Engineering topics

McKay, G. A.

Publications and source records attributed to McKay, G. A..

12 records

NASA NTRS2008

Moessbauer and Electron Microprobe Studies of Density Separates of Martian Nakhlite Mil03346: Implications for Interpretation of Moessbauer Spectra Acquired by the Mars Exploration Rovers

Martian meteorite MIL03346 is described as an augite-rich cumulate rock with approx.80%, approx.3%, and approx.21% modal phase proportions of augite (CPX), olivine and glassy mesostasis, respectively, and is classified as a nakhlite [1]. The Mossbauer spectrum for whole rock (WR) MIL 03346 is unusual for Martian meteorites in that it has a distinct magnetite subspectrum (~7% subspectral area) [2]. The meteorite also has products of pre-terrestrial aqueous alteration ("iddingsite") that is associated primarily with the basaltic glass and olivine. The Mossbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers have measured the Fe oxidation state and the Fe mineralogical composition of rocks and soils on the planet s surface since their landing in Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum in January, 2004 [3,4]. The MIL 03346 meteorite provides an opportunity to "ground truth" or refine Fe phase identifications. This is particularly the case for the so-called "nanophase ferric oxide" (npOx) component. NpOx is a generic name for a ferric rich product of oxidative alteration. On Earth, where we can take samples apart and study individual phases, examples of npOx include ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, akagaaneite, and superparamagnetic (small particle) goethite and hematite. It is also possible for ferric iron to be associated to some unknown extent with igneous phases like pyroxene. We report here an electron microprobe (EMPA) and Moessbauer (MB) study of density separates of MIL 03346. The same separates were used for isotopic studies by [5]. Experimental techniques are described by [6,7].

Morris, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Formation of "Chemically Pure" Magnetite from Mg-Fe-Carbonates Implications for the Exclusively Inorganic Origin of Magnetite and Sulfides in Martian Meteorite ALH84001

Magnetite and sulfides in the black rims of carbonate globules in Martian meteorite ALH84001 have been studied extensively because of the claim by McKay et al. that they are biogenic in origin. However, exclusively inorganic (abiotic) processes are able to account for the occurrence of carbonate-sulfide-magnetite assemblages in the meteorite. We have previously precipitated chemically zoned and sulfide-bearing carbonate globules analogous to those in ALH84001 (at less than or equal to 150 C) from multiple fluxes of variable-composition Ca-Mg-Fe-CO2-S-H2O solutions. Brief heating of precipitated globules to approx. 470 C produced magnetite and pyrrhotite within the globules by thermal decomposition of siderite and pyrite, respectively. We have also shown that morphology of magnetite formed by inorganic thermal decomposition of Fe-rich carbonate is similar to the morphology of so-called biogenic magnetite in the carbonate globules of ALH84001. Magnetite crystals in the rims of carbonate globules in ALH84001 are chemically pure [Note: "Chemically pure" is defined here as magnetite with Mg at levels comparable or lower than Mg detected by [8] in ALH84001 magnetite]. A debate continues on whether or not chemically pure magnetite can form by the thermal decomposition of mixed Mg-Fe-carbonates that have formed under abiotic conditions. Thomas-Keprta et al. argue that it is not possible to form Mg-free magnetite from Mg-Fe-carbonate based on thermodynamic data. We previously suggested that chemically pure magnetite could form by the thermal decomposition of relatively pure siderite in the outer rims of the globules. Mg-Fe-carbonates may also thermally decompose under conditions conducive for formation of chemically pure magnetite. In this paper we show through laboratory experiments that chemically pure magnetite can form by an inorganic process from mixed Mg-Fe-carbonates.

Golden, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Magnetite in Martian Meteorite Mil 03346 and Gusev Adirondack Class Basalt: Moessbauer Evidence for Variability in the Oxidation State of Adirondack Lavas

The Moessbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit (Gusev crater) and Opportunity (Meridiani Planum) have returned information on the oxidation state of iron, the mineralogical composition of Fe-bearing phases, and the distribution of Fe among oxidation states and phases [1,2,3]. To date, ~100 and ~85 surface targets have been analyzed by the Spirit and Opportunity spectrometers, respectively. Twelve component subspectra (8 doublets and 4 sextets) have been identified and most have been assigned to mineralogical compositions [4]. Two sextet subspectra result from the opaque and strongly magnetic mineral magnetite (Fe3O4 for the stoichiometric composition), one each for the crystallographic sites occupied by tetrahedrally-coordinated Fe3+ and by octahedrally-coordinated Fe3+ and Fe2+. At Gusev crater, the percentage of total Fe associated with magnetite for rocks ranges from 0 to ~ 35% (Fig. 1) [3]. The range for soils (~5 to ~12% of total Fe from Mt, with one exception) is narrower. The ubiquitous presence of Mt in soil firmly establishes the phase as the strongly magnetic component in martian soil

Morris, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Magnetite in Martian Meteorite Mil 03346 and Gusev Adirondack Class Basalt: Mossbauer Evidence for Variability in the Oxidation State of Adirondack Lavas

The Moessbauer spectrometers on the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit (Gusev crater) and Opportunity (Meridiani Planum) have returned information on the oxidation state of iron, the mineralogical composition of Fe-bearing phases, and the distribution of Fe among oxidation states and phases [1,2,3]. To date, approx.100 and approx.85 surface targets have been analyzed by the Spirit and Opportunity spectrometers, respectively. Twelve component subspectra (8 doublets and 4 sextets) have been identified and most have been assigned to mineralogical compositions [4]. Two sextet subspectra result from the opaque and strongly magnetic mineral magnetite (Fe3O4 for the stoichiometric composition), one each for the crystallographic sites occupied by tetrahedrally-coordinated Fe3+ and by octahedrally-coordinated Fe3+ and Fe2+. At Gusev crater, the percentage of total Fe associated with magnetite for rocks ranges from 0 to approx. 35% (Fig. 1) [3]. The range for soils (approx.5 to approx.12% of total Fe from Mt, with one exception) is narrower. The ubiquitous presence of Mt in soil firmly establishes the phase as the strongly magnetic component in martian soil [4,5].

Morris, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Oxygen Fugacity of the Upper Mantle of Mars. Evidence from the Partitioning Behavior of Vanadium in Y980459 (Y98) and other Olivine-Phyric Shergottites

Using partitioning behavior of V between olivine and basaltic liquid precisely calibrated for martian basalts, we determined the redox state of primitive (olivine-rich, high Mg#) martian basalts near their liquidus. The combination of oxidation state and incompatible element characteristics determined from early olivine indicates that correlations between fO2 and other geochemical characteristics observed in many martian basalts is also a fundamental characteristic of these primitive magmas. However, our data does not exhibit the range of fO2 observed in these previous studies.. We conclude that the fO2 for the martian upper mantle is approximately IW+1 and is incompatible-element depleted. It seems most likely (although clearly open to interpretation) that these mantle-derived magmas assimilated a more oxidizing (>IW+3), incompatible-element enriched, lower crustal component as they ponded at the base of the martian crust.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS2006

Minor Elements in Nakhlite Pyroxenes: Cr in MIL00346

Nakhlites are olivine-bearing clinopyroxene cumulates. Based on petrographic characteristics, they may be divided into groups that cooled at different rates and may have been formed at different depths in a single flow. The order of cooling rate from slowest to fastest is NWA998<Lafayette < Governador Valadares ~ Nakhla < Yamato000593 < NWA817 ~ MIL03346. Nakhlite cumulus pyroxene grains consist of large cores that are nearly homogeneous in major element composition surrounded by thin rims that are zoned to Fe-rich compositions. Detailed study of these pyroxenes is important because they retain a record of the crystallization history of the nakhlite magma. Moreover, because the composition of the nakhlite parent melt cannot be directly determined, inversion of the major and minor element composition of the cumulate pyroxene cores can be used to estimate the composition of that melt. Thus it is important to understand the major and minor element zoning in the cumulus pyroxenes. While major elements are nearly homogeneous, minor elements exhibit distinctive zoning patterns that vary from one nakhlite to another. This paper reports unusual Cr zoning patterns in pyroxenes from MIL03346 (MIL) and contrast these with pyroxenes from Y593.

McKay, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Sahara 99555 and D'Orbigny: Possible Pristine Parent Magma of Quenched Angrites

Angrites constitute a small, but important group of basaltic achondrites showing unusual mineralogy and old crystallization ages. The currently known angrites are divided into two subgroups. Angra dos Reis (ADOR) and LEW86010 show slow cooling histories ("slowly-cooled" angrites) and differ from the later found angrites (LEW87051, Asuka 881371, Sahara 99555, D Orbigny, NWA1670, NWA1298). This second group has textures that suggest rapid cooling histories ("quenched" angrites). The petrogenesis of angrites has been controversial, partly due to the small number of available samples. In this abstract, we suggest a possible parent melt composition for the quenched angrites and its relationship to the partial melts of carbonaceous chondrites.

Mikouchi, T.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Light Lithophile Elements in Natural and Experimental Phases in Martian Basalts: Implications for the Degassing of Water from Martian Magmas

Lentz et al. argued that zoning trends in light lithophile elements (LLE) in pyroxene in Shergotty and Zagami are evidence for the degassing of magmatic water. We tested this inference by obtaining: additional LLE analyses of Shergotty and Zagami pyroxene; analyses of Pasamonte pyroxene; and silicate and phosphate partition coefficients for B and Li for martian magma and mineral compositions.

Herd, C. D. K.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Morphological Evidence for an Exclusively Inorganic Origin for Magnetite in Martian Meteorite ALH84001

The origin of magnetite crystals in Martian Meteorite ALH84001 is the focus of a debate about the possibility of past (and present) life on Mars. McKay et al. originally suggested that some of the magnetite crystals associated with carbonate globules in Martian Meteorite ALH84001 are biogenic in ori-gin, because they are single magnetic domain, free of crystalline defects, chemically pure, and coexist with other metastable phases in apparent disequilibrium. Thomas-Keprta et al. reported that a subpopulation of magnetite crystals (approx. 25%) associated with carbonate globules in ALH84001 and magnetite crystals produced by magnetotactic bacterial strain MV-1 have similar morphologies with crystal elongation along the [111] crystallographic axis that they describe as "truncated hexa-octahedral" ([111-THO]) magnetite. Along with several other properties, the [111]-THO morphology has been proposed to constitute a biomarker (i.e., formed only in biogenic processes), so that the presence of [111]-THO magnetite in ALH84001 may be evidence for past life on Mars.

Golden, D. C.↗

NASA NTRS1998

What Were the Major Factors That Controlled Mineralogical Similarities and Differences of Basaltic, Lherzolitic and Clinopyroxentic Martian Meteorites Within Each Group

Twelve martian meteorites that have been re- covered so far are classified into five groups (basalt, lherzolite, clinopyroxenite, dunite, and orthopyroxenite) mainly from petrology and chemistry. Among them, the dunite and orthopyroxenite groups consist of only one meteorite each (dunite: Chassigny, orthopyroxenite: ALH 84001). The basalt group is the largest group and consists of four meteorites (Shergotty, Zagani, EETA 79001, and QUE 94201). The lherzolitic and clinopyroxenitic groups include three meteorites each (Lherzolite: ALH 77005, LEW 88516, and Y793605, clinopyroxenite: Nakhla, Governador Valadares, and Lafayette). These meteorites within each group are generally similar to the others, but none of them is paired with the others. In this abstract, we discuss the major factors that controlled mineralogical similarities and differences of basaltic, lherzolitic, and clinopyroxenitic meteorites within each group. This may help in understanding their petrogenesis and original locations on Mars in general.

Mikouchi, T.↗

NASA NTRS1996

The Origin of Eucrites: An Experimental Perspective

The origin of eucrites has been the subject of debate. At issue is whether high-Mg# eucrites such as Sioux County are primitive or evolved liquids. We believe that the problem of the origin of eucrites is essentially solved. Problems associated with the petrogenesis of other achondrite groups remain, but the eucrites, taken as a whole, seem to present a clear and understandable story that we will present using experiments, analyses, and calculations. The two traditional eucrite groupings, the partial melting trend a.k.a. Stannem trend) and the fractional crystallization trend (a.k.a. Nuevo Laredo trend) have both been reproduced experimentally. The partial melting trend culminates in Sioux County. Sioux County is also an acceptable starting point for the fractional crystallization trend. The implication of these experimental results is that it is extremely difficult to relate the eucrites to diogenites, a group of pyroxene cumulates that conceivably could have crystallized from eucrite parent magmas.

Jones, J. H.↗

NASA NTRS1996

REE Partition Coefficients from Synthetic Diogenite-Like Enstatite and the Implications of Petrogenetic Modeling

Determining the petrogenesis of eucrites (basaltic achondrites) and diogenites (orthopyroxenites) and the possible links between the meteorite types was initiated 30 years ago by Mason. Since then, most investigators have worked on this question. A few contrasting theories have emerged, with the important distinction being whether or not there is a direct genetic link between eucrites and diogenites. One theory suggests that diogenites are cumulates resulting from the fractional crystallization of a parent magma with the eucrites crystallizing, from the residual magma after separation from the diogenite cumulates. Another model proposes that diogenites are cumulates formed from partial melts derived from a source region depleted by the prior generation of eucrite melts. It has also been proposed that the diogenites may not be directly linked to the eucrites and that they are cumulates derived from melts that are more orthopyroxene normative than the eucrites. This last theory has recently received more analytical and experimental support. One of the difficulties with petrogenetic modeling is that it requires appropriate partition coefficients for modeling because they are dependent on temperature, pressure, and composition. For this reason, we set out to determine minor- and trace-element partition coefficients for diogenite-like orthopyroxene. We have accomplished this task and now have enstatite/melt partition coefficients for Al, Cr, Ti, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Er, Yb, and La.

Schwandt, C. S.↗