Abundance patterns of thirteen trace elements in primitive carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

A neutron activation analysis technique was used to determine Au, Re, Co, Mo, As, Sb, Ga, Se, Te, Hg, Zn, Bi and Tl in 11 carbonaceous chondrites, 12 unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOC), and 4 equilibrated ordinary chondrites. The first 6 elements are ‘undepleted’, the next 3 ‘normally-depleted’ and the last 4 ‘strongly-depleted’. Except for Hg, ‘depleted-element’ abundances in carbonaceous chondrites lead to mean relative ratios of C1:C2:C3 = 1.00:0.53:0.29, i.e. those predicted by a two-component (mixing of high-temperature and low-temperature fractions) model. The last 4 nominally ‘undepleted’ elements are somewhat depleted in ordinary chondrites, As and Sb showing partial depletion in C3 and the latter in C2 chondrites as well. This requires a modification of the two-component model to indicate that deposition of elements during condensation of high temperature material was not an all-or-nothing process.Apart from Bi and Tl, the elements studied have similar abundances in unequilibrated and equilibrated ordinary chondrites and only the former are unquestionably correlated with the degree of disequilibrium in silicate minerals. Only some ‘strongly-depleted’ elements exhibit at least one of the following—proportional depletion in UOC, progressive depletion in petrographic grades 3–6 ordinary chondrites and enrichment in the gas-containing dark portion of gas-rich, light-dark meteorites—indicating that such depletion does not ensure that an element will exhibit these trends. Partly or completely siderophile As, Au, Co, Ga, Mo, Re and Sb vary with chemical type in the same manner in both unequilibrated and equilibrated ordinary chondrites and doubtless reflect a process involving fractionation of metallic iron.     

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.     

我国南极陨石研究与展望

继1998～2000年我国第15、16次南极科考队在南极格罗夫山发现32块陨石之后，2002～2003年第19次科考队成立了以回收陨石为中心任务的格罗夫山综合考察分队，在同一地区成功回收4448块陨石。我国的南极陨石回收工作不但实现了零的突破，而且成为继日本和美国之后拥有南极陨石数量最多的国家之一。通过对第15、16次队回收的32块陨石以及第19次队4448块陨石中的38块代表性样品的化学一岩石类型划分工作,除平衡型普通球粒陨石外，发现了2块火星陨石、2块橄辉无球粒陨石、6块非平衡L3型陨石、4块碳质球粒陨石和1块非平衡型顽辉石球粒陨石等特殊类型陨石。本文主要介绍了南极陨石的回收和研究进展，以及我国在南极格罗夫山回收陨石的情况和已取得的初步研究成果。同时对我国今后的陨石回收与研究工作提出初步设想。     

Petrology of the St. Mesmin chondrite

Fifteen samples of clasts and matrix material from the St. Mesmin LL-group chon drite were examined petrogaphically. Their olivines and low-calcium pyroxenes were partially analyzed (for Fe, Ca and Mg) with the electron microprobe. The data confirm and extend the conclusion of Fredriksson et al. (1968) that St. Mesmin is unequilibrated. Though some of its xenolitbs have textures and mineral assemblages appropriate to type 6 and 7 (Dodd, 1972) chondritic material, other materials within it show no evidence of recrystallization. The components of St. Mesmin can be classified by petrologic type according to the system of Van Schmus and Wood (1967); the meteorite as a whole cannot. St. Mesmin is also polymict. Two dark xenoliths in the material studied are fragments of intensely shocked H-group (H-4 ?) chondrites. Two others are fragments of olivine microporphyry which may represent shock-generated magma. Within St. Mesmin and other unequilibrated LL-group chondrites (Fredriksson et al., 1968), the iron contents of olivine and orthopyroxene vary directly with petrologic type. Literature data suggest a similar relationship among the LL-group chondrites, but with many exceptions. In view of the potential importance of this observation for interpretation of the metamorphic history of LL-group chondrites, a detailed restudy and reclassification of these meteorites seems to be in order.     

The matrices of unequilibrated ordinary chondrites: Implications for the origin and history of chondrites

The matrices of sixteen unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (all witnessed falls) were studied microscopically in transmitted and reflected light and analyzed by electron microprobe. Selected specimens were also studied by scanning electron microscopy. These studies indicate that the fine-grained, opaque, silicate matrix of type 3 unequilibrated chondrites is compositionally, mineralogically and texturally distinct from the chondrules and chondrule fragments and may be the low temperature condensate proposed by Larimer and Anders (1967, 1970). Examination of the matrices of unequilibrated chondrites also shows that each meteorite has been metamorphosed, with the alteration ranging in intensity from quite mild, where the matrix has been only slightly altered, to a more severe metamorphism that has completely recrystallized the opaque matrix. Most of the metamorphic changes in the matrix occurred without significant effects on the compositions or textures of the chondrules. The metamorphic alteration probably resulted from a combination of processes including thermal metamorphism and the passage of shock waves. The present appearance of each unequilibrated chondrite is a result of the particular temperature and pressure conditions under which it and its components formed, plus the subsequent metamorphic alteration it experienced.     

Carbon-rich chondritic clast PV1 from the Plainview H-chondrite regolith breccia: Formation from H3 chondrite material by possible cometary impact

Chondritic clast PV1 from the Plainview H-chondrite regolith breccia is a subrounded, 5-mm-diameter unequilibrated chondritic fragment that contains 13 wt% C occurring mainly within irregularly shaped 30-400-μm-size opaque patches. The clast formed from H3 chondrite material as indicated by the mean apparent chondrule diameter (310 μm vs. ∼300 μm in H3 chondrites), the mean Mg-normalized refractory lithophile abundance ratio (1.00 ± 0.09×H), the previously determined O-isotopic composition (Δ¹⁷O = 0.66‰ vs. 0.68 ± 0.04‰ in H3 chondrites and 0.73 ± 0.09‰ in H4-6 chondrites), the heterogeneous olivine compositions in grain cores (with a minimum range of Fa1-19), and the presence of glass in some chondrules. Although the clast lacks the fine-grained, ferroan silicate matrix material present in type 3 ordinary chondrites, PV1 contains objects that appear to be recrystallized clumps of matrix material. Similarly, the apparent dearth of radial pyroxene and cryptocrystalline chondrules in PV1 is accounted for by the presence of some recrystallized fragments of these chondrule textural types. All of the chondrules in PV1 are interfused indicating that temperatures must have briefly reached ∼1100°C (the approximate solidus temperature of H-chondrite silicate). The most likely source of this heating was by an impact. Some metal was lost during impact heating as indicated by the moderately low abundance of metallic Fe-Ni in PV1 (∼14 wt%) compared to that in mean H chondrites (∼18 wt%). The carbon enrichment of the clast may have resulted from a second impact event, one involving a cometary projectile, possibly a Jupiter-family comet. As the clast cooled, it experienced hydrothermal alteration at low water/rock ratios as evidenced by the thick rims of ferroan olivine around low-FeO olivine cores. The C-rich chondritic clast was later incorporated into the H-chondrite parent-body regolith and extensively fractured and faulted.     

The Rumuruti chondrite group

Since 1994, the Rumuruti (R) chondrites have been recognized as a new, well-established chondrite group differing from carbonaceous, ordinary, and enstatite chondrites. The first R chondrite, Carlisle Lakes, was found in Australia in 1977. Meanwhile, the number has increased to 107 (December, 2010). This group is named after the Rumuruti meteorite, the first and so far the only R chondrite fall. Most of the R chondrites are breccias containing a variety of different clasts embedded in a clastic matrix. Some textural and mineralogical characteristics can be summarized as follows: (a) the chondrule abundance in large fragments and in unbrecciated rocks is ∼35–50 vol%; (b) Ca,Al-rich inclusions are rare; (c) the olivine abundance is typically 65–78 vol%; (d) the mean chondrule diameter is ∼400 μm; (e) in unequilibrated R chondrites, low-Ca pyroxene is dominating, whereas in equilibrated R chondrites it is Ca-rich pyroxene; (f) the typical olivine in a metamorphosed lithology is ∼Fa_38–40; (g) matrix olivine in unequilibrated, type 3 fragments and rocks has much higher Fa (∼45–60 mol%) compared to matrix olivines in type 4–6 lithologies (∼Fa_38–41); (h) spinels have a high TiO₂ of ∼5 wt%; (i) abundant different noble metal-bearing phases (metals, sulfides, tellurides, arsenides) occur. The exception is the metamorphosed, type 5/6 R chondrite La Paz Icefield 04840 which contains hornblende, phlogopite, and Ca-poor pyroxene, the latter phase typically occurring in low-grade metamorphosed R chondrites only.In bulk composition, R chondrites have some affinity to ordinary chondrites: (a) the absence of significant depletions in Mn and Na in R chondrites and ordinary chondrites is an important feature to distinguish these groups from carbonaceous chondrites; (b) total Fe (∼24 wt%) of R chondrites is between those of H and L chondrites (27.1 and 21.6 wt%, respectively); (c) the average CI/Mg-normalized lithophile element abundances are ∼0.95 × CI, which is lower than those for carbonaceous chondrites (≥1.0 × CI) and slightly higher than those for ordinary chondrites (∼0.9 × CI); (d) trace element concentrations such as Zn (∼150 ppm) and Se (∼15 ppm) are much higher than in ordinary chondrites; (e) the whole rock Δ¹⁷O of ∼2.7 for R chondrites is the highest among all meteorite groups, and the mean oxygen isotope composition is δ¹⁷O = 5.36 ± 0.43, δ¹⁸O = 5.07 ± 0.86, Δ¹⁷O = +2.72 ± 0.31; (f) noble gas cosmic ray exposure ages of R chondrites range between ∼0.1 and ∼70 Ma. More than half of the R chondrites analyzed for noble gases contain implanted solar wind and, thus, are regolith breccias. The 43 R chondrites from Northern Africa analyzed so far for noble gases seem to represent at least 16 falls. Although the data base is still scarce, the data hint at a major collision event on the R chondrite parent body between 15 and 25 Ma ago.     

Multiple parent bodies of polymict brecciated meteorites

In three brecciated meteorites, Bencubbin, Cumberland Falls and Plainview, the oxygen isotopic compositions of different rock types within each meteorite were determined to seek genetic relationships between them. In all cases the isotopic compositions are not consistent with derivation from a single parent body. There is no evidence that chondrites and achondrites could be derived from a common parent body. The chondritic inclusions in Bencubbin and Cumberland Falls cannot be identified with any of the ordinary chondritic meteorites. The carbonaceous chondritic fragments in Bencubbin are smilar to, but not identical with, C2 meteorites. The achondritic portion of Bencubbin has a very unusual isotopic composition, which, along with its close relative Weatherford, sets it in a class distinctly apart from other achondrites. Lithic fragments in brecciated meteorites provide a wider range of rock types than is represented by known macroscopic meteorites. Collisions between some meteorite parent bodies were of sufficiently low velocity that fragments of both are preserved in breccias.     

Chondritic lithic clasts in the CB/CH-like meteorite Isheyevo: Fragments of previously unsampled parent bodies

The CB/CH-like chondrite Isheyevo is characterized by the absence of fine-grained interchondrule matrix material; the only present fine-grained material is found as chondritic lithic clasts. In contrast to the pristine high-temperature components of Isheyevo, these clasts experienced extensive aqueous alteration in an asteroidal setting. Hence, the clasts are foreign objects that either accreted together with the high-temperature components or were added later to the final Isheyevo parent body during regolith gardening. In order to constrain the origin and secondary alteration of the clasts in Isheyevo, we studied their mineralogy, petrography, structural order of the polyaromatic carbonaceous matter, and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonates. Three main groups of clasts were defined based on mineralogy and petrology. Group I clasts consist of phyllosilicates, carbonates, magnetite, and lath-shaped Fe,Ni-sulfides. Group II clasts contain different abundances of anhydrous silicates embedded in a hydrated matrix; sulfides, magnetite, and carbonates are rare. With only a few exceptions, groups I and II clasts did not experienced significant thermal metamorphism. Group III clasts are characterized by the absence of magnetite and the presence of Fe,Ni-metal. In addition to aqueous alteration, they experienced thermal metamorphism as reflected by the structure of their polyaromatic carbonaceous matter. While there are some similarities between the Isheyevo clasts, CI chondrites, and the matrices of CM and CR chondrites, on the whole, the characteristics of the clasts do not match those of any of these aqueously altered meteorite classes. Nor do they match those of similar material in various types of chondritic clasts present in other meteorite groups. We conclude that the Isheyevo clasts represent fragments of previously unsampled parent bodies.     

Zn and Cu isotopic variations in chondrites and iron meteorites: Early solar nebula reservoirs and parent-body processes

High-precision Zn isotopic variations are reported for carbonaceous chondrites (CC), equilibrated (EOC) and unequilibrated (UOC) ordinary chondrites, iron meteorites from the IAB-IIICD (nonmagmatic) and IIIA (magmatic) groups, and metal from the Brenham pallasite. For irons, δ⁶⁵Cu values are also reported. Data have also been obtained on a coarse-grained type-B calcium-, aluminum-rich refractory inclusion (CAI) from Allende and on acid leaches of Allende (CV3), Krymka (LL3), and Charsonville (H6). Variations expressed as δ⁶⁶Zn (deviation in parts per thousand of ⁶⁶Zn/⁶⁴Zn in samples relative to a standard) spread over a range of 0.3‰ for carbonaceous chondrites, 2‰ for ordinary chondrites, and 4‰ for irons.The measured ⁶⁶Zn/⁶⁴Zn, ⁶⁷Zn/⁶⁴Zn, and ⁶⁸Zn/⁶⁴Zn ratios vary linearly with mass difference and define a common isotope fractionation line with terrestrial samples, which demonstrates that Zn was derived from an initially single homogeneous reservoir. The δ⁶⁶Zn values are correlated with meteorite compositions and slightly decrease in the order CI, CM, CV-CO, and to UOC. The isotopically light Zn of Allende CAI and the acid-resistant residues of Allende and Krymka show that the light component is associated with refractory material, presumably minerals from the spinel-group. This, together with the reverse correlation between relative abundances of light Zn isotopes and volatile element abundances, suggests that Zn depletion in planetary bodies with respect to CI cannot be ascribed to devolatilization of CI-like material. These observations rather suggest that refractory material reacted with a gas phase enriched in the lighter Zn isotopes. Alternatively, chondrules with their associated rims should carry a light Zn isotopic signature. The δ⁶⁶Zn values of unequilibrated chondrites are rather uniform, whereas equilibrated chondrites show distinctly more isotopic variability.The values of δ⁶⁵Cu-δ⁶⁶Zn in irons define two trends. The moderate and positively correlated Cu and Zn isotope variations in IIIA and pallasite samples probably reflect crystallization of silicate, sulfide, and solid metal from the liquid metal. The range of δ⁶⁶Zn values of the IAB-IIICD group is large (>3‰) and contrasts with the moderate fractionation of Cu isotopes. We interpret this feature and the negative δ⁶⁶Zn-δ⁶⁵Cu correlation as reflecting mixing, possibly achieved by percolation, between metals from a regolith devolatilized at low temperature (enriched in heavy zinc) and metallic liquids formed within the parent body.     

Foreign inclusions in stony meteorites—III. Rare gases and oxygen isotopes in a carbonaceous chondritic xenolith in the Plainview gas-rich chondrite

Measurements of oxygen and rare gas isotopes in a carbonaceous xenolithic inclusion in the Plainview H5 chondrite indicate that the xenolith and Plainview host are of two distinct meteorite types, and that no isotopic exchange has taken place between the two materials since their juxtaposition. The oxygen isotope analysis of the xenolith yields δ-¹⁸O value of 6.5 ± 0.1 % relative to SMOW, a value similar to that of carbonaceous chondrites (C2). Rare gas contents of the xenolith are also similar to those of carbonaceous chondrites. The radiation ages of the xenolith ($\text{2.9 ± 0.4}\text{Myr}$) and the host ($\text{2.8 ± 0.4}\text{Myr}$) are identical.Analyses of the rare gases in a sample of the host material adjacent to the xenolith show that Plainview is gas-rich, i.e., it contains large amounts (52,300 ± 10^?8 cm³ STP/g ⁴He) of solar-type trapped gases.We speculate that carbonaceous chondritic material may be more prevalent in the asteroid belt than previously suspected.     

Foreign meteoritic material of howardites and polymict eucrites

Howardites and polymict eucrites are fragments of regolith breccias ejected from the surface of a differentiated (eucritic) parent body, perhaps, of the asteroid Vesta. The first data are presented demonstrating that howardites contain, along with foreign fragments of carbonaceous chondrites, also fragments of ordinary chondrites, enstatite meteorites, ureilites, and mesosiderites. The proportions of these types of foreign meteoritic fragments in howardites and polymict eucrites are the same as in the population of cosmic dust particles obtained from Antarctic and Greenland ice. The concentrations of siderophile elements in howardites and polymict eucrites are not correlated with the contents of foreign meteoritic particles. It is reasonable to believe that cosmogenic siderophile elements are concentrated in howardites and polymict eucrites mostly in submicrometer-sized particles that cannot be examined mineralogically. The analysis of the crater population of the asteroid Vesta indicates that the flux of chondritic material to the surface of this asteroid should have been three orders of magnitude higher than the modern meteoritic flux and have been comparable with the flux to the moon’s surface during its intense meteoritic bombardment. This provides support for the earlier idea about a higher meteoritic activity in the solar system as a whole at approximately 4 Ga. The lithification of the regolith (into regolith breccia) of the asteroid Vesta occurred then under the effect of thermal metamorphism in the blanket of crater ejecta. Thus, meteorite fragments included in howardites provide record of the qualitative composition of the ancient meteorite flux, which was analogous to that of the modern flux at the Earth surface.     

Inter-element relationships between trace elements in primitive carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

The results of a search for significant (95 % confidence level) inter-element relationships among 13 trace elements in carbonaceous chondrites and 26 elements and the disequilibrium parameter for silicate phases in unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOC) indicate pronounced differences in the formation processes of these two sorts of primitive chondrites. Twenty-six pairs of elements are correlated in carbonaceous chondrites and these correlations lend support to a model involving mixing in different ratios of material differing in thermal history.Comparison of the 26 elements in UOC shows that 39 pairs of elements are significantly related and only very volatile elements are correlated with the disequilibrium parameter. Each of the inter-element relationships can be specifically ascribed to a metal-silicate fractionation in the solar nebula or to a thermal fractionation. These relationships are about equally consistent with the metamorphism, two-component condensation and simultaneous accretion-condensation models for the origin, of the ordinary chondrites, each requiring adoption of specific ad hoc assumptions for complete consistency.     

Distribution of Ni,Ga, Ge and Ir between metal and silicate portions of H-group chondrites

Concentrations of Ni, Ga, Ge and Ir have been determined in the metal and silicate portions of 21 chondrites, including 15 H chondrites. The H-group metal shows the following concentration ranges: 7.2–9.4 per cent Ni, 2.4–18 ppm Ga, 61–70 ppm Ge and 1.6–4.6 ppm Ir, and concentrations in H-group silicates are 94–380 ppm Ni, 3.0–9.2 ppm Ga, 0.06–0.66 ppm Ge and 0.03–0.12 ppm Ir. The Ni, Ge and Ir contents in the metal are positively correlated with each other and with the Fe content of olivine, as expected from oxidation-reduction or combined metal-silicate-fractionation/oxidation-reduction models. Metal/silicate concentration ratios for Ir are lower than for Ge and Ni, despite the fact that Ir is more easily reduced to the elemental form. This may indicate that at the formation location of the H-group chondrites in the solar nebula, substantial amounts of Ir were present in condensed form at temperatures which were so high that Fe and Ni were present mainly as vapor. The metal/silicate concentration ratios of Ga and Ge are lower in type-3 ordinary chondrites than in types 4–6. Apparently appreciable fractions of these elements condensed from the nebula in oxidized form and entered the metal during later thermal events. That Ga and Ge were redistributed during recrystallization, whereas appreciable Ir remained in the silicate fraction, probably indicates that Ir faced a substantially greater diffusional barrier than did Ga and Ge.     

Petrography and classification of NWA 7402: A new sulfide-rich unequilibrated ordinary chondrite

We classify a new chondritic find Northwest Africa (NWA) 7402. This meteorite is highly unequilibrated, and is therefore potentially significant for the study of primitive Solar System materials. Mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and modal abundances of minerals indicate that NWA 7402 is most likely an L chondrite. However, the specimen contains a higher abundance of sulfide than commonly seen in ordinary chondrites. The structural order of organic matter in the matrix and the chromium content of Fe-rich olivine grains indicate a petrologic type of 3.1. NWA 7402 largely escaped thermal metamorphism, and secondary phases formed by aqueous alteration are rare to absent. Minor planar fractures and undulatory extinction of olivine grains suggest that NWA 7402 experienced shock up to stage 2 or 3. Terrestrial weathering is heterogeneous in the specimen; much of the stone's exterior shows substantial Fe oxidation (weathering grade 2), while some parts of the interior remain relatively fresh (weathering grade 1). NWA 7402 has some unusual features that should be investigated further. The sulfide abundance is higher than reported sulfide contents for other L chondrites, and the chromium content of the olivines does not fall on the trend established for unequilibrated ordinary chondrites by Grossman and Brearley (2005).     

Magnetic properties of the Chelyabinsk meteorite: Preliminary results

This paper presents the distribution of magnetic susceptibility, χ₀, in fragments of the Chelyabinsk ordinary chondrite (LL5, S4, W0, fall of February 15, 2013) from the collection of the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, and results obtained by standard magnetic techniques for the meteorite material, including thermomagnetic analysis, measurements of natural remanent magnetization (NRM) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), as well as the spectra of their alternating field demagnetization at amplitudes up to 170 mT, measurements of hysteresis loops and back-field remanence demagnetization curves at temperatures from 10 K to 700°C etc. The mean logχ₀ values for the light-colored (main) lithology of the meteorite material and impact-melt breccia from our collection are 4.54 ± 0.10 (n = 66) and 4.65 ± 0.09 (n = 38) (×10^?9 m³/kg), respectively. According to international magnetic classification of meteorites, Chelyabinsk falls within the range of LL5 chondrites. The mean metal content was estimated from the saturation magnetization, M _s, of the light- and dark-colored lithologies as 3.7 and 4.1 wt %, respectively. Hence, the dark lithology is richer in metal. The metal grains are multidomain at room temperature and show low coercive force, B _c (<2 mT) and remanent coercive force, B _cr (15–23 mT). The thermomagnetic analyses of the samples showed that the magnetic properties of the Chelyabinsk meteorite are controlled mainly by taenite and kamacite at temperatures >75 K. In the temperature range below 75 K, magnetic properties are controlled by chromite; the magnetic hardness of the samples is maximal at 10 K and equals to 606 and 157 mT for the light- and dark-colored lithologies, respectively.     

An exotic kind of cosmic material: graphite-containing xenoliths from the Krymka (LL3.1) chondrite

Seven graphite-containing xenoliths were found in the Krymka (LL3.1) chondrite. The xenoliths have the following chemical and mineralogical characteristics which distinguish them from the Krymka host: (1) low totals in bulk chemical analyses obtained by electron microprobe; (2) high bulk Fe abundances; (3) a uniform recrystallized, chondrule-free texture; (4) the presence of euhedral graphite and carbon-rich material; (5) higher quantities of troilite and metal; (6) a relatively homogeneous composition of silicates; (7) a distinctive composition of metal, chromite and phosphate; (8) isotopically heavy C in graphite compared to both bulk Krymka and graphite in other ordinary chondrites. The xenoliths are mineralogically similar, but not identical, to the Krymka carbonaceous clast K1, which bears graphite microcrystals, organic compounds and mysterite. They resemble carbonaceous chondrites, both chemically and isotopically. The mineralogical, chemical and isotopic data for the graphite-containing fragments suggest that this material represents metamorphosed varieties of a previously unknown type of unequilibrated carbonaceous matter. Most likely, the graphite has a metamorphic origin and was crystallized from C-containing precursor materials through the following transformation sequence: organic compounds → C-rich material → graphite.     

The Shaw meteorite: History of a chondrite consisting of impact-melted and metamorphic lithologies

The Shaw L-group chondrite consists of three intermingled lithologies. One is light-colored and has a poikilitic texture, consisting of olivine (many skeletal and euhedral) and augite crystals surrounded by larger (up to 1 mm) orthopyroxene grains; plagioclase occurs between orthopyroxene crystals and rare, small (<5 μm) patches of Si-K-rich glass or cryptocrystalline material occurs within the plagioclase. The skeletal olivine crystals contain 0.08–0.16 wt% CaO. Petrofabric measurements show that the c-axes of the olivines are aligned. The light-colored lithology also contains numerous vugs and vesicles: SEM studies reveal euhedral, possibly vapor-deposited, crystals of olivine and pyroxene in the vugs. A second lithologic type is dark-colored, contains remnant chondrules. and has a microgranular texture. Poikilitic orthopyroxene crystals, where present, are smaller (0.1–0.2mm) than they are in the light-colored lithology. Microgranular olivine crystals contain <0.08 wt% CaO: most contain 0.03–0.05 wt% CaO. Vugs are rare and Si-K-rich material is absent. The third lithologic type is gray macroscopically and seems to be intermediate between the other two. It has a well-developed poikilitic texture, but contains neither skeletal olivines (euhedral olivines are rare) nor Si-K-rich material: remnant chondrules are present but less abundant than in the dark lithology. A modal analysis of a 5300 mm² slab shows, contrary to published opinions, that Shaw contains normal L-group chondrite abundances of metal and troilite. However, these phases are distributed irregularly throughout the meteorite. The light colored lithology is nearly devoid of metal and troilite and centimeter-sized metal-troilite globules occur between the three silicate lithologies. Wherever the metal occurs, it consists of nearly homogeneous martensite (13.9 wt% Ni) rimmed by kamacite (7.1 wt% Ni). These data indicate that Shaw is a partly-melted shock-breccia. The light-colored lithology must have been totally melted, as shown by the presence of aligned. CaO-rich, skeletal olivines; Si-K-rich residual material: and vugs and vesicles lined with euhedral crystals of mafic silicates. The dark areas appear to be unmelted target rock of L-group composition. Analysis of the growth of kamacite at the taenite (now martensite) borders indicates a cooling rate of ~ 3 C/10³ yr. or one thousand times faster than most ordinary chondntes. The Shaw impact event probably formed a crater several kilometers in diameter on its meteorite parent body.     

Diopside-bearing EL6 EET 90102: insights from rare earth element distributions

EET 90102 is the first known diopside-bearing EL6 chondrite. Diopside occurs in most aubrites and is occasionally found as rare small grains in unequilibrated enstatite chondrites, but is unknown from equilibrated enstatite chondrites. We have carried out a study of the rare earth element (REE) distributions in EET 90102, with a specific emphasis on diopside, in order to better understand its origin in this meteorite. We also present data for Ca-rich pyroxenes from two unequilibrated (EH3) enstatite chondrites for comparison.Our data show that diopside and other silicates in EET 90102 exhibit volatility-related anomalies indicative of formation under highly reducing conditions. Such anomalies have not previously been observed in EL6 chondrites, although they are common in unequilibrated enstatite chondrites. Diopside in EET 90102 probably formed by metamorphic equilibration of enstatite and oldhamite. The REE compositions of some grains, in particular the presence of positive Yb anomalies, indicate that they inherited their REE characteristics largely from CaS. Other grains have REE patterns that are more consistent with a derivation of diopside primarily from enstatite.In contrast to other EL6 chondrites, which experienced slow cooling, EET 90102 was quenched from high metamorphic temperatures. Thus, there may have been insufficient time to completely homogenize diopside REE compositions.The presence of diopside in EET 90102 simplifies one outstanding problem of aubrite formation. Melting of a diopside-bearing enstatite chondrite protolith provides a source for the abundant diopside in aubrites without requiring the oxidation of oldhamite, as suggested by previous research.