Engineering topics

Papike, J. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Papike, J. J..

At least 55 records · Page 3

NASA NTRS1993

Orthopyroxenes as recorders of diogenite petrogenesis: Trace element systematics

Eucrite, howardite, and diogenite members of the achondrites are considered, by many, to be genetically related. Therefore, each provide a piece of the puzzle for reconstructing magmatic processes on the eucrite parent body (EPB). The relationship between eucrites and diogenites can be viewed within the context of two distinctly different models: (1) fractional crystallization; and (2) partial melting. In fractional crystallization models, eucrites and diogenites represent a complementary continuum of planetary fractional crystallization products in which the diogenites represent crystal accumulations during the crystallization of eucritic magmas at shallow to deep levels in the EPB. Alternatively, experimental studies may be interpreted as indicating eucrites represent peritectic partial melts of a primitive, chondritic EPB mantle. Within this type of model, the diogenites are also generally considered to be cumulates; however, their petrogenetic relationship to the eucrites is less clear. Sack et al. proposed that the olivine diogenites represent residua from the partial melting events that produced eucritic liquids. Initial trace element studies of orthopyroxene (OPX) are consistent with this model. However, this trace element modeling of the olivine diogenites is nonunique. As a further test of these models, we did the following three things: (1) analyzed OPX from cumulate diogenites to compare with the olibine diogenite data; (2) improved ion microprobe analytical techniques for the analysis of elements critical to our interpretations; and (3) selected more relevant Kd's for OPX-eucritic melt.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Exploring the lunar mantle with secondary ion mass spectrometry - A comparison of lunar picritic glass beads from the Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 sites

Results are presented from SIMS analyses of major, minor, and trace elements in lunar picritic glass beads obtained from the Apollo 14 (A-14) and Apollo 17 (A-17) landing sites. The results obtained indicate that the glasses from each site differed significantly in their Ba/Sr and light-REE/heavy-REE ratios. The differences between the A-14 and the A-17 glasses appear to be the result of a higher KREEP component in all the A-14 glasses, indicating that the mantle source of the A-14 site is intrinsically different from the A-17 mantle source.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Inter- and intra-group compositional variations in Apollo 15 pyroclastic green glass - An electron- and ion-microprobe study

Results are presented on major- and trace-element abundance analyses of Apollo 15 pyroclastic green glasses from groups A, B, C, D, and E, carried out using electron- and ion-microprobe techniques. The diagrams depicting Sr, Zr, Ba, and Nd vs Co variations indicate the presence of a high-Co trend in groups A and D and a low-Co trend in groups B and C. Group-E glasses were found to be significantly enriched in Sr, relative to the other four glass groups. Chemical data of this study were integrated with previous data to evaluate various magmatic processes that have been proposed in the past to explain chemical variations in the lunar green glass. Results of calculations using a source mixing model suggest that the Apollo 15 green glasses represent multiple eruptive events from three chemically distinct but compositionally variable source regions.

Galbreath, K. C.↗

NASA NTRS1990

A SIMS study of lunar 'komatiitic glasses' - Trace element characteristics and possible origin

In Apollo 16 regolith breccias, Wentworth and McKay (1988) identified a suite of minute (less than 120 microns) 'komatiitic glass beads'. The wide major element compositional range, and ultra-Mg-prime character of the glasses suggest a variety of possible origins from complex impact processes to complex volcanic processes involving rather unusual and primitive magmatism. The extent of trace element depletion or enrichment in these glasses appears to be correlated to the siderophile character of the element (ionization potential or experimentally determined silicate melt/Fe metal partition coefficients. The ultra-Mg-prime glasses are depleted in Co relative to a bulk Moon Mg/Co exhibited by many lunar samples (volcanic glasses, basalts, regolith breccia, estimated upper mantle). The low Co and high incompatible element concentrations diminish the possibility that these glasses are a product of lunar komatiitic volcanism or impact, excavation, and melting of a very high Mg-prime plutonic unit.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Ion microprobe studies of trace elements in Apollo 14 volcanic glass beads - Comparisons to Apollo 14 mare basalts and petrogenesis of picritic magmas

Results are presented from trace element analysis, by ion microprobe techniques, of individual glass beads representing seven compositionally distinct types of picritic glass beads from the Apollo 14 landing site. The picritic glass beads at the A-14 exhibited a wide range of primary magma compositions and a lack of petrogenetic linkage (via crystal fractionation) to crystalline basalts. The wide range of major and trace element characteristics of the picritic glass beads is consistent with derivation from mineralogically distinct sources which consist of varying proportions of olivine + orthopyroxene +/- clonopyroxene +/- ilmenite +/- plagioclase +/- KREEP component.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Petrology and chemistry of Apollo 17 regolith breccias - A history of mixing of highland and mare regolith

Results are presented of petrological and chemical analyses of ten Apollo 17 breccias, showing that two of these consist predominantly of highland material, seven are mare-dominated, and one is a welded volcanic glass deposit; all were formed at or near the Apollo 17 site, and all contain both mare and highland components. The data are indicative of the Apollo 17 breccias formation from immature source regolith. The breccias are considered to be formed locally after an eruption of basalt and orange glass at the site. Since the formation of the breccias, the regolith at the Apollo 17 site has become more mature, and the orange glass abundance has been somewhat decreased by mixing. One of the sample may contain a previously unreported volcanic glass type.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Is plagioclase removal responsible for the negative Eu anomaly in the source regions of mare basalts?

The nearly ubiquitous presence of a negative Eu anomaly in the mare basalts has been suggested to indicate prior separation and flotation of plagioclase from the basalt source region during its crystallization from a lunar magma ocean (LMO). Are there any mare basalts derived from a mantle source which did not experience prior plagioclase separation? Crystal chemical rationale for REE substitution in pyroxene suggests that the combination of REE size and charge, M2 site characteristics of pyroxene, fO2, magma chemistry, and temperature may account for the negative Eu anomaly in the source region of some types of primitive, low TiO2 mare basalts. This origin for the negative Eu anomaly does not preclude the possibility of the LMO as many mare basalts still require prior plagioclase crystallization and separation and/or hybridization involving a KREEP component.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

An ion microprobe study of the intra-crystalline behavior of REE and selected trace elements in pyroxene from mare basalts with different cooling and crystallization histories

The effects of crystallization interaction on the trace element zoning characteristics of pyroxenes are analyzed using electron and ion microprobe techniques. Four pigeonite basalts with similar isochemical composition, but different cooling rates and crystallization histories are studied. Pyroxene quadrilaterals displaying crystallization trends are presented. The crystal chemical rationalization of REE zoning, pattern shapes, and abundances are examined. The data reveal that the trace element zoning characteristics in pyroxene and the partitioning of trace elements between pyroxene and the melt are related to the interaction between the efficiency of the crystallization process, the kinetics at the crystal-melt interface, the kinetics of plagioclase nucleation and the characteristics of the crystal chemical substitutions in the pyroxene and the associated crystallizing phase.

Shearer, C. K.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Petrology of Apollo 14 regolith breccias and ion microprobe studies of glass beads

Mineral chemistries, glass chemistries, and bulk compositions of Apollo 14 regolith beccias are used to study the regolith evolution at the Apollo 14 site and on the moon in general. Major changes in the regolith since the formation of the breccias include an increase in maturity, an increase in glasses with the Fra Mauro basalt composition, and decreases in feldspathic and mare glasses. The results suggest the presence of a source with a larger non-KREEPy highland plutonic component than other breccias.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Chemistry and petrology of Apollo 17 highland coarse fines - Plutonic and melt rocks

A suite of 21 fragments from the Apollo 17 coarse-fines consists of ferroan anorthosites, anorthositic gabbros, granulitic and regolith breccias, and impact melts. These samples belong to known petrographic and chemical groups. Three ferroan anorthosites were found, including one which appears to be the lowest in REE (La = 0.60X) and probably the purest of the Apollo 17 anorthosites identified thus far. The ferroan suite is a more important component at the Apollo 17 site than previously recognized. The Apollo 17 melt rocks are similar to other samples with LKFM and low-K KREEP compositions and show less diversity in trace elements (REE) than the Apollo 15 melt rocks. Apollo 17 melt rocks consist of aphanitic and poikilitic types that show some compositional variability with identical Ni/Ir, suggesting that either two distinct melt sheets formed by similar projectiles, or compositional heterogeneity within one melt sheet is possible.

Laul, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Apollo 16 regolith breccias and soils - Recorders of exotic component addition to the Descartes region of the moon

Using the subdivision of Apollo 16 regolith breccias into ancient (about 4 Gyr) and younger samples (McKay et al., 1986), with the present-day soils as a third sample, a petrologic and chemical determination of regolith evolution and exotic component addition at the A-16 site was performed. The modal petrologies and mineral and chemical compositions of the regolith breccias in the region are presented. It is shown that the early regolith was composed of fragments of plutonic rocks, impact melt rocks, and minerals and impact glasses. It is found that KREEP lithologies and impact melts formed early in lunar history. The mare components, mainly orange high-TiO2 glass and green low-TiO2 glass, were added to the site after formation of the ancient breccias and prior to the formation of young breccias. The major change in the regolith since the formation of the young breccias is an increase in maturity represented by the formation of fused soil particles with prolonged exposure to micrometeorite impacts.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Chemistry and petrology of the Apennine Front, Apollo 15. I - KREEP basalts and plutonic rocks. II - Impact melt rocks

The mineralogy, petrology, and chemistry of rock fragments for the Apennine Front coarse fines (10-4 and 4-2 mm) have been determined. The data are consistent with a single eruptive event that produced several flows. It is found that most of the plutonic rocks are ferroan in nature, with a few belonging to the Mg-suite. The mineral and bulk chemistry of KREEP basalts and the composition of ferroan anorthosites are discussed. Petrographic studies of 21 impact melts are also presented, showing a variety of textures. It is found that the Apollo 15 impact melts are mixtures of low-K Fra Mauro, KREEP, and plutonic components. The Ni/Ir ratios of the melt rocks are shown to be greater than chondritic values, indicating ancient and/or iron meteorite components.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The lunar regolith - Chemistry and petrology of Luna 24 grain size fractions

Chemical data obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis are reported for 30 elements in eight lunar soil size fractions from 370 to less than 2 microns, as well as petrology for five size fractions down to 40-10 microns in two Luna 24 soils. While the compositions of coarser fractions are similar to each other, they differ from the fractions smaller than 10 microns; these become increasingly feldspathic and enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) with decreasing grain size. The high concentrations of the Ni, Au and Ir meteoritic indicator elements in these finer fractions are consistent with comminution by meteoritic impact. Size distributions, petrology and LILE patterns indicate that Luna 24 soils are less reworked than most lunar soils.

Laul, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Petrology, chemistry, and origin of Apollo 15 regolith breccias

Variations in modal petrology, mineral compositions, and bulk compositions were determined for ten Apollo 15 regolith breccias for comparison with local soils and assessment of the intrasite petrologic variability of the Apollo 15 regolith. Based on the above criteria the breccias are of local origin and mimic the soils from the corresponding sampling stations, with the exception of station 2 breccia 15205. This sample formed from an anomalous regolith, and although not considered exotic to the site is not representative of the soil at the site. KREEP basalt and green glass components vary from trace amounts to dominant in the breccias, evidence that these materials entered the regolith prior to formation of the breccias. Breccias from the edge of Hadley Rille are modally richer in highland fragments than the soils, whereas at the base of Hadley Delta the reverse is true. This is explained by the loss of material into the Rille to be replaced by basalt-derived material, making the soils more basalt-rich. At the base of Hadley Delta highland material is accumulating and the soils are becoming more highland-rich. Over billions of years these processes have developed differences between the present day, evolving soils, and 'fossil' nonevolving soils represented by the regolith breccias. This shows that there has been little change in the geology and the morphology of the Apollo 15 site, probably since the eruption of mare basalts at the site (about 3.3 b.y.).

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1986

An experimental investigation of agglutinate melting mechanisms - Shocked mixtures of Apollo 11 and 16 soils

Mixtures of chemically contrasting lunar soils have been shocked at pressures ranging from 18.2-62.0 GPa. Other than the generation of impact melts, modal and textural changes caused by shock include destruction of pore space and fused soil clasts and conversion of plagioclase to maskelynite. The loss of the fused soil component in these runs indicates that low agglutinate contents in shocked and/or compacted regolith breccias cannot be considered by themselves to be evidence of formation from immature regolith. From the petrographic and chemical data it appears that the impact glass formed mainly from the fine fraction and the fused soil component in the target, with relatively minor contributions from the other coarse clasts. The impact glasses exhibit the same chemical enrichments and depletions as their corresponding fine fractions and plot on or near a mixing line between the bulk and fine fraction of the soil in which they were formed. From this as well as several other studies it appears that the fusion of the finest fraction model is valid and that it accurately predicts the chemical systematics of impact glass formed from lunar soil. In addition, fusion of agglutinates present in the target soil is an important process.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Petrology of the Apollo 12 highland component

Petrologic study of highland rock fragments handpicked from the Apollo 12 coarse fines confirms the KREEPy nature of the A-12 highland components and the importance of norites and alkali anorthosites. This is in contrast to the calcic, non-KREEPy A-16 and A-11 highland lithologies. The results add to the complexity of the igneous lunar highland rocks, which models for the formation of the lunar crust must take into account. A model involving moonwide differentiation followed by serial magmatism and heavy brecciation seems to be required. Results also show that non-KREEPy highland materials are present at the A-12 site and may represent Copernican and Imbrium ejecta, whereas the KREEPy materials may represent pre-Imbrian terra, as at the A-14 site.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Petrology and chemistry of Apollo 12 regolith breccias

Petrographic, mineral chemical, and bulk chemical data are reported for the three large Apollo 12 regolith breccias of the regolith breccia suite and for eight breccias handpicked from Apollo 12 coarse fines. Two samples formed from non-KREEPy anorthositic regolith not presently found at the sampling site. Eight of the samples can be considered mixtures of local basalt and KREEP components, with minor anorthositic components. Mare:KREEP ratios indicated by chemical mixing models range from 86:7 to essentially endmember KREEP. One sample is unlike the others (FeO 23.7; MgO 21.7) and may be a new lithology or alternatively a nonrepresentative sample. Of the 11 samples studied, five appear to be of local origin, three are most likely exotic to the site, and results for three others are inconclusive. The anorthositic breccias formed from Apollo 16-like regolith and may have been transported over several hundred kilometers from the non-KREEPy highlands to the east. Alternatively, they may be of local origin, formed from the material beneath the Apollo 12 basalt flows.

Simon, S. B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

An experimental investigation of agglutinate melting mechanisms - Shocked mixtures of sodium and potassium feldspars

The results of an experiment designed to test the validity of the model for agglutinate formation involving fusion of the finest fraction or F3 are reported. Impact glasses were formed from various mixes of orthoclase and albite powders, which were used as analogs for soils with chemically constrasting coarse and fine fractions. The results showed that the single most important factor displacing the composition of a small-scale impact melt from the bulk composition of the source regolith is the fractionated composition of the finest soil fraction. Volatile loss and the amount of melting, which in turn are determined by the degree of shock, are also important. As predicted by the model, the lower pressure melts are the most fractionated, and higher pressure is accompanied by increased melting causing glass compositions to approach the bulk. In general, the systematics predicted by the model are observed; the model appears to be valid.

Simon, S. B.↗