Element-Element Correlations Among Martian Meteorite Bulk Compositions: Peculiarities Explained(?) by Mixing, with Implications for the Composition of Mars

Abstract

Most estimates of the chemical corn position of Mars' mantle and core derive from elementelement correlations bulk analyses of Martian meteorites [I-31. To use the correlations in this manner assumes implicitly that they reflect mineraVmelt fractionations (e.g., partial melting, fractional crystallization, accumulation) among a cogenetic suite of igneous rocks. However, similar correlations can zppear from mixing of chemical components, and need not imply that the components were cogenetic nor that they had an igneous origin. Several aspects of the elemental and isotopic chem istries of the Martian meteorites can be explained by mixing of geochemical components (mantle or crustal), e.g. [5,6]. Thus, it is worth asking whether mixing rektions might be seen in bulk chemical data, and (if so) whether the mixing components can be used to infer average planet or mantle compositions.