我国普通球粒陨石岩石学,化学组成及分类的研究

对69个普通球粒陨石进行了岩石学及化学组成的研究,在此基础上提出橄榄石成分(mol％Fa)-铁纹石中钴含量两维分类参数,69个球粒陨石包括25个H、20个L、17个LL、2个介于H与L之间及5个介于L与LL之间的类型。根据矿物学的分类参数及化学组成的研究,普通球粒陨石母体至少有5个,即H、H/L、L、L/LL及LL,而不是3个(H、L及LL)。每群球粒陨石的不同岩石类型之间化学成分无重大的变化,表明球粒陨石的变质作用是在封闭体系的条件下发生的。本文给出了普通球粒陨石不同化学群和不同岩石类型的平均化学成分。     

南极格罗夫山陨石的磁化率

我国在南极格罗夫山发现并收集到大量南极陨石,需要一种无损、快速简单的分类方法。陨石磁化率(χ)的主要贡献是其中的铁镍金属,因而有可能成为一种简便有效的分类参数。同时,磁化率是陨石的一个重要物理参数。我们在国内首次开展陨石磁化率的研究,通过对模拟陨石磁化率样品的测量,证明可以通过不同取向的测量平均,将样品的大小和形状等几何因素的影响减小在仪器的测量精度范围之内。完成了首批613块南格格罗夫山陨石的磁化率测量,除普通球粒陨石外,还包括火星陨石、灶神星陨石、碳质球粒陨石、中铁陨石、橄榄陨铁、橄辉无球粒陨石等特殊类型。根据质量磁化率,可以划分大部分H、L、LL群陨石。特别重要的是,磁化率对于划分非平衡的普通球粒陨石化学群提供了更为可靠的参数。格罗夫山H群陨石的磁化率分布与南极其他地区的陨石十分相似,二者相对降落型陨石均向低质量磁化率方向平移0.2（logχ, 10^-9m³/kg）,反映了风化作用对南极陨石磁化率的平均影响程度;格罗夫山L群陨石的质量磁化率分布同样较降落型陨石偏低0.2左右,但南极其他地区的陨石与沙漠陨石的磁化率分布相似,二者均更为离散和偏低,可能反映了不同的风化程度。     

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。     

南极格罗夫山普通球粒陨石的岩石学和矿物学特征及分类

从南极格罗夫山地区回收的11个陨石均具有球粒结构,确定为普通球粒陨石。研究了这些陨石的岩相学特征和矿物化学特征,进行了化学群-岩石类型的划分。结果表明,在所研究的11个普通球粒陨石中,4个为H群,6个为L群,1个为LL群。其中GRV 020010（LL3）和GRV 021481（H3）的两个陨石是稀少的、在我国尚末见过的非平衡普通球粒陨石。进行了陨石磁化率的测试,初步探讨了磁化率在陨石化学群分类中的作用。     

球粒陨石中富Ca、Al包体成因研究进展与演化模式

富Ca、Al包体(简称CAI)形成于太阳星云演化的最初始阶段,其成因模式主要包括:气—固凝聚、熔融结晶和部分熔融以及高温蒸发作用等。最近,通过对不同球粒陨石化学群中的CAI进行岩石学特征对比研究,发现不同化学群中的CAI具有相似的大小和类型分布特征,表明不同球粒陨石化学群中的CAI极可能具有相似的起源。该结果,与前人的氧同位素、Al—Mg同位素体系以及稀土元素等研究得到的结论一致。不同球粒陨石化学群中的CAI具有相似的成因,并很可能形成于太阳星云的相同区域,随后迁移到不同球粒陨石群的吸积区域。     

石陨石中橄榄石和辉石的微量化学分析

在一般石陨石中，球粒陨石硅酸盐相约占其化学组成的三分之二，而橄榄石(Mg、Fe)，SiO4和斜方辉石(Mg、Fe)SiO3又是组成硅酸盐相的主要矿物。较详细地研究橄榄石和辉石的化学组成对石陨石各化学群的划分及球粒陨石岩石类型的划分都是十分重要的。     

我国球粒陨石稀有气体的研究

对43个球粒陨石进行了稀有气体分析,其中34个为我国球粒陨石,9个为国外球粒陨石。43个球粒陨石包括17个H、15个L、6个LL、3个L/LL、1个EH3及1个CV3-an化学群。给出了43个球粒陨石的宇宙射线暴露年龄及气体保存年龄,在此基础上讨论了二者(T_3/T_(21)与T_4/T_(40))之间的关系,划分出~3He_c和~4He_r同步丟失及~4He_r单独丢失两种类型的球粒陨石。     

10块新疆哈密沙漠陨石的类型及其岩石矿物学特征

沙漠是除南极地区之外的另一陨石样品的主要来源地。我国拥有面积辽阔的沙漠,为陨石的收集提供了有利的地理条件。2013年5月,在首次新疆库姆塔格沙漠陨石考察中,发现并收集到46块陨石样品,确定了3个陨石富集区:Hami、Alatage Mountain(AM)和Kumtag。对其中的10块代表性陨石样品进行了矿物岩石学研究,在此基础上确定了它们的化学群、岩石类型、冲击变质程度和风化程度。10块库姆塔格陨石均为普通球粒陨石,其中1块样品Kumtag014(Fa摩尔百分比为9.1~48.3,相对标准偏差PMD为51.0;Fs摩尔百分比为2.8~30.3,PMD为54.2)属于非平衡型L群。依据橄榄石Fa的PMD将其进一步划分为3.4亚型,属于相当原始的球粒陨石样品。另外9块经历了明显的热变质作用,为5型普通球粒陨石,包括7块L群(Fa22.6~25.9,Fs 17.6~21.4)和2块H群(Fa 18.2~20.8,Fs 16.0~17.8)。这些陨石的冲击变质程度:5块S3型,4块S2型,1块S1型;风化程度:3块W1型,6块W2型,1块W3型。     

庐江陨石的化学组成

庐江陨石是一块落的球粒石陨石,本文详细介绍了庐江的化学全分析,铁物相,镍物相和微量元素分析方法,给出了庐江陨石的主要元素组成和微量元素组成特征。由此可以确定该陨石的化学群属于ＬＬ群。     

我国新近降落陨石和地球岩石的反射谱研究

本文通过我国新近降落的几块普通球粒陨石、顽火辉石球粒陨石、新疆铁陨石和某些地球岩石的粉末样的反测谱测定,可以看出,随着陨石中Fe~o/Fe_t值增加,球粒陨石的近紫外、可见光和近红外光谱反射率强度,依LL—L—H—E顺序递减,吸收带趋于平缓。同一化学群的陨石,变质程度越高吸收谷越深。而地球火成岩反射谱,则依酸性、基性和超基性逐渐显示出H群球粒陨石的反射谱型。 各类陨石的反射谱特征,可用来判定行星表面和某些小行星的物质组成。     

Physical properties of chondrules in different chondrite groups: Implications for multiple melting events in dusty environments

Chondrite groups (CV, CK, CR) with large average chondrule sizes have low proportions of RP plus C chondrules, high proportions of enveloping compound chondrules, high proportions of chondrules with (thick) igneous rims, and relatively low proportions of type-I chondrules containing sulfide. In contrast, chondrite groups (CM, CO, OC, R, EH, EL) with smaller average chondrule sizes have the opposite properties. Equilibrated CK chondrites have plagioclase with relatively low Na; equilibrated OC, R, EH and EL chondrites have more sodic plagioclase. Enveloping compound chondrules and chondrules with igneous rims formed during a remelting event after the primary chondrule was incorporated into a dustball. Repeated episodes of remelting after chondrules were surrounded by dust would tend to produce large chondrules. RP and C chondrules formed by complete melting of their precursor assemblages; remelting of RP and C chondrules surrounded by dust would tend to produce porphyritic chondrules as small dust particles mixed with the melt, providing nuclei for crystallizing phenocrysts. This process would tend to diminish the numbers of RP and C chondrules. Correlations among these chondrule physical properties suggest that chondrite groups with large chondrules were typically surrounded by thick dust-rich mantles that formed in locally dusty nebular environments. Chondrules that were surrounded by thick dust mantles tended to cool more slowly because heat could not quickly radiate away. Slow cooling led to enhanced migration of sulfide to chondrule surfaces and more extensive sulfide evaporation. These chondrules also lost Na; the plagioclase that formed from equilibrated CK chondrites was thus depleted in Na.     

Microchondrule-bearing clast in the Piancaldoli LL3 meteorite: a new kind of type 3 chondrite and its relevance to the history of chondrules

In the Piancaldoli LL3 chondrite, we found a mm-sized clast containing ~100 chondrules 0.2–64 μm in apparent diameter (much smaller than any previously reported) that are all of the same textural type (radial pyroxene; FS_1–17). This clast, like other type 3 chondrites, has a fine-grained Ferich opaque silicate matrix, sharply defined chondrules, abundant low-Ca clinopyroxene and minor troilite and Si- and Cr-bearing metallic Fe,Ni. However, the very high modal matrix abundance (63 ± 8 vol. %), unique characteristics of the chondrules, and absence of microscopically-observable olivine indicate that the clast is a new kind of type 3 chondrite. Most chondrules have FeO-rich edges, and chondrule size is inversely correlated with chondrule-core FeO concentration (the first reported correlation of chondrule size and composition). Chondrules acquired Fe by diffusion from Fe-rich matrix material during mild metamorphism, possibly before final consolidation of the rock. Microchondrules (those chondrules ? 100 μm in diameter) are also abundant in another new kind of type 3 chondrite clast in the Rio Negro L chondrite regolith breccia. In other type 3 chondrite groups, microchondrule abundance appears to be anticorrelated with mean chondrule size, viz. 0.02–0.04 vol. % in H and CO chondrites and ?0.006 vol. % in L, LL, and CV chondrites.Microchondrules probably formed by the same process that formed normal-sized droplet chondrules: melting of pre-existing dustballs. Because most compound chondrules in the clast and other type 3 chondrites formed by collisions between chondrules of the same textural type, we suggest that dust grains were mineralogically sorted in the nebula before aggregating into dustballs. The sizes of compound chondrules and chondrule craters, which resulted from collisions of similarly-sized chondrules while they were plastic, indicate that size-sorting (of dustballs) occurred before chondrule formation, probably by aerodynamic processes in the nebula. We predict that other kinds of type 3 chondrites exist which contain chondrule abundances, size-ranges and proportions of textural types different from known chondrite groups.     

Chondrule size and related physical properties: A compilation and evaluation of current data across all meteorite groups

The examination of the physical properties of chondrules has generally received less emphasis than other properties of meteorites such as their mineralogy, petrology, and chemical and isotopic compositions. Among the various physical properties of chondrules, chondrule size is especially important for the classification of chondrites into chemical groups, since each chemical group possesses a distinct size-frequency distribution of chondrules. Knowledge of the physical properties of chondrules is also vital for the development of astrophysical models for chondrule formation, and for understanding how to utilize asteroidal resources in space exploration. To examine our current knowledge of chondrule sizes, we have compiled and provide commentary on available chondrule dimension literature data. We include all chondrite chemical groups as well as the acapulcoite primitive achondrites, some of which contain relict chondrules. We also compile and review current literature data for other astrophysically-relevant physical properties (chondrule mass and density). Finally, we briefly examine some additional physical aspects of chondrules such as the frequencies of compound and “cratered” chondrules. A purpose of this compilation is to provide a useful resource for meteoriticists and astrophysicists alike.     

Evidence for primitive nebular components in chondrules from the Chainpur chondrite

The least equilibrated ordinary chrondrites contain chondrules which have experienced little change since the time of their formation in the early solar system. These chondrules are excellent indicators of the physical and chemical nature of the solar nebula. We separated 36 chondrules from the Chainpur (LL3.4) chondrite and analyzed each for 20 elements and petrographic properties. Sampling biases were minimized as far as possible.Chondrules seem to have formed through the melting of random mixtures of grains comprising a limited number of nebular components. The identity of these components can be deduced from chondrule compositions. The dominant components appear to be: 1) a mixture of metal and sulfide with composition similar to whole-rock metal and sulfide; 2) refractory (Ir-rich) metal; 3) refractory, olivine-rich silicates; 4) low-temperature, pyroxene-rich silicates, and, possibly, 5) a component containing the more volatile lithophiles.Most of the textural types of chondrules formed from the same set of precursor components. In some cases chondrules having different textures are almost identical in composition. A few, unusual chondrule types seem to mainly consist of uncommon nebular components, possibly indicating different modes of formation.Etching experiments confirm that chondrule rims are enriched in metal, troilite and moderately volatile elements relative to the bulk chondrules. However, a large fraction of the volatiles remains in the unetched interior.     

Trace elements in rims and interiors of Chainpur chondrules

Trace elements were measured in the rims and interiors of nine chondrules separated from the Chainpur LL-3 chondrite. Whole rock samples of Chainpur and samples of separated rims were also measured. Chondrule rims are moderately enriched in siderophile and volatile elements relative to the chondrule interiors. The enriched volatile elements include the lithophilic volatile element Zn. The moderate enrichment of volatiles in chondrule rims and the lack of severe depletion in chondrules can account for the complete volatile inventory in Chainpur. These results support a three-component model of chondrite formation in which metal plus sulfide, chondrules plus rims and matrix silicates are mixed to form chondrites.     

Fine-grained-rim mineralogy of the Cold Bokkeveld CM chondrite

A chrysotile-like phase, cronstedtite, polygonal serpentine, pentlandite, and finely intergrown tochilinite comprise the fine-grained rim (FGR) mineralogy of the Cold Bokkeveld CM chondrite. Transmission electron microscope images combined with compositional data indicate reaction among cronstedtite, the chrysotile-like phase, and polygonal serpentine. The Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios of the cronstedtite are higher than those reported for the less altered Murchison CM chondrite. Cronstedtite grains exhibit layer separations, particularly at their boundaries.The FGRs surround different chondrule types but have similar bulk compositions and mineralogy. Ca is depleted in the FGRs relative to the bulk CM chondrite. The FGRs display non-uniform thicknesses, especially where they coat embayed chondrule areas, and they exhibit grain-size coarsening outward from the chondrules they enclose. FGR formation in Cold Bokkeveld is most plausibly explained by multiple accretionary episodes during which progressively coarser dust was deposited onto chondrules, presumably in the solar nebula. The compositional and mineralogic data are consistent with aqueous alteration on the parent body.     

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.     

Matrix material in type 3 chondrites—occurrence,heterogeneity and relationship with chondrules

Matrix material in type 3 chondrites forms rims on chondrules, metal-sulfide aggregates, Ca,Al-rich inclusions and chondritic clasts; it also forms lumps up to a millimeter in size, which may contain coarser silicates. Chondrules of all types were found with internal matrix lumps that appear to have entered the chondrules before the latter had crystallized. Mean concentrations of Mg, Na, Al and Ca in matrix occurrences show up to fivefold variations in a single chondrite. Variations between mean matrix compositions of individual type 3 ordinary chondrites are almost as large and partly reflect systematic differences between H, L and LL matrices. Such variations are probably a result of nebular separation of feldspathic material and ferromagnesian silicates.Compositions of chondrules and their matrix rims are normally unrelated, although rim compositions are correlated with those of matrix lumps inside chondrules. A single chondrule was found with a composition nearly identical to that of its internal matrix lump, suggesting that some chondrules may have formed from matrix material. Matrix lumps are as heterogeneous as chondrules, but mean chondrule and matrix compositions differ, even allowing for possible loss of metallic Fe,Ni during chondrule formation. Since bulk compositions of matrix lumps and rims have probably not changed significantly since their formation except for Fe-Mg exchange, our matrix samples cannot represent typical chondrule precursor materials.     

Chemistry, petrology and bulk oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules from the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite

We report bulk chemical compositions and physical properties for a suite of 94 objects, mostly chondrules, separated from the Mokoia CV3_ox carbonaceous chondrite. We also describe mineralogical and petrologic information for a selected subset of the same suite of chondrules. The data are used to examine the range of chondrule bulk compositions, and to investigate the relationships between chondrule mineralogy, texture and bulk compositions, as well as oxygen isotopic properties that we reported previously. Most of the chondrules show minimal metamorphism, corresponding to petrologic subtype <3.2. In general, elemental fractionations observed in chondrule bulk compositions are reflected in the compositions of constituent minerals. For chondrules, mean bulk compositions and compositional ranges are very similar for large (>2 mg) and small (<2 mg) size fractions. Two of the objects studied are described as matrix-rich clasts. These have similar bulk compositions to the chondrule mean, and are potential chondrule precursors. One of these clasts has a similar bulk oxygen isotopic composition to Mokoia chondrules, but the other has an anomalously high value of Δ¹⁷O (+3.60‰).Chondrules are diverse in bulk chemical composition, with factor of 10 variations in most major element abundances that cannot be attributed to secondary processes. The chondrules examined show evidence for extensive secondary oxidation, and possible sulfidization, as expected for an oxidized CV chondrite, but minimal aqueous alteration. Some of the bulk chondrule compositional variation might be the result of chemical (e.g. volatilization or condensation) or physical (e.g. metal loss) processes during chondrule formation. However, we suggest that it is mainly the result of significant variations in the assembly of particles that constituted chondrule precursors. Precursor material likely included a refractory component, possibly inherited from disaggregated CAIs, an FeO-poor ferromagnesian component such as olivine or pyroxene, an oxidized ferromagnesian component, and a metal component. Bulk oxygen isotope ratios of chondrules can be explained if refractory and ferromagnesian precursor materials initially shared similar oxygen isotopic compositions of δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O around −50‰, and then significant exchange occurred between the chondrule and surrounding ¹⁶O-poor gas during melting.     

Chemical and physical studies of type 3 chondrites—III. Chondrules from the Dhajala H3.8 chondrite

Fifty-eight chondrules were separated from the Dhajala H3.8 chondrite and their thermoluminescence properties were measured. Chips from 30 of the chondrules were examined petrographically and with electron-microprobe techniques; the bulk compositions of 30 chondrules were determined by the fused bead technique. Porphyritic chondrules, especially 5 which have particularly high contents of mesostasis, tend to have higher TL (mass-normalized) than non-porphyritic chondrules. Significant correlations between log(TL) and the bulk CaO, Al₂O₃ and MnO content of the chondrules, and between log(TL) and the CaO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂ and normative anorthite content of the chondrule glass, indicate an association between TL and the abundance and composition of mesostasis. Unequilibrated chondrules ( i.e. those whose olivine is compositionally heterogeneous and high in Ca) have low TL, whereas equilibrated chondrules have a wide range of TL, depending on their chemical and petrographic properties.We suggest that the TL level in a given chondrule is governed by its bulk composition (which largely determined the abundance and composition of constituent glass) and by metamorphism (which devitrfied the glass in those chondrules with high Ca glass to produce the TL phosphor). We also suggest that one reason why certain chondrules in type 3 ordinary chondrites are unequilibrated, while others are equilibrated, is that the mesostasis of the unequilibrated chondrules resisted the devitrification. This devitrification is necessary for the diffusive communication between chondrule grains and matrix that enables equilibration.