Compositions of four unusual CM or CM-related Antarctic chondrites

To identify chemical group affinities and infer the occurrence of thermal metamorphism or aqueous alteration in their histories, we quantified 43 trace elements in the CM or CM-related Antarctic carbonaceous chondrites EET 96010, LAP 02277, MET 01070, and WIS 91600. We also analyzed LAP 02206, a CV chondrite, to add to our comparison database. We present whole-rock oxygen isotope data for LAP 02206, LAP 02277, and MET 01070 to complement our trace element results. With these data, we confirm the CV classification of LAP 02206 and CM or CM-like classification for the other four chondrites in this study. On the basis of moderately volatile element content, our results show that EET 96010 experienced open-system heating, while any heating LAP 02277 and MET 01070 may have experienced was in a chemically closed-system. WIS 91600, on a trace element basis, appears to be CM-like material. Our analyses support the idea that CM material has experienced a wide variety of post-accretionary processing.     

Relationships among intrinsic properties of ordinary chondrites: Oxidation state, bulk chemistry, oxygen-isotopic composition, petrologic type, and chondrule size

The properties of ordinary chondrites (OC) reflect both nebular and asteroidal processes. OC are modeled here as having acquired nebular water, probably contained within phyllosilicates, during agglomeration. This component had high Δ¹⁷O and acted like an oxidizing agent during thermal metamorphism. The nebular origin of this component is consistent with negative correlations in H, L, and LL chondrites between oxidation state (represented by olivine Fa) and bulk concentration ratios of elements involved in the metal-silicate fractionation (e.g., Ni/Si, Ir/Si, Ir/Mn, Ir/Cr, Ir/Mg, Ni/Mg, As/Mg, Ga/Mg). LL chondrites acquired the greatest abundance of phyllosilicates with high Δ¹⁷O among OC (and thus became the most oxidized group and the one with the heaviest O isotopes); H chondrites acquired the lowest abundance, becoming the most reduced OC group with the lightest O isotopes.Chondrule precursors may have grown larger and more ferroan with time in each OC agglomeration zone. Nebular turbulence may have controlled the sizes of chondrule precursors. H-chondrite chondrules (which are the smallest among OC) formed from the smallest precursors. In each OC region, low-FeO chondrules formed before high-FeO chondrules during repeated episodes of chondrule formation.During thermal metamorphism, phyllosilicates were dehydrated; the liberated water oxidized metallic Fe-Ni. This caused correlated changes with petrologic type including decreases in the modal abundance of metal, increases in olivine Fa and low-Ca pyroxene Fs, increases in the olivine/pyroxene ratio, and increases in the kamacite Co and Ni contents. As water (with its heavy O isotopes) was lost during metamorphism, inverse correlations between bulk δ¹⁸O and bulk δ¹⁷O with petrologic type were produced.The H5 chondrites that were ejected from their parent body ∼7.5 Ma ago during a major impact event probably had been within a few kilometers of each other since they accreted ∼4.5 Ga ago. There are significant differences in the olivine compositional distributions among these rocks; these reflect stochastic nebular sampling of the oxidant (i.e., phyllosilicates with high Δ¹⁷O) on a 0.1-1 km scale during agglomeration.     

The formation and alteration of the Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites I: Implications of bulk-oxygen isotopic composition

To better understand the role of aqueous alteration on the CR chondrite parent asteroid, a whole-rock oxygen isotopic study of 20 meteorites classified as Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites (CR) was conducted. The CR chondrites analyzed for their oxygen isotopes were Dhofar 1432, Elephant Moraine (EET) 87770, EET 92042, EET 96259, Gao-Guenie (b), Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95229, GRA 06100, Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577, GRO 03116, LaPaz Ice Field (LAP) 02342, LAP 04720, Meteorite Hills (MET) 00426, North West Africa (NWA) 801, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91082, Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) 94603, QUE 99177, and Yamato-793495 (Y-793495). Three of the meteorites, Asuka-881595 (A-881595), GRA 98025, and MET 01017, were found not to be CR chondrites. The remaining samples concur petrographically and with the well-established oxygen-isotope mixing line for the CR chondrites. Their position along this mixing line is controlled both by the primary oxygen-isotopic composition of their individual components and their relative degree of aqueous alteration. Combined with literature data and that of this study, we recommend the slope for the CR-mixing line to be 0.70 ± 0.04 (2σ), with a δ¹⁷O-intercept of −2.23 ± 0.14 (2σ).Thin sections of Al Rais, Shi?r 033, Renazzo, and all but 3 samples analyzed for oxygen isotopes were studied petrographically. The abundance of individual components is heterogeneous among the CR chondrites, but FeO-poor chondrules and matrix are the most abundant constituents and therefore, dominate the whole-rock isotopic composition. The potential accreted ice abundance, physico-chemical conditions of aqueous alteration (e.g. temperature and composition of the fluid) and its duration control the degree of alteration of individual CR chondrites. Combined with literature data, we suggest that LAP 02342 was exposed to lower temperature fluid during alteration than GRA 95229. With only two falls, terrestrial alteration of the CR chondrites complicates the interpretation of their whole rock isotopic composition, particularly in the most aqueously altered samples, and those with relatively higher matrix abundances. We report that QUE 99177 is the isotopically lightest whole rock CR chondrite known (δ¹⁸O = −2.29‰, δ¹⁷O = −4.08‰), possibly due to isotopically light unaltered matrix; which shows that the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites is isotopically lighter than previously thought. Although it experienced aqueous alteration, QUE 99177 provides the best approximation of the pristine CR-chondrite parent body’s oxygen-isotopic composition, before aqueous alteration took place. Using this value as a new upper limit on the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites, water/rock ratios were recalculated and found to be higher than previously thought; ratios now range from 0.281 to 1.157. We also find that, according to their oxygen isotopes, a large number of CR chondrites appear to be minimally aqueously altered; although sample heterogeneity complicates this interpretation.     

Chemical and physical studies of type 3 chondrites—VI: Siderophile elements in ordinary chondrites

The abundances of Fe, Ni, Co, Au, Ir, Ga, As and Mg have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in 38 type 3 ordinary chondrites (10 of which may be paired) and 15 equilibrated chondrites. Classification of type 3 ordinary chondrites into the H, L and LL classes using oxygen isotopes and parameters which reflect oxidation state (Fa and Fs in the olivine and pyroxene and Co in kamacite) is difficult or impossible. Bulk compositional parameters, based on the equilibrated chondrites, have therefore been used to classify the type 3 chondrites. The distribution of the type 3 ordinary chondrites over the classes is very different from that of the equilibrated chondrites, the LL chondrites being more heavily represented. The type 3 ordinary chondrites contain 5 to 15 percent lower abundances of siderophile elements and a compilation of the present data and literature data indicates a small, systematic decrease in siderophile element concentration with decreasing petrologic type. The type 3 ordinary chondrites have, like the equilibrated ordinary chondrites, suffered a fractionation of their siderophile elements, but the loss of Ni in comparison with Au and Ir is greater for the type 3 chondrites. These siderophile element trends were established at the nebula phase of chondritic history and the co-variation with petrologic type implies onion-shell structures for the ordinary chondrite parent bodies. It is also clear that the relationship between the type 3 and the equilibrated ordinary chondrites involves more than simple, closed-system metamorphism.     

Coupled Cu and O excesses in chondrites

Recent developments in multiple-collector magnetic-sector ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) have permitted the relative abundances of the two isotopes 63 and 65 of copper to be measured with unprecedented precision (40 ppm). Here, we report Cu isotopic variations among eight carbonaceous chondrites (CCs) from the CI, CM, CO, and CV groups and the presently ungrouped Tagish Lake, and 10 ordinary chondrites (OCs) from the H, L, and LL groups. The widest isotopic range of ∼0.8‰ per a.m.u. is observed for the carbonaceous chondrites. Copper in carbonaceous chondrites becomes isotopically lighter with petrologic type in the order 1 to 3 but seems extremely homogeneous for each type. The Cu isotopic composition of Tagish Lake confirms its other characteristics that are intermediate between CI and CM. In three of the groups (CI-CM-CO), as well as for Tagish Lake, ⁶³Cu excess over terrestrial mantle abundances correlates well with ¹⁶O excess. For all four groups, ⁶³Cu excess also correlates remarkably well with elemental refractory/volatile ratios (e.g., Ca/Mn). For ordinary chondrites, small differences exist between the H, L, and LL groups, with Cu becoming isotopically heavier in that order. Equilibrated and unequilibrated samples, however, exhibit the same Cu isotopic signature within each group. Although the range of Cu isotopic compositions in ordinary chondrites is smaller than in carbonaceous chondrites, ⁶³Cu excesses still correlate with ¹⁶O excesses. The observed trends of isotopic variation seem incompatible with a single-stage fractionation process by either volatilization or low-temperature metamorphism. The correlations between ⁶³Cu excesses and ¹⁶O excesses suggest the presence of at least two and perhaps three isotopically distinct Cu reservoirs in the early Solar System: (1) an Earth-like reservoir common to the CI and LL probably representing the main Cu stock of the inner Solar System, (2) a reservoir present in all carbonaceous chondrites, but most abundant in CV, with large ⁶³Cu and ¹⁶O excesses (this reservoir is probably hosted in refractory material), and (3) possibly a third reservoir present in ordinary chondrites. The OC trend may also be explained as a mixture of the first two Cu reservoirs if its oxygen was first equilibrated with nebular gas. The coexistence of ⁶³Cu and ¹⁶O excesses in the same component raises the issue of how volatile Cu was preserved in refractory material. A strong correlation between ⁶³Cu/⁶⁵Cu and Ni/Cu ratios suggests that ⁶³Cu excess may have originated as more refractory ⁶³Ni (T_1/2 = 100 yr) upon irradiation of refractory grains by electromagnetic flares and particle bursts during the T-Tauri phase of the Sun.     

An Fe isotope study of ordinary chondrites

The Fe isotope composition of ordinary chondrites and their constituent chondrules, metal and sulphide grains have been systematically investigated. Bulk chondrites fall within a restricted isotopic range of <0.2‰ δ⁵⁶Fe, and chondrules define a larger range of >1‰ (−0.84‰ to 0.21‰ relative to the IRMM-14 Fe standard). Fe isotope compositions do not vary systematically with the very large differences in total Fe concentration, or oxidation state, of the H, L, and LL chondrite classes. Similarly, the Fe isotope compositions of chondrules do not appear to be determined by the H, L or LL classification of their host chondrite. This may support an origin of the three ordinary chondrite groups from variable accretion of identical Fe-bearing precursors.A close relationship between isotopic composition and redistribution of Fe during metamorphism on ordinary chondrite parent bodies was identified; the largest variations in chondrule compositions were found in chondrites of the lowest petrologic types. The clear link between element redistribution and isotopic composition has implications for many other non-traditional isotope systems (e.g. Mg, Si, Ca, Cr). Isotopic compositions of chondrules may also be determined by their melting history; porphyritic chondrules exhibit a wide range in isotope compositions whereas barred olivine and radial pyroxene chondrules are generally isotopically heavier than the ordinary chondrite mean. Very large chondrules preserve the greatest heterogeneity of Fe isotopes.The mean Fe isotope composition of bulk ordinary chondrites was found to be −0.06‰ (±0.12‰ 2 SD); this is isotopically lighter than the terrestrial mean composition and all other published non-chondritic meteorite suites e.g. lunar and Martian samples, eucrites, pallasites, and irons. Ordinary chondrites, though the most common meteorites found on Earth today, were not the sole building blocks of the terrestrial planets.     

Chemical and physical studies of type 3 chondrites—V: The enstatite chondrites

We report instrumental neutron activation analysis determinations of 19 major, minor and trace elements in three enstatite chondrites. Based on these, and literature data on the bulk and mineral composition of enstatite chondrites, we discuss the history of the type 3 or unequilibrated enstatite chondrites, and their relationship with the other enstatite chondrites. The type 3 enstatite chondrites have E chondrite lithophile element abundances and their siderophile element abundances place them with the EH chondrites, well resolved from the EL chondrites. Moderately volatile chalcophile elements are at the low end of the EH range and Cr appears to be intermediate between EH and EL. We suggest that the type 3 enstatite chondrites are EH chondrites which have suffered small depletions of certain chalcophile elements through the loss of shock-produced sulfurous liquids. The oxygen isotope differences between type 3 and other enstatite chondrites is consistent with equilibration with the nebula gas ~30° higher than the others, or with the loss of a plagioclase-rich liquid. The mineral chemistry of the type 3 chondrites is consistent with either low temperature equilibration, or, in some instances, with shock effects.     

Non-spherical lobate chondrules in CO3.0 Y-81020: General implications for the formation of low-FeO porphyritic chondrules in CO chondrites

Non-spherical chondrules (arbitrarily defined as having aspect ratios ≥1.20) in CO3.0 chondrites comprise multi-lobate, distended, and highly irregular objects with rounded margins; they constitute ∼70% of the type-I (low-FeO) porphyritic chondrules in Y-81020, ∼75% of such chondrules in ALHA77307, and ∼60% of those in Colony. Although the proportion of non-spherical type-I chondrules in LL3.0 Semarkona is comparable (∼60%), multi-lobate OC porphyritic chondrules (with lobe heights equivalent to a significant fraction of the mean chondrule diameter) are rare. If the non-spherical type-I chondrules in CO chondrites had formed from totally molten droplets, calculations indicate that they would have collapsed into spheres within ∼10⁻³ s, too little time for their 20-μm-size olivine phenocrysts to have grown from the melt. These olivine grains must therefore be relicts from an earlier chondrule generation; the final heating episode experienced by the non-spherical chondrules involved only minor amounts of melting and crystallization. The immediate precursors of the individual non-spherical chondrules may have been irregularly shaped chondrule fragments whose fracture surfaces were rounded during melting. Because non-spherical chondrules and “circular” chondrules form a continuum in shape and have similar grain sizes, mineral and mesostasis compositions, and modal abundances of non-opaque phases, they must have formed by related processes. We conclude that a large majority of low-FeO chondrules in CO3 chondrites experienced a late, low-degree melting event. Previous studies have shown that essentially all type-II (high-FeO) porphyritic chondrules in Y-81020 formed by repeated episodes of low-degree melting. It thus appears that the type-I and type-II porphyritic chondrules in Y-81020 (and, presumably, all CO3 chondrites) experienced analogous formation histories. Because these two types constitute ∼95% of all CO chondrules, it is clear that chondrule recycling was the rule in the CO chondrule-formation region and that most melting events produced only low degrees of melting. The rarity of significantly non-spherical, multi-lobate chondrules in Semarkona may reflect more-intense heating of chondrule precursors in the ordinary-chondrite region of the solar nebula.     

Possible impact-induced refractory-lithophile fractionations in EL chondrites

Literature data show that refractory-lithophile elements in most chondrite groups are unfractionated relative to CI chondrites; the principal exception is the EL-chondrite group whose observed falls (all of which are type 6) are depleted in Ca and light REE. In contrast, literature data and our new INAA data on EL3 PCA 91020, EL3 MAC 88136 and EL4 Grein 002 show that some replicates of these samples have nearly flat REE patterns (unlike those of EL6 chondrites); other replicates exhibit fractionated REE patterns similar to those of EL6 chondrites. Petrographic examination shows that many EL6 (and some EL3 and EL4) chondrites are impact-melt breccias or contain impact-melted portions. We suggest that the same impact processes that formed these breccias and produced melt are responsible for the observed bulk compositional fractionations in refractory-lithophile elements, i.e., EL6 chondrites were produced from initially unequilibrated EL3 material. When large amounts of impact heat were deposited, plagioclase and/or oldhamite (CaS) (the major REE carriers in enstatite chondrites) may have been melted and then transported appreciable (>10 cm) distances. EL6 chondrites represent the residuum that is depleted in REE (particularly in LREE) and Ca. Unlike the case for EL chondrites, our new INAA data on ALH 84170, EET 87746 and SAH 97096 (all EH3) show some scatter but are consistent with the EH group having uniform refractory-lithophile abundances.     

Oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules in CR chondrites

We report in situ ion microprobe analyses of oxygen isotopic compositions of olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, high-Ca pyroxene, anorthitic plagioclase, glassy mesostasis, and spinel in five aluminum-rich chondrules and nine ferromagnesian chondrules from the CR carbonaceous chondrites EET92042, GRA95229, and MAC87320. Ferromagnesian chondrules are isotopically homogeneous within ±2‰ in Δ¹⁷O; the interchondrule variations in Δ¹⁷O range from 0 to −5‰. Small oxygen isotopic heterogeneities found in two ferromagnesian chondrules are due to the presence of relict olivine grains. In contrast, two out of five aluminum-rich chondrules are isotopically heterogeneous with Δ¹⁷O values ranging from −6 to −15‰ and from −2 to −11‰, respectively. This isotopic heterogeneity is due to the presence of ¹⁶O-enriched spinel and anorthite (Δ¹⁷O = −10 to −15‰), which are relict phases of Ca,Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) incorporated into chondrule precursors and incompletely melted during chondrule formation. These observations and the high abundance of relict CAIs in the aluminum-rich chondrules suggest a close genetic relationship between these objects: aluminum-rich chondrules formed by melting of spinel-anorthite-pyroxene CAIs mixed with ferromagnesian precursors compositionally similar to magnesium-rich (Type I) chondrules. The aluminum-rich chondrules without relict CAIs have oxygen isotopic compositions (Δ¹⁷O = −2 to −8‰) similar to those of ferromagnesian chondrules. In contrast to the aluminum-rich chondrules from ordinary chondrites, those from CRs plot on a three-oxygen isotope diagram along the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral line and form a continuum with amoeboid olivine aggregates and CAIs from CRs. We conclude that oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules resulted from two processes: homogenization of isotopically heterogeneous materials during chondrule melting and oxygen isotopic exchange between chondrule melt and ¹⁶O-poor nebular gas.     

Terrestrial alteration of carbonate in a suite of Antarctic CM chondrites: Evidence from oxygen and carbon isotopes

The oxygen (δ¹⁸O, δ¹⁷O) and carbon (δ¹³C, FMOD¹⁴C-the fraction of modern ¹⁴C) isotopic compositions of carbonate were measured for a set of paired Antarctic CM chondrites (EET 96006, EET 96016, EET 96017, and EET 96019). While the oxygen isotopic compositions do not plot on the terrestrial fractionation line and indicate that a component of the carbonate minerals has an extraterrestrial origin, they also do not fall on the array defined for carbonates by CM falls and are thus consistent with the presence of a terrestrial carbonate component. The δ¹³C and FMOD¹⁴C measurements of carbonate suggest the presence of at least two carbon sources: carbonate derived from atmospheric CO₂ that is inferred to have been produced as a result of silicate weathering reactions and carbonate derived from another carbon source that is either old or non-atmospheric. The relationships between oxygen and carbon isotope data provide additional constraints on the weathering process, and allow the possibility that rock-dominated weathering of the meteorite caused the oxygen isotopic composition of Antarctic water added to the meteorite to evolve away from the terrestrial mass-fractionation array, leading to formation of low temperature terrestrial alteration products that do not lie on the terrestrial fractionation line.     

Size scales over which ordinary chondrites and their parent asteroids are homogeneous in oxidation state and oxygen-isotopic composition

Literature data demonstrate that on a global, asteroid-wide scale (plausibly on the order of 100 km), ordinary chondrites (OC) have heterogeneous oxidation states and O-isotopic compositions (represented, respectively, by the mean olivine Fa and bulk Δ¹⁷O compositions of equilibrated samples). Samples analyzed here include: (a) two H5 chondrite Antarctic finds (ALHA79046 and TIL 82415) that have the same cosmic-ray exposure age (7.6 Ma) and were probably within ∼1 km of each other when they were excavated from the H-chondrite parent body, (b) different individual stones from the Holbrook L/LL6 fall that were probably within ∼1 m of each other when their parent meteoroid penetrated the Earth’s atmosphere, and (c) drill cores from a large slab of the Estacado H6 find located within a few tens of centimeters of each other. Our results indicate that OC are heterogeneous in their bulk oxidation state and O-isotopic composition on 100-km-size scales, but homogeneous on meter-, decimeter- and centimeter-size scales. (On kilometer size scales, oxidation state is heterogeneous, but O isotopes appear to be homogeneous.) The asteroid-wide heterogeneity in oxidation state and O-isotopic composition was inherited from the solar nebula. The homogeneity on small size scales was probably caused in part by fluid-assisted metamorphism and mainly by impact-gardening processes (which are most effective at mixing target materials on scales of ?1 m).     

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.     

Fine structures of mutually normalized rare-earth patterns of chondrites

REE abundances in ten chondrites (nine falls and one find) were determined very accurately by mass-spectrometric stable isotope dilution techniques. All of the chondrites have different relative and absolute REE patterns. Except for Eu and, rarely, for Ce, the REE abundances in chondrites are smoothly fractionated from sample to sample. Notwithstanding differences in the abundances of common REE, four of five L6 chondrites have very similar absolute Eu abundances; their mutually-normalized REE patterns are not curved, but are composed of two rectilinear segments.The Leedey-normalized REE pattern for St. Séverin (LL6) is composed of two concave curves. Yonozu's (H4,5) pattern shows negligibly concave curvature on both sides of Eu. Kesen's (H4) pattern is unusual in its overall pattern but also in irregularities for particular elements. The irregularity may be connected with the unusually high vapor pressure of metallic Yb. The REE pattern for the Allende bulk sample shows a discontinuity, presumably reflecting its considerable heterogeneity of composition and structure. It is evident that any pattern of ordinary chondrites cannot be produced from the Allende bulk pattern. A comparison is also made with the results on the chondrite composites previously investigated.     

Petrographic and oxygen-isotopic study of refractory forsterites from R-chondrite Dar al Gani 013 (R3.5-6), unequilibrated ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites

We have conducted petrographic, chemical and in-situ oxygen isotopic studies of refractory forsterites from unequilibrated ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites as well as an unequilibrated R-chondrite. Refractory forsterites occur in all types of unequilibrated chondrites and all have very similar chemical composition with low FeO and high refractory lithophile element (RLE) contents. Refractory forsterites are typically enriched in ¹⁶O relative to ‘normal’ olivine independent of the bulk O-isotope ratios of the parent meteorites. Analyses of refractory forsterites spread along a Δ¹⁷O mixing line with Δ¹⁷O ranging from +2 to −10‰. Due to similarities in oxygen isotopes and chemical compositions, we conclude that refractory forsterites of various types of chondrites come from a single common reservoir. Implications of this hypothesis for the chemical and O-isotope evolution of silicates in the early solar nebular are discussed.     

Magnesium isotopic composition of the Earth and chondrites

To constrain further the Mg isotopic composition of the Earth and chondrites, and investigate the behavior of Mg isotopes during planetary formation and magmatic processes, we report high-precision (±0.06‰ on δ²⁵Mg and ±0.07‰ on δ²⁶Mg, 2SD) analyses of Mg isotopes for (1) 47 mid-ocean ridge basalts covering global major ridge segments and spanning a broad range in latitudes, geochemical and radiogenic isotopic compositions; (2) 63 ocean island basalts from Hawaii (Kilauea, Koolau and Loihi) and French Polynesia (Society Island and Cook-Austral chain); (3) 29 peridotite xenoliths from Australia, China, France, Tanzania and USA; and (4) 38 carbonaceous, ordinary and enstatite chondrites including 9 chondrite groups (CI, CM, CO, CV, L, LL, H, EH and EL).Oceanic basalts and peridotite xenoliths have similar Mg isotopic compositions, with average values of δ²⁵Mg = −0.13 ± 0.05 (2SD) and δ²⁶Mg = −0.26 ± 0.07 (2SD) for global oceanic basalts (n = 110) and δ²⁵Mg = −0.13 ± 0.03 (2SD) and δ²⁶Mg = −0.25 ± 0.04 (2SD) for global peridotite xenoliths (n = 29). The identical Mg isotopic compositions in oceanic basalts and peridotites suggest that equilibrium Mg isotope fractionation during partial melting of peridotite mantle and magmatic differentiation of basaltic magma is negligible. Thirty-eight chondrites have indistinguishable Mg isotopic compositions, with δ²⁵Mg = −0.15 ± 0.04 (2SD) and δ²⁶Mg = −0.28 ± 0.06 (2SD). The constancy of Mg isotopic compositions in all major types of chondrites suggest that primary and secondary processes that affected the chemical and oxygen isotopic compositions of chondrites did not significantly fractionate Mg isotopes.Collectively, the Mg isotopic composition of the Earth’s mantle, based on oceanic basalts and peridotites, is estimated to be −0.13 ± 0.04 for δ²⁵Mg and −0.25 ± 0.07 for δ²⁶Mg (2SD, n = 139). The Mg isotopic composition of the Earth, as represented by the mantle, is similar to chondrites. The chondritic composition of the Earth implies that Mg isotopes were well mixed during accretion of the inner solar system.     

Highly siderophile element evidence for early solar system processes in components from ordinary chondrites

Separated magnetic and nonmagnetic components from the ordinary chondrites Dhajala (H3.8) and Ochansk (H4) were analyzed for their Re-Os isotopic compositions, as well as for the abundances of the highly siderophile elements (HSE) Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt and Pd. The Re-Os isotopic systematics of these components are used to constrain the timing of HSE fractionations, and assess the level of open-system behavior of these elements in each of the different components. The high precision, isotope dilution mass spectrometric analyses of the HSE are used to constrain the origins of, and possible relations between some of the diverse components present in these chondrites. The relative and absolute abundances of the HSE differ considerably among the components. Metal fractions have Re/Os that are factors of ∼2 (Dhajala) to ∼3 (Ochansk) higher than those of their nonmagnetic fractions. The isotopic data for both meteorites are consistent with the largest Re-Os fractionations occurring between metal and nonmagnetic components early in solar system history, although minor to moderate late stage, open-system behavior, and limited variations in Re/Os preclude a precise determination of the age for that fractionation. Open-system behavior is generally absent to minor in the metal fractions, and highly variable in nonmagnetic fractions. Re/Os ratios of nonmagnetic fractions deviate as much as 40% from a primordial isochron. Although some deviations are large for isochron applications, nearly all are negligible with respect to consideration of fractionation processes controlling the HSE.Metal from both meteorites contains about 90% of the total budget of HSE. Metal in Ochansk has ∼2 to 10 times the abundances of the bulk meteorite, while metal from the matrix of Dhajala has ∼2 to 4 times the abundances of the bulk. Fine metal in both meteorites has higher abundances than coarse metal, as has been previously observed. Nonmagnetic components, consisting of chondrules and matrix from which metal was removed in the laboratory, have highly fractionated HSE, characterized by much lower Re/Os than the bulk meteorites, as well as large relative depletions in Pd. The abundances of Re, Os, Ir, Ru and Pt in the nonmagnetic fractions are 14-120 ng/g, much higher than would be expected if they had equilibrated with the metal phases present (150-16,000 ng/g). Collectively, the data are consistent with the HSE budget in ordinary chondrites being dominated by two HSE-bearing carrier phases with distinct compositions. These phases formed separately, and never subsequently equilibrated. Metal components incorporated a HSE carrier that formed at high through moderate temperatures and relatively high pressures, such that the relatively volatile Pd behaved coherently with the more refractory HSE. Nonmagnetic fractions from both chondrules and matrix have HSE compositions that likely require at least two processes that fractionated the HSE. Depletions in Pd are consistent with the presence of HSE carriers that formed as either highly refractory condensates, or residues of high degrees of metal melting. Depletions in Re may implicate a period of relatively high f_O2 during which a volatile form of Re was separated from the other HSE.     

Origin of highly siderophile and chalcogen element fractionations in the components of unequilibrated H and LL chondrites

Osmium isotopic compositions, abundances of highly siderophile elements (HSE: platinum group elements, Re and Au), the chalcogen elements S, Se and Te and major and minor elements were analysed in physically separated size fractions and components of the ordinary chondrites WSG 95300 (H3.3, meteorite find) and Parnallee (LL3.6, meteorite fall). Fine grained magnetic fractions are 268-65 times enriched in HSE compared to the non-magnetic fractions. A significant deviation of some fractions of WSG 95300 from the 4.568 Ga ¹⁸⁷Re-¹⁸⁷Os isochron was caused by redistribution of Re due to weathering of metal. HSE abundance patterns show that at least four different types of HSE carriers are present in WSG 95300 and Parnallee. The HSE carriers display (i) CI chondritic HSE ratios, (ii) variable Re/Os ratios, (iii) lower than CI chondritic Pd/Ir and Au/Ir and (iv) higher Pt/Ir and Pt/Ru than in CI chondrites. These differences between components clearly indicate the loss of refractory HSE carrier phases before accretion of the components. Tellurium abundances correlate with Pd and are decoupled from S, suggesting that most Te partitioned into metal during the last high-temperature event. Tellurium is depleted in all fractions compared to CI chondrite normalized Se abundances. The depletion of Te is likely associated with the high temperature history of the metal precursors of H and LL chondrites and occurred independent of the metal loss event that depleted LL chondrites in siderophile elements. Most non-magnetic and slightly magnetic fractions have S/Se close to CI chondrites. In contrast, the decoupling of Te and Se from S in magnetic fractions suggests the influence of volatility and metal-silicate partitioning on the abundances of the chalcogen elements. The influence of terrestrial weathering on chalcogen element systematics of these meteorites appears to be negligible.     

Formation of metal in Grosvenor Mountains 95551 and comparison to ordinary chondrites

Siderophile element abundances in individual metal grains in the ungrouped chondrite Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95551 and in the ordinary chondrites Tieschitz H3.6, Soko-Banja LL4, and Allegan H5 were measured with laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Matrix metal in GRO 95551 falls into two distinct compositional groups, a high-Ni group with 7.2 ± 0.4 wt% Ni and a low-Ni group with 3.7 ± 0.1 wt% Ni, indicating that kamacite/taenite equilibration at ∼1020 K was followed by rapid cooling. The nonrefractory siderophile elements P, Co, Cu, Ga, Ge, As, Pd, and Au also partition between the high-Ni and low-Ni metal in a manner consistent with kamacite/taenite fractionation, but the refractory siderophiles Ru, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt show correlated variations that are unrelated to kamacite/taenite partitioning and indicate that variations in refractory components of the metal were not completely erased during equilibration at ∼1020 K. The Ni-normalized bulk metal composition of GRO 95551 is refractory depleted and volatile rich relative to Bencubbin and related metal-rich chondrites but bears strong similarities to equilibrated ordinary chondrite metal. GRO 95551 represents a new chondrite type with chemical affinity to the ordinary chondrites. Individual metal grains in unequlibrated ordinary chondrites also have correlated variations in refractory siderophile contents that cannot be produced by redox processes alone; these variations span three orders of magnitude and diminish with increasing metamorphic grade of the ordinary chondrites.     

Progressive aqueous alteration of CM carbonaceous chondrites

CM chondrites are aqueously altered rocks that contain ∼9 wt% H₂O⁺ (i.e., indigenous water) bound in phyllosilicates; also present are clumps of serpentine-tochilinite intergrowths (previously called “poorly characterized phases” or PCP), pentlandite and Ni-bearing pyrrhotite. We studied 11 CM chondrites that span the known range from least altered to most altered. We used various petrologic properties (many previously identified) that provide information regarding the degree of aqueous alteration. There are no known unaltered or slightly altered CM chondrites (e.g., rocks containing numerous chondrules with primary igneous glass). Some CM properties result from processes associated with early and intermediate stages of the alteration sequence (i.e., hydration of matrix, alteration of chondrule glass, and production of large PCP clumps). Other petrologic properties reflect processes active throughout the alteration sequence; these include oxidation of metallic Fe-Ni, alteration of chondrule phenocrysts, changes in PCP composition (reflecting an increase in the phyllosilicate/sulfide ratio), and changes in carbonate mineralogy (reflecting the development of dolomite and complex carbonates at the expense of Ca carbonate).On the basis of these parameters, we propose a numerical alteration sequence for CM chondrites. Because there are no known CM samples that display only incipient alteration, the least altered sample was arbitrarily assigned to subtype 2.6. The most altered CM chondrites, currently classified CM1, are assigned to subtype 2.0. These highly altered rocks have essentially no mafic silicates; they contain chondrule pseudomorphs composed mainly of phyllosilicate. However, their bulk compositions are CM-like, and they are closer in texture to other C2 chondrites than to CI1 chondrites (which lack chondrule pseudomorphs). Using several diagnostic criteria, we assigned petrologic subtypes (±0.1) to every CM chondrite in our study: QUE 97990, CM2.6; Murchison, CM2.5; Kivesvaara, CM2.5; Murray, CM2.4/2.5; Y 791198, CM2.4; QUE 99355, CM2.3; Nogoya, CM2.2; Cold Bokkeveld, CM2.2; QUE 93005, CM2.1; LAP 02277, CM2.0; MET 01070, CM2.0.The proposed CM numerical alteration sequence improves upon the existing scheme of Browning et al. (1996) in that it does not require a complicated algorithm applied to electron-microprobe data to determine the average matrix phyllosilicate composition. The new sequence is more comprehensive and employs petrologic subtypes that are easier to use and remember than mineralogic alteration index values.New neutron-activation analyses of QUE 97990, QUE 93005, MET 01070, Murchison and Crescent, together with literature data, confirm the compositional uniformity of the CM group; different degrees of alteration among CM chondrites do not lead to resolvable bulk compositional differences. This suggests that the textural differences among individual CM chondrites reflect progressive alteration of similar hypothetical CM3.0 starting materials in different regions of the same parent body, with minimal aqueous transport of materials over appreciable (e.g., meters) distances.