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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

Chromite-Plagioclase Assemblages as a New Shock Indicator; Implications for the Shock and Thermal Histories of Ordinary Chondrites

Chromite in ordinary chondrites (OC) can be used as a shock indicator. A survey of 76 equilibrated H, L and LL chondrites shows that unshocked chromite grains occur in equant, subhedral and rounded morphologies surrounded by silicate or intergrown with metallic Fe-Ni and/or troilite. Some unmelted chromite grains are fractured or crushed during whole-rock brecciation. Others are transected by opaque veins; the veins form when impacts cause localized heating of metal-troilite intergrowths above the Fe-FeS eutectic (988 C), mobilization of metal-troilite melts, and penetration of the melt into fractures in chromite grains. Chromite-plagioclase assemblages occur in nearly every shock-stage S3-S6 OC; the assemblages range in size from 20-300 microns and consist of 0.2-20-micron-size euhedral, subhedral, anhedral and rounded chromite grains surrounded by plagioclase or glass of plagioclase composition. Plagioclase has a low impedance to shock compression. Heat from shock-melted plagioclase caused adjacent chromite grains to melt; chromite grains crystallized from this melt. Those chromite grains in the assemblages that are completely surrounded by plagioclase are generally richer in Al2O3, than unmelted, matrix chromite grains in the same meteorite. Chromite veinlets (typically 0.5-2 microns thick and 10-300 microns long) occur typically in the vicinity of chromite-plagioclase assemblages. The veinlets formed from chromite-plagioclase melts that were injected into fractures in neighboring silicate grains; chromite crystallized in the fractures and the residual plagioclase-rich melt continued to flow, eventually pooling to form plagioclase-rich melt pockets. Chromite-rich chondrules (consisting mainly of olivine, plagioclase-normative mesostasis, and 5-15 vol.% chromite) occur in many shocked OC and OC regolith breccias but they are absent from primitive type-3 OC. They may have formed by impact melting chromite, plagioclase and adjacent mafic silicates during higher-energy shock events. The melt was jetted from the impact site and formed droplets due to surface tension. Crystallization of these droplets may have commenced in flight, prior to landing on the parent-body surface. Chromite-plagioclase assemblages and chromite veinlets occur in 25 out of 25 shock-stage S1 OC of petrologic type 5 and 6 that I examined. Although these rocks contain unstrained olivine with sharp optical extinction, most possess other shock indicators such as extensive silicate darkening, numerous occurrences of metallic Cu, polycrystalline troilite, and opaque veins. It seems likely that these rocks were shocked to levels at least as high as shock-stage S3 and then annealed by heat generated during the shock event. During annealing, the olivine crystal lattices healed but other shock indicators survived. Published Ar-Ar age data for some SI OC indicate that many shock and annealing events occurred very early in the history of the parent asteroids. The common occurrence of shocked and annealed OC is consistent with collisions being a major mechanism responsible for metamorphosing OC.

Rubin, Alan E.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Massive Chromite in the Brenham Pallasite and the Fractionation of Cr During the Crystallization of Asteroidal Cores

Large (greater than or equal to 2 mm) chromite grains are present in IIIAB iron meteorites and in the main-group a pallasites (PMG), closely related to high-Au IIIAB irons, Pallasites seem to have formed by the intrusion of a highly evolved metallic magma from a IIIAB-like core into fragmented olivine of the overlying dunite mantle. High Cr contents are commonly encountered during the analyses of metallic samples of high-Au IIIAB irons and main-group pallasites, an indication that Cr contents were high in the intruding liquid and that Cr behaved as an incompatible element during the crystallization of the IIIAB magma, contrary to expectations based on the negative IIIAB Cr-Ni and Cr-Au trends among low-Au IIIAB irons. In a region about 10 cm across in the Brenham main-group pallasite massive chromite fills the interstices between olivine grains, the site normally occupied by metal in Brenham and other pallasites. The massive chromite may have formed as a late cumulus phase; because Fe-Ni was also crystallizing, its absence in the chromite-rich region suggests a separation associated with differences in liquid buoyancy. The coexisting chromite and olivine are zoned; in the olivine FeO is highest in pallasitic (olivine-metal) regions, lowest in rims adjacent to chromite, and intermediate in the cores of these olivines. Chromite shows the opposite zoning, with the highest FeO contents at grain edges adjacent to olivine. The observed gradients are those expected to form by Fe-Mg exchange between olivine and chromite during slow cooling at subsolidus temperatures. Compared to normal Brenham, contents of phosphoran olivine and phosphates are higher in the chromitic pallasitic region. We also report data for large-to-massive chromites present in PMG Molong and in high-Au IIIAB Bear Creek that, like Brenham, formed from a highly evolved magma. The Bear Creek chromite has a much lower Mg content than that in the pallasites, implying that, in the PMG, the Mg was extracted from the olivine during high-temperature reaction with the precipitating chromite. There are other circumstantial arguments indicating that Cr was incompatible in the metal during the crystallization of the IIIAB magma, with the concentration in die residual magma rising from an initial value of about 300 micrograms/g to a value around 700 micrograms/g when Bear Creek and Brenham were formed. We consider possible explanations for these negative Cr-Au and Cr-Ni trends and find the most probable one to be that they reflect sampling artefacts resulting from analysts avoiding visible chromite (and the commonly associated phase FeS) when choosing metal samples.

Wasson, John T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The origin of chromitic chondrules and the volatility of Cr under a range of nebular conditions

We characterize ten chromatic chondrules, two spinelian chondrules andd one spinel-bearing chondrule and summarize data for 120 chromitic inclusions discovered in an extensive survey of ordinary chondrites. Compositional and petrographic evidence suggests that chromitic chondrules and inclusions are closely related. The Cr/(Cr + Al) ratios in the spinal of these objects range from 0.5 to 0.9 and bulk Al2O3 contents are uniformly high (greater than 10 wt%, except for one with 8 wt%). No other elements having comparable solar abundances are so stongly enriched, and alkali feldspar and merrillite are more common than in normal chondrules. The Cr/Mg ratios in chromitic chondrules are 180-750 times the ratios in the bulk chondrite. With the possible exception of magnetic clumping of chromite in the presolar cloud, mechanical processes cannot account for this enrichment. Examination of nebular equilibrium processes shows that 50%-condensation temperatures of Cr at pH2/pH2O of 1500 are several tens of degrees below those of Mg as Mg2SiO4; the condensation of Cr is primarily as MgCr2O4 dissolved in MgAl2O4 at nebular pressures of 10(exp -4) atm or below. At pH2 = 10(exp -3) atm condesation as Cr in Fe-Ni is favored. Making the nebula much more oxidizing reduces the difference in condensation temperatures but Mg remains more refractory. We conclude that nebular equilibrium processes are not responsible for the enhanced Cr/Mg ratios. We propose that both Cr and Al became enriched in residues formed by incomplete evaporation of presolar lumps. We suggest that spinals remained as solid phases when the bulk of the silicates were incorporated into the evaporating melt; vaporization of Al and Cr were inhibited by the slow kinetics of diffusion. Subsequent melting and crystallization of these residues fractionated Cr from Al. The resulting materials constituted major components in the precursors of chromitic chondrules. Our model implies that chromitic chondrules and inclusions preserve the Cr isotopic record of presolar sources.

Krot, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS1982

Sorption of noble gases by solids, with reference to meteorites. II - Chromite and carbon. III - Sulfides, spinels, and other substances; on the origin of planetary gases

The trapping of noble gases by chromite and carbon, two putative carriers of primordial noble gases in meteorites, was studied by synthesizing 19 samples in a Ne-Ar-Kr-Xe atmosphere at 440-720 K. Noble gas contents are found to approximately obey Henry's Law, but only slight correlations are found with composition, surface area, or adsorption temperature. Geometric mean distribution coefficients for bulk samples and HCl residues in 10 cu cm STP/g atm are: Xe 100, Kr 15, Ar 3.5, and Ne 0.62. Elemental fractionation data support the suggestion of Lewis et al. (1977) that chromite and carbon in C2 and C3 chondrites were formed by the reaction: Fe, Cr + 4CO yields (Fe, Cr)3O4 + 4C + carbides. In contrast to meteoritic minerals, the synthetic specimens show no isotopic fractionation of noble gases. In a subsequent study, attention is given to the cases of sulfides and spinels, on the way to consideration of the origin of planetary gases. Sulfides showed three distinctive trends relative to chromite or magnetite. The elemental fractionation pattern of Ar, Kr and Xe in meteorites, terrestrial rocks and planets resembles the adsorption patterns on the carbons, spinels, sulfides, and other solids studied. The high release temperature of meteoritic noble gases may be explained by transformation of the physisorbed or chemisorbed gas. The ready loss of meteoritic heavy gases on surficial oxidation is consistent with adsorption, as is the high abundance.

Yang, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Chromite and olivine in type II chondrules in carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites - Implications for thermal histories and group differences

Unequilibrated chromite and olivine margin compositions in type II chondrules are noted to differ systematically among three of the chondrite groups, suggesting that type II liquids differed in composition among the groups. These differences may be interpreted as indicators of different chemical compositions of the precursor solids which underwent melting, or, perhaps, as differences in the extent to which immiscible metal sulfide droplets were lost during chondrule formation. Because zinc is detectable only in type II chromites which have undergone reequilibration, the high zinc contents reported for chondritic chromites in other studies probably reflect redistribution during thermal metamorphism.

Johnson, Craig A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Chromite-rich mafic silicate chondrules in ordinary chondrites: Formation by impact melting

Chromium-rich chondrules constitute less than 0.1 percent of all ordinary chondrite (OC) chondrules and comprise three groups: chromian-spinel chondrules, chromian-spinel inclusions, and chromite-rich mafic silicate (CRMS) chondrules. Chromian-spinel chondrules (typically 100-300 microns in apparent diameter) exhibit granular, porphyritic and unusual textures and occur mainly in H chondrites. Their morphologies are distinct from the irregularly shaped chromian-spinel inclusions of similar mineralogy. Chromian-spinel chondrules and inclusions consist of grains of chromian-spinel embedded in plagioclase (Pl) or mesostasis of Pl composition. Many also contain accessory ilmenite (Ilm), high-Ca pyroxene (Px), merrillite (Mer), and rare olivine (Ol); some exhibit concentric mineral and chemical zoning. CRMS chondrules (300-1100 microns in apparent diameter) are generally larger than chromian-spinel chondrules and occur in all metamorphosed OC groups. Most CRMS chondrules are nearly spherical although a few are ellipsoidal with a/b aspect ratios ranging up to 1.7. Textures include cryptocrystalline, granular, radial, barred, and porphyritic varieties; some contain apparently relict grains. The chondrules consist of chromite (Chr), Ol and Pl, along with accessory Mer, troilite (Tr), metallic Fe-Ni (Met), Px and Ilm. The mesostasis in CRMS chondrules is nearly opaque in transmitted light; thus, they can be easily recognized in the optical microscope. Based on the similarity of mineralogy and chemistry between CRMS chondrules of different textures (opaque chromite-rich mesostasis, skeletal morphology of Ol grains, similar bulk compositions) we suggest that these chondrules form a genetically related population.

Krot, Alexander N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A new Antarctic meteorite with chromite, orthopyroxene and metal with reference to a formation model of S asteroids

Mineralogy of a unique meteorite from Antarctica, EET84302 and the related primitive achondrites, was studied to gain better understanding on relationship between S asteroids and this meteorite group. EET84302 consists of metal-rich (M) region with metal filling interstices of silicate grains of orthopyroxene (Opx), olivine Fa8, plagioclase An24, and augite (Aug), chromite-rich (C) region with major chromite and Opx, and silicate-rich (S) region with mainly Opx. This is the first example of chromite-rich achondrite. Distribution of three areas (C, M, S) are in line with a proposed model of primitive achondrites and S asteroids. Since reflectance spectra of some members of primitive achondrites combined with those of iron meteorites, resemble those of the S asteroids, there is an expectation that S asteroids are modified products of chondrites. The trends of the variations in their mineral assemblages are in line with those of the S asteroids. Hiroi proposed a stony-iron model of S asteroids, which assumes that a few domains of various primitive achondrites are embedded in iron matrix. Polished thin sections (PTS) of EET84302,19 and ALH81187,16 were supplied from Meteorite Working Group (MWG). A previously studied PTS of EET84302 was similar in both texture and mineralogy to silicate inclusions in some iron meteorites. PTS EET84302,19 was studied by electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The reflectance spectra of EET84302 showed a weathering problem and was not used to match with those of S asteroids.

Takeda, Hiroshi↗
NASA NTRS2004

Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: V/(Cr+Al) Systematics in Chromites as an Indicator of Relative Oxygen Fugacity

As our contribution to the new "Oxygen in the Solar System" initiative of the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the NASA Cosmochemistry Program, we have been developing oxygen barometers based largely on behavior of V which can occur in four valence states V2+, V3+, V4+, and V5+, and record at least 8 orders of magnitude of fO2. Our first efforts in measuring these valence proportions were by XANES techniques in basaltic glasses from Earth, Moon, and Mars. We now address the behavior of V valence states in chromite in basalts from Earth, Moon, and Mars. We have been looking for a "V in chromite oxybarometer" that works with data collected by the electron microprobe and thus is readily accessible to a large segment of the planetary materials community. This paper describes very early results that will be refined over the next two years.

Papike, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Comparative Planetary Mineralogy: Co, Ni Systematics in Chromite from Planetary Basalts

Spinel is a minor but important phase in planetary basalts because its variable composition often reflects basalt petrogenesis. For example, complicated zoning trends in spinel can give clues to melt evolution [1], and V concentrations in chromite lend insight into magma oxygen fugacity (fO2) conditions [2]. Nickel and Co are two elements that are commonly used as a measure of melt fractionation, and their partitioning between olivine and melt is fairly well understood. Less clear is their partitioning into spinel, although [3] has explored Ni and Co systematics in experimental charges. This study documents Ni and Co behavior in early crystallizing spinel (chromite) from several planetary basalts in an attempt to compare our results with [3], and also gain insight into basalt evolution on the three planets.

Karner, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Morphology and composition of chalcopyrite, chromite, Cu, Ni-Fe, pentlandite, and troilite in vugs of 76015 and 76215

Vugs from 76015 and 76215 are lined with euhedral crystals of plagioclase, pyroxene, ilmenite, Ni-Fe, and troilite. Smaller crystals of chromite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite occur on the surface of the troilite in 76015. Wire Cu and dendritic-metallic Cu occurs with metallic Ni-Fe and troilite in some vugs of 76215. Troilite in both samples may have crystallized from an immiscible sulfide liquid. With falling temperature, chalcopyrite, and pentlandite may have exsolved from the troilite in 76015. By contrast, metallic Cu may have formed in 76215 by thermal breakdown of a bornite, troilite, and Ni-Fe assemblage which originally crystallized from a low-Ni immiscible sulfide liquid.

Carter, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

SEM, optical, and Moessbauer studies of submicrometer chromite in Allende

New scanning electron and optical microscope results are presented showing that sub-micrometer chromite is abundant along healed cracks and grain boundaries in Allende chondrule olivine. Some wider healed cracks also contain pentlandite and euhedral Ni3Fe grains. Also reported are Moessbauer measurements on Allende HF-HCl residues confirming a high Fe(+++)/Fe(++) ratio.

Housley, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Iron-titanium-chromite, a possible new carrier of remanent magnetization in lunar rocks.

Magnetic measurements of synthetic titanchromites reveal a characteristic transition at low temperature, making it possible to identify the presence of titanchromites in lunar rocks 12063, 14321 (dark clasts), and 14310. It is shown that titanchromites with a high chromium content could be the carriers of intermediate stability natural remanent magnetization observed in lunar rocks. Such natural remanent magnetization is acquired by transition thermoremanent magnetization at low temperature and cannot be duplicated by laboratory thermoremanent magnetization imparted above room temperature. The latter process will not yield the correct lunar paleointensity.

Banerjee, S. K.↗