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Lipschutz, M. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Lipschutz, M. E..

At least 37 records · Page 2

Chemical studies of L chondrites. III - Mobile trace elements and Ar-40/Ar-39 ages

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis has been used to determine the content of the mobile trace elements Ag, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn, in L4-6 chondrites with undisturbed Ar-40 release patterns or patterns showing some 4.4-4.6 Gyr plateau disturbance that indicates some shock-induced loss. The mean concentrations are significantly lower in 16 chondrites with disturbed patterns than in 4 with undisturbed ones, consistent with shock-induced mobilization. Significantly lower mean concentrations of nearly all trace elements in 26 strongly shocked chondrites than in 14 mildly shocked ones indicate loss in shock-formed FeS-Fe eutectic and/or by means of vaporization during cooling of shock-heated collisional debris.

Huston, T. J.

Studies on the Processing Methods for Extraterrestrial Materials

The literature was surveyed for high temperature mass spectrometric research on single oxides, complex oxides, and minerals in an effort to develop a means of separating elements and compounds from lunar and other extraterrestrial materials. A data acquisition system for determining vaporization rates as a function of time and temperature and software for the IEEE-488 Apple-ORTEC interface are discussed. Experimental design information from a 1000 C furnace were used with heat transfer calculations to develop the basic design for a 1600 C furnace. A controller was built for the higher temperature furnace and drawings are being made for the furnace.

Grimley, R. T.

Petrogenesis of the SNC (shergottites, nakhlites, chassignites) meteorites - Implications for their origin from a large dynamic planet, possibly Mars

Comprehensive chemical data are presented on the shergottites Shergotty, Zagami, Allan Hills (ALHA) 77005, and the new member Elephant Moraine (EETA) 79001 using results of sequential instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The close relationship of the Antarctic shergotites indicates that ALHA 77005 is a residual source produced by incongruent melting of a source similar in bulk composition to EETA 79001A and that EETA 79001B and the interstitial phases in EETA 79001A are the melts produced by such melting episodes. The large ion lithophile LIL) trace element abundanced of the shergottites require variable but extensive degrees of nomodal melting of isotopically constrained parent sources. The SNG sources are consistent with their derivation by extensive fractionation of a primitive magma initially produced from a source having chondritic refractory LIL trace element abundances. Petrogenetic and age relationships among SNC meteorites suggest a single complex-provenance on a dynamic planet not unlike earth, probably Mars.

Smith, M. R.

Siderophile, lithophile and mobile trace elements in the lunar meteorite Allan Hills 81005

The content of trace elements (siderophile Co, Au, As, Sb, Ga; chalcophile/mobile Se, Te, Bi, In, Ag, Zn, Tl, Cd; lithophile Rb, Cs, U) is investigated to ascertain whether the meteorite is of lunar origin. Five elements reflect lunar crustal processes, whereas the remaining 11 siderophile and mobile elements suggest 1.4 + or - 0.5 percent micrometeorite admixture or enrichment by thermal redistribution on the moon. It is found that the impact launching of ALH A81005 to the earth was not attended by substantial shock loading. A Martian origin for severely shocked SNC meteorites is therefore considered plausible.

Verkouteren, R. M.

Chemical characteristics and origin of H chondrite regolith breccias

Petrologic data and contents of Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl and Zn-trace elements spanning the volatility/mobility range-in light and dark portions of H chondrite regolith breccias and L chondrite fragmental breccias are reported. The chemical/petrologic characteristics of H chondrite regolith breccias differ from those of nonbrecciated chondrites or fragmental breccias. Petrologic characteristics and at least some trace element contents of H chondrite regolith breccias reflect primary processes; contents of the most volatile/mobile elements may reflect either primary or secondary processing, possibly within layered H chondrite parent object(s). Chemical/petrologic differences existed in different regions of the parent(s). Regoligh formation and gardening and meteoroid compaction were not so severe as to alter compositions markedly.

Lipschutz, M. E.

Processing of extraterrestrial materials by high temperature vacuum vaporization

It is noted that problems associated with the extraction and concentration of elements and commpounds important for the construction and operation of space habitats have received little attention. High temperature vacuum vaporization is considered a promising approach; this is a technique for which the space environment offers advantages in the form of low ambient pressures and temperatures and the possibility of sustained high temperatures via solar thermal energy. To establish and refine this new technology, experimental determinations must be made of the material release profiles as a function of temperature, of the release kinetics and chemical forms of material being transported, and of the various means of altering release kinetics. Trace element data determined by neutron activation analysis of meteorites heated to 1400 C in vacuum is summarized. The principal tool, high temperature spectrometry, is used to examine the vaporization thermodynamics and kinetics of major and minor elements from complex multicomponent extraterrestrial materials.

Grimley, R. T.

Chemical studies of L chondrites. II - Shock-induced trace element mobilization

Data for 13 trace elements in 14 L4-6 chondrites of established shock history are reported and discussed. These data are combined with data for an additional 13 L4-6 chondrites to delineate the full extent of losses by shock. Trace element contents vary with petrologic type, S/Fe subgroup, and shock history, the last dominating strongly. Absolute abundances and interelement relationships for the six or seven most mobile elements vary with degree of shock-loading established from mineralogic and petrologic study. Shock-heating, previously known to have affected radiogenic Ar-40 and/or He-4 in meteorites but not other elements, apparently was at least as effective as other open-system processes in establishing mobile trace element contents of L chondrites and probably others.

Walsh, T. M.

Petrogenesis of light and dark portions of the Leighton gas-rich chondritic breccia

Individual dark fractions of the Leighton chondritic breccia are all enriched in volatile/mobile trace elements. Concentrations of the most highly volatile/mobile elements correlate with degree of equilibration, as expressed by compositional variability for silicates. Individual light clasts in the same meteorite are equilibrated and generally volatile-poor, except for enrichments in Rb and Cs. These alkali elements may have been redistributed by feldspar formation during metamorphism. Enrichments of other trace elements in dark portions may have been caused by mobilization during metamorphism in the parent body interior and deposition in the cooler surface layers. An alternative model involves accretional mixing of a diverse compositional population of primitive H group materials to form dark materials. Subsequent integration of light and dark materials was accomplished by impacts into a regolith.

Mcsween, H. Y., Jr.

Cumberland Falls chondritic inclusions - Mineralogy/petrology of a forsterite chondrite suite

The mineralogy and petrology of a suite of chondritic inclusions from the Cumberland Falls aubrite are investigated in order to clarify the relation of the inclusions to each other, forsterite chondrites, and the aubrites. Thin sections of nine chondritic inclusions and the achondritic matrix of Cumberland Falls were examined in reflected light, then analyzed for up to 12 elements by electron microprobe techniques. Minerals detected in abundant quantities include low-Ca pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, troilite, ferroan alabandite and daubreelite; diospide, oldhamite and a Ti-rich sulfide are found in one or two inclusions. The mineralogic compositions indicate similar degrees of reduction for the inclusions in the Cumberland Falls meteorites and in four meteorites identified as forsterite chondrites (Kakangari, Mt. Morris, Pontlyfni and Winona). The inclusions are found to be of a primitive composition, corresponding to petrological types 2 or 3, while the identification of jadeitic pyroxene in nearly all inclusions indicates a substantial degree of shock. The results suggest that the inclusions formed from nebular material that condensed and accreted over a broad redox range, and experienced tertiary shock in a collision with an enstatite meteorite in which the Cumberland Falls meteorite formed.

Neal, C. W.

Chemical studies of L-chondrites. I - A study of possible chemical sub-groups

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Te, Tl and Zn and major element data in 14 L4-6 and 3 LL5 chondrites indicates that the L-group is unusually variable and may represent at least 2 sub-groups differing in formation history. Chemical trends in the S/Fe-rich sub-group support textural evidence indicating late loss of a shock-formed Fe-Ni-S melt; the S/Fe-poor sub-group seemingly reflects nebular fractionation only. Highly mobile In and Zn apparently reflect shock-induced loss from L-chondrites. Data for L5 chondrites suggest higher formation temperatures and/or degrees of shock than for LL5 chondrites.

Neal, C. W.

Thermal metamorphism of primitive meteorites. XI - The enstatite meteorites: Origin and evolution of a parent body

The neutron activation data for Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn were obtained in samples of Abee heated to 1000-1400 C at low pressures. In addition, these elements were reported in nine enstatite achondrites and in the silicate part of the Mt. Egerton stony-iron. The data show trace element losses above 1000 C by diffusion-controlled processes with apparent activation energies of 8 to 55 kcal/mol; these data together with abundances of aubrites, Mt. Egerton, and E4-6 chondrites, and isotopic results link all enstatite meteorites to a common parent body. The data also indicate that aubrites and the Mt. Egerton material reflect fractional crystallization of a magma produced from enstatite chondrite-like parent material (E6) and the late introduction of chalcophiles and mobile elements transported by an FeS-Fe eutectic from an E4-6 region undergoing open-system metamorphism.

Biswas, S.

On the chemical composition of L-chondrites

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Co, Cs, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Te, Tl, and Zn and major element data in 14 L4-6 and 3 LL5 chondrites indicates that the L group is unusually variable and may represent at least 2 subgroups differing in formation history. Chemical trends in the S/Fe rich subgroup support textural evidence indicating late loss of a shock formed Fe-Ni-S melt; the S/Fe poor subgroup seemingly reflects nebular fractionation only. Highly mobile In and Zn apparently reflect shock induced loss from L chondrites. However, contrasting chemical trends in several L chondrite sample sets indicate that these meteorites constitute a more irregular sampling of, or more heterogeneous parent material than do carbonaceous or enstatite chondrites. Data for 15 chondrites suggest higher formation temperatures and/or degrees of shock than for LL5 chondrites.

Neal, C. W.

Trace element contents of selected Antarctic meteorites. I - Weathering effects and ALH A77005, A77257, A77278 and A 77299

Data is examined for volatile/mobile Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, Tl and Zn in exterior and/or interior samples of four Antarctic meteorites from the Allan Hills (ALH): A77005 (unique achondrite); A77257 (ureilite); A77278 (L3); A77299 (H3). Exterior samples reflect contamination and/or leaching by weathering but trace element (ppm-ppt) contents in interior samples seem reasonable for representatives of these rare meteoritic types. The A77005 achondrite is shown to be related to shergottites; other samples extend compositional ranges previously known for their groups or types. With suitable precautions, Antarctic meteorite finds yield trace element data as reliable as those obtained from previously known falls.

Biswas, S.

Origin of volatile-rich H chondrites with light/dark structures

The light and dark fractions of four gas-rich, brecciated H chondrites are studied in terms of petrography and volatile element chemistry in an investigation of the origin of light/dark chondrites. Petrographic constraints on the nature of the light and dark fractions of the meteorites are presented. Light clasts within the brecciated H chondrites are more highly metamorphosed than dark host material, and olivine, pyroxene and metal compositions suggest that dark fractions consist of mixtures of unequilibrated material and pulverized equilibrated H chondrite similar to the light clasts. Volatile element concentrations in the dark fractions are similar to those in the least equilibrated H3 chondrites, and no petrographic evidence for admixture of significant amounts of carbonaceous chondrite was noted. It is concluded that volatile-rich H chondrite breccias may not have incorporated carbonaceous chondrite dust as the volatile element carrier.

Mcsween, H. Y., Jr.