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At least 451 records · Page 25

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NASA NTRS1990

Actinide abundances in ordinary chondrites

Measurements of actinide and light REE (LREE) abundances and of phosphate abundances in equilibrated ordinary chondrites were obtained and were used to define the Pu abundance in the solar system and to determine the degree of variation of actinide and LREE abundances. The results were also used to compare directly the Pu/U ratio with the earlier obtained ratio determined indirectly, as (Pu/Nd)x(Nd/U), assuming that Pu behaves chemically as a LREE. The data, combined with high-accuracy isotope-dilution data from the literature, show that the degree of gram-scale variability of the Th, U, and LREE abundances for equilibrated ordinary chondrites is a factor of 2-3 for absolute abundances and up to 50 percent for relative abundances. The observed variations are interpreted as reflecting the differences in the compositions and/or proportions of solar nebula components accreted to ordinary chondrite parent bodies.

Hagee, B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Chondrite chronology by initial Sr-87/Sr-86 in phosphates?

New data are presented on Rb-Sr isotope analyses of phosphates from nine ordinary chondrites, including accurate identification of initial Sr-87/Sr-86. The initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios found in this study were generally significantly higher than the more primitive initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios inferred for carbonaceous chondrite refractory inclusions, basaltic achondrites, or bulk ordinary chondrites. Such elevation of initial Sr-87/Sr-86 is generally considered to reflect isotopic redistribution during metamorphism. However, in this study, no evident correlation was found between the phosphate initial Sr-87/Sr-86 compositions and the metamorphic grade. Two possible alternative hypotheses for high initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios are considered.

Podosek, Frank A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The bidirectional reflectance spectra of five gas-rich ordinary chondrites

In general, the spectra of the dark areas of gas-rich ordinary chondrites show reductions in both reflectance and band depth relative to the spectra of the light areas and the spectra of normal ordinary chondrites. The dark areas of these samples show spectral alteration despite having substantial fractions of light material intimately mixed with the dark, gas-rich grains. If the spectra of the dark gas-rich grains represent the spectral characteristics of a regolith soil on an ordinary chondrite body, then that surface would display a dark and strongly subdued spectrum.

Britt, Daniel T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Cosmogenic Ar-36 from neutron capture by Cl-35 in the Chico L6 chondrite: Additional evidence for large shielding

The cosmic ray produced Ar-36/Ar-38 ratio measured in iron meteorites is about 0.65, but is not well determined for stone meteorites due to the common presence of trapped Ar or absorbed atmospheric Ar in bulk analysis. Almost all single-extraction measurements of stones give Ar-36/Ar-38 ratios intermediate between the trapped and air values of 5.3 and the expected cosmogenic value of about 0.65. The isotopic composition of Ar was measured for stepwise temperature release of both chondritic and melt portions of Chico. The Chico data suggest that for large chondrites, the cosmogenic Ar-36/Ar-38 ratio may well be higher than 0.65, and therefore the procedure of correcting bulk analysis results may underestimate the concentration of cosmogenic Ar-38. In this context we note that in analysis of many Antarctic chondrites observed that determined amounts of cosmogenic Ar-38 averaged about 13 percent too low in comparison to that expected from measurements of other cosmogenic species.

Garrison, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Thermal histories of CO3 chondrites - Application of olivine diffusion modelling to parent body metamorphism

The petrologic sequence observed in the CO3 chondrite group has been suggested to be the result of thermal metamorphism on a parent body. A model developed to examine the possibility that chondrule and matrix olivines equilibrated in situ, during parent body metamorphism is presented. The model considers Fe-Mg interdiffusion between chondrule and matrix olivines. Zoning profiles comparable to those observed in chondrule olivines from partially equilibrated members of the series are reproduced successfully. Metamorphism of CO3 chondrites on a parent body is therefore a viable model for the observed equilibration. Results indicate that peak metamorphic temperatures experienced by the CO3 chondrites were around 500 C, and that the range of peak temperatures between unequilibrated and equilibrated subtypes was relatively narrow, around 100 C.

Jones, Rhian H.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Mineralogy and possible origin of an unusual Cr-rich inclusion in the Los Martinez (L6) chondrite

During a petrological study of the previously unclassified ordinary chondrite Los Martinez a highly unusual Cr-rich inclusion is found which is unique in both extraterrestrial and terrestrial mineralogy. Detailed SEM and TEM studies show that the inclusion consists of a highly zoned single crystal of plagioclase intergrown with chromium-rich spinel which indicates that it is the product of exsolution. The Cr-rich precursors of the inclusion probably have close affinities to the chronite-plagioclase chrondrules observed by Ramdohr (1967) in several ordinary chondrites. Based on the zoning in the inclusion it is suggested that it is the product of fractional crystallization from a melt, which may have formed as a liquid condensate, or by melting of solid condensates, in the solar nebula. Subsequent cooling of this melt condensate resulted in crystallization of the unidentified phase. After crystallization, the inclusion was probably incorporated into a parent body where it underwent metamorphism and was probably shocked to some degree. During this period of parent body metamorphism, exsolution and decomposition of the unknown precursor occurred to produce the observed intergrowth of plagioclase and chromite. Los Martinez is classified as an L6 ordinary chondrite breccia.

Brearley, Adrian J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Maralinga, a metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite found in Australia

The Maralinga meteorite was found near the village of Maralinga, South Australia in 1974, but was not recognized as a meteorite until 1989. One weathered individual was recovered with a total mass of 3.38 kg. The bulk composition and petrography of Maralinga indicate that it is a metamorphosed (petrographic type 4) carbonaceous chondrite with major similarities to the Vigarano-subtype. However, recent trace element data from the literature suggest that Maralinga should be included with the CK (Karoonda-type) carbonaceous chondrites. Maralinga is classified as an anomalous CK4 chondrite because of its abundant chondrules and refractory inclusions relative to other known members of the CK group. Maralinga contains homogeneous silicates, including Ni-bearing olivines (Fa34), high-Ca clinopyroxene, and rare orthopyroxene. Plagioclase is chemically heterogeneous and falls into two distinct compositional groups one of about An20 and an about An80 group. Highly oxidizing conditions during metamorphism of Maralinga are indicated by the abundance of magnetite and the paucity of Fe-Ni metal.

Keller, Lindsay P.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Labile trace elements in carbonaceous chondrites - A survey

Data are presented on 14 trace elements, including Co, Au, Ga, Rb, Sb, Ag, Se, Cs, Te, Zn, Cd, Bi, Tl, and In (nearly all of which are moderately or highly labile in meteorites), obtained by radiochemical neutron activation analyses of 42 C2-C6 chondrites, all but three from Antarctica. The data indicate that carbonaceous chondrites of petrographic types 2-6 define compositional continua. It is suggested that carbonaceous C2-C6 chondrites may reflect a mixture of material that formed at low temperatures and that contained cosmic levels of highly labile elements, with material that was devoid of them.

Xiao, Xiaoyue↗

NASA NTRS1992

Thermal history of chondrites - Hot accretion vs. metamorphic reheating

The thermal evolution of chondrules is investigated for the stages including primary heating through accretion to parent-body processing to determine whether the chondrules could be hot during accretion. Theoretical attention is given to whether chondrites of different petrologic types could have originated by means of hot accretion or metamorphic reheating. Data are presented from cooling-rate experiments and from calculations of heat retention required for the hot-accretion scenario. The accretion of chondrules hotter than 800 C is shown to be inconsistent with constraints on chondrule thermal evolution, in particular the slow cooling environment of chondrules vs the apparent cooling of chondrites in cold environments. It is argued that petrologic chondrites are formed by cold accretion and subsequently by metamorphic heating.

Haack, Henning↗

NASA NTRS1992

Mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of carbonaceous chondritic clasts in the LEW 85300 polymict eucrite

We have performed a detailed petrologic and mineralogic study of two chondritic clasts from the polymict eucrite Lewis Cliff (LEW) 85300, and performed chemical analyses by INAA and RNAA on one of these. Petrologically, the clasts are identified and are composed of dispersed aggregates, chondrules, and chondrule fragments supported by matrix. The aggregates and chondrules are composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, plus some diopside. The matrix consists of fine-grained olivine, and lesser orthopyroxene and augite. Fine-grained saponite is common in the matrix. The bulk major composition of the clast studied by INAA and RNAA shows unusual abundance patterns for lithophile, siderophile and chalcophile elements but is basically chondritic. The INAA/RNAA data preclude assignment of the LEW 85300,15 clast to any commonly accepted group of carbonaceous chondrite.

Zolensky, M. E.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The natural thermoluminescence of meteorites. V - Ordinary chondrites at the Allan Hills ice fields

Natural thermoluminescence (TL) data have been obtained for 167 ordinary chondrites from the ice fields in the vicinity of the Allan Hills in Victoria Land, Antarctica, in order to investigate their thermal and radiation history, pairing, terrestrial age, and concentration mechanisms. Natural TL values for meteorites from the Main ice field are fairly low, while the Farwestern field shows a spread with many values 30-80 krad, suggestive of less than 150-ka terrestrial ages. There appear to be trends in TL levels within individual ice fields which are suggestive of directions of ice movement at these sites during the period of meteorite concentration. These directions seem to be confirmed by the orientations of elongation preserved in meteorite pairing groups. The proportion of meteorites with very low natural TL levels at each field is comparable to that observed at the Lewis Cliff site and for modern non-Antarctic falls and is also similar to the fraction of small perihelia orbits calculated from fireball and fall observations. Induced TL data for meteorites from the Allan Hills confirm trends which show that a select group of H chondrites from the Antarctic experienced a different extraterrestrial thermal history to that of non-Antarctic H chondrites.

Benoit, Paul H.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Oxidation during metamorphism of the ordinary chondrites

It is suggested that some current concepts about the conditions of metamorphism in ordinary chondrites may be flawed. These meteorites display small systematic variations in the oxidation state of Fe. Evidence is presented that oxidation of Fe is linked to metamorphic grade in types 4-6 ordinary chondrites. This conclusion is at variance with a commonly accepted model for chondrite metamorphism that assumes Fe reduction by graphite.

Mcsween, Harry Y., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Experimental partial melting of the Allende (CV) and Murchison (CM) chondrites and the origin of asteroidal basalt

Following the investigation of Jurewicz et al. (1991) on the composition of partial melts of eucrites and angrites, this study investigates partial melts of the Allende and Murchison chondrites and details the anhydrous phase relations of both chondrites at 1 atm, under temperatures and oxygen fugacities plausigle for the formation of basaltic meteorites. It was found that, in general, ambient oxygen fugacity exerts a strong influence on the compositions of partial melts of chondrites by controlling the amount of FeO available to the silicate system. At high f(O2), angritic magmas are produced, whereas eucritic melts are produced at low levels of f(O2).

Jurewicz, A. J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1993

H4 and H5 chondrites from the Rub'al Khali desert

Based on texture and mineral composition, the highly weathered al-Jimshan chondrite is classed as an S2-shock stage H4 chondrite. The Bir-Hadi and ad-Dahbubah H chondrites are probably not paired with al-Jimshan, and are here respectively classified as H5, shock stage S3 and H5, shock stage S2.

Krot, Aleksandr N.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Size distributions in two porous chondritic micrometeorites

Quantitative size measurements of granular units (GUs), and nm-sized minerals in these units, in two porous chondritic micrometeorites are investigated. The matrix of these micrometeorites consist of loosely packed, 0.1 micron-sized, GUs. These objects were a major component of the solar nebula dust that accreted into protoplanets. The matrix in micrometeorite W7010*A2 has a fractal dimension with a small coefficient that supports efficient sticking of carbon-rich GUs during accretion. The fractal nature of the matrix provides a way to calculate the density using the aggregate size. The resulting very low density for porous chondritic micrometeorites is 0.08-0.14 g/cu cm, which supports the view that they are the solid debris from unconsolidated solar system bodies. Chondritic GUs contain ultrafine olivines, pyroxenes, and sulfides, embedded in hydrocarbons and amorphous carbons. Nanocrystals in the micrometeorites W7010*A2 and U2015*B show log normal size distributions. The high incidence of disk-shaped grains, a changeover from disk-shaped to euhedral grains, the unevolved nature of the size distributions, and multiple populations for grains less than 127 nm in size, are consistent with continuous postaccretion nucleation and growth in amorphous GUs, including coarsening via Ostwald ripening.

Rietmeijer, Frans J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Peculiarities of distributions of the cosmic-ray exposure ages of H chondrite falls and finds

Well known peak in the distribution of the cosmic-ray exposure ages of H chondrites at 6-7 My can be employed as mark in comparison of different populations of H chondrites. It is found the age corresponding to maximum of peak for non-Antarctic falls is higher by (15+/-5) percent of this for non-Antarctic finds. Antarctic H chondrites occupy intermediate position. This effect is probably due to process of weathering.

Alexeev, V. A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Carbon in weathered ordinary chondrites from Roosevelt County

A suite of Roosevelt County ordinary chondrites of known terrestrial age have been analyzed for carbon content and isotopic composition. Initial results indicate that significant carbon contamination is evident only in samples with a terrestrial age greater than 40 ka. These samples are of weathering grade D and E and contain three times more carbon than the less weathered samples. The soil in which they were preserved has a carbon content of ca. 1.5 percent. Over 200 meteorites have been recovered from a series of soil depleted areas of New Mexico and West Texas. Most have been recovered from blowouts near Clovis in Roosevelt County (RC) on the high plains of New Mexico. The mineralogical and petrologic Al effects of weathering upon these samples have been studied previously and show that the degree of weathering is largely depend ant upon the terrestrial residence time. The study was undertaken to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to the soil and climate of Roosevelt County upon ordinary chondrites in the hope that this will enable a better understanding of the problems associated with the collection of meteoritic falls. A suite of ten grade 4 to 6 H, L, and LL ordinary chondrites were analyzed for carbon content and isotopic composition.

Ash, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Mineralogy versus bulk composition of the carbonaceous chondrite clast Kaidun 2

Kaidun is an unusual chondritic meteorite. Its main mass is of CR-type (Kaidun I) and contains CI-like (Kaidun II), EL, and EH clasts. The classification of Kaidun II based on mineralogy and bulk chemical criteria does not allow an unambigious assignment to CI. Here we report on the bulk chemical composition and the mineralogy of the Kaidun II clasts. The results of our investigation show that Kaidun II has some characteristics of both CI and CM chondrites. A possible relationship to the texture and composition of micrometeorites is indicated. The Kaidun II clast shows some conflicting mineralogical and chemical characteristics that do not allow an unambigious assignment to the well established carbonaceous chondrite classes. The overall texture of the matrix-rich clast and morphology of opaques are typical for CI's. Bulk matrix and bulk sample compositions reveal similarities with CM's. In addition, the presence of low-Fe Mn-enriched olivines and the relatively high abundance of enstatite resembles some micrometeorites.

Brandstaetter, F.↗