.5 Ga)时形成豆荚状铬铁矿的对流上地幔的187Os/188Os=0.110 2, 与球粒陨石型模式的一致.文献中常用的球粒陨石模式的参数如下: 地球形成时(4.558 Ga)初始值187Os/186Os为0.095 31, 现代值分别采用碳质球粒陨石的187Os/186Os比值为0.127 0和原始上地幔(PUM)的187Os/186Os比值为0.129 6, PUM与普通球粒陨石和顽火球粒陨石的187Os/186Os比值接近.      

中国南极球粒陨石的高精度钾同位素研究

钾和其他中等挥发性元素亏损是类地行星普遍的全岩化学成分特征之一,能用来示踪不同的亏损过程.球粒陨石是组成行星的前体物质,研究球粒陨石中钾同位素的亏损和分异机制,对于太阳系物质或行星的起源、形成和演化具有十分重要的意义.本文利用近年来发展的高精度钾同位素分析技术,测试了 14 个中国南极陨石以及6 个目击型陨石(Murchison、Allende、Ningqiang、Tagish Lake、Xinyang 和Banma)的全岩钾同位素组成.结果显示,21 个碳质球粒陨石全岩δ41 K值分布范围为－0. 62‰±0. 05‰至0. 37‰±0. 08‰,平均值为－0. 32‰± 0. 24‰(2SD),比全岩硅酸盐地球(BSE)稍重.18 个普通球粒陨石全岩数据(如果异常值 GRV 021603 除外)的δ41 K值分布范围为－1. 02‰±0. 05‰到－0. 61‰±0. 02‰,平均δ41 K值为－0. 81‰±0. 15‰(2SD),比全岩硅酸盐地球稍轻.2 个目击型陨石 Murchison(CM2 型)和 Allende(CV3 型),呈现较大的内部钾同位素差异(分别为0. 22‰和0. 16‰),可能反映了水蚀变导致的钾同位素在100 mg球粒陨石全岩尺度上的不均一性.小行星母体过程(水蚀变、热变质和冲击变质)不能很好地解释球粒陨石的钾同位素分馏,母体作为一个封闭体系只是平衡均一化同一个化学群内的钾同位素成分.不同化学群球粒陨石之间的钾同位素与钾元素之间没有显示明确的相关性,这一趋势与最近国际上发表的数据在误差范围内基本一致,太阳星云的单阶段热过程如蒸发或冷凝均不能很好地解释.核合成异常是一种可能的解释,大质量恒星的星风或者超新星爆发注入可以增加一些41 K到太阳星云中,从而在原始球粒陨石中保存下来,然而这一观点需要更多研究支持.     

峨眉山柿子坪热田地下水碳氧同位素特征初步研究

在峨眉山柿子坪热田地质调查及热水勘探过程中,采用了碳、氧同位素地球化学方法,结果发现了不同成因类型地地下水其碳、氧同位素组成特征各不相同,为查明地下热水的形成条件提供了重要依据,表明用地下水中ＨＣＯ３＾－的碳、氧同位素组成来研究地下热水系的发育特征是有前景的。     

Kainsaz(CO3)陨石中两个富Al球粒的氧同位素组成特征与形成演化

富Al球粒是原始球粒陨石中一种矿物岩石学特征介于富钙铝包体(CAIs)和镁铁质硅酸盐球粒之间的特殊集合体,所以常常认为富Al球粒在认识CAIs和镁铁质硅酸盐球粒形成演化过程中的相互联系具有特殊意义。然而,对富Al球粒的初始物质组成以及形成演化过程一直存在较多争议,而氧同位素组成研究能够对球粒演化和早期星云环境等提供重要的信息。在本文中我们报导了来自Kainsaz(1937年降落于俄罗斯,CO3型)碳质球粒陨石中的2个富Al球粒(编号K1-CH1和K2-CH2)的矿物岩石学和氧同位素组成特征。K1-CH1的矿物组成主要为橄榄石、低钙辉石和富钙长石,K2-CH2为橄榄石和富钙长石。2个球粒中的矿物均具有贫~(16)O同位素组成特征。K1-CH1中矿物的△~(17)O组成基本上位于2个区间:-11.1‰～-8.7‰和-3.9‰～0.4‰;而K2-CH2的△~(17)O介于-6.6‰～-0.6‰之间,且具有从中部至边部升高的趋势。矿物岩石学和氧同位素特征表明,这2个富Al球粒的初始物质组成为富CAIs和镁铁质硅酸盐。在球粒熔融结晶过程中,与贫~(16)O同位素组成(△~(17)O:-8.7‰～-7.8‰)的星云发生了氧同位素交换。球粒形成后,发生迁移进入陨石母体,在相对更贫~(16)O同位素组成(△~(17)O:-0.6‰～0.4‰)的母体中(流体参与)发生变质作用,并再次发生了氧同位素交换。     

地下水硝酸盐中氧同位素研究进展

硝酸盐中氧同位素在某些情况下能弥补氮同位素组成无显著差别的不足以及更有效地识别反硝化作用。文中综述了氧同位素检测技术、NO-3 源的氧同位素组成特征和氧同位素的应用等方面的研究进展。检测技术经历了 5个发展过程。大气和土壤环境形成的NO-3 具明显的氧同位素组成差异 ,由此可识别地下水NO-3 是来自含NO-3 化肥或大气沉降NO-3 还是来自土壤环境中的NH+ 4 经微生物硝化作用形成的NO-3 。反硝化作用使δ15N和δ18O成比例线性增加。今后的研究方向是完善检测技术、研究NO-3 中氧来自水和大气比例的影响因素及氮、氧同位素与地球化学和水文模型的结合等。     

陨石含水矿物成因评述和地球水来源的探讨

简要介绍了球粒陨石中含水矿物的种类和主要特点，根据陨石中含水矿物与无水矿物，有机质的关系，太阳星云凝聚模型中有关水蒸汽与无水矿物反应的理论，以及有关的同位素资料的综合分析，推断形成含水矿物的水化作用是太阳星云凝聚作用的一个阶段，通过不同类型球粒陨石氧同位素组成和含水矿物数量的比较，论证了太阳星云盘中发生水作用的范围，从而对地球水的来源进行了讨论。     

太阳星云凝聚过程的岩石学模型：（Ⅲ）类地行星区星云凝聚作用和地球原始成分的估算

在建立了小行星区星云凝聚模型的基础上，对类地行星区中上物质（硅酸盐、氧化物、金属、硫化物等）的凝聚作用，以及凝聚物的水化作用进行了讨论，进而建立了包括小行星区在内的整个类地行星区的星云凝聚模式。根据地球核慢质量比和关于地球初期演化的研究结果；使用顽火辉石球粒陨石和Ｃ１陨石的化学成分分别做为地球形成区中类顽火辉石球粒陨石质星子和类Ｃ１陨石质星子的成分数据；假定类顽火辉石无球粒陨石质星子的成分与类顽火辉石球粒陨石质星子的硅酸盐部分成分相同，计算出原始地球可能由１．５８％的类铁陨石质星子、１３．９％的类顽火辉石无球粒陨石质星子、８２．５２％类顽火辉石球粒陨石质星子、２％的类Ｃ１陨石质星子组成。     

The unequilibrated enstatite chondrites

The enstatite chondrites formed under highly reducing (and/or sulfidizing) conditions as indicated by their mineral assemblages and compositions, which are sharply different from those of other chondrite groups. Enstatite is the major silicate mineral. Kamacite is Si-bearing and the enstatite chondrites contain a wide variety of monosulfide minerals that are not present in other chondrite groups. The unequilibrated enstatite chondrites are comprised of two groups (EH3 and EL3) and one anomalous member (LEW 87223), which can be distinguished by differences in their mineral assemblages and compositions. EH3 chondrites have >1.8 wt.% Si in their kamacite and contain the monosulfide niningerite (MgS), whereas EL3 chondrites have less than 1.4 wt.% Si in their kamacite and contain the monosulfide alabandite (MnS). The distinct mineralogies, compositions and textures of E3 chondrites make comparisons with ordinary chondrites (OCs) and carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) difficult, however, a range of recrystallization features in the E3s are observed, and some may be as primitive as type 3.1 OCs and CCs. Others, especially the EL3 chondrites, may have been considerably modified by impact processes and their primary textures disturbed. The chondrules in E3 chondrites, although texturally similar to type I pyroxene-rich chondrules, are sharply different from chondrules in other chondrite groups in containing Si-bearing metal, Ca- and Mg–Mn-rich sulfides and silica. This indicates formation in a reduced nebular environment separate from chondrules in other chondrites and possibly different precursor materials. Additionally the oxygen isotope compositions of E3 chondrules indicate formation from a unique oxygen reservoir. Although the abundance, size distribution, and secondary alteration minerals are not always identical, CAIs in E3 chondrites generally have textures, mineral assemblages and compositions similar to those in other groups. These observations indicates that CAIs in O, C and E chondrites all formed in the reservoir under similar conditions, and were redistributed to the different chondrite accretion zones, where the secondary alteration took place. Thus, chondrule formation was a local process for each particular chondrite group, but all CAIs may have formed in the similar nebular environment. Lack of evidence of water (hydrous minerals), and oxygen isotope compositions similar to Earth and Moon suggest formation of the E chondrites in the inner solar system and make them prime candidates as building blocks for the inner planets.     

对南极类C1陨石成因和星云水化作用范围的几点看法

南极陨石的研究发现，有几个碳质球粒陨石富含与ＣＩ陨石类似的含水层状硅酸盐集合体及其角砾，其氧同位素比值也与ＣＩ接近，因而称之为类Ｃ１陨石。类Ｃ１陨石与Ｃ１陨石的区别是：类Ｃ１陨石中的含水层状硅酸盐既以基质的形式产出，也出现在球粒中；类Ｃ１陨石中含有球粒及有关组分，如球粒碎块、矿物集合体等。每个陨石中所含这些组分的数量不同，其矿物的成分也差别很大，从而说明它们形成的星云环境不同。因此笔者认为类Ｃ１陨     

High-precision osmium isotopes in enstatite and Rumuruti chondrites

Isotopic heterogeneity within the solar nebula has been a long-standing issue. Studies on primitive chondrites and chondrite components for Ba, Sm, Nd, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ti, and Os yielded conflicting results, with some studies suggesting large-scale heterogeneity. Low-grade enstatite and Rumuruti chondrites represent the most extreme ends of the chondrite meteorites in terms of oxidation state, and might thus also present extremes if there is significant isotopic heterogeneity across the region of chondrite formation. Osmium is an ideal tracer because of its multiple isotopes generated by a combination of p-, r-, and s-process and, as a refractory element; it records the earliest stages of condensation.Some grade 3-4 enstatite and Rumuruti chondrites show similar deficits of s-process components as revealed by high-precision Os isotope studies in some low-grade carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites. Enstatite chondrites of grades 5-6 have Os isotopic composition identical within error to terrestrial and solar composition. This supports the view of digestion-resistant presolar grains, most likely SiC, as the major carrier of these anomalies. Destruction of presolar grains during parent body processing, which all high-grade enstatite chondrites, but also some low-grade chondrites seemingly underwent, makes the isotopically anomalous Os accessible for analysis. The magnitude of the anomalies is consistent with the presence of a few ppm of presolar SiC with a highly unusual isotopic composition, produced in a different stellar environment like asymptotic giant branch stars (AGB) and injected into the solar nebula. The presence of similar Os isotopic anomalies throughout all major chondrite groups implies that carriers of Os isotopic anomalies were homogeneously distributed in the solar nebula, at least across the formation region of chondrites.     

对南极类C1陨石成因和星云水化作用范围的几点看法

南极陨石的研究发现，有几个碳质球粒陨石富含与Ｃ１陨石类似的含水层状硅酸盐集合体及其角砾．其氧同位素比值也与Ｃ１接近，因而称之为类Ｃ１陨石。类Ｃ１陨石与Ｃ１陨石的区别是：类Ｃ１陨石中的含水层状硅酸盐既以基质的形式产出，也出现在球粒中；类Ｃ１陨石中含有球粒及有关组分，如球粒碎块、矿物集合体等。每个陨石中所含这些组分的数量不同，其矿物的成分也差别很大，从而说明它们形成的星云环境不同。因此笔者认为类Ｃ１陨石可能是小行星区星云盘外层的星云凝聚物受到不同程度水化作用后吸积形成的陨石。     

Petrology and oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules in E3 chondrites

Chondrules in E3 chondrites differ from those in other chondrite groups. Many contain near-pure endmember enstatite (Fs_<1). Some contain Si-bearing FeNi metal, Cr-bearing troilite, and, in some cases Mg, Mn- and Ca-sulfides. Olivine and more FeO-rich pyroxene grains are present but much less common than in ordinary or carbonaceous chondrite chondrules. In some cases, the FeO-rich grains contain dusty inclusions of metal. The oxygen three-isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O, δ¹⁷O) of olivine and pyroxene in chondrules from E3 chondrites, which are measured using a multi-collection SIMS, show a wide range of values. Most enstatite data plots on the terrestrial fractionation (TF) line near whole rock values and some plot near the ordinary chondrite region on the 3-isotope diagram. Pyroxene with higher FeO contents (∼2-10 wt.% FeO) generally plots on the TF line similar to enstatite, suggesting it formed locally in the EC (enstatite chondrite) region and that oxidation/reduction conditions varied within the E3 chondrite chondrule-forming region. Olivine shows a wide range of correlated δ¹⁸O and δ¹⁷O values and data from two olivine-bearing chondrules form a slope ∼1 mixing line, which is approximately parallel to but distinct from the CCAM (carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mixing) line. We refer to this as the ECM (enstatite chondrite mixing) line but it also may coincide with a line defined by chondrules from Acfer 094 referred to as the PCM (Primitive Chondrite Mineral) line (Ushikubo et al., 2011). The range of O isotope compositions and mixing behavior in E3 chondrules is similar to that in O and C chondrite groups, indicating similar chondrule-forming processes, solid-gas mixing and possibly similar ¹⁶O-rich precursors solids. However, E3 chondrules formed in a distinct oxygen reservoir.Internal oxygen isotope heterogeneity was found among minerals from some of the chondrules in E3 chondrites suggesting incomplete melting of the chondrules, survival of minerals from previous generations of chondrules, and chondrule recycling. Olivine, possibly a relict grain, in one chondrule has an R chondrite-like oxygen isotope composition and may indicate limited mixing of materials from other reservoirs. Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in E3 chondrites have petrologic characteristics and oxygen isotope ratios similar to those in other chondrite groups. However, chondrules from E3 chondrites differ markedly from those in other chondrite groups. From this we conclude that chondrule formation was a local event but CAIs may have all formed in one distinct place and time and were later redistributed to the various chondrule-forming and parent body accretion regions. This also implies that transport mechanisms were less active at the time of and following chondrule formation.     

The non-mass-dependent oxygen isotope effect in the electrodissociation of carbon dioxide: A step toward understanding NoMaD chemistry

A non-mass dependent (NoMaD) oxygen isotope effect is demonstrated in the dissociation of CO₂ similar to that observed in the electrosynthesis of ozone. The molecular oxygen produced carries the signature of two separate isotopic fractionation processes; a mass-dependent fractionation probably due to CO₂ + O isotopic exchange, and a secondary NoMaD fractionation (δ¹⁷O = 0.97 ± 0.09δ¹⁸O, with the O₂ depleted in ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O). It is suggested that the effect is due to either the formation or relaxation of ozone in an excited electronic state. This represents the latest advance in the understanding of chemical NoMaD effects which may be essential to the explanation of non-mass-dependent fractionations observed in meteorites.     

Oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrules: Implications for evolution of oxygen isotopic reservoirs in the inner solar nebula

We review the oxygen isotopic compositions of minerals in chondrules and compound objects composed of a chondrule and a refractory inclusion, and bulk oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrules in unequilibrated ordinary, carbonaceous, enstatite, and Kakangari-like chondrites, focusing on data acquired using secondary ion mass-spectrometry and laser fluorination coupled with mass-spectrometry over the last decade. Most ferromagnesian chondrules from primitive (unmetamorphosed) chondrites are isotopically uniform (within 3–4‰ in Δ¹⁷O) and depleted in ¹⁶O (Δ¹⁷O>−7‰) relative to amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) and most calcium–aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) (Δ¹⁷O<−20‰), suggesting that these classes of objects formed in isotopically distinct gaseous reservoirs, ¹⁶O-poor and ¹⁶O-rich, respectively. Chondrules uniformly enriched in ¹⁶O (Δ¹⁷O<−15‰) are exceptionally rare and have been reported only in CH chondrites. Oxygen isotopic heterogeneity in chondrules is mainly due to the presence of relict grains. These appear to consist of chondrules of earlier generations and rare refractory inclusions; with rare exceptions, the relict grains are ¹⁶O-enriched relative to chondrule phenocrysts and mesostasis. Within a chondrite group, the magnesium-rich (Type I) chondrules tend to be ¹⁶O-enriched relative to the ferrous (Type II) chondrules. Aluminum-rich chondrules in ordinary, enstatite, CR, and CV chondrites are generally ¹⁶O-enriched relative to ferromagnesian chondrules. No systematic differences in oxygen isotopic compositions have been found among these chondrule types in CB chondrites. Aluminum-rich chondrules in carbonaceous chondrites often contain relict refractory inclusions. Aluminum-rich chondrules with relict CAIs have heterogeneous oxygen isotopic compositions (Δ¹⁷O ranges from −20‰ to 0‰). Aluminum-rich chondrules without relict CAIs are isotopically uniform and have oxygen isotopic compositions similar to, or approaching, those of ferromagnesian chondrules. Phenocrysts and mesostases of the CAI-bearing chondrules show no clear evidence for ¹⁶O-enrichment compared to the CAI-free chondrules. Spinel, hibonite, and forsterite of the relict refractory inclusions largely retained their original oxygen isotopic compositions. In contrast, plagioclase and melilite of the relict CAIs experienced melting and ¹⁶O-depletion to various degrees, probably due to isotopic exchange with an ¹⁶O-poor nebular gas. Several igneous CAIs experienced isotopic exchange with an ¹⁶O-poor nebular gas during late-stage remelting in the chondrule-forming region. On a three-isotope diagram, bulk oxygen isotopic compositions of most chondrules in ordinary, enstatite, and carbonaceous chondrites plot above, along, and below the terrestrial fractionation line, respectively. Bulk oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrules in altered and/or metamorphosed chondrites show evidence for mass-dependent fractionation, reflecting either interaction with a gaseous/fluid reservoir on parent asteroids or open-system thermal metamorphism. Bulk oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrules and oxygen isotopic compositions of individual minerals in chondrules and refractory inclusions from primitive chondrites plot along a common line of slope of 1, suggesting that only two major reservoirs (gas and solids) are needed to explain the observed variations. However, there is no requirement that each had a permanently fixed isotopic composition. The absolute (²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb) and relative (²⁷Al–²⁶Mg) chronologies of CAIs and chondrules and the differences in oxygen isotopic compositions of most chondrules (¹⁶O-poor) and most refractory inclusions (¹⁶O-rich) can be interpreted in terms of isotopic self-shielding during UV photolysis of CO in the initially ¹⁶O-rich (Δ¹⁷O−25‰) parent molecular cloud or protoplanetary disk. According to these models, the UV photolysis preferentially dissociates C¹⁷O and C¹⁸O in the parent molecular cloud and in the peripheral zones of the protoplanetary disk. If this process occurs in the stability field of water ice, the released atomic ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O are incorporated into water ice, while the residual CO gas becomes enriched in ¹⁶O. During the earliest stages of evolution of the protoplanetary disk, the inner solar nebula had a solar H₂O/CO ratio and was ¹⁶O-rich. During this time, AOAs and the ¹⁶O-rich CAIs and chondrules formed. Subsequently, the inner solar nebula became H₂O- and ¹⁶O-depleted, because ice-rich dust particles, which were depleted in ¹⁶O, agglomerated outside the snowline (5 AU), drifted rapidly towards the Sun and evaporated. During this time, which may have lasted for 3 Myr, most chondrules and the ¹⁶O-depleted igneous CAIs formed. We infer that most chondrules formed from isotopically heterogeneous, but ¹⁶O-depleted precursors, and experienced isotopic exchange with an ¹⁶O-poor nebular gas during melting. Although the relative roles of the chondrule precursor materials and gas–melt isotopic exchange in establishing oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrules have not been quantified yet, mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic evidence indicate that Type I chondrules may have formed in chemical and isotopic equilibrium with nebular gas of variable isotopic composition. Whether these variations were spatial or temporal are not known yet.     

Refractory precursor components of Semarkona chondrules and the fractionation of refractory elements among chondrites

Chondrules from the Semarkona (LL3.0) chondrite show refractory and common lithophile fractionation trends similar to those observed among the chondrite groups. It appears that chondrules are mixtures of a small number of pre-existing solid components, and we infer that chondrule precursor materials were related to the nebular components involved in the lithophile element fractionations recognized in ordinary chondrites. Compositional trends among the chondrules can be used to deduce the compositions of these components.We use instrumental neutron activation analysis to measure many (~20) of the lithophile elements in 30 chondrules. The amounts of oxidized iron were calculated from other compositional parameters; concentrations of Si were estimated using mass-balance considerations. The data were corrected for the diluting effects of non-lithophile constituents. Plots of lithophile elements versus a reference refractory element such as Al show that there were two major chondrule silicate precursor components: a refractory, olivine-rich, FeO-free one, and a non-refractory, SiO₂-, FeO-rich one.The refractory component probably forms from olivine-enriched condensates formed above the condensation temperature of enstatite. The non-refractory component must have formed from fine-grained materials that were able to equilibrate down to lower nebular temperatures. Chondrite matrix may have had an origin similar to that of the non-refractory material, and constitutes a third lithophile-bearing component that took part in chondrite fractionation processes. The low abundance of refractories and Mg in ordinary and enstatite chondrites was produced by the loss of materials having a higher refractory-element/Mg ratio than that in the refractory component of chondrules.     

Oxygen isotopic compositions of IVA iron meteorites: implications for the thermal evolution derived from in situ ultraviolet laser microprobe analyses

Oxygen isotopic compositions of silicate inclusions in IVA iron meteorites have been measured with an in situ UV laser microprobe technique. The homogeneity of oxygen isotopic compositions within and among individual mineral grains has also been examined. Oxygen isotope fractionations between coexisting mineral pairs were utilized in oxygen isotope thermometry. Our measured Δ¹⁷O values, ranging from 0.97 to 1.25‰, are characteristic of a single reservoir and fully confirm the oxygen isotopic similarity between IVA irons and L/LL chondrites. Steinbach and São João Nepomuceno, containing inclusions of two silicate minerals in mutual contact, exhibit a mass-dependent fractionation of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O between tridymite and bronzite with apparent oxygen isotopic heterogeneity. The SiO₂-bearing member, Gibeon, gives homogeneous oxygen isotopic compositions without detectable fractionation of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O between tridymite and quartz. Oxygen isotope equilibrium temperatures are estimated for coexisting tridymite and bronzite in the same sample slabs or clusters in Steinbach and São João Nepomuceno. The fractionations of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O between bronzite and tridymite range from 1.6 to 2.3‰ in different sample slabs or clusters. On the basis of the closure temperature concept, cooling rates are estimated at approximately 20 to 1000°C/Myr between 800 and 1000°C, a range of temperatures not accessible to other cooling rate methods. Using the Fast Grain Boundary diffusion model, we have demonstrated that significant oxygen heterogeneity both in tridymite and bronzite is probably due to isotope exchange during cooling between minerals with various grain sizes and mineral abundances in different regions of the samples. The new estimates of cooling rate by oxygen isotope thermometry refine previous cooling curves of IVA irons and support the breakup-reassembly model for the IVA parent body.