Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “trace element analysis”

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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

'Nano' Morphology and Element Signatures of Early Life on Earth: A New Tool for Assessing Biogenicity

The relatively young technology of NanoSIMS is unlocking an exciting new level of information from organic matter in ancient sediments. We are using this technique to characterize Proterozoic organic material that is clearly biogenic as a guide for interpreting controversial organic structures in either terrestrial or extraterrestrial samples. NanoSIMS is secondary ion mass spectrometry for trace element and isotope analysis at sub-micron resolution. In 2005, Robert et al. [1] combined NanoSIMS element maps with optical microscopic imagery in an effort to develop a new method for assessing biogenicity of Precambrian structures. The ability of NanoSIMS to map simultaneously the distribution of organic elements with a 50 nm spatial resolution provides new biologic markers that could help define the timing of life s development on Earth. The current study corroborates the work of Robert et al. and builds on their study by using NanoSIMS to map C, N (as CN), S, Si and O of both excellently preserved microfossils and less well preserved, non-descript organics in Proterozoic chert from the ca. 0.8 Ga Bitter Springs Formation of Australia.

Oehler, D. Z.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Northwest Africa 5298: A Basaltic Shergottite

NWA 5298 is a single 445 g meteorite found near Bir Gandouz, Morocco in March 2008 [1]. This rock has a brown exterior weathered surface instead of a fusion crust and the interior is composed of green mineral grains with interstitial dark patches containing small vesicles and shock melts [1]. This meteorite is classified as a basaltic shergottite [2]. A petrologic study of this Martian meteorite is being carried out with electron microprobe analysis and soon trace element analyses by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Oxygen fugacity is calculated from Fe-Ti oxides pairs in the sample. The data from this study constrains the petrogenesis of basaltic shergottites.

Hui, Hejiu↗
NASA NTRS1974

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Beginning in 1971 a cooperative program has been carried on by the City of Cleveland Division of Air Pollution Control and NASA Lewis Research Center to study the trace element and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland Ohio as a function of source, monitoring location and meteorological conditions. The major objectives were to determine the ambient concentration levels at representative urban sites and to develop a technique using trace element and compound data in conjunction with meteorological conditions to identify specific pollution sources which could be developed into a practical system that could be readily utilized by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Preliminary review of a study of trace elements and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio, measured from August 1971 through June 1973, as a function of source, monitoring location, and meteorological conditions. The study is aimed at the development of techniques for identifying specific pollution sources which could be integrated into a practical system readily usable by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Trace element abundance determinations by Synchrotron X Ray Fluorescence (SXRF) on returned comet nucleus mineral grains

Trace element analyses were performed on bulk cosmic dust particles by Proton Induced X Ray Emission (PIXE) and Synchrotron X Ray Fluorescence (SXRF). When present at or near chondritic abundances the trace elements K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, Se, and Br are presently detectable by SXRF in particles of 20 micron diameter. Improvements to the SXRF analysis facility at the National Synchrotron Light Source presently underway should increase the range of detectable elements and permit the analysis of smaller samples. In addition the Advanced Photon Source will be commissioned at Argonne National Laboratory in 1995. This 7 to 8 GeV positron storage ring, specifically designed for high-energy undulator and wiggler insertion devices, will be an ideal source for an x ray microprobe with one micron spatial resolution and better than 100 ppb elemental sensitivity for most elements. Thus trace element analysis of individual micron-sized grains should be possible by the time of the comet nucleus sample return mission.

Flynn, G. J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Petrology and Physics of Magma Ocean Crystallization

Early Mars is thought to have been melted significantly by the conversion of kinetic energy to heat during accretion of planetesimals. The processes of solidification of a magma ocean determine initial planetary compositional differentiation and the stability of the resulting mantle density profile. The stability and compositional heterogeneity of the mantle have significance for magmatic source regions, convective instability, and magnetic field generation. Significant progress on the dynamical problem of magma ocean crystallization has been made by a number of workers. The work done under the 2003 MFRP grant further explored the implications of early physical processes on compositional heterogeneity in Mars. Our goals were to connect early physical processes in Mars evolution with the present planet's most ancient observable characteristics, including the early, strong magnetic field, the crustal dichotomy, and the compositional characteristics of the SNC meteorite's source regions as well as their formation as isotopically distinct compositions early in Mars's evolution. We had already established a possible relationship between the major element compositions of SNC meteorite sources and processes of Martian magma ocean crystallization and overturn, and under this grant extended the analysis to the crucial trace element and isotopic SNC signatures. This study then demonstrated the ability to create and end the magnetic field through magma ocean cumulate overturn and subsequent cooling, as well as the feasibility of creating a compositionally- and volumetrically-consistent crustal dichotomy through mode-1 overturn and simultaneous adiabatic melting.

Elkins-Tanton, Linda T.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Extinct superheavy element in the Allende meteorite

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis of seven Allende samples for 26 trace elements were conducted. In addition, Cr and Fe were studied with the aid of instrumental neutron activation analysis. The investigation had the objective to identify the extinct superheavy element which was present in meteorites and decayed to Xe isotopes by spontaneous fission. The superheavy element was found to reside mainly in a rare mineral (probably a Fe, Ni, Cr, Al-sulfide), comprising only 0.04% of the meteorite. It is pointed out that of the nine volatile superheavy elements 111 to 119, only 115, 114, and 113 are expected to condense as sulfides in the temperature interval between 400 and 500 K corresponding to mineral formation conditions in the solar nebula.

Anders, E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Conceptual support design of the high resolution mirror assembly for the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)

The performance goals of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) require that the Wolter I optics support system be insensitive to temperature fluctuations and the effects of gravity during ground testing. Previous work has shown that acceptable concepts are achievable but require much attention to design details. This paper discusses a new support system wherein each optic is held by a single circumfererential ring near its center of mass rather than a multipoint support as previously analyzed. The thermal sensitivity of this system is considerably lower than any concept yet studied. This advanced support concept allows the use of a wider variety of mateials and simple design details. Structural analysis utilizing the finite element method and optical ray-trace analysis are used to predict the system performance.

Cohen, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Aubrites and diogenites - Trace element clues to their origin

A typically igneous siderophile element pattern emerges from an RNAA analysis of 25 aubrite and nine diogenite samples for 13-29 siderophile, volatile, and lithophile trace elements, although it is noted that abundances are about 10 times higher in the case of aubrites. Se is also surprisingly abundant in aubrites. Factor analysis shows several parallel groupings for aubrites and diogenites. Several element pairs that differ greatly in volatility correlate closely in aubrites, in approximately C1-chondrite proportions, suggesting that aubrites originated by igneous processes in their parent body.

Wolf, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development and testing of a portable wind sensitive directional air sampler

A portable wind sensitive directional air sampler was developed as part of an air pollution source identification system. The system is designed to identify sources of air pollution based on the directional collection of field air samples and their analysis for TSP and trace element characteristics. Sources can be identified by analyzing the data on the basis of pattern recognition concepts. The unit, designated Air Scout, receives wind direction signals from an associated wind vane. Air samples are collected on filter slides using a standard high volume air sampler drawing air through a porting arrangement which tracks the wind direction and permits collection of discrete samples. A preset timer controls the length of time each filter is in the sampling position. At the conclusion of the sampling period a new filter is automatically moved into sampling position displacing the previous filter to a storage compartment. Thus the Air Scout may be set up at a field location, loaded with up to 12 filter slides, and left to acquire air samples automatically, according to the wind, at any timer interval desired from 1 to 30 hours.

Deyo, J.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Development and testing of a portable wind sensitive directional air sampler

A portable wind-sensitive directional air sampler has been developed as part of an air pollution source identification system. The system is designed to identify sources of air pollution based on the directional collection of field air samples and their analysis for TSP and trace element characteristics. Sources can be identified by analyzing the data on the basis of pattern recognition concepts. Functional testing of a prototype sampler is described; all items exhibited performance and life sufficient to carry out field performance test operations. Life testing of the wind direction sensor and the directional porting valves, which are critical to reliable operation, was emphasized with successful results.

Deyo, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Composition of the earth's upper mantle. II - Volatile trace elements in ultramafic xenoliths

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis was used to determine the nine volatile elements Ag, Bi, Cd, In, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn in 19 ultramafic rocks, consisting mainly of spinel and garnet lherzolites. A sheared garnet lherzolite, PHN 1611, may approximate undepleted mantle material and tends to have a higher volatile element content than the depleted mantle material represented by spinel lherzolites. Comparisons of continental basalts with PHN 1611 and of oceanic ridge basalts with spinel lherzolites show similar basalt: source material partition factors for eight of the nine volatile elements, Sb being the exception. The strong depletion of Te and Se in the mantle, relative to lithophile elements of similar volatility, suggests that 97% of the earth's S, Se and Te may be in the outer core.

Morgan, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Composition of the earth's upper mantle. I - Siderophile trace elements in ultramafic nodules

The considered investigation is concerned with a reexamination of the question of the distribution of siderophile elements in the earth's upper mantle, taking into account a more unified data base which is now available. A comprehensive suite of ultramafic inclusions was collected as part of the Basaltic Volcanism Study Project and has been analyzed by instrument neutron activation analysis for major, minor, and some lithophile trace elements. In addition, 18 of these rocks and the important sheared garnet lherzolite PHN 1611 have been analyzed by means of radiochemical neutron activation analysis for 7 siderophile elements (Au, Ge, Ir, Ni, Os, Pd, and Re) and 9 volatile elements (Ag, Bi, Cd, In, Sb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn). The siderophile element data reveal interesting inter-element correlations, which were not apparent from the compiled abundance tables of Ringwood and Kesson (1976) and Chou (1978).

Morgan, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Geochemistry of HASP, VLT, and other glasses from double drive tube 79001/2

The Apollo 17 double drive tube 79001/2 (station 9, Van Serg Crater) is distinctive because of its extreme maturity, abundance, and variety of glass clasts. It contains mare glasses of both high Ti and very low Ti (VLT) compositions, and highland glasses of all compositions common in lunar regolith samples: highland basalt (feldspathic; Al2O3 greater than 23 wt percent), KREEP (Al2O3 less than 23 wt percent, K2O greater than 0.25 wt percent), and low-K Fra Mauro (LKFM; Al2O3 less than 23 wt percent, K2O less than 0.25 wt percent). It also contains rare specimens of high-alumina, silica-poor (HASP), and ultra Mg glasses. HASP glasses contain insufficient SiO2 to permit the calculation of a standard norm, and are thought to be the product of volatilization during impact melting. They have been studied by electron microprobe major-element analysis techniques but have not previously been analyzed for trace elements. The samples analyzed for this study were polished grain mounts of the 90-160 micron fraction of four sieved samples from the 79001/2 core (depth range 2.3-11.5 cm). A total of 80 glasses were analyzed by SEM/EDS and electron microprobe, and a subset of 33 of the glasses, representing a wide range of compositional types, was chosen for high-sensitivity INAA. A microdrilling device removed disks (mostly 50-100 micron diameter, weighing approx. 0.1-0.5 micro-g) for INAA. Preliminary data reported here are based only on short counts done within two weeks of irradiation.

Lindstrom, D. J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Location, location: deciphering the significance of in-situ hydrogen analyses of Martian meteorite phases

Understanding how inner planets acquired their volatiles such as hydrogen (H) is fundamental to constrain models of solar system formation [e.g. 1]. One avenue of estimating the H content and isotopic characteristics of differentiated planets is to analyze the samples we have from them as meteorites. Ideally, the H content and isotopic characteristic of the mantle sources of these igneous rocks should give insight into the volatile origin of each planetary body. The mantle H signatures can be estimated from that of the parent melt, which in turn may be derived from that of the first crystallized phases. However, we will illustrate the processes that can modify the H content and D/H ratios of pyroxene, olivine and feldspar in selected Martian meteorites relative to those of their mantle sources, with two key protocols for SIMS analysis. The first key is to put each analysis in textural context ("location, location"). In particular, of prime importance is whether an analysis is done at the center or the edge of a mineral grain, close or far from a shock disturbed area, and in a mineral crystallized at the beginning or late in the differentiation sequence. Accompanying the H analyses done by SIMS with major and trace element data at the same analysis locations allows to constrain the history of crystallization, cooling, alteration and shock of the meteorite. For example, volcanic degassing can be evidenced by decreasing water contents and increasing D/H ratios from core to edge of nakhlite pyroxenes [2]. Traverses of H analyses in pyroxene and maskelynite in shergottite LAR 06319 provide examples of H contents and D/H ratios modified during degassing following shock [3]. The second key is to assess if the area analyzed by SIMS has shock generated damage of the mineral structure, as will be shown in pyroxene and olivine from shergottite RBT 04262. Olivine in shergottites have too high water contents to be explained with an igneous origin and their D/H ratios are more consistent with terrestrial alteration, as observed before [4]. A review of all these processes shows how careful one has to be prior to using H measurements in meteorites to infer the origin and amount of water in differentiated planetary interiors.

A.H. Peslier↗
NASA NTRS2011

Micro-Scale Distributions of Major and Trace Elements in Chondrites

The Hayabusa spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth after two touchdowns on the surface of Asteroid 25143 Itokawa. This asteroid is classified as an S-type and inferred to consist of materials similar to ordinary chondrites or primitive achondrites [1]. More than 1500 particles have been identified consisting of olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, Fe sulfide and Fe metal, with compositions consistent with being of LL origin. While the chondritic components are familiar to us, the level of detail to which the Itokawa samples will be exposed to will be unprecedented given that the samples are reasonably large and accessible to a wide variety of techniques. In many ways, we expect that our knowledge base of the comparator chondrites will be found to be wanting. Chondrites are the building blocks of the solar system. However, these rocks are essentially breccias and they are quite variable in bulk element compositions as well as compositions of the individual components. We have initiated a program of analysis for chondrites focusing on major and trace element distributions between the mineral components and the matrix. The issues to be addressed include the homogeneity of matrix and chondrule components and the representivity of any given sample to the bulk meteorite. This may be particularly important given the limited numbers of Itokawa grains that may be available for a specific analysis. As an initial study, we have taken thin sections of carbonaceous chondrites to study the representivity of the matrix compositions. Spot locations were constrained to limited regions of the sections so as to assess the variability of a local scale. Further work will be required to assess variability over a centimeter scale.

Ireland, T. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Lonar crater glasses and high-magnesium australites - Trace element volatilization and meteoritic contamination

Radiochemical neutron activation analysis was used to detect six siderophile elements (Ni, Re, Os, Pd, Ir and Au) and three volatile elements (Zn, Se and Cd) in two basalts, a pumice and three impact glasses from Lonar crater, India, and in six high-magnesium australites. Significant depletions in Re and Se with respect to the parent basalts were found in the Lonar glasses. These depletions, apparently correlated with the degree of shock, are probably due to volatilization under the oxidizing conditions characteristic of earth. One of the australites is substantially enriched in siderophiles relative to the level of these elements in the other five tektites. The element patterns in the australites resemble those of the carbonaceous or cometary component of an Apollo 16 soil.

Morgan, J. W.↗