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Chemical and physical studies of type 3 chondrites. IX - Thermoluminescence and hydrothermal annealing experiments and their relationship to metamorphism and aqueous alteration in type below 3.3 ordinary chondrites

Thermoluminescence (TL) properties were measured in samples of four type-3.0 chondrites annealed at 400-850 C and 0.77-1 kbar in the presence of various amounts of water and sodium disilicate. Several changes recorded in TL characteristics, such as the lowering of TL sensitivity in certain samples, its increase in other samples, and changes in the peak position and peak width of TL suggested the occurrence of metamorphic processes in these samples. It is suggested that, for the chondrite types above 3.2, the observed changes in TL are consistent with the TL-metamorphism trends, being due to the formation of feldspar by the devitrification of chondrule glass during metamorphism. For types below 3.2, the TL data are consistent with the hypothesis that these chondrules experienced lower levels of metamorphism than the higher types or, alternatively, with the hypothesis that the type 3.0 chondrules are being produced from higher types by aqueous alteration.

Guimon, R. Kyle↗

Chondrules in the Sharps H3 chondrite - Evidence for intergroup compositional differences among ordinary chondrite chondrules

Bulk compositions of 19 chondrules and one matrix-rich sample from H3.4 Sharps were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Samples were characterized petrographically, and mineral compositions were determined by electron microprobe analysis. There is constancy among ordinary chondrite (OC) groups in the compositional interrelationships of different chondrule types; e.g., in H3 as well as L3 and LL3 chondrites, porphyritic chondrules are more refractory than nonporphyritic chondrules. Precursor components of H3 chondrules are closely related to those of LL3 chondrules. The mean Ir/Ni, Ir/Co, and Ir/Au ratios of H3 chondrules differ from the corresponding ratios of LL3 chondrules at the 99, 90, and 79 percent confidence levels, respectively. The ratios in H3 chondrules exceed those in LL3 chondrules by amounts similar to those by which H whole-rocks exceed LL whole-rocks. These data suggest that there are primary systematic differences in bulk composition between H and LL chondrules. These differences support the inference that chondrule formation occurred after major nebular fractionation events had established the observed bulk compositional differences among OC groups.

Rubin, Alan E.↗

Lea County 001, an H5 chondrite, and Lea County 002, an ungrouped type 3 chondrite

A search of active deflation basins near Jal, Lea County, New Mexico resulted in the discovery of two meteorites, Lea County 001 and 002. Lea County 001 has mean olivine and low-Ca pyroxene compositions of Fa(19) and Fs(17), respectively. These and all other mineralogical and petrological data collected indicate a classification of H5 for this stone. Lea County 002 has mean olivine and low-Ca pyroxene compositions of Fa(2) and Fs(4), and is unequilibrated. Although it is mineralogically most similar to Kakangari and chondritic clasts within Cumberland Falls, the high modal amount of forsterite makes Lea County a unique type 3 chondrite. Oxygen isotope data for Lea County 002 fall on an 0-16-mixing line through those of the enstatite meteorites and IAB irons, a feature shared by Kakangari.

Zolensky, Michael E.↗

Forsteritic Olivine Grains in Unequilibrated Ordinary Chondrites: Additional Evidence for a Link Between Ordinary and Carbonaceous Chondrites

We report mineral-chemical and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) oxygen-isotopic studies of forsteritic olivine grains from various Unequilibrated Ordinary Chondrites (UOCs). Our studies provide additional evidence for a genetic link between ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites and between various lithologies in these meteorites.

Ruzicka, A.↗

Postshock Annealing and Postannealing Shock in Equilibrated Ordinary Chondrites: Implications for the Thermal and Shock Histories of Chondritic Asteroids

In addition to shock effects in olivine, plagioclase, orthopyroxene and Ca-pyroxene, petrographic shock indicators in equilibrated ordinary chondrites (OC) include chromite veinlets, chromite-plagioclase assemblages, polycrystalline troilite, metallic Cu, irregularly shaped troilite grains within metallic Fe-Ni, rapidly solidified metal-sulfide intergrowths, martensite and various types of plessite, metal-sulfide veins, large metal and/or sulfide nodules, silicate melt veins, silicate darkening, low-Ca clinopyroxene, silicate melt pockets, and large regions of silicate melt. The presence of some of these indicators in every petrologic type-4 to -6 ordinary chondrite (OC) demonstrates that collisional events caused all equilibrated OC to reach shock stages S3-S6. Those type-4 to -6 OC that are classified as shock-stage S1 (on the basis of sharp optical extinction in olivine) underwent postshock annealing due to burial beneath materials heated by the impact event. Those type-4 to -6 OC that are classified S2 (on the basis of undulose extinction and lack of planar fractures in olivine) were shocked to stage S3-S6, annealed to stage S1 and then shocked again to stage S2. Some OC were probably shocked to stage 253 after annealing. It seems likely that many OC experienced multiple episodes of shock and annealing. Because 40Ar-39Ar chronological data indicate that MIL 99301 (LL6, Sl) was annealed approximately 4.26 Ga ago, presumably as a consequence of a major impact, it seems reasonable to suggest that other equilibrated S1 and S2 OC (which contain relict shock features) were also annealed by impacts. Because some type-6 S1 OC (e.g., Guarena, Kernouve, Portales Valley, all of which contain relict shock features) were annealed 4.44-4.45 Ga ago (during a period when impacts were prevalent and most OC were thermally metamorphosed), it follows that impact-induced annealing could have contributed significantly to OC thermal metamorphism.

Rubin, Alan E.↗

Origins and Distribution of Chondritic Olivine Inferred from Wild 2 and Chondrite Matrix

To date, only 180 particle impact tracks from Wild 2 have been extracted from the Stardust aerogel collector and even fewer have been thoroughly characterized. In order to provide a cohesive compositional dataset that can be compared to the meteorite record, we have made both major and minor element analyses (TEM/EDXS) of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene for 39 particles harvested from 26 tracks. However, the dearth of equivalent analyses for these phases in chondrite matrix hinders their comparison to the Wild 2 samples. To properly permit comparison of chondritic olivine and pyroxene to the Wild 2 samples, we have also provided a large, comprehensive EPMA dataset (greater than10(exp 3) analyses) of analogous grains (5-30 micrometers) isolated in L/LL3.0-4, CI, CM, CR, CH, CO, CV, Acfer 094, EH3, EL6, and Kakangari matrix

Frank, D. R.↗

Amoeboid Olivine Aggregates in Antarctic CR Chondrites: Petrologic Variations Among CR Chondrites

Amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) are important components of carbonaceous chondrites that are interpreted as solar nebula condensates, and can be used as sensitive indicators of metamorphic or alteration processes. We have been investigating a set of Antarctic CR chondrites from the Japanese-NIPR collection in order to study variations within the CRs in general and their AOAs in particular. Main goals are to identify variations in conditions of nebular condensation, parent body effects and terrestrial weathering.

Komatsu, M.↗

A Unique Chondrite Clast in the NWA 13262 (L3 Breccia) Bearing Similarities to Carbonaceous and Ordinary Chondrites

In ordinary chondrites (OC) a large diversity of dark-colored clasts (or inclusions) can be found; however, these terms do not provide any information about the genetic origin and the mineralogy of the fragments and encompass very different types of rocks summarized in [1]. Most clasts within OC breccias probably derived from projectiles, whereas other may have been included by early accretion. Here, we report on a chondritic clast that is different from material sampled by individual meteorites.

I Kerraouch↗

Carbonaceous chondrites. I - Characterization and significance of carbonaceous chondrite /CM/ xenoliths in the Jodzie howardite

Mineralogical, chemical, textural, and isotopic studies of the abundant carbonaceous inclusions in the Jodzie howardite which are consistent with carbonaceous chondrite (CM) characteristics are examined. These CM xenoliths show regolith alteration comparable to the Murray and Murchison meteorites but less than Nogoya, flow-oriented development of phyllosilicates and 'poorly characterized phases', and partial oxidation of sulfides. Temperature-programmed pyrolysis mass spectrometry indicates that gas release patterns of volatiles and hydrocarbons, and N, C, and S contents are typical of CM meteorites. The fact that the Ne content is typical for 'solar' values and the isotopic structure of Xe is 'planetary' indicates that these gases were entrapped by different mechanisms, and cosmic ray exposure ages for the xenoliths agree with the reported exposure age for the eucritic host.

Bunch, T. E.↗

Carbonaceous chondrites. II - Carbonaceous chondrite phyllosilicates and light element geochemistry as indicators of parent body processes and surface conditions

Petrographic analyses of CM matrices characterized four phyllosilicates in Murray and Murchison meteorites and Fe- and Mg-serpentines in Nogoya. All phyllosilicates and bulk matrices show enrichment of K relative to Na when compared with bulk meteorites; the loss of Na and some Cl, and the addition of H2O, CO2, and water-soluble organics during alteration indicates a partially open system. Synthesis of soluble organic materials may have occurred in CM matrices before aqueous alteration of the precursive phases. Nogoya was 95% altered and has a bulk C content of 5.2%, higher than any meteorite; also, it has the lowest measured C-13/C-12 ratio of any carbonaceous chondrite except for Karoonda.

Bunch, T. E.↗

A new LL3 chondrite, Allan Hills A79003, and observations on matrices in ordinary chondrites

Allan Hills A79003 is an LL3 chondrite with a petrologic subtype of 3.4 + or - 0.2. Contrary to previous suggestions, it is not paired with other Allan Hills specimens. It contains haxonite, (Fe,Ni)23C6; shock-melted, 'fizzed' metal-troilite intergrowths; and translucent, glassy-looking Huss matrix (fine-grained, Fe-rich silicate matrix), in addition to the normal opaque and recrystallized varieties of Huss matrix. Some chondrules are partly coated with opaque matrix, others with translucent matrix. Translucent matrix is more uniform in composition and contains less S, CaO and FeO and more MgO than the opaque variety. Both kinds of matrix rimmed chondrules before consolidation of the meteorite.

Scott, E. R. D.↗

Chondrules in the Qingzhen type-3 enstatite chondrite Possible precursor components and comparison to ordinary chondrite chondrules

The mineral composition of chondrules from a fragment of Qingzhen (EH3) fall was analyzed by neutron activation method. Unlike the ordinary chondrite (OC) chondrules (Gooding and Keil, 1981), the Qingzhen radial pyroxene (RP) and porphyritic pyroxene (PP) chondrules have similar bulk compositions. Porphyritic olivine-pyroxene (POP) chondrules are richer than PP and RP chondrules in refractory lithophiles and siderophiles. Elements in each of the following sets intercorrelate significantly: (1) Fe-Co-Ni-Ir-Au, probably derived from a metal component; (2) Ca-Eu-Se, which suggests an oldhamite-rich precursor; (3) Al-Sc-Hf, occurring in high concentrations in POP chondrules, this set suggesting the existence of a refractory lithophile-rich and olivine-rich component; (4) Na REE; and (5) Cl-Br. Sets (2) and (4) were not precursors of OC. The interelement ratios of refractory lithophiles such as Ca, Al, Ti, Sc, and REE are similar to CI ratios, suggesting that they originated in the earliest phases as silicates, which were sulfurized before chondrule formation.

Grossman, J. N.↗

Comparison of Nickel XANES Spectra and Elemental Maps from a Ureilite, a LL3.8 Ordinary Chondrite, Two Carbonaceous Chondrites and Two Large Cluster IDPs

Nickel in the extraterrestrial world is commonly found in both Fe-Ni sulfide and Fe-Ni met-al forms [1] and in the pure metal state in the interior of iron meteorites where it is not easily oxidized. Ni is also found in olivine, pyroxene and glasses and in some melts the partitioning of Ni between the olivines and glass is controlled by the amount of S in the melt [2]. Its most common valence state is Ni(2+) but Ni also occurs as Ni(0), Ni(+), and Ni(3+) and rarely as Ni(2-), Ni(1-) and Ni(4+) [3]. It's valence state in olivines is Ni(2+) in octa-hedral coordination on the M1 site and rarely on the M2 site.[4]. The chemical sensitivity of X-ray absorp-tion near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy is well established and can be used to determine not only va-lence states but also coordination sites [5]. We report here Ni XANES spectroscopy and elemental maps collected from 2 carbonaceous chondrites, 2 large clus-ter IDPs, 1 ureilite and 1 LL3 orginary chondrite.Using XANES it may be possible to find a common trait in the large cluster IDPs that will also be found in mete-orite samples.

Wirick, S.↗