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Processes in Early Planetesimals: Evidence from Ureilite Meteorites

Ureilites are primitive ultramafic achondrites composed largely of olivine and pigeonite, with minor augite, carbon, sulphide and metal. They represent very early material in the history of the Solar System and form a bridge between undifferentiated chondrites and fully differentiated asteroids. They show a mixture of chemical characteristics, some of which are considered to be nebula-derived (e.g. a negative correlation between Mg/Fe and Delta O-17 that resembles that of the ordinary chondrites but at lower Delta O-17 values) whereas others have been imposed by asteroidal differentiation. Carbon isotope data show a striking negative correlation of delta C-13 values with mg# in olivine. delta C-13 also correlates positively with Delta O-17, and therefore this isotopic variation was probably also nebula-derived. Thus, oxygen and carbon isotope compositions and Fe-Mg systematics of each monomict ureilite were established before differentiation processes began. Heated by decay of short-lived radioactive isotopes, the ureilite asteroid started to melt. Metal and sulphide would have melted first, forming a Fe-S eutectic liquid, which removed chalcophile elements and incompatible siderophile elements, and basaltic melts that removed Al, Ca and the LREE. Several elements show different abundances and/or correlations with Fo content in olivine, e.g. carbon shows a positive correlation in ferroan ureilites, and a weak or even negative correlation in more magnesian compositions. HSE such as Os and Ir also show different distributions, i.e. ureilites with Fo < 82 have very scattered Os and Ir concentrations, which reach high values, whereas ureilites with Fo > 82 tend to have much less scattered and overall lower Os and Ir abundances. A similar change in elemental behaviour is shown by the Fe-Mn relations in ureilitic olivines: those with Fo contents < 85 show a good negative correlation, whereas those with Fo > 85 show much greater scatter. This suggests that a major change affected the parent body at a time when melting had reached relatively magnesian bulk compositions. We consider that this event may have been a hit and run collision in which the ureilite parent body collided with a larger object. During the collision, the ureilite mantle broke up catastrophically but re-accreted in a jumbled state around the still-intact core. Mg-rich basaltic melts that were in the process of being formed at the time of break-up were retained in part as melt clasts that re-accreted to the regolith and are found in polymict ureilites.

Mittlefehldt, David W.↗

Aqueous Alteration

A secondary process whereby liquid water modified the nature of anhydrous primary nebular components. In general, this process induced decomposition and changed the structures and compositions of primary minerals and formed secondary minerals in their place. This process occurred in the early history of meteorite parent bodies that contained water ice. The most effective heat source is considered to be the decay of short-lived radioactive nuclide such as Aluminium-26, but other causes have been suggested. The degree of aqueous alteration of meteorites is categorized as type 1 (most altered) to type 3 (least altered), according to mineralogy and petrology.

Kebukawa, Yoko↗

Simulation of Radon-222 with the GEOS-Chem Global Model: Emissions, Seasonality, and Convective Transport

Radon-222 (Rn-222) is a short-lived radioactive gas naturally emitted from land surfaces and has long been used to assess convective transport in atmospheric models. In this study, we simulate Rn-222 using the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model to improve our understanding of Rn-222 emissions and surface concentration seasonality and characterize convective transport associated with two Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) meteorological products, the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) and GEOS Forward Processing (GEOS-FP). We evaluate four global Rn-222 emission scenarios by comparing model results with observations at 51 surface sites. The default emission scenario in GEOS-Chem yields a moderate agreement with surface observations globally (68.9 % of data within a factor of 2) and a large underestimate of winter surface Rn-222 concentrations at Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes and high latitudes due to an oversimplified formulation of Rn-222 emission fluxes (1 atom cm−2 s−1 over land with a reduction by a factor of 3 under freezing conditions). We compose a new global Rn-222 emission scenario based on Zhang et al. (2011) and demonstrate its potential to improve simulated surface Rn-222 concentrations and seasonality. The regional components of this scenario include spatially and temporally varying emission fluxes derived from previous measurements of soil radium content and soil exhalation models, which are key factors in determining Rn-222 emission flux rates. However, large model underestimates of surface Rn-222 concentrations still exist in Asia, suggesting unusually high regional Rn-222 emissions. We therefore propose a conservative upscaling factor of 1.2 for Rn-222 emission fluxes in China, which was also constrained by observed deposition fluxes of 210Pb (a progeny of Rn-222). With this modification, the model shows better agreement with observations in Europe and North America (> 80 % of data within a factor of 2) and reasonable agreement in Asia (close to 70 %). Further constraints on Rn-222 emissions would require additional concentration and emission flux observations in the central United States, Canada, Africa, and Asia. We also compare and assess convective transport in model simulations driven by MERRA and GEOS-FP using observed Rn-222 vertical profiles in northern midlatitude summer and from three short-term airborne campaigns. While simulations with both GEOS products are able to capture the observed vertical gradient of Rn-222 concentrations in the lower troposphere (0–4 km), neither correctly represents the level of convective detrainment, resulting in biases in the middle and upper troposphere. Compared with GEOS-FP, MERRA leads to stronger convective transport of Rn-222, which is partially compensated for by its weaker large-scale vertical advection, resulting in similar global vertical distributions of Rn-222 concentrations between the two simulations. This has important implications for using chemical transport models to interpret the transport of other trace species when these GEOS products are used as driving meteorology.

Bo Zhang↗

Nucleon-Alpha Particle Disequilibrium and Short-Lived r-Process Radioactivities

r-Process yields can be extremely sensitive to expansion parameters when a persistent disequilibrium between free nucleons and alpha particles is present. This may provide a natural scenario for understanding the variation of heavy and light r-process isotopes in different r-process events. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Meyer, B. S.↗

Star formation and extinct radioactivities

An assessment is made of the evidence for the existence of now-extinct radioactivities in primitive solar system material, giving attention to implications for the early stages of sun and solar system formation. The characteristics of possible disturbances in dense molecular clouds which can initiate the formation of cloud cores is discussed, with emphasis on these disturbances able to generate fresh radioactivities. A one-solar mass red giant star on the asymptotic giant branch appears to have been the best candidate to account for the short-lived extinct radioactivities in the early solar system.

Cameron, A. G. W.↗

Benchmark Exercise Report for Experimental Study of Bubble Scrubbing in Sodium Pool

Mechanistic source term (MST) analyses are likely to be an important part of advanced reactor licensing applications. For the purpose, an MST analysis code applicable to newly introduced advanced reactors, called SRT (Simplified Radionuclide Transport) code, has been developed by Argonne National Laboratory. SRT can track overall behaviors of radionuclides especially in metal fuel-based sodium fast reactors (SFRs) and microreactors. Throughout the simulation, migration inside fuel pins before failure, interaction with coolant (for SFR), removal/leakage in cover gas and containment (or confinement), and environmental dose impacts are considered alongside radioactive decay for short-lived nuclides. Among the postulated process, pool scrubbing phenomenon, especially under sodium pool condition, has been identified as high importance with limited supportive data. The phenomenon plays a crucial role in assessing the degree of radiological impacts as radioactive aerosols or vapors are efficiently and effectively removed during the process. To provide validation basis for SRT in assessing pool scrubbing performance inside sodium pools, the University of Wisconsin-Madison performed tests including extensive parametric effects. Separate effect tests were conducted to directly evaluate the SRT models and to estimate degree of contribution by each contributing factor. Specifically, bubble size, aerosol size, aerosol density, aerosol concentration, pool depth, system temperature, and bubble swarm effects were considered. According to the parametric effects, decontamination performance enhances with decreasing bubble size, large density, and deeper pool height. Aerosol concentration provides no effect for the whole range of interest, and pool temperature variation shows minor effects under the considered temperature condition. When multiple bubbles are injected generating a bubble swarm condition, DF performance further enhances by bubble interactions and turbulence characteristics. The measurement shows the exceptional importance of aerosol size range considered, with the lowest decontamination, where most radionuclides are expected to escape.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Thermodynamic Models for Aqueous Alteration Coupled with Volume and Pressure Changes in Asteroids

All major classes of chondrites show signs of alteration on their parent bodies (asteroids). The prevalence of oxidation and hydration in alteration pathways implies that water was the major reactant. Sublimation and melting of water ice, generation of gases, formation of aqueous solutions, alteration of primary minerals and glasses and formation of secondary solids in interior parts of asteroids was likely to be driven by heat from the radioactive decay of short-lived radionuclides. Progress of alteration reactions should have affected masses and volumes of solids, and aqueous and gas phases. In turn, pressure evolution should have been controlled by changes in volumes and temperatures, escape processes, and production/ consumption of gases.

Mironenko, M. V.↗

Hydrothermal History of (162173) Ryugu’s Parent Body Inferred from Remote-Sensing Data

Small rubble pile asteroids record the thermal evolution of their much larger parent bodies. However, recent space weathering and/or solar heating create ambiguities between the uppermost layer observable by remote-sensing and the pristine material from the parent body. Hayabusa2 remote-sensing observations find that on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu both north and south pole regions preserve the least space-weathered material, which is spectrally blue carbonaceous chondritic material with a 0 – 3% deep 0.7-μm band absorption, indicative of Fe-bearing phyllosilicates . We report that spectrally blue Ryugu’s parent body experienced intensive aqueous alteration and subsequent thermal metamorphism at 570 – 670 K (300 – 400 ˚C), suggesting that Ryugu’s parent body was heated by radioactive decay of short-lived radionuclides possibly because of its early formation 2-2.5 Ma. The samples being brought to Earth by Hayabusa2 will give us our first insights into this epoch in solar system history. Moreover, we found the NUV-VIS spectral similarity between Ryugu and Polana–Eulalia family members, suggesting plausible origin from inner main belt predicted by the dynamical simulation.

Eri Tatsumi↗

Spectrally Blue Parent Body of Asteroid (162173) Ryugu and its Hydrothermal History

Small rubble pile asteroids record the thermal evolution of their much larger parent bodies. However, recent ‘space weathering’ and/or ‘solar heating’ create ambiguities between the uppermost layer observable by remote-sensing and the pristine material from the parent body. Hayabusa2 remote-sensing observations found that on the asteroid (162173) Ryugu both north and south pole regions preserve the material least processed by space weathering: spectrally blue carbonaceous chondritic material with a 0.7-μm band absorption, indicative of Fe-bearing phyllosilicates. This discovery suggests that Ryugu’s parent body experienced intensive aqueous alteration and subsequent thermal metamorphism at 670 – 970 K. Ryugu’s parent body was heated by radioactive decay of short-lived radionuclides possibly because of its early formation 2-2.5 Ma. Ryugu’s parent body which is spectrally blue represents some of the most ancient of carbonaceous chondritic compositions from the solar system. The samples being brought to Earth by Hayabusa2 will give us our first insights into this epoch in solar system history.

Eri Tatsumi↗

Radiogenic heating of comets by 26Al and implications for their time of formation

The effect of radiogenic heating on the thermal evolution of spherical icy bodies with radii 1 km < R < 100 km was investigated. The radioisotopes considered were 26Al, 40K, 232Th, 235U, and 238U. Except for the 26Al abundance, which was varied, the other initial abundances were kept fixed, at values derived from those of chondritic meteorites and corresponding to a gas-to-dust ratio of 1. The initial models were homogeneous and isothermal (To = 10 K) amorphous ice spheres, in a circular orbit at 10(4) AU from the Sun. The main object of this study was to examine the conditions under which the transition temperature from amorphous into cubic ice (Ta = 137 K) would be reached. It was shown that the influence of the short-lived radionuclide 26Al dominates the effect of other radioactive species for bodies of radii up to approximately 50 km. Consequently, if we require comets to retain their ice in amorphous form, as suggested by observations, an upper limit of approximately 4 x 10(-9) is obtained for the initial 26Al abundance in comets, a factor of 100 lower than that of the inclusions in the Allende meteorite. A lower limit for the formation time of comets may thus be derived. The possibility of a coexistence of molten cometary cores and extended amorphous ice mantles is ruled out. Larger icy spheres (R > 100 km) reached Ta even in the absence of 26Al, due to the decay of the other radionuclides. As a result, a crystalline core formed whose relative size depended on the composition assumed. Thus the outermost icy satellites in the solar system, which might have been formed of ice in the amorphous state, have probably undergone crystallization and may have exhibited eruptive activity when the gas trapped in the amorphous ice was released (e.g., Miranda).

Non-NASA Center↗

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Early Solar System Chronology

The following topics were presented in this report: Iron Isotopic Fractionation During Vacuum Evaporation of Molten W?stite and Solar Compositions; Mg Isotope Ratio Zonation in CAIs - New Constraints on CAI Evolution; Sm-Nd Systematics of Chondrites; AMS Measurement of Mg-24(He-3,p)Al-26 Cross Section, Implications for the Al-26 Production in the Early Solar System; On Early Solar System Chronology: Implications of an Initially Heterogeneous Distribution of Short-lived Radionuclides; Revisiting Extraterrestrial U Isotope Ratios; Helium-Shell Nucleosynthesis and Extinct Radioactivities; High Spatial Resolution Ion Microprobe Measurements Refine Chronology of Orgueil Carbonate Formation; and Calibration of the Galactic Cosmic Ray Flux.

Source record↗

Integrated soft snake robot for gamma spectroscopy of radiologically contaminated ducting

Anticipated growth in the number and complexity of nuclear facilities entering the decommissioning phase of their lifespan requires innovative methods of mitigating radiological and safety hazards for workers. Advancements in robotics provide opportunities for remote characterization of radiologically contaminated ducts and pipes, reducing worker exposure. However, the nuclear decommissioning industry has shown a hesitancy in adopting new technology due to concerns regarding capital costs and a lack of demonstration data in representative environments. This work aims to leverage novel soft robotics to develop and demonstrate a sensor-integrated characterization tool for contaminated ducting systems. Two gamma spectrometers – one scintillation-based and one solid-state – were selected and integrated into a pneumatically-actuated snake-like soft robot using stretchable electronic cabling. The robot was then demonstrated at the Idaho National Laboratory’s Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex. The robot maneuvered through a pseudo-constrained corridor containing several sealed sources and the integrated spectrometers collected spectra at various points along the path of travel. Both spectrometers successfully collected spectra with identifiable, isotope-specific peaks. To evaluate the effect of contamination buildup on the collected spectra, the robot with the integrated scintillation detector was tested using a liquid radioactive source. The resulting spectra showed little detection interference from the liquid contamination; however, a short-lived isotope was used which may not be representative of longer-lived contamination.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Isotopic Investigations of Nebular and Parent Body Processes with a High Sensitivity Ion Microprobe

NASA supported the development of the CAMECA ims 1270 ion microprobe at UCLA for applications in cosmochemistry. The primary investigations centered on measuring the microscopic distributions of key isotopic abundances in primitive meteoritic materials as a means of constraining the nature of important thermal and chemical processes in the solar nebula and the timescales associated with those processes. Our prior work on oxygen isotope anomalies in a wide variety of meteoritic materials had led us to a view of a spatially heterogeneous nebula, and in particular, a restricted region for CAI formation that is characterized by O-16-rich gas. Because of its production of CAIs in the energetic local environment near the protosun, the existence of a natural transport mechanism via bipolar outflows, and a general astrophysical plausibility, we were attracted to the fluctuating X-wind model which had been put forward by Frank Shu, Typhoon Lee, and colleagues. With our collaborators, we undertook a series of investigations to test the viability of this hypothesis; this work led directly to the discovery of live Be in CAIs and a clear demonstration of the existence of 160-rich condensates, which necessarily implies an O-16-rich gaseous reservoir in the nebula. Both of these observations fit well within the context of X-wind type models, i.e. formation of CAIs (or condensation of their precursors) in the reconnection ring sunward of the inner edge of the accretion disk, however much work remains to be done to test whether the physical parameters of the model can quantitatively predict not only the thermal histories of CAIs but also their radioactivity. The issue of spatial heterogeneity in the nebula, central to the X-wind model, is also at the heart of any chronology based on short-lived radioisotopes. In this work, we followed up on strong hints for presence of exireme:j: (53 day) short-lived Be-7, and have prepared a manuscript (in revision). We also measured A1-Mg systematics by a combined approach of high-precision multiple-collector SIMS analyses, traditional analyses on the UCLA ims 1270, and high-spatial resolution analyses using a NanoSIMS instrument. The data help to deconvolve effects due to partial resetting of the A1-Mg system by multiple thermal events. Finally, we initiated investigations related to nebular heterogeneity with a new initiative of in situ high-precision sulfur isotope analyses of sulfides from a wide variety of components of chondrites. The ultimate goal of all this work is to help develop a better understanding of the relationships between CAIs and chondrules, the astrophysical environments in which they formed, and the timescales of nebular processes. As detailed in Table 1, for the project period, 14 manuscripts were published and 17 abstracts were presented describing the work.

McKeegan, Kevin D.↗

First Measurement of the Neutron-Emission Probability with a Surrogate Reaction in Inverse Kinematics at a Heavy-Ion Storage Ring

Neutron-induced reaction cross sections of short-lived nuclei are imperative to understand the origin of heavy elements in stellar nucleosynthesis and for societal applications, but their measurement is extremely complicated due to the radioactivity of the targets involved. One way of overcoming this issue is to combine surrogate reactions with the unique possibilities offered by heavy-ion storage rings. In this work, we describe the first surrogate-reaction experiment in inverse kinematics, which we successfully conducted at the Experimental Storage Ring (ESR) of the GSI/FAIR facility, using the 208 Pb⁢(p,p') reaction as a surrogate for neutron capture on 207 Pb. Thanks to the outstanding detection efficiencies possible at the ESR, we were able to measure for the first time the neutron-emission probability as a function of the excitation energy of 208 Pb. We have used this probability to select different descriptions of the γ -ray strength function and nuclear level density, and provide reliable results for the neutron-induced radiative capture cross section of 207 Pb at energies for which no experimental data exist.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Primordial heating of asteroidal parent bodies

Most meteorites show evidence of thermal processing either because of metamorphic changes or as a result of melting and differentiation. Proposed mechanisms for supplying this energy generally rely upon short-lived radioisotopes or electrical induction, though accretion is sometimes mentioned, and more exotic models have been discussed. Interest in isotopic heating has been heightened by the discovery of Al-26 in Allende inclusions and also by the proposal that a lunar core and dynamo resulted from the radioactive decay of superheavy elements during the early solar system. Electrical induction as a heat source can be scaled to a broad range of solar system conditions, but corroborative evidence for these conditions is inconclusive. The accretion mechanism is probably not viable for the asteroidal and meteorite parent bodies, because the high kinetic energy requirement is inconsistent with the formation of the objects and their regoliths in the presence of a weak gravitational field.

Sonett, C. P.↗

Possible paths for the production of 73 As

Inelastic scattering reactions including (n,2n) are particularly difficult to measure. Hardly any measurements on radioactive nuclei exist. The reason is that traditional methods require the detection of gammas or neutrons in a background of elastically scattered neutrons, which can interact with the detector or other materials. The 73 As(n,2n) and the 73 As(n,2n) reaction cross sections are the only neutron removal cross sections that can be measured with current methods. The corresponding cross sections for the short-lived isotopes 71,72,74 As can only be directly measured in inverse kinematics. Since 75 As is the only stable isotope of this element, the sample production is no problem at all. This report is therefore focused on the sample production for a possible 73 As(n,2n) campaign.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

The Chronology of Asteroid Accretion, Differentiation, and Secondary Mineralization

We evaluate initial (Al-26/Al-27)(sub I), (Mn-53/Mn-55)(sub I), (Hf-182/Hf-180)(sub I), and Pb-207/Pb-206 ages for igneous differentiated meteorites and chondrules from ordinary chondrites for consistency with radioactive decay of the parent nuclides within a common, closed isotopic system, i.e., the early solar nebula. We find that the relative abundances of Al-26, Mn-53, and Hf-182, here denoted by I(Al)(sub CAI, I(Mn)(sub CAI) and I(Hf)(sub CAI), are consistent with decay from common initial values for the bulk solar system. I(Mn)(sub CAI) and I(Hf)(sub CAI) = 9.1+/-1.7 x 10(exp -6) and 1.06+/-0.09 x 10(exp -6) respectively, correspond to the canonical value of I(Al)(sub CAI) = 5.1 x 10(exp -5). I(Hf)(sub CAI) thus determined is consistent with I(Hf)(sub CAI) = 1.003+/-0.045 x 10(exp -6) directly determined in separate work. I(Mn)(sub CAI) is within error of the lowest value directly determined for CAI. We suggest that erratically higher values directly determined for CAI in carbonaceous chondrites reflect proton irradiation of unaccreted CAIs by the early Sun after other asteroids destined for melting by Al-26 decay had already accreted. The Mn-53 incorporated within such asteroids would have been shielded from further "local" spallogenic contributions. The relative abundances of the short-lived nuclides are less consistent with the Pb-207/Pb-206 ages of the corresponding materials with the best consistency being obtained between (Hf-182/Hf-180)(sub I) and Pb-207/Pb-206 ages of angrites. (Hf-182/Hf-180)(sub I) decreases with decreasing Pb-207/Pb-206 ages at the rate expected from the 8.90+/-0.09 Ma half-life of Hf-182. However, the model "CAI age" thus determined, T(sub CAI,Mn-W) = 4568.6+/-0.7 Ma, is older than the commonly accepted directly measured value T(sub CAI) = 4567.l+/-0.2 Ma. I(Al)(sub I), and (Mn-53/Mn-55)(sub I) are less consistent with Pb-207/Pb-206 ages, but determine T(sub CAI, Mn-Cr) = 4568.3+/-0.5 Ma relative to I(AI)(sub CAI)= 5.1 x 10(exp -5) and a Pb-207/Pb-206 age of 4558.6 Ma for the LEW86010 angrite. However. the (Mn-53/Mn-55)(sub I) and Pb-207/Pb-206 ages of "intermediate" age D'Orbigny-clan angrites and Asuka 881394 are inconsistent with radioactive decay from CAI values with a Mn-55 half-life of 3.7+/-0.4 Ma. in spite of consistency between (Mn-53/Mn-55)(sub I) and (Al-26/Al-27)(sub I). Nevertheless, it appears that the Mn-Cr method with I(Mn)(sub CAI) = 9.1+/-1.7 x 10(exp -6) can be used to date primary igneous events and also secondary mineralization on asteroid parent bodies. We summarize ages thus determined for igneous events on differentiated asteroids and for carbonate and fayalite formation on carbonaceous asteroids.

Nyquist, L. E.↗

Comparison of measurement techniques and sorption of radium-226 in low and high salinity aqueous samples

Human activities have the potential to redistribute radium (Ra) in the marine environment in a manner that may necessitate monitoring or management of subsequent human or environmental exposures. There is therefore a need to identify accurate and accessible techniques for Ra measurement in high salinity samples and to describe the distribution of Ra in estuarine and marine environments, but most efforts in these areas have focused on low salinity matrices. In addition, rapid and reliable measurements are crucial for time-sensitive samples such as short-lived isotopes or emergency situations. The objective of this study is to describe the limits of detection, cost, and relative ease for measurement of Ra in both low and high salinity aqueous samples via three analytical methods: liquid scintillation counting (LSC), high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To contextualize these measurements for real-world scenarios, the partitioning of 226 Ra to substrates relevant to the marine environment was also characterized. Although HPGe detection with solid phase extraction had the lowest limit of detection for low salinity samples (0.27 Bq L −1 ), poor 226 Ra recovery for high salinity samples and high materials costs make this method prohibitive for many users. Limits of detection for high salinity samples were lower for LSC (1.28 Bq L −1 ) than for ICP-MS without dilution (11.4 Bq L −1 ), but significant and unexpected degradation of the high salinity LSC standards was observed after six months. Furthermore, our preferred measurement method for high salinity Ra samples is ICP-MS with sample dilution as necessary to reduce matrix effects.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗