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At least 55 records · Page 3

Blowing in the Wind: II. Creation and Redistribution of Refractory Inclusions in a Turbulent Protoplanetary Nebula

Ca-Al rich refractory mineral inclusions (CAIs) found at 1-6% mass fraction in primitive chondrites appear to be 1-3 million years older than the dominant (chondrule) components which were accreted into the same parent bodies. A prevalent concern is that it is difficult to retain CAIs for this long against gas-drag-induced radial drift into the sun. We reassess the situation in terms of a hot inner (turbulent) nebula context for CAI formation, using analytical models of nebula evolution and particle diffusion. We show that outward radial diffusion in a weakly turbulent nebula can overwhelm inward drift, and prevent significant numbers of CAI-size particles from being lost into the sun for times on the order of 10(exp 6) years. CAIs can form early, when the inner nebula was hot, and persist in sufficient abundance to be incorporated into primitive planetesimals at a much later time. Small (less than or approx. equal to 0.1 mm diameter) CAIs persist for longer times than large (greater than or approx. equal to 5mm diameter ones). To obtain a quantitative match t o the observed volume fractions of CAIs in chondrites, another process must be allowed for: a substantial enhancement of the inner hot nebula in silicate-forming material, which we suggest was caused by rapid inward drift of meter-sized objects. This early in nebula history, the drifting rubble would have a carbon content probably an order of magnitude larger than even the most primitive (CI) carbonaceous chondrites. Abundant carbon in the evaporating material would help keep the nebula oxygen fugacity low, plausably solar, as inferred for the formation environment of CAIs. The associated production of a larger than canonical amount of CO2 might also play a role in mass-independent fractionation of oxygen isotopes, leaving the gas rich in l60 as inferred from CAIs and other high temperature condensates.

Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.↗

Vapor-Phase Aggregation of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in a Rapidly Cooling Plasma

Local conditions, such as temperature and oxygen availability, have a pronounced effect on the formation and evolution of fallout following a nuclear explosion. While the behavior of nuclear-relevant materials such as uranium has begun to be explored under a wider range of environments, little is known about the behavior of plutonium. Here, using cerium as a surrogate, we track the vapor-phase aggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles created in a plasma flow reactor under conditions of controlled temperature at two different oxygen fugacities. In situ optical emission spectroscopy is used to measure the variations in the spectral intensity of atomic and molecular species with temperature and oxygen content. We find that the relative rate of gas-phase oxidation of cerium is highly dependent on both temperature and local redox conditions within the flow reactor, to the extent that doubling the oxygen availability effectively doubles the amount of vapor-phase cerium monoxide at high temperatures (>2000 K). Condensed cerium oxide nanoparticles are also collected and analyzed ex situ via transmission electron microscopy and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering to determine their elemental composition, crystal structure, and size distribution. The size and morphology of the condensed nanoparticles are independent of local redox conditions, forming the same crystal type with the same size distribution regardless of oxygen availability. Postcondensation particle evolution, however, is found to be predominantly driven by temperature, with the average particle size increasing as particles cool and subsequently aggregate. These results expand our understanding of the chemical and physical behavior of refractory oxides that form during the early stages of fallout formation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Experimental investigation of elemental and isotopic evaporation processes by laser heating in an aerodynamic levitation furnace

In this report we carried out evaporation experiments on a B-type calcium–aluminium-rich inclusion (CAI) melt in a gas-mixing aerodynamic levitation laser furnace, at 1873 K and an oxygen partial pressure of 10 -9.1 atm, for durations ranging from 60 to 600 s. Evaporation of SiO 2 and MgO follow the same trend as those observed in vacuum furnace experiments at the same temperature and starting composition, showing that their evaporation relative to one another from the melt is independent of pressure, oxygen fugacity, and hydrodynamical regime specific to the furnace. Isotopic ratios of Mg and Si in evaporation residues are used to derive fractionation factors of α 26/24 Mg vap-liq = 0.9906± 0.0004 and α 30/28 Si vap-lip = 0.9943±0.0003, which are both significantly closer to unity than those found for evaporation in a vacuum, which translates to less isotope fractionation. The residues are also less isotopically fractionated than expected for cases in which transport of the gas species away from the melt is diffusion-controlled at 1-atm. By analysing the flow regimes in our furnace, we find that advection by the levitating gas is the primary mode of mass transport away from the melt surface, as opposed to diffusion-limited transport in a vacuum or 1-atm tube furnace. A modified Hertz–Knudsen–Langmuir formulation accounts for this process, and shows that isotopic fractionation of both Si and Mg reflect a saturation factor (ratio of the pressure of the evaporating species to vapour saturation pressure) equal to 0.75. This is in perfect accord with recent measurements of Cu isotopic fractionation using a similar furnace. The fact that three elements (Mg, Si, Cu) with varying equilibrium vapour pressures, activity coefficients in the liquid, and diffusion coefficients in the gas have the same scaling behaviour to saturation pressure is a strong indication that the mechanism controlling evaporation is driven by the hydrodynamical regime imposed in the furnace. Therefore, this class of experiments can be used to constrain processes in which advection dominates over diffusion, such as (but not limited to) planetary ejecta, tektites, giant impacts, nebular condensation in a turbulent flow, or nuclear fallout material. Finally, the possibility to reach high temperatures (in excess of 3500 K) in this furnace allows it to be used to evaluate the activity coefficients of melt components in extreme conditions relevant to molten planetary interiors (i.e., magma oceans), with a specific focus on refractory elements.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Scale translation yields insights into gas adsorption under nanoconfinement

This work describes a scale-translating simulation framework to investigate gas adsorption behavior in nanoconfined pores. The framework combines molecular simulations (MSs), equation of state (EoS), and lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations. MSs reveal the physics of methane adsorption in nano-sized pores, where input values of fugacity coefficients are optimized based on EoS predictions. Then, an LB free-energy model, which incorporates a viral EoS, upscales intermolecular forces and estimates adsorption behavior via a proposed fluid–wall interaction model. Armed with the values of the LB interaction parameter as a function of pressure, the LB model is used to predict fluid behavior in irregular nanopores, and the results are validated against reference MS data. The LB model is then used to study adsorption behavior at a continuum scale in representative organic shale nanopores based on finely characterized Vaca Muerta shale samples. Furthermore, the results show that methane adsorption could significantly increase contained fluids by 10%–25% in pores smaller than 20 nm. However, in larger pores (40 nm to 90 nm), adsorption's impact diminishes to 2%–3%, suggesting sorption's negligible role beyond a 40 nm pore size.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Oxidation state of the atmosphere and crust of Venus from Pioneer Venus results

Recent spacecraft observations of Venus permit a detailed model of sulfur chemistry in the atmosphere-lithosphere system. Pioneer Venus experiments confirm that, as predicted, COS and H2S are dominant over SO2 in the lower atmosphere, and that the equilibrium concentrations of S2 and S3 are significant. Many criteria serve to bracket the oxidation state of the crust: it is nearly certain that the S2(2-)/SO4(2-) buffer regulates the oxygen fugacity, and that FeO is at least as abundant as F2O3 in crustal silicates. A highly oxidized crust (as, for example, would result from O2 absorption complementary to escape of vast amounts of H2) is incompatible with the gas-phase sulfur chemistry. If the Pioneer Venus mass spectrometer estimates of the abundance of sulfur gases are correct, earth-like models for the bulk composition of Venus are seriously in error, and a far lower FeO content is required for Venus.

Lewis, J. S.↗

Noble Metal Arsenides and Gold Inclusions in Northwest Africa 8186

CK carbonaceous chondrites are a highly thermally altered group of carbonaceous chondrites, experiencing temperatures ranging between approx.576-867 C. Additionally, the mineralogy of the CK chondrites record the highest overall oxygen fugacity of all chondrites, above the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer. Metallic Fe-Ni is extremely rare in CK chondrites, but magnetite and Fe,Ni sulfides are commonly observed. Noble metal-rich inclusions have previously been found in some magnetite and sulfide grains. These arsenides, tellurides, and sulfides, which contain varying amounts of Pt, Ru, Os, Te, As, Ir, and S, are thought to form either by condensation from a solar gas, or by exsolution during metamorphism on the chondritic parent body. Northwest Africa (NWA) 8186 is a highly metamorphosed CK chondrite. This meteorite is predominately composed of NiO-rich forsteritic olivine (Fo65), with lesser amounts of plagioclase (An52), augite (Fs11Wo49), magnetite (with exsolved titanomagnetite, hercynite, and titanohematite), monosulfide solid solution (with exsolved pentlandite), and the phosphate minerals Cl-apatite and merrillite. This meteorite contains coarse-grained, homogeneous silicates, and has 120deg triple junctions between mineral phases, which indicates a high degree of thermal metamorphism. The presence of NiO-rich olivine, oxides phases all bearing Fe3+, and the absence of metal, are consistent with an oxygen fugacity above the FMQ buffer. We also observed noble metal-rich phases within sulfide grains in NWA 8186, which are the primary focus of the present study.

Srinivasan, P.↗

Noble Metal Arsenides and Gold Inclusions in Northwest Africa 8186

CK carbonaceous chondrites are a highly thermally altered group of carbonaceous chondrites, experiencing temperatures ranging between approximately 576-867 degrees Centigrade. Additionally, the mineralogy of the CK chondrites record the highest overall oxygen fugacity of all chondrites, above the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer. Me-tallic Fe-Ni is extremely rare in CK chondrites, but magnetite and Fe,Ni sulfides are commonly observed. Noble metal-rich inclusions have previously been found in some magnetite and sulfide grains. These arsenides, tellurides, and sulfides, which contain varying amounts of Pt, Ru, Os, Te, As, Ir, and S, are thought to form either by condensation from a solar gas, or by exsolution during metamorphism on the chondritic parent body. Northwest Africa (NWA) 8186 is a highly metamorphosed CK chondrite. This meteorite is predominately composed of NiO-rich forsteritic olivine (Fo65), with lesser amounts of plagioclase (An52), augite (Fs11Wo49), magnetite (with exsolved titanomagnetite, hercynite, and titanohematite), monosulfide solid solution (with exsolved pentlandite), and the phosphate minerals Cl-apatite and merrillite. This meteorite contains coarse-grained, homogeneous silicates, and has 120-degree triple junctions between mineral phases, which indicates a high degree of thermal metamorphism. The presence of NiO-rich olivine, oxides phases all bearing Fe3 plus, and the absence of metal, are consistent with an oxygen fugacity above the FMQ buffer. We also observed noble metal-rich phases within sulfide grains in NWA 8186, which are the primary focus of the present study.

Srinivasan, P.↗

Enstatite Chondrite Outgassing and Condensate Formation: Implications for Early Atmosphere Development

Early atmospheres on rocky planets where life may develop form through outgassing of their original starting blocks, likely a mixture of chondritic material (carbonaceous chondrites (CC), ordinary chondrites (OC), and enstatite chondrites (EC)). However, there is limited experimental data to inform models connecting a planet’s bulk composition to its early atmospheric properties and thus its possibility for life. Thompson et al. (2021) took a major step for-ward in exploring this knowledge gap by measuring outgassing of 3 volatile-rich CCs, providing important experimental constraints on the initial chemical com-position of early rocky planet atmospheres. These data provided novel insights into the gas chemistry released into evolving atmospheres early in a rocky planet’s history and differed from those currently assumed by many theoretical models of rocky planet atmosphere formation. In this study, we focused on the outgassing and condensation reactions of a primitive EC3, which has a lower intrinsic oxygen fugacity ( ƒ O 2 ) and lower volatile content than the CCC meteorites investigated by. We selected the EC to explore differences between EC and CC in low-pressure, high-temperature outgassing and condensation including S, Cl, Na, and C species.

B A Anzures↗

Silicon Partitioning Between Iron-Rich Metal and Silicate Melt: New Constraints From Aerodynamic Laser Levitation Furnace Experiments

The partitioning of light elements (e.g., Si, C, H, etc.) between silicate melts and iron metal alloys as a function of pressure and temperature is a critical constraint in defining the compositional evolution of planetary interiors. While there are a significant number of experimental studies in the literature that examine the various influences of oxygen fugacity, temperature, pressure, and composition on the metal-melt partitioning of silicon, it is difficult to disentangle the effects of each variable due to the nominally independent parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, composition) being collinear. To better test for the independent effects of pressure, temperature, and melt composition on the partitioning of silicon between iron alloy and silicate melt, new high temperature (1800°–2500°C), rapid quench (~700°C/s) aerodynamic levitation laser-heating experiments in the Fe-Si-Mg-O (En65-Fa5-Si3-Fe27) system were conducted. This high temperature, low pressure method is ideal for these experiments because it eliminates the metal container as a sink for elements of interest to partition into, and it has a rapid quench rate that minimizes potential exsolution of silicon from the metal phase during quench cooling. Given the short run times of the levitation experiments (30–60 seconds), a time series at a lower temperature (1700°C) in a vertical gas-mixing muffle tube furnace was also conducted to assess equilibrium times of the bulk composition. All successful runs were imaged using back-scatter electron imaging and analyzed for phase composition using a JEOL 8530F field emission microprobe. These new data were added to a comprehensive and internally consistent data set created from published experiments, and subsequently modeled using parameters designed to minimize collinearity (e.g., optical basicity is used as a proxy for melt composition). High collinearity is found in the data set however between temperature and oxygen fugacity, precluding any model that contains both as nominally independent variables. The resulting model demonstrates a statistically significant effect of pressure, temperature, and melt composition on the partitioning of silicon in Fe-rich metal, which has implications for the formation of planetary cores in rocky planets and provides important constraints on potential bulk core compositions.

Metal↗

Thermal relaxation and the complete set of second-order transport coefficients for the unitary Fermi gas from kinetic theory

We compute the complete set of second-order transport coefficients of the unitary Fermi gas, a dilute gas of spin-1/2 particles interacting via an 𝑠 -wave interaction tuned to infinite scattering length. The calculation is based on kinetic theory and the Chapman-Enskog method at second order in the Knudsen expansion. We take into account the exact two-body collision integral. We extend previous results on second-order coefficients related to shear stress by including terms related to heat flow and gradients of the fugacity. We confirm that the thermal relaxation time is given by the simple estimate 𝜏 𝜅 = 𝜅⁢𝑚/(𝑐 𝑃 ⁢𝑇) even if the full collision kernel is taken into account. Furthermore, 𝜅 is the thermal conductivity, 𝑚 is the mass of the particles, 𝑐𝑃 is the specific heat at constant pressure, and 𝑇 is the temperature.

Kinetic theory↗

Intrinsic oxygen fugacity measurements of some Allende Type B inclusions

The intrinsic oxygen fugacities (IOFs) of two type B Ca-rich and Al-rich inclusions (CAI) from the Allende meteorite were measured using the solid-electrolyte double-cell IOF technique of Ulmer et al. (1976). The measurements were compared to calculated and experimentally extrapolated fO2 of type B phases. It was found that the IOFs of the type B are 6-8 orders of magnitude more oxidized (H2/H2O = 1-10) than the canonical solar nebular gas (H2/H2O = 100-2000). It is suggested that some local fO2 enhancing mechanism, such as dust or gas concentrations, or the release of oxygen-rich vapors during CAI volatilization in the type B inclusions was in operation at temperatures higher than 700 C.

Kozul, Jean M.↗

A Multiphase Equation of State for Hydrazine and Monomethylhydrazine

The objective of this work was to obtain a validated equation of state for hydrazine and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and use this equation to calculate thermodynamic properties. The approach was based on using both reliable critical property values and a value of the acentric factor in the Soave Redlich Kwong and the Peng Robinson model equations of state. These equations were validated by comparing calculated molar volumes for phase equilibrium with published experimental values and comparing calculated vapor pressures with published experimental values over the temperature range appropriate for the corresponding state equations. The equation of state giving the best results was used to calculate enthalpy and entropy departure functions and fugacity values. Additional thermodynamic property calculations were performed to produce partial Mollier diagrams and thermodynamic properties containing internal energy, enthalpy, and entropy values for hydrazine and MMH. The analyses of systems in which either adiabatic or near-adiabatic compression of liquid or vapor hydrazine or low velocity detonations occur require a validated equation of state for representing occurring molar volumes and for energy calculations. Other calculations for thermodynamic properties of hydrazine are available, but the values are for a strict ideal gas state. This work characterized destructive events using hydrazine by calculating for isentropic compression temperatures. The final temperatures were calculated and compared using the ideal and real gas fluid equations of state.

Barragan, Michelle↗

The effect of carbon on phosphate reduction

Several experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effect of carbon on phosphate reduction in synthetic systems. It was attempted to simulate in the experiments conditions occurring during lunar impact processes, but without shock pressure. Temperature, oxygen fugacity, and bulk chemistry were evaluated separately in order to determine the conditions which are suitable for carbon reduction. It appears on the basis of the results of the reported investigation that carbon can be an effective reducing agent during reheating events such as those encountered by lunar soils and breccias. Phosphate reduction may be viewed as a two-step process in which carbon is mobilized as CO during heating and preferentially dissolved in the metal phase. It then acts as a reducing agent on cooling. Gas phase transport and diffusion of carbon in metal are sufficiently rapid to allow uniform carbon distribution both within and between metal grains. The availability of metal from meteorites and carbon from the solar wind is probably sufficient to make reduction by carbon a significant process on the lunar surface.

Friel, J. J.↗

Bridging adsorption behavior of confined CH 4 -CO 2 binary mixtures across scales

An accurate understanding of the competitive adsorption of CH 4 -CO 2 binary mixtures in nano-confined systems is critical for engineering CO 2 storage in shale gas reservoirs. Due to difficulties in making reliable experimental observations in nano-scale, atomistic simulations (ASs), such as the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method, provide a viable approach to studying the adsorption behavior of confined fluids. ASs are, however, limited in the size of the compositional domain due to the high computational cost. This work proposes a framework that combines AS and the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method to bridge the physics of confined fluids across scales. The Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR-EoS) produces fugacity coefficients, which serve as input for conducting multi-component GCMC simulations. These GCMC simulations explore the competitive adsorption behavior of CH 4 -CO 2 in nano-slits at various composition, pressure, and channel-width conditions. Both components generate adsorption layers with high densities near the walls with CO 2 preferentially adsorbing compared to CH 4 on the organic walls of carbon sheets. At the mesoscale, a pseudopotential model represents the intermolecular forces in multi-component, multiple-relaxation-time LB simulations. The LB simulations are in good agreement with the GCMC results, allowing us to obtain values for tunable LB parameters. We then extend the use of LB to simulate adsorption behavior in complex networks with nano-sized channels. The phase behavior and fluid properties in the complex geometries of nano-channels differ from nano-slits and bulk systems. Furthermore, the bridging of physics from GCMC (microscale) to LB (mesoscale) via the macroscale PR-EoS connects the adsorption behavior of binary systems across scales.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The ever-evolving active site: transformation of single atoms to extended structures during the Rh-catalyzed reverse water–gas shift reaction

At low temperatures (< 400°C), single atoms of Rh supported on rutile TiO 2 (rTiO 2 ) are responsible for the formation of CO during the reverse water gas shift (RWGS), while methane production is associated with the Rh-TiO 2 interface due to the correlation between methane formation rates and the volume-averaged Rh nanoparticle diameter. As the temperature is increased to >540°C, there is a notable increase in CO selectivity and methane production rates tend towards zero. The time to reach zero depends on the temperature but independent of the initial Rh structure (single atoms and/or nanoparticles), which is controlled by the catalyst preparation method (wetness impregnation versus colloidal nanoparticles). At 600°C and > 4 h time on stream, the catalytic behaviour becomes completely agnostic to the initial Rh structure as well as weight loading, and the catalysts are highly selective for the reverse water gas-shift reaction. Post-reaction HR-TEM image analysis confirms Rh nanoparticles crystallize/order during the reaction; at 400°C, most of the Rh particles are disordered, while at 600°C, they are more ordered (i.e., development of defined faceting). Infrared spectroscopy of CO adsorption on Rh nanoparticles confirms the appearance of defined facets after annealing in nitrogen at high temperatures. Annealing the Rh/rTiO 2 catalysts prior to the RWGS reaction demonstrates the structural transformation of Rh depends only on time and temperature and not on reactant or product fugacity. Sites responsible for stabilizing Rh single atoms are no longer competent at higher temperatures, enabling their integration into existent nanoparticles. As the reaction temperature is increased to temperatures >540°C, the dominant active site for CO production evolves from single atoms to extended Rh structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oxidation States of Grim Glasses in EET79001 Based on Vanadium Valence

Gas-rich impact-melt (GRIM) glasses in SNC meteorites are very rich in Martian atmospheric noble gases and sulfur suggesting a possible occurrence of regolith-derived secondary mineral assemblages in these samples. Previously, we have studied two GRIM glasses, 506 and 507, from EET79001 Lith A and Lith B, respectively, for elemental abundances and spatial distribution of sulfur using EMPA (WDS) and FE-SEM (EDS) techniques and for sulfur-speciation using K-edge XANES techniques. These elemental and FE-SEM micro-graph data at several locations in the GRIM glasses from Shergotty (DBS), Zagami 994 and EET79001, Lith B showed that FeO and SO3 are positively correlated (SO3 represents a mixture of sulfide and sulfate). FE-SEM (EDS) study revealed that the sulfur-rich pockets in these glasses contain numerous micron-sized iron-sulfide (Fe-S) globules sequestered throughout the volume. However, in some areas (though less frequently), we detected significant Fe-S-O signals suggesting the occurrence of iron sulfate. These GRIM glasses were studied by K-edge microXANES techniques for sulfur speciation in association with iron in sulfur-rich areas. In both samples, we found the sulfur speciation dominated by sulfide with minor oxidized sulfur mixed in with various proportions. The abundance of oxidized sulfur was greater in 506 than in 507. Based on these results, we hypothesize that sulfur initially existed as sulfate in the glass precursor materials and, on shock-impact melting of the precursor materials producing these glasses, the oxidized sulfur was reduced to predominately sulfide. In order to further test this hypothesis, we have used microXANES to measure the valence states of vanadium in GRIM glasses from Lith A and Lith B to complement and compare with previous analogous measurements on Lith C (note: 506 and 507 contain the largest amounts of martian atmospheric gases but the gas-contents in Lith C measured by are unknown). Vanadium is ideal for addressing this re-dox issue because it has multiple valence states and is a well-studied element. Ferrous-dominated iron valences determined by microXANES on the Lith A and Lith B glasses provide little redox sensitivity. Vanadium valence measurements for impact glass in Lith C at three different locations yielded valence values of 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4 with inferred fO2 values of IW-0.7, IW-0.1 and IW+0.7, respectively. This range of oxygen-fugacity values is understandable because the glasses are shock-molten impact glasses which are heterogeneous in nature. Oxygen fugacity values obtained from the analysis of Fe-Ti oxides and Eu partitioning in pyroxenes from EET79001 Lith A and Lith B (host lithologies) were in the range of IW+0.3 to IW+1.9 suggesting that V in the Lith C impact glass was reduced in the impact process. Here, we examine whether the 506 from Lith A and 507 from Lith B GRIM glasses yield similar or different fO2 values from those of Lith C using the vanadium K-edge microXANES technique.

Sutton, S. R.↗

Workshop on Parent-Body and Nebular Modification of Chondritic Materials

Topics considered include: thermal Metamorphosed Antarctic CM and CI Carbonaceous Chondrites in Japanese Collections, and Transformation Processes of Phyllosilicates; use of Oxygen Isotopes to Constrain the Nebular and Asteroidal Modification of Chondritic Materials; effect of Revised Nebular Water Distribution on Enstatite Chondrite Formation; interstellar Hydroxyls in Meteoritic Chondrules: Implications for the Origin of Water in the Inner Solar System; theoretical Models and Experimental Studies of Gas-Grain Chemistry in the Solar Nebula; chemical Alteration of Chondrules on Parent Bodies; thermal Quenching of Silicate Grains in Protostellar Sources; an Experimental Study of Magnetite Formation in the Solar Nebula; the Kaidun Meteorite: Evidence for Pre- and Postaccretionary Aqueous Alteration; a Transmission Electron Microscope Study of the Matrix Mineralogy of the Leoville CV3 (Reduced-Group) Carbonaceous Chondrite: Nebular and Parent-Body Features; rubidium-Strontium Isotopic Systematic of Chondrules from the Antarctic CV Chondrites Yamato 86751 and Yamato 86009: Additional Evidence for Late Parent-Body Modification; oxygen-Fugacity Indicators in Carbonaceous Chondrites: Parent-Body Alteration or High-Temperature Nebular Oxidation; thermodynamic Modeling of Aqueous Alteration in CV Chondrites; asteroidal Modification of C and O Chondrites: Myths and Models; oxygen Fugacity in the Solar Nebular; and the History of Metal and Sulfides in Chondrites.

Zolensky, M. E.↗

Chromium Oxidation State in Planetary Basalts: Oxygen Fugacity Indicator and Critical Variable for Cr-Spinel Stability

Cr is a ubiquitous and relatively abundant minor element in basaltic, planetary magmas. At the reduced oxidation states (<FMQ) of many planetary basalts Cr is present in melts as both divalent and trivalent forms. The ratio of trivalent to divalent Cr present in the melt has many consequences for the stability and Cr concentration of magmatic phases such as spinel, clinopyroxene, and olivine. However, understanding the Cr valence in quenched melts has historically been plagued with analytical issues, and only recently has reliable methodology for quantifying Cr valence in quenched melts been developed. Despite this substantial difficulty, the pioneering works of Hanson and Jones and Berry and O'Neill provided important insights into the oxidation state of Cr in in silicate melts. Here we present a series of 1-bar gas mixing experiments performed with a Fe-rich basaltic melt in which have determined the Cr redox ratio of the melt at over a range of fO2 values by measuring this quantity in olivine with X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES). The measured Cr redox ratio of the olivine phenocrysts can be readily converted to the ratio present in the conjugate melt via the ratio of crystal-liquid partition coefficients for Cr3+ and Cr2+. We have applied these results to modeling Cr spinel stability and Cr redox ratios in a primitive, iron-rich martian basalt.

Bell, A. S.↗