Search for extinct aluminum‐26 and titanium‐44 in nanodiamonds from the Allende CV3 and Murchison CM2 meteorites

Abstract– We report Mg‐Al and Ca‐Ti isotopic data for meteoritic nanodiamonds separated from the Allende CV3 and Murchison CM2 meteorites. The goal of this study was to search for excesses in ²⁶Mg and ⁴⁴Ca, which can be attributed to the in situ decay of radioactive and now extinct ²⁶Al and ⁴⁴Ti, respectively. Previous work on presolar SiC and graphite had shown that ²⁶Al/²⁷Al and ⁴⁴Ti/⁴⁸Ti ratios in presolar grains can be used to discriminate between different types of stellar sources. Aluminum and Ti concentrations are low in the meteoritic nanodiamonds of this study. Murchison nanodiamonds have higher Al and Ti concentrations than the Allende nanodiamonds. This can be attributed to contamination and the presence of presolar SiC in the Murchison nanodiamond samples. ²⁶Mg/²⁴Mg and ⁴⁴Ca/⁴⁰Ca ratios are close to normal in Allende nanodiamonds with upper limits on the initial ²⁶Al/²⁷Al and ⁴⁴Ti/⁴⁸Ti ratios of approximately 1 × 10^?3. These ratios are factors of 10–1000 and, respectively, 1–1000 lower than those of presolar SiC and graphite grains from supernovae. The ²⁶Al/²⁷Al and ⁴⁴Ti/⁴⁸Ti data for nanodiamonds are compatible with an asymptotic giant branch star or solar system origin, but not with a supernova origin of a major fraction of meteoritic nanodiamonds. The latter possibility cannot be excluded, though, as the diamond separates may contain significant amounts of contaminating Al and Ti, which would lower the inferred ²⁶Al/²⁷Al and ⁴⁴Ti/⁴⁸Ti ratios considerably.     

Beryllium and Other Trace Elements in Paragneisses and Anatectic Veins of the Ultrahigh-Temperature Napier Complex, Enderby Land, East Antarctica: the Role of Sapphirine

Anatectic veins containing the Be minerals khmaralite and berylliansapphirine as primary phases (or surinamite derived therefrom)are associated with Mg–Al-rich paragneisses at three localitiesin the ultrahigh-temperature Napier complex, Antarctica, a uniqueBe mineralization in the granulite facies. Likely precursorsof the paragneisses are volcaniclastic deposits that were hydrothermallyaltered by heated seawater prior to metamorphism. Regular distributionof Be among minerals in the paragneisses suggests an approachto equilibrium with Be greatly concentrated in sapphirine (25–3430ppm Be) or cordierite (560–930 ppm Be) relative to plagioclaseAn53–66 (14–43 ppm Be) > cores of coarse-grainedorthopyroxene (0·7–29 ppm Be) > coronitic orthopyroxene(0·4–14 ppm Be) sillimanite (0·1–26ppm Be) plagioclase An18–33 (0·6–15 ppmBe) > biotite (0·06–8 ppm Be) > K-feldspar,quartz, garnet (0·05–0·7 ppm Be). Sapphirine-bearingparagneisses have average Be concentrations, 4·9 ±2·4 ppm (13 samples), about twice that of typical pelites,whereas paragneisses lacking sapphirine and primary cordieritehave only 2·9 ± 2·1 ppm Be (12 samples),implying some loss of Be during metamorphism. The likely sourcerocks for the Be-rich melts were biotitic rocks lacking theBe sinks sapphirine and cordierite. These gneisses were probablyless competent than the sapphirine-bearing gneisses, so themelts were drawn to the latter and collected in spaces openedduring deformation and boudinage of the more competent paragneisses.Fractionation of the melts concentrated Be to the extent thatBe minerals could crystallize. The final result was Be-mineralizedanatectic veins hosted by relatively Be-rich sapphirine-bearingparagneisses. KEY WORDS: Antarctica; beryllium; granulite facies; microprobe; sapphirine     

The Puerto Lápice eucrite

Abstract— Puerto Lápice is a new eucrite fall (Castilla‐La Mancha, Spain, 10 May 2007). In this paper, we report its detailed petrography, magnetic characterization, mineral and bulk chemistry, oxygen and noble gas isotope systematics, and radionuclide data. Study of four thin sections from two different specimens reveal that the meteorite is brecciated in nature, and it contains basaltic and granulitic clasts, as well as recrystallized impact melt and breccia fragments. Shock veins are ubiquitous and show evidence of at least three different shock events. Bulk chemical analyses suggest that Puerto Lápice belongs to the main group of basaltic eucrites, although it has a significantly higher Cr content. Oxygen isotopes also confirm that the meteorite is a normal member of the HED suite. Noble gas abundances show typical patterns, with dominant cosmogenic and radiogenic contributions, and indicate an average exposure age of 19 ± 2 Ma, and a Pu‐fission Xe age well within typical eucrite values. Cosmogenic radionuclides suggest a preatmospheric size of about 20–30 cm in diameter.     

Noble gas adsorption with and without mechanical stress: Not Martian signatures but fractionated air

Abstract– Sample preparation, involving physical and chemical methods, is an unavoidable step in geochemical analysis. From a noble gas perspective, the two important effects are loss of sample gas and/or incorporation of air, which are significant sources of analytical artifacts. This article reports on the effects of sample exposure to laboratory air without mechanical influence and during sample grinding. The experiments include pure adsorption on terrestrial analog materials (gibbsite and olivine) and grinding of Martian meteorites. A consistent observation is the presence of an elementally fractionated air component in the samples studied. This is a critical form of terrestrial contamination in meteorites as it often mimics the heavy noble gas signatures of known extra‐terrestrial end‐members that are the basis of important conclusions about the origin and evolution of a meteorite. Although the effects of such contamination can be minimized by avoiding elaborate sample preparation protocols, caution should be exercised in interpreting the elemental ratios (Ar/Xe, Kr/Xe), especially in the low‐temperature step extractions. The experiments can also be transferred to the investigation of Martian meteorites with long terrestrial residence times, and to Mars, where the Mars Science Laboratory mission will be able to measure noble gas signatures in the current atmosphere and in rocks and soils collected on the surface in Gale crater.     

LA RESISTIVITE APPARENTE COMME TRANSFORMATION LINEAIRE DU POTENTIEL ET LA TRANSFORMATION INVERSE*

The apparent resistivity is considered as a linear transformation of the potential by an operator in the form of an infinite matrix A. The inverse transformation expresses the potential as a function of the apparent resistivity or of the difference of potentials. It is found by calculation of the inverse matrix^-1A. The relation between apparent resistivities for different arrays is expressed as a product of transformations.     

Melt Extraction during Formation of K-Feldspar + Sillimanite Migmatites, West of Revelstoke, British Columbia

An exposure of sillimanite-rich, strongly deformed, stromatic,K-feldspar-bearing migmatites in the Monashee Terrane west ofRevelstoke, British Columbia, has been examined to determinethe process of migmatization and to evaluate whether the systemwas open or closed during leucosome formation. An anatecticorigin for the migmatites is supported by: (1) the minimum meltcomposition of the leucosomes; (2) textures suggesting a fluidbehavior of the leucosomes and local pegmatitic textures; and(3) P–T estimates (720–820C; 75–9 kbar)above vaporabsent melting conditions of muscovitt + quartz. To establish whether melt was extracted or added during migmatization,measured volume percents of leucosome were compared with estimatesof melt production modeled by muscovite + quartz dehydrationmelting. Quantitative estimates of volume percent of leucosomeat present in the outcrop are between 20 and 30%. The amountof melt produced from the model muscovite dehydration meltingreaction is constrained by measured modal percent of sillimanite(15–25%) in the outcrop and is dependent on modal proportionof muscovite in the unmelted protolith and the melt water contentUsing a muscovite-rich protolith and a melt water content of4 wt%, complete dehydration melting of muscovite results ina production of 54 vol % melt and 25 vol % sillmanite, indicatinga melt loss of 29 vol %. A melt water content of 6 wt% resultsin production of 41 vol % melt and 23 vol % sillimanite, indicatinga melt loss of 16 vol %. Melt loss may have occurred by meltmovement along foliation planes during flattening, during formationof shear bands or locally along subvertical fractures. Spatialproximity of the outcrop to the Monashee dcollement suggeststhat thrusting was localized to zones of high melt production,which in turn facilitated melt migration. KEY WORDS: migmatites; British Columbia; Monashee Tarrane; anatexis; melt extraction ^*Corresponding author. Present address: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The Univenity of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 817131, USA     

Timing of the last deglaciation in Lithuania

Boulders from the Grūda Moraine, which is associated with the maximum extent of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) during the last glaciation, and the Baltija (also referred to as the South Lithuanian), the Middle and North Lithuanian moraines, which are associated with recessional stages of the SIS, were sampled for surface exposure dating using ¹⁰Be. By combining these data with existing radiocarbon ages, we developed a chronology for the retreat of the SIS margin in Lithuania. Our new ¹⁰Be ages suggest that the SIS margin began to retreat from its maximum extent at 18.3 ± 0.8 ¹⁰Be kyr. Based on a probable correlation of the Baltija Moraine with the Pomeranian Moraine in Poland, we infer that the Baltija Moraine was formed following a re-advance of the SIS margin. The ice margin retreated from the Baltija position at 14.0 ± 0.4 ¹⁰Be kyr. The SIS-margin retreat paused at least two more times to form the Middle Lithuanian Moraine at 13.5 ± 0.6 ¹⁰Be kyr and the North Lithuanian Moraine (tentatively correlated to the Pajūris Moraine) at 13.3 ± 0.7 ¹⁰Be kyr. Subsequent ice-margin retreat from the North Lithuanian Moraine represented the final deglaciation of Lithuania. Direct dating of these moraines better constrains the relation of ice-margin positions in Lithuania to those in adjacent countries as well as the SIS response to climate change.     

Inter- and supratidal sedimentology of a fjord-head estuary, south-western British Columbia

Detailed examination of inter- and supratidal delta and floodplain sediments exposed in eroding bank sections at 52 locations along the Squamish River estuary provides the basis for recognizing seven distinct facies within the 5500 m-long estuary. Estuary sedimentation is initially driven by the development of sand bar complexes along the seaward edge of the intertidal delta. Sedimentation continues within interdistributary bay environments as intertidal sandflats and then tidal marshes develop, Aggradation of the delta within interdistributary bay environments results in a gradual transition from delta to alluvial plain. Of the seven facies identified, only the intertidal sands and tidal marsh deposits provide evidence of their tidal origin. Examination of deposits throughout the riverine estuary reveals a number of gradual yet distinct changes of sediment size, structure, and sequence architecture. These trends record the changing nature of tidal and riverine control on sedimentation along the tidal gradient. Generally, with increasing distance up-estuary, sediment grain-size increases, the thickness of fine-grained overbank deposits decreases, and bedding changes from fine parallel bedding to higher energy bedforms. In addition, fining-upward successions become capped by coarser sands, facies contacts change from gradational to abrupt and occasionally erosional, and facies successions become increasingly complex and less predictable. Squamish River estuary has been divided into four zones based on sedimentological and stratigraphical evidence, each zone reflecting changes in the relative influence of tidal and riverine control on sedimentation. Each zone contains distinctly different facies sequences, although zone boundaries generally are gradational.