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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

About Tagish Lake as a Potential Parent Body for Polar Micrometeorites; Clues from their Hydrogen Isotopic Compositions

The origin of the Antarctic micrometeorites (AMMs) is still a matter of debate. Their closest meteoritic counterparts are the C2 chondrites, but the match is not perfect, and the parent body(ies) of the AMMs is(are) still to be identified. Tagish Lake is a new meteorite fall which bears similarity with CI1 and CM2 chondrites, but is distinct from both. Based on the mineralogy of phyllosilicates, Noguchi et al. proposed that the phyllosilicate-rich AMMs and the Tagish Lake meteorites could derive from similar asteroids. The hydrogen isotopic compositions of extra-terrestrial samples can be used to get some insight on their origin. The D/H ratios of AMMs and of Tagish Lake have been measured, but using different analytical techniques. They are therefore not directly comparable. We performed additional hydrogen isotopic analyses of fragments of Tagish Lake using the same experimental setup previously used for the measurement of the hydrogen isotopic composition of AMMs. In this work, we could also analyze separately both lithologies of Tagish Lake (carbonate-poor and -rich). The distributions of delta D values measured in the two lithologies of Tagish Lake are very similar, indicating that fluids with similar hydrogen isotopic compositions altered the meteorite on the parent body for the two lithologies. Yet, the hydrogen isotopic composition of Tagish Lake is different from that of AMMs, suggesting that they do not derive from the same parent body.

Engrand, C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The isotopic composition of cosmic ray chlorine

The isotopic composition of galactic cosmic ray chlorine (approx. = 225 MeV/amu) has been studied using the high energy cosmic ray experiment on the International Sun Earth Explorer 3 (ISEE-3) spacecraft. The abundances of 35C1 and 37C1 are found to be consistent with the secondary production expected from a propagation model developed to account for both light and subiron secondaries. An upper limit on the abundance of the radioactive isotope 36C1 (halflife approx. = 0.3 Myr) is used to set a lower limit on the confinement time of cosmic rays of approximately 1 Myr.

Wiedenbeck, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The isotopic composition of uranium and lead in Allende inclusions and meteoritic phosphates

The isotopic compositions of uranium and lead in Ca-Al-rich inclusions from the Allende chondrite and in whitlockite from the St. Severin chondrite and the Angra dos Reis achondrite are reported. Isoptopic analysis of acid soluble fractions of the Allende inclusions and the meteoritic whitlockite, which show isotopic anomalies in other elements, reveals U-235/U-238 ratios from 1/137.6 to 1/138.3, within 20 per mil of normal terrestrial U abundances. The Pb isotopic compositions of five coarse-grained Allende inclusions give a mean Pb-207/Pb-206 model age of 4.559 + or - 0.015 AE, in agreement with the U results. Pb isotope ratios of two fine-grained inclusions and a coarse-grained inclusion with strong mass fractionation and some nonlinear isotopic anomalies indicate that the U-Pb systems of these inclusions have evolved differently from the rest of Allende. Th/U abundance ratios in the Allende inclusions and meteoritic phosphate are found to range from 3.8 to 96, presumably indicating an optimal case for Cm/U fractionation, although the normal U concentrations do not support claims of abundant live Cm-247 or Cm-247/U-238 fractionation at the time of meteorite formation, in contrast to previous results. A limiting Cm-247/U-235 ratio of 0.004 at the time of meteorite formation is calculated which implies that the last major r process contribution at the protosolar nebula was approximately 100 million years prior to Al-26 formation and injection.

Chen, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Spacecraft measurements of the elemental and isotopic composition of solar energetic particles

Within the past few years, instruments flown on satellites and space probes have made significant progress in measuring the elemental and isotopic composition of energetic heavy nuclei accelerated in solar flares. These new observations are discussed, focusing on: (1) the energy dependence of the elemental composition at energies not greater than 1 MeV/nucleon; (2) flare to flare variations in the composition; and (3) comparisons of the average solar particle abundances (Z not less than 2 and not greater than 28) with other measures of the solar composition, including photospheric, coronal, and solar wind observations. These comparisons have led to the suggestion that solar flares sample the composition of the corona. Isotopic measurements of heavy solar flare nuclei have recently added a new dimension to these studies. In particular, the isotopic composition of solar flare neon has been found to be significantly different from that measured in the solar wind, but consistent with the meteoritic component neon-A.

Mewaldt, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Mercury Abundances and Isotopic Compositions in the Murchison (CM) and Allende (CV)Carbonaceous Chondrites

The abundance and isotopic composition of Hg was determined in bulk samples of both the Murchison (CM) and Allende (CV) carbonaceous chondrites using single- and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The bulk abundances of Hg are 294 6 15 ng/g in Murchison and 30.0 6 1.5 ng/g in Allende. These values are within the range of previous measurements of bulk Hg abundances by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Prior studies suggested that both meteorites contain isotopically anomalous Hg, with d l 96/202Hg values for the anomalous, thermal-release components from bulk samples ranging from 2260 %o to 1440 9/00 in Murchison and from 2620 9/00 to 1540 9/00 in Allende (Jovanovic and Reed, 1976a; 1976b; Kumar and Goel, 1992). Our multi-collector ICP-MS measurements suggest that the relative abundances of all seven stable Hg isotopes in both meteorites are identical to terrestrial values within 0.2 to 0.5 9/00m. On-line thermal-release experiments were performed by coupling a programmable oven with the singlecollector ICP-MS. Powdered aliquots of each meteorite were linearly heated from room temperature to 900 C over twenty-five minutes under an Ar atmosphere to measure the isotopic composition of Hg released fiom the meteorites as a h c t i o n of temperature. In separate experiments, the release profiles of S and Se were determined simultaneously with Hg to constrain the Hg distribution within the meteorites and to evaluate the possibility of Se interferences in previous NAA studies. The Hg-release patterns differ between Allende and Murchison. The Hg-release profile for Allende contains two distinct peaks, at 225" and 343"C, whereas the profile for Murchison has only one peak, at 344 C. No isotopically anomalous Hg was detected in the thermal-release experiments at a precision level of 5 to 30 9/00, depending on the isotope ratio. In both meteorites the Hg peak at ;340"C correlates with a peak in the S-release profile. This correlation suggests that Hg is associated with S-bearing phases and, thus, that HgS is a major Hg-bearing phase in both meteorites. The Hg peak at 225 C for Allende is similar to release patterns of physically adsorbed Hg on silicate and metal grains.

Lauretta, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Mass resolution optimization in a large isotopic composition experiment

A range-energy experiment was built to measure the isotopic composition of galactic cosmic rays. An enrichment of neutron rich isotopes, 22Ne and (25Mg + 26Mg) in particular, when compared to the solar composition is shown. A rich statistics measurement of these and other neutron-rich isotopes in the galactic flux yields information to the source of these particles. A computer simulation of the experiment was used to estimate the instrument resolution. The Cherenkov detector light collection efficiency, was calculated. Absorption of light in the radiator was considered to determine the optimum Cherenkov medium thickness. The experiment will determine the isotopic composition for the elements neon through argon in the energy range 300 to 800 MeV per nucleon.

Esposito, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The isotopic composition of cosmic rays

Observations of the isotopic composition of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, calcium, iron and nickel are reviewed and 'best' values of selected isotope ratios are derived from the collected data. A simple model of cosmic ray propagation is employed to deduce cosmic ray source abundance ratios both from these best values and from the observations made in a recent high resolution satellite experiment. General features of the cosmic ray source composition are discussed, with emphasis on the enhanced abundances of various neutron rich nuclides and on the distinctly nonsolar character of the nitrogen isotopic abundances.

Wiedenbeck, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Chlorine Isotopic Composition Of Lunar UrKREEP

Since the long standing paradigm of an anhydrous Moon was challenged there has been a renewed focus on investigating volatiles in a variety of lunar samples. However, the current models for the Moon’s formation have yet to fully account for its thermal evolution in the presence of H2O and other volatiles. When compared to chondritic meteorites and terrestrial rocks, lunar samples have exotic chlorine isotope compositions, which are difficult to explain in light of the abundance and isotopic composition of other volatile species, especially H, and the current estimates for chlorine and H2O in the bulk silicate Moon. In order to better understand the processes involved in giving rise to the heavy chlorine isotope compositions of lunar samples, we have performed a comprehensive in situ high precision study of chlorine isotopes, using NanoSIMS (Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) of lunar apatite from a suite of Apollo samples covering a range of geochemical characteristics and petrologic types.

Barnes, J. J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Triple oxygen isotope compositions of globally distributed soil carbonates record widespread evaporation of soil waters

The stable isotopic composition of pedogenic carbonates is central to many studies of past climate and topography, providing a basis for our understanding of Earth's terrestrial history. A core assumption of many applications of oxygen isotope values (δ 18 O) of pedogenic carbonate is that they reflect the δ 18 O value of precipitation (rain/snow). Here, this assumption is violated if soil carbonates form in evaporated soil waters. In this work, we develop a means to identify evaporation in ancient soils using the triple oxygen isotope composition ( 16 O- 17 O- 18 O) of pedogenic carbonates.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1981

The elemental and isotopic composition of cosmic rays - Silicon to nickel

The reported observations were made with the aid of the Cosmic Ray Isotope Instrument System (CRISIS) which had been designed to detect and resolve the isotopes of cosmic ray nuclei with atomic numbers equal to or greater than 10. The CRISIS detector was flown on a balloon launched from Aberdeen, South Dakota on 1977 May 20. The period 1977 May 19-22 has been classified by Mason et al. (1979) as one of 'superquiet' solar activity, characterized by the lowest fluxes of low-energy solar particles ever observed. The obtained results are presented in a number of graphs and tables. It was found that the elemental and isotopic abundances of Si are solar-like. Elemental S is underabundant in the cosmic rays by a factor of approximately 3 relative to the solar system, but its isotopic composition resembles the solar composition with S-32 being the dominant isotope. Elemental Ar is virtually absent in the source, and the observed isotopic composition is consistent with a secondary origin. Elemental Ni has a solar-like abundance.

Young, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Origin of magnetite in oxidized CV chondrites: in situ measurement of oxygen isotope compositions of Allende magnetite and olivine

Magnetite in the oxidized CV chondrite Allende mainly occurs as spherical nodules in porphyritic-olivine (PO) chondrules, where it is associated with Ni-rich metal and/or sulfides. To help constrain the origin of the magnetite, we measured oxygen isotopic compositions of magnetite and coexisting olivine grains in PO chondrules of Allende by an in situ ion microprobe technique. Five magnetite nodules form a relatively tight cluster in oxygen isotopic composition with delta 18O values from -4.8 to -7.1% and delta 17O values from -2.9 to -6.3%. Seven coexisting olivine grains have oxygen isotopic compositions from -0.9 to -6.3% in delta 18O and from -4.6 to -7.9% in delta 17O. The delta 17O values of the magnetite and coexisting olivine do not overlap; they range from -0.4 to -2.6%, and from -4.0 to -5.7%, respectively. Thus, the magnetite is not in isotopic equilibrium with the olivine in PO chondrules, implying that it formed after the chondrule formation. The delta 17O of the magnetite is somewhat more negative than estimates for the ambient solar nebula gas. We infer that the magnetite formed on the parent asteroid by oxidation of metal by H2O which had previously experienced minor O isotope exchange with fine-grained silicates.

Iron/analysis/chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2020

Recommended Representative Isotopic Compositions for Potential VTR Pu Supplies

This document recommends isotopic compositions to represent selected Pu supplies that might be made available for use in VTR driver fuel. These compositions are intended to be conservative representations suitable for determination of environmental impacts associated with use of the selected Pu supplies, but not upper bounds of all possible compositions. The selected Pu supplies under consideration are themselves representations of a more complicated set of possibilities, defined in a manner to allow efficient but conservative analysis of impacts. The source definitions to be considered are as follows: 1) Foreign sources of reactor-grade plutonium. This material would be provided as polished material in an oxide form and is assumed to be transported from Europe (France or England); 2) Domestic, non-weapon sources of plutonium such as unused FFTF fuel, Hanford metal (stored at SRS), and various oxides; 3) Domestic sources of weapons-grade plutonium, including metal from dismantled pits and otherwise excess to stockpile needs.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1983

The isotopic composition of silver and lead in two iron meteorites - Cape York and Grant

Anomalies in silver isotope composition in the metal phases of the Cape York (IIIA) and Grant (IIIB) iron meteorites are studied together with the lead isotopic composition of both the metal and sulfide phases of Cape York. Following extensive surface cleaning, the Ag-107/Ag-109 ratio in the metal phases of the meteorites is found to be in excess of the terrestrial ratio, and of that found in the sulfide phases. A definite correlation between the Ag-107/Ag-109 and Pd-108/Ag-109 ratios is observed for these meteorites, indicating the in situ decay of Pd-107 and supporting the widespread presence of Pd in the early universe. Lead, determined after cleaning and with chemical separations using low blank levels, is found to exist in variable proportions in the metal and sulfide phases. The sulfides appear to be dominated by radiogenic modern lead, which may be explained by terrestrial contamination or by late metamorphism in the meteorite parent body.

Chen, J. H.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Water Vapor Isotopic Composition During SAIL

Measurements of the stable isotopic composition of water vapor were collected between 21 November 2022 and 1 June 2023 at the SAIL campaign main site in Gothic Colorado. The data were obtained using a Los Gatos Research Triple Water Vapor Isotopic Analyzer from a heated and insulated inlet mounted on the roof of the guest instrument van. Standards were run periodically during the campaign and the data were corrected for humidity-dependent biases and were normalized to the VSMOW/SLAP scale. Uncertainties in dD and d18O are estimated to be 2.28 permil and 0.38 permil, respectively.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1983

The isotopic composition and concentration of Ag in iron meteorites and the origin of exotic silver

The isotopic composition of Ag and the concentration of Ag and Pd in Canyon Diablo (IA), Grant (IIIB), Santa Clara, Tlacotepec and Warburton Range (IVB), Pinon and Deep Springs (anom) were analyzed. Troilite from Santa Clara and from Grant was also studied. With the exception of IA, all the meteorites were enriched in Ag-107 by about 2%-212% and the ratio of Ag-107/Ag-109 in the metal phase was found to be greater than the terrestrial value. Ag of anomalous isotopic composition was found to be common in all IVB and anomalous meteorites. A correlation of Ag-107/Ag-109 with Pd/Ag was established except for the iron meteorite of Santa Clara. The excess Ag-107 is thought to result from the decay of Pd-107. The Grant data appear to represent a Pd-107-Ag-107 isochron and indicate that the cooling rate at elevated temperatures was rapid enough to preserve the isotopic differences between metal and troilite. The data suggest that Ag in Santa Clara is made up of almost pure Ag-107 produced from Pd-107 decay and Ag-109 produced by nuclear reactions with only a small amount of 'normal' Ag. This indicates an intense energetic particle bombardment history in the early solar system which occurred after the formation of small planetary bodies.

Kaiser, T.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Oxygen-isotopic Compositions of Relict and Host Grains in Chondrules in the Yamato 81020 CO3.0 Chondrite

We report the oxygen-isotope compositions of relict and host olivine grains in six high-FeO porphyritic olivine chondrules in one of the most primitive carbonaceous chondrites, CO3.0 Yamato 81020. Because the relict grains predate the host phenocrysts, microscale in situ analyses of O-isotope compositions can help assess the degree of heterogeneity among chondrule precursors and constrain the nebular processes that caused these isotopic differences. In five of six chondrules studied, the DELTA O-17 (=delta O-17 - 0.52 (raised dot) delta O-18) compositions of host phenocrysts are higher than those in low-FeO relict grains; the one exception is for a chondrule with a moderately high-FeO relict. Both the fayalite compositions as well as the O-isotope data support the view that the low-FeO relict grains formed in a previous generation of low-FeO porphyritic chondrules that were subsequently fragmented. It appears that most low-FeO porphyritic chondrules formed earlier than most high-FeO porphyritic chondrules, although there were probably some low-FeO chondrules that formed during the period when most high-FeO chondrules were forming.

Kunihiro, Takuya↗
NASA NTRS1973

Isotopic composition of heavy cosmic rays

The mean isotopic composition was measured of even-charge cosmic ray elements with 14 equal to or less than 26 near 0.8 GeV/N using a balloon-borne ionization-chamber/Cerenkov-counter detector system. The experimental method makes use of the geomagnetic field as a magnetic spectrometer. Results indicate that the most abundant isotopes at the cosmic ray source are Si-28, S-32, and Ca-40, like the solar system; but Fe-54, unlike the solar system.

Maehl, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Further studies of the isotopic composition of cosmic ray Li, Be and B nuclei - Implications for the cosmic ray age

The isotopic compositions of Li, Be, and B nuclei were investigated by using balloon flight data and the dE/dx X(E) mode of analysis. 600 Be nuclei were considered, including 24 (Be-10) isotopes; the effect of solar modulation of the surviving fraction of (Be-10) measured in this experiment and limits on the age of cosmic rays are discussed. The isotopic composition of all Li, Be, and B nuclei is examined with respect to the fragmentation origin of these particles and the effects of solar modulation.

Webber, W. R.↗