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At least 235 records · Page 13

Trace element and petrologic clues to the formation of forsterite-bearing Ca-Al-rich inclusions in the Allende meteorite

New trace element and petrographic data are presented for the TE, 818a, 110-A forsterite-bearing Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) from the Allende meteorite; these form a continuum with type B1 and B2 CAIs, and are here accordingly designated 'type B3'. Evidence is adduced to the effect that 818a was strongly reheated and modified in the nebula after its initial crystallization. A three-stage formation process is required for 818a, involving crystallization of the primary CAI, reheating and partial volatilization of Mg and Si from the outer portion of the CAI, and a metasomatic alteration of the melilite-rich mantle.

Wark, D. A.↗

Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment NASA Electra Boundary Layer Flights Data Report

The objective of this research was to obtain high resolution measurements of the height of the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) during cold air outbreaks using an Airborne Lidar System. The research was coordinated with other investigators participating in the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE). An objective computerized scheme was developed to obtain the Boundary Layer Height from the Lidar Data. The algorithm was used on each of the four flight days producing a high resolution data set of the MABL height over the GALE experiment area. Plots of the retrieved MABL height as well as tabular data summaries are presented.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

Partitioning of siderophile and chalcophile elements between sulfide, olivine, and glass in a naturally reduced basalt from Disko Island, Greenland

Major and trace elements in coexisting glass, olivines, and metal-sulfide spherules from a chilled margin sample of a strongly reduced basaltic dike from Disko Island, Greenland have been investigated. Three sets of partition coefficients are obtained, olivine/silicate liquid and metal-sulfide liquid/silicate liquid partition coefficients established at magmatic temperatures, and FeNi/FeS partition coefficients at lower temperatures. High metal-sulfide liquid/silicate liquid partition coefficients are found for Ni, Sb, As, Mo, Cu, Co, and W. The significance of the present results for planetary evolution and the formation of metal-rich or sulfide-rich metal cores is considered in terms of P, W, and Mo abundances in the mantles of the earth, moon, the Shergotty parent body, and the Eucrite parent body.

Klock, W.↗

Moderately volatile elements

That the fractionation of moderately volatile and highly volatile elements was a major process in the early solar system is reflected in the variable concentrations of Rb and associated variations in initial Sr-isotopic ratios in chondritic meteorites. Greater knowledge of processes leading to volatile depletion would place stronger constraints on the formation conditions of solid material in the solar system. It will especially become possible to ascertain whether evaporation or incomplete condensation was the major process in establishing the elemental abundance patterns observed in primitive meteorites and planets.

Palme, H.↗

Unusual olivine and pyroxene composition in interplanetary dust and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

The presence, in both a number of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and in meteorite matrices, of olivine and orthopyroxene grains, low in FeO but containing up to 5 wt pct MnO, is reported. The majority of olivines and pyroxenes in meteorites contain less than 0.5 wt pct MnO. The presence of these low-iron, manganese-enriched (LIME) olivines and pyroxenes in IDPs and meteorites may indicate a link between the origin and history of IDPs and the matrix material of primitive meteorites. The origin of the LIME silicates could be explained by condensation from a gas of solar composition. Forsterite is the first major silicate phase to condense from a solar nebula gas, and Mn, which is not stable as a metal under solar nebula conditions, would condense at about 1100 K as Mn2SiO4 in solid solution with forsterite.

Klock, W.↗

Lidar observations of the planetary boundary layer during FASINEX

Data are presented on the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over the ocean acquired with an airborne downward-looking lidar during the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment (FASINEX) with the purpose of studying the impact of an ocean front on air-sea interactions. No changes in the PBL structure were detected by lidar. Lidar data were then used along with other readily available remotely-sensed data and a one-dimensional boundary-layer-growth model to infer the mean PBL moisture and temperature structure and to estimate the surface fluxes of heat and moisture.

Melfi, S. H.↗

Distribution of terrestrial age and petrologic type of meteorites from western Libya

A group of 54 meteorites have been recovered from Daraj, Western Libya. After assessment of pairing of samples, using petrologic criteria, C-14 terrestrial ages were obtained on 13 samples selected from 9 different fall events. Eleven of the ages range from 3500 to 7600 years, with only two samples having ages in excess of 10,000 years. The cutoff in ages may be related to the timing of climatic changes in the Hammadah al Hamra.

Jull, A. J. T.↗

Cold-air outbreak during GALE - Lidar observations and modeling of boundary layer dynamics

Two cold-air outbreaks were studied during the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment. A lidar system was operated to observe the boundary layer evolution and the development of clouds. On the first day (January 30, 1986) boundary layer rise was less than 50 percent of the value for the second day (March 2, 1986). On the first day only a thin broken cloud cover formed, while on the second day a thick solid cloud deck formed - although the average moisture content was 60 percent of that on the first day. A trajectory slab model was employed to simulate the evolution of the layer over the ocean near the east Atlantic shore. The model allows for vertical gradients in conservative variables under neutrally buoyant conditions. The primary effect of these assumptions, which are based on observed thermodynamic profiles, is to reduce cloudiness to be more in line with observations. Boundary-layer depth was reasonably well predicted as was sensible and latent heat flux.

Boers, Reinout↗

Experimental determination of the solubility of iridium in silicate melts: Preliminary results

Little is known of the geochemical behavior of iridium. Normally this element is taken to be chalcophile and/or siderophile so that during planetary differentiation processes, e.g., core formation, iridium is extracted from silicate phases into metallic phases. Experimental determination of the metal/silicate partition coefficient of iridium is difficult simply because it is so large. Also there are no data on the solubility behavior of iridium in silicate melts. With information on the solubility of iridium in silicate melts it is possible, in combination with experimental data for Fe-Ir alloys, to calculate the partition coefficient between a metallic phase and a silicate melt.

Borisov, Alexander↗

On the existence of convectively produced gravity waves

The Boundary Layer Lidar System (BLLS), together with the gustprobe system onboard the NASA Electra has acquired a unique data set which, for the first time, clearly depicts a gravity wave above a convectively driven planetary boundary layer (PBL). In addition, we believe that the data show the development of a trapped gravity wave over a period of about an hour. If this is the case, it would certainly be the first time that such a process has been seen in the atmosphere. We also conclude that the gravity wave, while being initiated by the convection in the PBL, ultimately acts to organize and control scales in the PBL.

Palm, Stephen P.↗

Ca-,Al-rich inclusions in the unique chondrite ALH85085 - Petrology, chemistry, and isotopic compositions

A comprehensive study is performed for the Ca-,Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) in the unique chondrite ALH85085. The ALH85085 inclusions are smaller (5-80 microns) and more refractory than their counterparts in carbonaceous chondrites. The study includes 42 inclusions for petrography and mineralogy, 15 for bulk major and minor element chemical composition, six for Mg-Al isotopic systematics, 10 for Ca isotopes, nine for Ti isotopes, and six for trace element abundances. In addition, oxygen-isotopic compositions were determined in minerals from a single inclusion. No correlation is found between mineralogy, major element chemistry, and trace element abundances. It is further shown that the high-temperature geochemical behavior of ultrarefractory trace elements is decoupled from that of the major elements Ca and Ti (Ti is correlated with the relatively volatile elements Nb and Yb) implying that perovskite is of only minor importance as carrier of ultrarefractories.

Kimura, Makoto↗

Oxygen isotopic composition of individual olivine grains from the Allende meteorite

The oxygen isotopic composition of a variety of individual olivine grains (including refractory forsterite grains, cores of isolated olivine grains, FeO-rich rims, and individual matrix olivine grains) from the Allende CV3 meteorite was investigated by ion microprobe mass spectrometry, in order to obtain information on the formation mechanism of these samples. It was found that the most primitive (i.e., refractory) olivine in Allende is far less enriched in O-16 than are spinel and pyroxene in Ca,Al-rich inclusions, suggesting that Allende olivine must have formed in an environment that is less enriched in O-16 compared to the gas from which Ca,Al-inclusions are formed. FeO-rich (26-30 wt pct) rims of isolated olivine grains are significantly higher in delta-O-17 and delta-O-18 than forsteritic cores, suggesting that these rims formed by condensation from an oxidized gas with higher delta-O-17 than delta-O-18. Matrix olivine was found to be highest in FeO and to have the lowest enrichment in O-16.

Weinbruch, S.↗

The solubility of gold in silicate melts: First results

The effects of oxygen fugacity and temperature on the solubility of Au in silicate melts were determined. Pd-Au alloys were equilibrated with silicate of anorthite-diopside eutectic composition at different T-fO2 conditions. The behavior of Au was found to be similar to that of Pd reported recently. Au solubilities for alloys with 30 to 40 at. percent Au decrease at 1400 C from 12 ppm in air to 160 ppb at a log fO2 = -8.7. The slope of the log(Me-solubility) vs. log(fO2) curve is close to 1/4 for Au and the simultaneously determined Pd suggesting a formal valence of Au and Pd of 1+. Near the IW buffer Pd and Au solubilities become even less dependent on fO2 perhaps reflecting the presence of some metallic Au and Pd.

Borisov, A.↗

Mineralogy versus bulk composition of the carbonaceous chondrite clast Kaidun 2

Kaidun is an unusual chondritic meteorite. Its main mass is of CR-type (Kaidun I) and contains CI-like (Kaidun II), EL, and EH clasts. The classification of Kaidun II based on mineralogy and bulk chemical criteria does not allow an unambigious assignment to CI. Here we report on the bulk chemical composition and the mineralogy of the Kaidun II clasts. The results of our investigation show that Kaidun II has some characteristics of both CI and CM chondrites. A possible relationship to the texture and composition of micrometeorites is indicated. The Kaidun II clast shows some conflicting mineralogical and chemical characteristics that do not allow an unambigious assignment to the well established carbonaceous chondrite classes. The overall texture of the matrix-rich clast and morphology of opaques are typical for CI's. Bulk matrix and bulk sample compositions reveal similarities with CM's. In addition, the presence of low-Fe Mn-enriched olivines and the relatively high abundance of enstatite resembles some micrometeorites.

Brandstaetter, F.↗

Micro-zoning in minerals of a Landes silicate inclusion

There is an increasing number of meteorites with chondritic bulk composition but completely different textures than the conventional chondrite groups. Winonaites, Acapulcoites and silicate inclusions in IAB-iron meteorites have in common coarse grain size, highly equilibrated mineralogy with frequent 120 deg triple junctions and they record a significantly lower degree of oxidation than ordinary chondrites. They all have equilibration temperatures, based on Ca-exchange among pyroxenes, of around 900 to 1100 deg C. However, on cooling disequilibrium features may develop: (1) Olivine in IAB-inclusions has lower Fa-content than equilibrium Fs-content of pyroxenes requires; (2) CaO-zoning in olivine was established at temperatures of around 500 deg C, several hundred degrees below pyroxene equilibration temperatures. Obviously, olivine responded faster to changes in fO2 (Fa in olivine) and temperature (Ca-zoning) than pyroxenes. Differences in diffusion coefficients can readily explain the observed trends. Here we report on much more subtle zoning features in pyroxenes. TEM-observations reveal large compositional gradients in Ca, Na, Cr, Ti and Fe within the first micrometer of cpx and opx crystals. In summary, the data reflect the complicated subsolidus history of a chondritic mineral assemblage that was in thermodynamic equilibrium at about 900 deg C and cooled slowly from this temperature whereby oxidation reactions and different closure temperatures for various minerals and elements played an important role. The oxidation of P dissolved in metal and formation of phosphate, which is thermodynamically stable at low temperatures, is suggested to be responsible for most of the observed zoning.

Eisenhour, D. D.↗

Siderophile elements in the upper mantle of the Earth: New clues from metal-silicate partition coefficients

New, precise data on the solubilities of Ni, Co, and Mo in silicate melts at 1400 C and fO2 from IW to IW-2 are presented. The results suggest NiO, CoO as stable species in the melt. No evidence for metallic Ni or Co was found. Equilibrium was ensured by reversals with initially high Ni and Co in the glass. Mo appears to change oxidation state at IW-1, from MoO3 to MoO2. Metal-silicate partition coefficients calculated from these data and recent data on Pd indicate similar partition coefficients for Pd and Mo at the conditions of core formation. This unexpected result constrains models of core formation in the Earth.

Holzheid, A.↗