Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “CI(NO)3”

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 19 records

A 492 GHz cooled Schottky receiver for radio-astronomy

We developed a 492 GHz cooled GaAs Schottky receiver driven by a solid state local oscillator with a DSB noise temperature of 550 K measured at the telescope. The receiver-bandwidth is approx. equal to 1.0 GHz. Quasi-optical mirrors focus the sky and local oscillator radiation into the mixer. Stability analysis via the Allan variance method shows that the total system including a 1 GHz bandwidth acousto-optical spectrometer built in Cologne allows integration times up to 100 sec per half switching cycle. We successfully used the receiver at the KOSMA 3 m telescope on Gornergrat (3150m) located in the central Swiss Alps near Zermatt during January-February 1992 for observations of the 492 GHz, (CI) (3)P1 to (3)P0 fine structure line in several galactic sources. These observations confirm that Gornergrat is an excellent winter submillimeter site in accordance with previous predictions based on the atmospheric opacity from KOSMA 345 GHz measurements.

Hernichel, J.↗

An Analysis of Degradation in Low-Cost Particulate Matter Sensors

Low-cost sensors (LCSs) are increasingly being used to measure fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) concentrations in cities around the world. One of the most commonly deployed LCSs is PurpleAir with ∼15 000 sensors deployed in the United States, alone. PurpleAir measurements are widely used by the public to evaluate PM 2.5 levels in their neighborhoods. PurpleAir measurements are also increasingly being integrated into models by researchers to develop large-scale estimates of PM 2.5 . However, the change in sensor performance over time has not been well studied. It is important to understand the lifespan of these sensors to determine when they should be serviced or replaced, and when measurements from these devices should or should not be used for various applications. This paper fills this gap by leveraging the fact that: (1) each PurpleAir sensor is composed of two identical sensors and the divergence between their measurements can be observed, and (2) there are numerous PurpleAir sensors within 50 meters of regulatory monitors allowing for the comparison of measurements between these instruments. We propose empirically-derived degradation outcomes for the PurpleAir sensors and evaluate how these outcomes change over time. On average, we find that the number of ‘flagged’ measurements, where the two sensors within each PurpleAir sensor disagree, increases with time to ∼4% after 4 years of operation. Approximately, 2 percent of all PurpleAir sensors were permanently degraded. The largest fraction of permanently degraded PurpleAir sensors appeared to be in the hot and humid climate zone, suggesting that sensors in these locations may need to be replaced more frequently. We also find that the bias of PurpleAir sensors, or the difference between corrected PM2.5 levels and the corresponding reference measurements, changed over time by −0.12 μg m −3 (95% CI: −0.13 μg m −3 , −0.10 μg m −3 ) per year. The average bias increases dramatically after 3.5 years. Further, climate zone is a significant modifier of the association between degradation outcomes and time.

Priyanka deSouza↗

Changes in Optic Nerve Head and Retinal Morphology During Spaceflight and Acute Fluid Shift Reversal

Importance: Countermeasures that reverse the headward fluid shift experienced in weightlessness have the potential to mitigate spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. This study investigated whether use of the countermeasure lower-body negative pressure during spaceflight was associated with changes in ocular structure. Objective: To determine whether changes to the optic nerve head and retina during spaceflight can be mitigated by brief in-flight application of 25-mm Hg lower-body negative pressure. Design, Setting, and Participants: In the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s “Fluid Shifts Study,” a prospective cohort study, optical coherence tomography scans of the optic nerve head and macula were obtained from US and international crew members before flight, in-flight, and up to 180 days after return to Earth. In-flight scans were obtained both under normal weightless conditions and 10 to 20 minutes into lower-body negative pressure exposure. Preflight and postflight data were collected in the seated, supine, and head-down tilt postures. Crew members completed 6- to 12-month missions that took place on the International Space Station. Data were analyzed from 2016 to 2021. Interventions or Exposures: Spaceflight and lower-body negative pressure. Main Outcomes and Measures: Changes in minimum rim width, optic cup volume, Bruch membrane opening height, peripapillary total retinal thickness, and macular thickness. Results: Mean (SD) flight duration for the 14 crew members (mean [SD] age, 45 [6] years; 11 male crew members [79%]) was 214 (72) days. Ocular changes on flight day 150, as compared with preflight seated, included an increase in minimum rim width (33.8 μm; 95% CI, 27.9-39.7 μm; P < .001), decrease in cup volume (0.038 mm^3; 95% CI, 0.030-0.046 mm^3; P < .001), posterior displacement of Bruch membrane opening (−9.0 μm; 95% CI, −15.7 to −2.2 μm; P = .009), and decrease in macular thickness (fovea to 500 μm, 5.1 μm; 95% CI, 3.5-6.8 μm; P < .001). Brief exposure to lower-body negative pressure did not affect these parameters. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that peripapillary tissue thickening, decreased cup volume, and mild central macular thinning were associated with long-duration spaceflight. Acute exposure to 25-mm Hg lower-body negative pressure did not alter optic nerve head or retinal morphology, suggesting that longer durations of a fluid shift reversal may be needed to mitigate spaceflight-induced changes and/or other factors are involved.

Laura P. Pardon↗

Ryugu and the Quest for Unaltered CI-Like Materials From the Early Solar System

Samples of C-type asteroid (162173) Ryugu returned by the Hayabusa2 mission of JAXA [1-3] have been found to be mineralogically, chemically, and isotopically similar to CI carbonaceous chondrites [3-6]. The rare CI meteorites have bulk chemical compositions closely matching the solar photosphere in all but the most volatile elements, and so are considered to represent the starting composition of the solar system. Paradoxically, however, all known CI have been extensively altered by aqueous fluids (i.e., they are CI1), so that their primary mineralogy, textures, and oxygen isotope compositions have been obscured. Thus, one of the most exciting discoveries from Ryugu samples is that they contain “less-altered” (CI2) areas, which have substantial abundances of anhydrous silicates (olivine and pyroxene) and Ca-Al-rich phases that may be remnants of primordial CI3 materials [4-11]. This discovery has motivated new investigations of CIs that show higher abundances of anhydrous silicate grains than previously recognized [9,12,13]. Such studies are an important step in the search for unaltered CI-like material, a so-called “holy grail” of meteoriticists [14]. To further this goal, we are studying Ryugu samples in the context of a previously unrecognized, potentially Ryugu-like, population of C2 materials that occur as xenoliths in polymict ureilites.

C A Goodrich↗

Rb-Sr studies of CI and CM chondrites

Rb-Sr whole rock analyses have been performed on 2 CI and 3 CM chondrites. Four of these stones (Ivuna, Orgueil, Cold Bokkeveld and Erakot) were previously studied in this laboratory and were shown to be discordant from a 4.6 Gyr isochron. The fifth, Murchison, was not previously studied. The new data support the discordance of the first four stones, and indicate that Murchison is also discordant. Studies of Sr isotope ratios in unspiked Orgueil show that the discordance is not due to inhomogeneities in the Sr-84/Sr-86 ratio caused by incomplete mixing of nucleosynthesis products. In order to gauge the effects of weathering, two leaching experiments were performed on fresh, interior samples of Murchison; one for a period of 1.5 hr and the other for 117 hr. The results indicate that the relative solubility of nonradiogenic Sr is approximately twice that of Rb and radiogenic Sr is more soluble than the nonradiogenic Sr.

Mittlefehldt, D. W.↗

Comprehensive Study of Hydrated IDPs: X-Ray Diffraction, IR Spectroscopy and Electron Microscopic Analysis

Chondritic hydrated interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) comprise up to 50% of all IDPs collected in the stratosphere(1). Although much is known about the mineralogy, chemistry and carbon abundance of hydrated IDPs (2-4) controversies still exist regarding their formation, history, and relationship to other primitive solar system materials. Hydrated IDPs are generally believed to be derived from asteroidal sources that have undergone some degree of aqueous alteration. However, the high C contents of hydrated IDPs (by 2 to 6X CI levels (3,4) indicate that they are probably not derived from the same parent bodies sampled by the known chondritic meteorites. We report the comprehensive study of individual hydrated IDPs. The strong depletion in Ca (I) has been used as a diagnostic feature of hydrated IDPs. The particles are embedded in elemental sulfur or low viscosity epoxy and ultramicrotomed thin sections are observed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray detector (EDX) followed by other measurements including: 1) FTIR microspectroscopy to understand the significant constraints on the organic functionality and the nature of the C-bearing phases and 2) powder X-ray difiaction using a synchrotron X-ray source to understand the bulk mineralogy of the particles.

Nakamura, K.↗

The Nature and Origin of Interplanetary Dust: High Temperature Components

The specific parent bodies of individual interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) are un-known, but the anhydrous chondritic-porous (CP) sub-set has been linked directly to cometary sources [1]. The CP IDPs escaped the thermal processing and water-rock interactions that have severely modified or destroyed the original mineralogy of primitive meteorites. Their origin in the outer regions of the solar system suggests they should retain primitive chemical and physical characteristics from the earliest stages of solar system formation (including abundant presolar materials). Indeed, CP IDPs are the most primitive extraterrestrial materials available for laboratory studies based on their unequilibrated mineralogy [2], high concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and volatile trace elements relative to CI chondrites [3, 4, 5], presolar hydrogen and nitrogen isotopic signatures [6, 7] and abundant presolar silicates [8].

Keller, L. P.↗

Aqueous Alteration on the Ryugu Parent Body Constrained by Chemical Equilibrium Models

The composition of solid samples returned from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu byHayabusa2 indicates aqueous alteration of rocks that formed a parent body of Ryugu [1, 2]. As on parent bodies of carbonaceous chondrites [3-5], Ryugu materials could have went through (1) accretion of anhydrous and reduced rocky grains together with water-rich ices, (2) melting of ices in the body’s interior through release of radiogenic heat [6], and (3)aqueous alteration of rocky and organic materials that produced secondary minerals, salt- and organic-bearing water solutions, gases, and altered organic matter. Although the bulk chemical composition and major mineralogy (phyllosilicates, magnetite, pyrrhotite, carbonates, phosphates, etc.) of Ryugu [1,2]are similar to those of CI carbonaceous chondrites [3-5, 7], the lack of sulfates and a deficiency of oxygen in the returned samples suggest a distinct alteration pathway. Chondritic materials [3-5] do not indicate complete chemical equilibration though low-temperature parent body processes. However, calculations of chemical equilibria in modeling rock-water-gas type systems[e.g., 8, 9], could assess deviations of chondritic materials from equilibrium conditions and constrain partitioning of chemical elements between solid, aqueous, and gas phase for different stages of alteration. Here we constrained speciation of solid, aqueous, and gaseous phases during aqueous alteration on the Ryugu parent body through chemical equilibrium calculations.

M Yu Zolotov↗

Mineralogical Study of Hydrated IDPs: X-Ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy

Chondritic hydrated interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) comprise up to 50% of all IDPs collected in the stratosphere [1]. Hydrated IDPs are generally believed to be derived from asteroidal sources that have undergone aqueous alteration. However, the high C contents of hydrated IDPs (by 2 to 6X CI levels [2,3]) indicate that they are probably not derived from the same parent bodies sampled by the known chondritic meteorites. Some hydrated IDPs exhibit large deuterium enrichments [4] similar to those observed in anhydrous IDPs. Both anhydrous and hydrated IDPs contain a variety of anhydrous minerals such as silicates, sulfides, oxides, and carbonates. Controversies on hydrated IDPs still exist regarding their formation, history, and relationship to other primitive solar system materials, because of the lack of a systematic series of analysis on individual hydrated IDPs. In this study, we combine our observations of the bulk mineralogy, mineral/ organic chemistry in order to derive a more complete picture of hydrated IDPs.

Nakamura, K.↗

Olivine Compositional Systematics of CI Chondrites and Asteroid Ryugu

Recent findings of rare anhydrous silicates (especially, olivine) in asteroid Ryugu samples suggest that small amounts of precursor materials escaped subsequent aqueous alteration in the Ryugu parent body [e.g., 1]. The origins of these anhydrous grains are considered to be either AOA-like or chondrule-like materials [2,3]. We have studied CI chondrites Ivuna and Orgueil on the same manner to analyze Ryugu samples and found the similar occurrence of anhydrous silicates in these brecciated meteorites [4]. In this abstract we report the mineralogy of olivine grains in another CI chondrite Alais to compare with Orgueil and Ivuna as well as Ryugu samples to better understand their origins through compositional systematics obtained by detailed FE-EPMA analysis.

T. Mikouchi↗

Anhydrous Primary Minerals in Ryugu, Ivuna, and Bennu

Samples returned from asteroid Ryugu are chemically and mineralogically similar to CI chondrites [e.g., 1–3]. Both are predominantly composed of low-temperature aqueously formed secondary minerals, whereas high-temperature anhydrous primary minerals, such as olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, spinel, and hibonite, are rarely present. Using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS; Cameca ims-1280HR at Hokkaido University), we performed O [4] and Al–Mg [5] isotope measurements of anhydrous primary minerals in samples of Ryugu and the Ivuna CI chondrite to constrain their origin.Anhydrous primary minerals in our samples of Ryugu and Ivuna occur mostly as monomineralic isolated grains embedded in hydrated matrix. Their O-isotope compositions are distributed along the slope-1 line on the O three-isotope diagram and range from Δ17O ~ –23 to 0‰. Mg-Al spinel grains are 16O-rich (Δ17O ~ –23‰). Low-Ca pyroxene grains are 16O-poor (Δ17O ~ –5‰). Olivine grains show a bimodal distribution of O-isotope composition:10 of 34 grains measured are 16O-rich (Δ17O ~ –23‰) and 24 grains are 16O-poor (Δ17O ~ –7 to 0‰). We found refractory inclusions composed of Mg-Al spinel and hibonite, one from Ryugu and one from Ivuna. Also, in Ivuna, we found an amoeboid olivine aggregate ( AOA) composed of olivine, diopside, anorthite, and Mg-Al spinel and an inclusion composed of olivine and Mg-Al spinel. The minerals in all of these inclusions are 16O-rich (Δ17O ~ –24‰).The 16O-rich grains and inclusions are mineralogically and O-isotopically similar to calcium-aluminum–rich inclusions (CAIs) and AOAs reported in other carbonaceous chondrites [6, 7]. In addition, the initial 26Al/27Al ratios of the two spinel-hibonite inclusions are inferred as ~4.4 × 10–5, also similar to most CAIs in carbonaceous chondrites [6, 8]. The range of Δ17O values for the 16O-poor olivine and low-Ca pyroxene grains is consistent withthat of these minerals in chondrules in most carbonaceous chondrites [9]. Moreover, the most frequent Δ17O value (–6‰) for Mg-rich (Mg# > 97) olivine grains is identical to those for chondrules. Although CI chondrites and Ryugu samples are devoid of chondrules, the 16O-poor grains most likely represent fragments of chondrule-like objects. The presence of both 16O-poor chondrule-like and 16O-rich refractory inclusion–like minerals in Ryugu and Ivuna suggests that some of their building blocks are similar to those of other carbonaceous chondrite groups. They both probably formed in the inner solar protoplanetary disk and were subsequently transported outward.Preliminary data for petrography of asteroid Bennu samples and chemical and isotopic compositions of theiranhydrous primary minerals will also be presented in the meeting.

N Kawasaki↗

Spectral Correlation in MODIS Water-Leaving Reflectance Retrieval Uncertainty

Spectral remote sensing reflectance, Rrs(λ) (sr−1), is the fundamental quantity used to derive a host of bio-optical and biogeochemical properties of the water column from satellite ocean color measurements. Estimation of uncertainty in those derived geophysical products is therefore dependent on knowledge of the uncertainty in satellite-retrieved R rs . Furthermore, since the associated algorithms require R rs at multiple spectral bands, the spectral (i.e., band-to-band)error covariance in R rs is needed to accurately estimate the uncertainty in those derived properties. This study establishes a derivative-based approach for propagating instrument random noise, instrument systematic uncertainty, and forward model uncertainty into R rs as retrieved using NASA’s multiple-scattering epsilon (MSEPS) atmospheric correction algorithm, to generate pixel-level error covariance in R rs . The approach is applied to measurements from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite and verified using Monte Carlo (MC) analysis. We also make use of this full spectral error covariance in R rs to calculate uncertainty in phytoplankton pigment chlorophyll-a concentration (chl a , mg/m 3 ) and diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance at 490 nm (K d (490), m -1 ). Accounting for the error covariance in R rs generally reduces the estimated relative uncertainty in chl a by ∼1-2% (absolute value) in waters with chl a < 0.25 mg/m 3 where the color index (CI) algorithm is used. The reduction is ∼5-10% in waters with chl a > 0.35 mg/m 3 where the blue-green ratio (OCX) algorithm is used. Such reduction can be higher than 30% in some regions. For K d (490), the reduction by error covariance is generally ∼2%, but can be higher than 20% in some regions. The error covariance in R rs is further verified through forward-calculating chl a from MODIS-retrieved and in situ R rs and comparing estimated uncertainty with observed differences. An 8-day global composite of propagated uncertainty shows that the goal of 35% uncertainty in chl a can be achieved over deep ocean waters (chl a ≤ 0.1 mg/m3). While the derivative-based approach generates reasonable error covariance in R rs some assumptions should be updated as our knowledge improves. These include the inter-band error correlation in top-of-atmosphere reflectance, and uncertainties in the calibration of MODIS 869 nm band, in ancillary data, and in the in situ data used for system vicarious calibration.

Ocean color↗

Phosphate Textural Diversity in CI Chondrites and C-Type Asteroids

Introduction: Apatite, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (CL/F/OH-), is a ubiquitous phosphate found throughout the solar system, including the most primitive solids, CI-chondrites [1,2] and related samples of carbonaceous asteroids Ryugu [3] and Bennu [4], returned by JAXA’s Hayabusa2 and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx missions, respectively. Apatite in these primitive solids is found as individual grains or mineral clusters and has been inferred to form from the hydrothermal sequence during cooling of their respective parent body or bodies. To better understand the formation history and reworking of these early phosphates we have undertaken a highly coordinated study of phosphate microstructures, geochemistry and U/Pb geochronology from a suite of CI meteorites and carbonaceous asteroid samples. These data have identified novel phosphate microstructures and complex relationships across a suite of apatite grains from the early solar system, indicating multiple episodes of growth and modification on the CI parent body(ies). Methods: Samples of CI chondrites, Alais, Ivuna, Orgueil, Oued Chebeika 002, Yamato (Y) 82162, Y980115, Y980134, and two chips of Hayabusa2 Ryugu particles (A0262 and C0263) have been acquired for analysis. The bulk texture of the samples were first scanned by X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) using the Nikon XT H 320 within the XFACT facility at NASA JSC or the Xradia 620 Versa at the UTCT facility. Based on the identification of petrofabrics or features of interest from the XCT data, samples were chipped, oriented, potted in epoxy and thick sections were prepared. After anhydrously polishing the samples with silicon carbide and dry diamond powder down to 1 µm, the samples were ion polished using a Hitachi ArBlade. Energy dispersive Xray spectrometry (EDS) maps were collected to ID phosphates of interest using a JEOL 7900F SEM. The internal microstructures of identified phosphates were then mapped by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) using the JEOL 7900F. Based on the EDS and EBSD data, domains of interest were targeted for quantitative chemical analyses using a JEOL 8530 EPMA. Subsequently, in situ U-Pb and 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ages will be collected using a Cameca ims1290 secondary ion mass spectrometer at UCLA across a range of microstructures. Results: Apatite grains are ubiquitous throughout the CI chondrites and carbonaceous asteroid materials, found as individual grains, disseminated clusters or grain aggregates. Apatite grains are associated with serpentine, magnet-ite, and/or carbonate. Of particular interest, we have identified individual and aggregate polycrystalline grains ex-hibiting an internal ‘honeycomb’ texture (Fig. 1). Some of these grains appear overprinted by subsequent alteration while others remain unaltered. Apatite halogen sites are dominated by the missing component, assumed to be OH, and F, comparable to published values from Bennu, Ryugu and CM-chondrites [3-5]. However, the Yamato CI-like meteorites show a broader range of Cl values, and one grain from Alais is dominated by CL. Summary: Apatite growth features indicate a protracted and complex growth history, consistent with precipitation from an evolving fluid system. The ‘honeycomb’ texture identified in some CI meteorites is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of such a microstructure in meteoritic phosphate. The microtextures and zoning will guide subsequent age analyses, to better constrain the formation and reworking of phosphate in CI(-like) materials. Acknowledgments: We thank the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan for samples of Y82162, 980115 and 980134 meteorites, ASU’s Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies for samples of Ivuna and Alais meteorites, and JAXA curation for chips of Ryugu material. This work was funded by NASA ROSES LARS grant 24-LARS24-0014. References: [1] Morlok et al., 2016, GCA 70:5371-5394. [2] Alfin g et al., 2019, Geochemistry 79:125532. [3] Nakamura et al. (2022) Science 379:1-15. [4] Seifert et al. (2026) MAPS 61:504-521. [5] Piralla et al. (2021) MAPS 56:809-828.

CI chondrites↗

Multiwavelength Characterization of an ACT-Selected, Lensed Dusty Star-Forming Galaxy at zeta 2.64

We present C I(21) and multi-transition C-12 O observations of a dusty star-forming galaxy, ACT J2029+0120,which we spectroscopically confirm to lie at zeta = 2.64. We detect CO(3-2), CO(5-4), CO(7-6), CO(8-7), and C I(2-1) at high significance, tentatively detect HCO+(4-3), and place strong upper limits on the integrated strength of dense gas tracers (HCN(4-3) and CS(7-6)). Multi-transition CO observations and dense gas tracers can provide valuable constraints on the molecular gas content and excitation conditions in high-redshift galaxies. We therefore use this unique data set to construct a CO spectral line energy distribution (SLED) of the source, which is most consistent with that of a ULIRG Seyfert or QSO host object in the taxonomy of the Herschel Comprehensive ULIRG Emission Survey. We employ RADEX models to fit the peak of the CO SLED, inferring a temperature of T approximately 117 K and n(sub H2) approximately 10(exp5) cm(exp -3), most consistent with a ULIRGQSO object and the presence of high-density tracers. We also find that the velocity width of the C I line is potentially larger than seen in all CO transitions forth is object, and that the L'(sub Ci(2-1))/L'(sub CO(3-2))ratio is also larger than seen in other lensed and unlensed submillimeter galaxies and QSO hosts; if confirmed, this anomaly could be an effect of differential lensing of a shocked molecular outflow.

Roberts-Borsani, G. W.↗

Understanding the Heating Kinetics of Asteroid Ryugu By Comparison to Naturally and Experimentally Heated Meteorites

The Hayabusa2 mission visited the near-Earth Cb-type asteroid (162173) Ryugu and has returned to Earth surface material of Ryugu. Ryugu is an airless rubble pile asteroid exposed to space weathering [1]. Visible and near infrared remote observations recorded an absorption feature at 2.72 μm indicating the presence of OH– bearing hydrous components. The weak 2.72 μm feature suggested that Ryugu was once organic- and water-rich and subsequently dehydrated by a brief period of surficial heating with resemblance to “thermally metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrites”, “CI-/CM-like”, or “CY” chondrites [2, 3]. However, initial examination of the returned samples did not identify any significant heating of >150 °C [4, 5], and contrastingly, amino acid analysis of Ryugu samples suggested similarities to thermally-altered meteorites on the grounds of the predominant straight-chain n-ω-amino acid abundances [6]. In this study, we aim at addressing the nonconformal interpretations to the thermal history of Ryugu by comparing the organic composition of fresh Ryugu samples to that of chondritic meteorites that have been naturally (long-term radiogenic thermal metamorphism and short-term heating) and experimentally heated.

Q. H. S. Chan↗

3-μm Reflectance Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites Under Asteroid-Like Conditions

We measured 3-μm reflectance spectra of 21 meteorites that represent all carbonaceous chondrite types available in terrestrial meteorite collections. The measurements were conducted at the Laboratory for Spectroscopy under Planetary Environmental Conditions (LabSPEC) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU APL) under asteroid-like conditions (vacuum at room temperature after slight overnight heating at T < 400 K). This is the most comprehensive 3-μm dataset of carbonaceous chondrites ever acquired in environments similar to the ones experienced by asteroids. The 3-μm reflectance spectra are extremely important for direct comparisons with and appropriate interpretations of reflectance data from ground-based telescopic and spacecraft observations of asteroids. We found good agreement between 3-μm spectral characteristics of carbonaceous chondrites and carbonaceous chondrite classifications. The 3-μm band is diverse, indicative of varying composition, thus suggesting that these carbonaceous chondrites experienced distinct parent body aqueous alteration and metamorphism environments. The spectra of CI chondrites, from which significant amount of water adsorbed under ambient conditions was removed, are consistent with Mg-serpentine and clay minerals. The high abundances of organics in CI chondrites is also associated with the mineralogy of these chondrites, oxyhydroxides- and complex clay minerals-rich. CM chondrites, which are cronstedtite-rich, have shallower 3-μm band than CI chondrites, suggesting they experienced less aqueous alteration. CR chondrites showed moderate aqueous alteration relative to CI and CM chondrites. CV chondrites, except for Efremovka, have a very shallow 3-μm band, consistent with their lower phyllosilicate proportions. CO chondrites, like most CVs, have a very shallow 3-μm spectra that suggest they experienced minor aqueous alteration. The 3-μm band in CH/CBb is deep and broad centered ~ 3.11 μm, possibly due the high abundance of FeNi metal and presence of heavily hydrated clasts in these chondrites. The 3-μm spectra of Essebi (C2-ung) and EET 83226 are more consistent with CM chondrites’ spectra. The 3-μm spectra of Tagish lake (C2-ung), on the other hand, are consistent with CI chondrites. None of these spectral details could have been resolved without removing the adsorbed water before acquiring spectra.

Driss Takir↗

Deducing Wild 2 Components with a Statistical Dataset of Olivine in Chondrite Matrix

Introduction: A preliminary exam of the Wild 2 olivine yielded a major element distribution that is strikingly similar to those for aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites (CI, CM, and CR) [1], in which FeO-rich olivine is preferentially altered. With evidence lacking for large-scale alteration in Wild 2, the mechanism for this apparent selectivity is poorly understood. We use a statistical approach to explain this distribution in terms of relative contributions from different chondrite forming regions. Samples and Analyses: We have made a particular effort to obtain the best possible analyses of both major and minor elements in Wild 2 olivine and the 5-30 micrometer population in chondrite matrix. Previous studies of chondrite matrix either include larger isolated grains (not found in the Wild 2 collection) or lack minor element abundances. To overcome this gap in the existing data, we have now compiled greater than 10(exp 3) EPMA analyses of matrix olivine in CI, CM, CR, CH, Kakangari, C2-ungrouped, and the least equilibrated CO, CV, LL, and EH chondrites. Also, we are acquiring TEM/EDXS analyses of the Wild 2 olivine with 500s count times, to reduce relative errors of minor elements with respect to those otherwise available. Results: Using our Wild 2 analyses and those from [2], the revised major element distribution is more similar to anhydrous IDPs than previous results, which were based on more limited statistics (see figure below). However, a large frequency peak at Fa(sub 0-1) still persists. All but one of these grains has no detectable Cr, which is dissimilar to the Fa(sub 0-1) found in the CI and CM matrices. In fact, Fa(sub 0-1) with strongly depleted Cr content is a composition that appears to be unique to Kakangari and enstatite (highly reduced) chondrites. We also note the paucity of Fa(sub greater than 58), which would typically indicate crystallization in a more oxidizing environment [3]. We conclude that, relative to the bulk of anhydrous IDPs, Wild 2 may have received a larger contribution from the Kakangari and/or enstatite chondrite forming regions. Alternatively, Wild 2 may have undergone accretion in an anomalously reducing region, marked by nebular condensation of this atypical forsterite. In [4], a similar conclusion was reached with an Fe-XANES study. We will also use similar lines of reasoning, and our previous conclusions in [5], to constrain the relative contributions of silicates that appear to have been radially transported from different ordinary and carbonaceous chondrite forming regions to the Kuiper Belt. In addition, the widespread depletion of Cr in these FeO-rich (Fa(sub greater than 20)) fragments is consistent with mild thermal metamorphism in Wild 2.

Frank, D. R.↗

Role of emission controls in reducing the 2050 climate change penalty for PM2.5 in China

Previous studies demonstrated that global warming can lead to deteriorated air quality even when anthropogenic emissions were kept constant, which has been called a climate change penalty on air quality. It is expected that anthropogenic emissions will decrease significantly in the future considering the aggressive emission control actions in China. However, the dependence of climate change penalty on the choice of emission scenario is still uncertain. To fill this gap, we conducted multiple independent model simulations to investigate the response of PM2.5 to future (2050) climate warming (RCP8.5) in China but with different emission scenarios, including the constant 2015 emissions, the 2050 CLE emissions (based on Current Legislation), and the 2050 MTFR emissions (based on Maximum Technically Feasible Reduction). For each set of emissions, we estimate climate change penalty as the difference in PM2.5 between a pair of simulations with either 2015 or 2050 meteorology. Under 2015 emissions, we find a PM2.5 climate change penalty of 1.43 μg m−3 in Eastern China, leading to an additional 35,000 PM2.5-related premature deaths [95% confidence interval (CI), 21,000-40,000] by 2050. However, the PM2.5 climate change penalty weakens to 0.24 μg m−3 with strict anthropogenic emission controls under the 2050 MTFR emissions, which decreases the associated PM2.5-related deaths to 17,000. The smaller MTFR climate change penalty contributes 14% of the total PM2.5 decrease when both emissions and meteorology are changed from 2015 to 2050, and 24% of total health benefits associated with this PM2.5 decrease in Eastern China. This finding suggests that controlling anthropogenic emissions can effectively reduce the climate change penalty on PM2.5 and its associated premature deaths, even though a climate change penalty still occurs even under MTFR. Strengthened controls on anthropogenic emissions are key to attaining air quality targets and protecting human health in the context of future global climate change.

Emission controls↗