Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Inclusion”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19

Complex Intergrowths of Non-Stoichiometric Defect-Structured Hibonite and Al-Rich Spinel in an Allende Ca-Al-Rich Inclusion

Hibonite is a primary ultra-refractory mineral occurring in many Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) and is predicted to condense as the second major phase from a cooling gas of solar composition. Our previous microstructural studies of hibonite in carbonaceous chondrites revealed its unique microstructures consisting of numerous defects that contain Mg-enriched, wider spinel blocks in stoichiometric hibonite. Han, J. et al. [2 items] demonstrated experimentally that defect-structured hibonites can grow easily in the presence of minor Mg and are kinetically more stable than equilibrium assemblages predicted by thermodynamic calculations. However, a thermo-dynamic vs. structural stability of defect-structured hibonite relative to other early-condensed Al-rich phases such as corundum, grossite, and spinel remains poorly constrained. Here, we present the results of atomic resolution TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) imaging of hibonite in a compact Type A CAI in the Allende CV3 chondrite in order to better understand the crystal structure and chemistry of defect-structured hibonite and its associated Al-rich phases, especially non-stoichiometric, Al-rich spinel, in the context of the formation of first refractory solids in the early solar nebula.

Han, J.↗

Isotopic and Microstructural Analyses of Opaque Mineral Assemblages and Their Alteration Products Hosted in a Refractory Inclusion

Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) hosted in primitive meteorites are the oldest solids formed in the Solar System. Some CAIs contain metal nuggets that are complex assemblages of Fe-Ni alloys, along with rare ultra-refractory metals such as platinum group elements (PGEs), and their alteration products such as magnetite, sulfides, and phosphates. Three possible mechanisms proposed to explain the origin of these metal nuggets include condensation in circumstellar settings, condensation in the solar nebula within the CAI-forming region, or crystallization from immiscible metal-silicate melt. However, secondary alteration processes may have also affected some of these assemblages. Additionally, similar metal assemblages observed in chondrules and chondritic matrix indicate that all of these metal nuggets could share common high-temperature origins. These metal assemblages record early Solar System conditions that are reflected in their distinctive chemical composition, mineralogy and microstructures. Here we report a detailed mineralogical, microstructural and oxygen isotopic study of one such metal assemblage hosted in a CAI to understand the physical and chemical settings in which it formed.

Mane, P.↗

Reconstructing Magma Storage Depths for the 2018 Kilauean Eruption from melt inclusion CO2 Contents: The importance of Vapor Bubbles

The 2018 Lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) eruption of Kīlauea Volcano and the accompanying collapse of the summit caldera marked the most destructive phase of activity on Hawai’i in the last 200 years. The integration of petrological data extracted from lava samples collected throughout the eruption with geodetic data examining the caldera collapse event, and estimates of the co-erupted flux of SO2 from the main eruptive fissure (Fissure 8), provides an exceptional opportunity to determine the reservoir geometry and magma transport paths supplying Kīlauea’s LERZ. The forsterite contents of erupted olivines and the degree of disequilibrium with their carrier melts indicate that two distinct olivine populations were erupted from Fissure 8. Melt inclusion entrapment pressures reveal that more evolved olivines (Fo<81.5) crystallized at ~2 km depth within the shallower Halema’uma’u reservoir, while more primitive olivines (Fo>81.5)crystallized within the deeper South Caldera reservoir at ~3–5 km depth. Crucially, primitive olivines experienced extensive post-entrapment crystallization, driving the growth of a vapor bubble. Raman spectroscopy reveals that this bubble contains up to 99% of the total inclusionCO2 budget (median=93%). Measurements of CO2 in only the glass phase would have underestimated entrapment depths by up to 60× (median=11×), and the importance of the SC reservoir as a source of magma to Fissure 8 would have been overlooked. Overall, we demonstrate that Raman measurements of bubbles, along with careful choice of suitably-calibrated H2O-CO2 solubility model, is vital to place accurate constraints on the depths of magma storage regions supplying volcanic eruptions.

SIMS↗

Developing Inclusive, Supportive, and Safe Environments in Planetary Science for Members of the LGBTQ+ Community

To continue to develop a innovative and successful workforce for planetary scientists, it is critical to foster an interdisciplinary, diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment across the field, especially for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Note: Members of the community utilize various acronyms to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but for the purposes of this paper, we will use the acronym LGBTQ+ to include any and all members of this marginalized group. LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and the “+” signifies the importance that one acronym cannot possibly capture everyone's experience of their gender identity, expression, and/or sexual orientation.

K. E. Vander Kaaden↗

Mineralogical and Al-Mg Isotopic Study of Fine-Grained Ca-Al-Rich Inclusions

Fine-grained Ca-Al-rich inclusions (FGIs) in carbonaceous chondrites are interpreted as aggregates of nebular gas-solid condensates that escaped significant melting.Thus far, a small number of FGIs from CV3 chondrites have been analyzed, showing a range of (26Al/27Al)0=~5.4×10−5to ~3.4×10−5.These values are similar to (26Al/27Al)0inferred from coarse-grained, igneous CAIs (CGIs) from CV3 chondrites.This observed spread in (26Al/27Al)0values indicates the CAI formation over an extended time period. However, more analyses are needed to determine if the FGIs formed continuously over a significant time period or by multiple episodic events of nebular condensation. In this study, we present high-precision Al-Mg isotopic data of FGIs from reduced CV3 chondrites to better constrain their formation timescale relative to CGIs in CV3 chondrites, as well as to smaller FGIs in CO3 chondrites. This isotopic study is coordinated with a FIB/TEM study to elucidate the origin and nature of FGIs in the petrologic and mineralogical context.

J Han↗

A Correlative Electron Microscopy Study of a Ru-rich Metal Grain from a Calcium-aluminum-rich Inclusion

Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) are sub-mm to cm-sized objects composed of highly refractory Ca- and Al-rich mineral phases, hosted in chondritic meteorites. The component minerals of CAIs were thermodynamically predicted to be condense at high temperatures in the cooling solar nebula. Isotopic analyses place the age of these objects at 4.567 Ga, making them the first formed solids in our solar system. The chemical compositions and crystal structures of the Ca- and Al-rich minerals serve as imprints of the thermochemical environments in which they formed. Therefore, detailed microstructural analyses of CAIs can provide insight into the processes that prevailed in the early solar system.

Tarunika Ramprasad↗

Adrianite, Ca12(Al4Mg3Si7)O32Cl6, a New Cl-rich Silicate Mineral From the Allende Meteorite: An Alteration Phase in a Ca-Al-rich Inclusion

Adrianite (IMA 2014-028), Ca12(Al4Mg3Si7)O32Cl6, is a new Cl-rich silicate mineral and the Si,Mg analog of wadalite. It occurs with monticellite, grossular, wadalite, and hutcheonite in altered areas along some veins between primary melilite, spinel, and Ti,Al-diopside in a Type B1 FUN (Fractionation and Unidentified Nuclear effects) Ca-Al-rich inclusion (CAI), Egg-3, from the Allende CV3 carbona-ceous chondrite. The mean chemical composition of type adrianite by electron probe microanalysis is (wt%) CaO 41.5, SiO2 27.5, Al2O3 12.4, MgO 7.3, Na2O 0.41, Cl 13.0, O=Cl –2.94, total 99.2, giving rise to an empirical formula of (Ca11.69Na0.21)(Al3.85Mg2.88Si7.23)O32Cl5.80. The end-member formula is Ca12(Mg5Si9)O32Cl6. Adrianite has the I43d wadalite structure with a = 11.981 Å, V = 1719.8 Å3, and Z = 2, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction. The calculated density using the measured composition is 3.03 g/cm3. Adrianite is a new secondary mineral in Allende, apparently formed by alkali-halogen metasomatic alteration of primary CAI minerals such as melilite, anorthite, perovskite, and Ti,Al-diopside on the CV chondrite parent asteroid. Formation of secondary Cl-rich minerals sodalite, adrianite, and wadalite during metasomatic alteration of the Allende CAIs suggests that the metasomatic fluids had Cl-rich compositions. The mineral name is in honor of Adrian J. Brearley, mineralogist at the University of New Mexico, U.S.A., in recognition of his many contributions to the understanding of secondary mineralization in chondritic meteorites.

Chi Ma↗

ANALYSIS OF FLUID INCLUSIONS IN ASTROMATERIALS

Aqueous fluid inclusions in meteorites and other astromaterials can provide fundamental information related to the location and timing of aqueous alteration in the solar system, and the detailed nature of the aqueous fluids themselves. Microanalytical techniques are finally at the level where such studies are possible.

M.E. Zolensky↗

Trace Elemental Abundances in Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusions in CV Chondrites

Introduction: Calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs), are the first formed solids that define the age of the Solar System [1,2]. CAIs are thought to have condensed from nebular gas [3,4] within the first <1 Ma of Solar System formation [5,6]. CAIs have experienced numerous early Solar System processes including condensation, evaporation, melting, recrystallization, and aqueous alteration [e.g., 7]. The chemical, mineralogical, and textural diversity among CAIs results from a range of chemical and physical processes recorded during nebular and parent body epoch. This study aims to explore the mineralogical, textural, and chemical compositions of CAIs including the trace elemental abundances in CAI phases to determine the early Solar System processes recorded in them. Samples and Analytical Methods: We analyzed one CAI each from CV3 chondrites Northwest Africa (NWA) 5508 designated as ‘Saguaro’, and Northwest Africa (NWA) 12772 designated as ‘Hoopoe’. Back-scatter electron (BSE) images were collected using a Phenom XL scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and the JEOL JXA-8530F electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) at Johnson Space Center (JSC)-NASA. Additionally, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) elemental maps of select areas for these samples were collected using a 15.0kV beam energy and a 40µA emission current. Using the EPMA, wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) quantitative data were collected. In-situ trace element measurements for both CAIs were determined at JSC-NASA using a Photon Machines 193nm laser ablation system and a Thermo-Scientific Element-XR inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Analyses consisted of 30s ablations at 10Hz, spot sizes of 20-25µm, and a fluence of 6.0 J/cm2 for anorthite and melilite, and a 3.5 J/cm2 fluence for all other phases. NIST612 was used to correct for instrument drift, while BHVO-2g was used as a primary calibration standard. BCR-2g and in-house mineral standards were regularly measured as unknowns to ensure accuracy. Results: Saguaro is a coarse-grained CAI, ~11 x 6 mm in dimensions. Saguaro contains spinel, Al-rich pyroxene, anorthite, Mg-rich melilite, and minor perovskite in its interior and is therefore classified as a Type B CAI. Individual melilite grains shows normal compositional zoning with an Ak content ranging from ~24 to 54 with no apparent trend from the core to the edge of the CAI. The spinel appears euhedral and occurs both as clusters and as spinel palisades [8]. Two rim sequences surround most of the sample: the inner rim being a Wark-Lovering (WL) rim (~10-35 µm) containing pyroxene, spinel, and melilite (or anorthite), and the outer rim is a finer-grained, thicker (~100 µm), accretionary rim (Fig. 1). The mineral phases in Saguaro record an overall flat REE pattern with an average negative Eu anomaly in pyroxene, and an average positive Eu anomaly in anorthite and melilite respectively. Anorthite, melilite, and pyroxene have a minor depletion in Tm (Fig. 2). The Hoopoe CAI is a compact, coarse-grained ~6 × 4 mm in size. The major mineralogy includes hibonite, spinel, melilite, anorthite, and perovskite. Therefore, it is classified as a compact transitional type A and B. (?)zoning was observed in some hibonites. Individual melilite grains show both reverse and normal zoning, where the Ak content ranges from ~6- to 28. Melilite shows two distinct textures. One texture consisted of smooth melilite that appeared homogenous, while the second appeared to consist of many fine fractures. The spinel also often appears clustered. The WL-rim sequence surrounding Hoopoe is ~25 µm thick and composed of spinel, perovskite, hibonite, and melilite/anorthite. It is then partially surrounded by an outer accretionary rim (~75µm). Like before, refractory metal nuggets appeared concentrated near the WL rims. Other metal assemblages rich in Fe and Ni were also observed. All major mineral phases in Hoopoe display relatively flat REE patterns, except for varying Eu and Tm between phases (Fig. 2). There is a prominent negative Eu anomaly in perovskite and an average positive Eu anomaly in spinel, anorthite, and hibonite respectively (Fig. 2, 3). The mixed phases along the rim of the CAI also display a negative Eu anomaly, and all phases the CAI were depleted in Pb. Discussion: The CV3 CAIs analyzed in this study were classified based on their mineralogy and textures into Type A versus Type B CAIs [10]. Hibonite appears to be pseudomorphically replacing the spinel, (i.e., is hibonite in composition, but appears in the shape of spinel). Spinel palisades. The presence of spinel palisades present in Saguaro are consistent with the melting and recrystallization experienced by this CAI. Trace elemental analyses. Saguaro and Hoopoe display similar trace element patterns to each other, with both appearing generally flat, with anomalies in Eu, and Tm. Melilite and anorthite display positive Eu anomalies in both CAIs, in addition to the hibonite in Hoopoe (Fig. 2). The phases that are depleted in Eu are pyroxene and perovskite in both Saguaro and Hoopoe, respectively (Fig. 3). Given that Eu is volatile in reducing environments [11], this could possibly indicate reducing conditions at the time anorthite and melilite crystallized, with the gas they formed from containing Eu. As these CAIs continued to form, this gas as a result would become depleted in Eu. This also could be supported by the propensity of anorthite and melilite to take up Eu from its surroundings and incorporate it into their structure [12]. In addition, analyzing the assemblage of the phases in the Saguaro, melilite and anorthite (Eu enriched) often surround the pyroxene (Eu depleted) as they are crystallized. This intergrowth of phases and the proximity of the phases would support that the Eu is being incorporated into some phases, preventing it from incorporating into other. Trace elemental analyses of the CAI rims will be evaluated in more detail, as they are complicated by the transient signal being composed of a mixture of mineral phases. Broadly, however, the patterns in the rims of both CAIs are comparable to each other, and for Hoopoe, to the mixed phase patterns in the core (Fig. 3). Other studies have found that CAI rims can be depleted in Ce and Yb [13], however we did not observe these anomalies in the two CAIs discussed here. Given their similarity, the trace elemental analyses of the mixed interior (i.e. core) and rim phases could be interpreted as forming from similar, if not the same, reservoirs. The REE abundance between the rim and core of Hoopoe are also similar, indicating they may have formed from a gas of the same or similar composition. Acknowledgments: We thank the ASU Center for Meteorite Studies for loaning the samples used in this work and Tabb Prissel for his assistance with the analysis. Mouti Al-Hashimi thanks Sam Crossley and Cyrena Goodrich for their help with the LPI SEM training. This work was supported by the LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science and the LPI Cooperative Agreement. References: [1] Connelly J.N. (2012) Science, 338, 651-655. [2] MacPherson G. J. (2014) Treatise on Geochem., 2, 139-179. [3] Grossman L. (1972) GCA, 36, 597-619. [4] Ebel, D.S. (2006) Meteorites and the Early Solar System II (D. S. Lauretta & H. Y. McSween, Eds.) 253-277. [5] MacPherson G. J. (2012) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 331-332, 43-54. [6] MacPherson G.J. (2017) GCA, 201, 65-82. [7] Krot A.N. (1995) Meteoritics & Planet. Sci., 30, 748-775. [8] Wark and Lovering (1982) GCA, 46, 2595-2607. [9] Palme H. and Jones A. (2003) Treatise on Geochemistry (H. D. Holland and K. K. Turekian Eds.), 1, 41-61. [10] Grossman L. (1980) Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 8, 559-608. [11] Floss C. et al. (1996) GCA, 60, 1975-1997. [12] Mason B. and Martin P. M. (1974) Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 22, 141-144. [13] Wark B. and Boynton W. V. (2001) Meteoritics & Planet. Sci., 36, 1135-1166.

X Mouti↗

Diversity and Inclusion in Spacecraft Science Teams: What Do We Know and What Can We Do About It?

Introduction: Not only does the planetary science community lack diversity [1-3], the subset of the community that participates on spacecraft science team is even less diverse than the community as a whole [1, 4]. Results of 2020 Workforce Survey: Previous studies of the diversity of members of spacecraft science teams made incorrect assumptions about the nature of the data before collecting the data. Those analyses assumed a binary gender and ignored the existence of planetary scientists who are neither men nor women [4-6]. We present here results where demographic data was collected without assumptions; each individual surveyed supplied their own answers to demographic questions. The April 2020 survey of Planetary Scientists, which was conducted by the Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics (AIP) and funded by the American Astronomical Society (AAS)’s Division of Planetary Science (DPS) asked participants their gender with 4 possible responses: Woman, Man, Another identify (please specify if you wish), and Prefer not to answer. 32% of respondents chose Woman, 67% chose Man and 1% chose Another gender identity [1]. The survey also asked demographic questions on race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity, and disability. For a full list of questions, see https://dps.aas.org/sites/dps.aas.org/files/reports/2020/survey2020_questionnaire.pdf. In addition to demographic questions, the 2020 Workforce survey asked how many times respondents had been involved in Mission proposals as a Principal Investigator (PI) and, separately, as a Co-Investigator (CoI) [1]. Answers to questions about mission involvement were correlated with answers to demographic questions and the results show that members of historically underrepresented groups (non-white scientists, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and disabled scientists) were less likely to be involved in spacecraft mission proposals than were members of historically overrepresented groups [1]. The figures below show the correlated responses for four different axes of underrepresentation [1]. Note that while the figure on gender shows only Women and Men (due to the small percentage of folks answering “Another gender”), non-binary respondents are included in the LGBTQ+ community figure. Conclusion: Being part of a spacecraft science team is a goal for many planetary scientists. With it comes brand new data, more stable funding, and a sense of awe and exploration. It can lead to a cascade of opportunities from conference and public presentations, to membership in subsequent mission teams, and prestige in the community [4]. As a result, participation in spacecraft teams can be used a measure of success within the field. From the survey results, we see that members of historically excluded groups, even after they have overcome barriers to participating in the field, are still experiencing barriers to success within the field itself. Why?: The diminishing percentage of members of underrepresented groups as a career progresses has been referred to as a “leaky pipeline”. However, this fails to adequately capture the experiences of the members of these underrepresented groups as it implies a passive process. In order to capture the active processes (bias, discrimination, harassment, and other exclusionary behaviors) that contribute to low retention in the workforce, the term “Hostile Obstacle Course” is more useful [7,8]. It is these processes that need to be addressed in order to retain valued members of our community. Moving Forward: In order to broaden participation in planetary science, particularly mission science teams, we need to address conditions that create hostile workplace climates. What can mission teams and other groups do to address these conditions? First, each group/team needs to evaluate their own members to determine what specific barriers exist in their own interactions. One tool to accomplish this would be an anonymous survey designed to understand how team members feel about working within the group. Working with professionals who know how to create and analyze such surveys (often called “climate surveys” when applied to University students, for example) would ensure that the survey meets its goals and does not make assumptions that counter the meaningfulness of the results. Such professionals in EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) and workplace culture can make suggestions for policy changes that would eliminate hostile workplace conditions. Policy changes that are often suggested include instituting professional EDIA training for the team and/or for team leadership, instituting and following a code of conduct [9], including more interactive group activities in group meetings, etc. Training and information on EDIA is available for all members of the planetary science community. The first place to look would be in your University or Institution’s EDIA or human resources offices. Bystander Intervention is often offered as part of other meetings [10]. A newer offering is a Workshop on EDIA for Leaders in Planetary Science led by Julie Rathbun (first author of this abstract) and JA Grier (https://edialps.psi.edu/). This 3-day workshop gives participants the tools they need to enact positive change in their personal and professional spheres. The first workshop was help in November 2022 and another workshop will take place in the late spring 2023 with exact dates to be announced soon.

J. A. Rathbun↗

Supra-Chondritic 7Li/6Li in the Hibonite-Rich Fun Inclusion “HIDALGO” in Dar al Gani 027 (CO3): A Hint for the Former Presence of Beryllium-7?

HIDALGO, a ~300×300 μm, hexagonally shaped, chemically and mineralogically simple hibonite crystal residing in the matrix of the CO3 chondrite Dar al Gani 027 (DaG027), is the newest member in the FUN-hibonite family. Based on the mass-dependent fractionations in O, Ca, and Ti isotopes, large negative anomalies in δ 48 Ca (= −30‰) and δ 50 Ti (= −20‰), and the abundances of short-lived radioisotopes of 10 Be, 26 Al, 41 Ca, which have all been reported previously, we have inferred that HIDALGO evolved from a condensate that most likely formed before 26 Al was built up and homogenized to 26 Al/ 27 Al = 5.2×10 −5 in the solar system. This precursor also incorporated 10 Be at the level of 10 Be/ 9 Be = 7.5×10 −4 , possibly through local irradiation of gas and/or dust or inheritance from the molecular cloud, but the amount of 41 Ca present at that time and location is uncertain. Strong heating of the precursor occurred ~0.5 Myr after the initial condensation, leading to total melting accompanied by extensive distillation (losing Mg, Si, and other moderately volatile elements) resulting in a stoichiometrically pure hibonite crystal with strongly mass fractionated O, Ca, and Ti isotope compositions and an extreme Ce depletion relative to other REEs. Here we report the results of Li isotope analyses of HIDALGO and discuss the irradiation history of this inclusion.

Meteorite↗

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiatives on the Mars 2020 Science Team and Implications for NASA Planetary Science Missions

For the first time, the most recent NASA Decadal Survey for Planetary Science and Astrobiology includes an entire chapter devoted to the state of the profession[1]. Understanding that people are NASA’s greatest resource, it specifically looked into is-sues of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) to make recommendations for recruiting and retaining the best talent. It calls on both NASA leadership and the NASA community to engage with these recommendations to advance the state of the profession.

DEIA↗

The Effects of Experimentally Induced Zircon Annealing on Melt Inclusion-Zircon Geochemistry: A Case Study of Archean Zircon From the Barberton Complex

Crystalline melt inclusions (MIs) in Archean zircons can potentially constrain the evolution of magmatic processes. However, to obtain a homogeneous glassy MI representative of the parent melt, devitrified MIs must be heated at temperatures above the liquidus. Although, it is well known that radiation damaged domains in MI-host zircon undergo temperature-time dependent annealing, the effects of annealing on zircon stable isotope and trace element compositions has received less attention. In this study, we heated multiple aliquots of low-magnetism zircons with relatively low levels of radiation damage (Deff<9.6x1014 α-events/mg) from a 3.304 Ga tonalite gneiss xenolith from the Barberton greenstone belt (sample B87-18; Kamo and Davis, 1994) in an internally-heated pressure vessel at 0.4GPa and 1000–1200°C. Zircons were imaged by SEM (CL, BSE) to determine the zoning patterns around the MIs. The radiation damage preserved in the heated and unheated zircons was determined by measuring broadening of the 3(SiO4) Raman stretching band of zircon (FWHM). Oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O), OH/O ratios, and trace and rare earth element (TREE) concentrations were measured in the zircons and MIs using SIMS. The FWHM and Raman shift of the zircon 3(SiO4) band show a systematic increase of zircon crystallinity with increasing experimental temperature. Despite increasing crystallinity, the 3(SiO4) FWHM is not correlated with δ18O(Zrn) values in the heated or unheated zircons, suggesting that δ18O was not altered by laboratory heating in these low initial radiation damage zircons. FWHM and OH/O are positively correlated in both heated and unheated zircons. The unheated zircons have the largest FWHM and OH/O (OH/OMAX=3.5×10-4) suggesting that H2O was lost during experimental heating due to the progressive annealing of radiation-damaged domains in the zircons. Zircon TREE concentrations and FWHM values are not correlated despite the presence of TREE altered domains in both the heated and unheated zircons. Our results demonstrate that pre-experimental zircon TREE concentrations and δ18O(Zrn) remain intact during laboratory heating of crystalline MIs in zircon, while secondary H2O hosted in radiation damaged domains is partially lost. Thus, MIs in low initial radiation damage Archean zircon are a potentially viable tool for constraining melt compositions.

Joseph P. Gonzalez↗

A Coordinated Mineralogical and Oxygen Isotopic Study of Refractory Ca-Al-Rich Inclusions

Refractory Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) in primitive chondritic meteorites represent the oldest solids that formed in our Solar System. Coordinated analyses using multiple ion and electron-beam techniques are vital to fully understand complex nebular and asteroidal processes that CAIs may have experienced in the context of the formation and early evolution of our Solar System. We report the results of a coordinated mineralogical and oxygen isotopic study of unique grossite bearing CAIs from reduced CV (Vigarano type) carbonaceous chondrites using transmission electron microscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Grossite (CaAl 4 O 7 ) occurs in cores of nodules in fine grained CAIs that likely represent aggregates of nebular condensates. In many occurrences, grossite has been partially replaced by hercynite [(Fe,Mg,Zn)Al 2 O 4 ], which displays complex microstructures and compositions, and magnetite nanoparticles. This grossite alteration likely occurred via crystallographically controlled metasomatic reactions with Zn, Fe-rich aqueous fluids on the parent asteroid. The constituent phases of grossite bearing CAIs show heterogeneous oxygen isotopic compositions . That is, grossite and perovskite are 16 O poor and melilite is variably 16 O-depleted in contrast to solar like, 16 O-rich hibonite and spinel. The observed oxygen isotopic distribution is interpreted as a result of mineralogically controlled oxygen isotopic exchange with an 16 O-poor fluid on the parent asteroid. Collectively, we conclude that the presence of limited fluids played an important role in preferential alteration of grossite to hercynite and magnetite and various degrees of 16 O depletion in grossite, perovskite, and melilite during thermal metamorphism on the CV chondrite parent asteroid.

Jangmi Han↗