Samarium-neodymium evolution of meteorites

Abstract

The feasibility of using Sm-147 and Sm-146 as chronometers was investigated using Sm-Nd data obtained on three meteorites: Ibitira, Morristown, and Acapulco. The results of isotope analyses demonstrate the presence of in situ decay of short-lived Sm-146 in these meteorites with initial abundances of Sm-146/Sm-144 between 0.009 and 0.007 in different meteorites. Precisely defined Sm-147/Nd-143 internal isochrons were obtained yielding ages equal to 4.46 +/-0.02 AE for Ibitira, 4.47 +/-0.02 AE for Morristown, and 4.60 +/-0.03 AE for Acapulco. However, detailed examination of the coupled Sm-147/Nd-143 and Sm-146/Nd-142 parent-daughter systematics and of initial Nd-143/Nd-144 values indicated the presence of inconsistencies in the data in spite of the precise isochrons, indicating the need for care in the interpretation of the parent-daughter systematics, even when they appear well behaved.