Microdiamonds from Different Meteorite Types: N and Noble Gas Studies

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Chondrites, Carbonaceous, Diamonds, Interstellar Dust, Nitrogen, Noble Gases

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Microdiamonds isolated from CV3 and ordinary chondrites have been found to differ from those in CM2 meteorites in their N contents and low-temperature Xe-component (Xe-P3), even though the amounts of Xe-HL and the delta ^15N are similar [1,2]. We undertook a simultaneous study of N and noble gases in diamond-rich separates of Murchison (CM2), Efremovka (CV3), and Krymka (LL3.0) meteorites to identify the association of N and noble gas components in them and to characterize possible differences. Gases are extracted by combustion in 3 torr oxygen at low temperatures (up to 700 degrees C) and by pyrolysis at higher temperatures. Murchison: There are two peak releases. About 60-90% of all gases are released in the 550 degrees C step, which is characterized by the presence of Ne-A2, Xe-HL, and delta ^15N = -330 per mil. The second peak at 1200 degrees C gave delta ^15N = -567 per mil and showed a clear admixture of Ne-E and Xe-S (measured 20/22 = 4.2, 21/22 = 0.018, 130/132 = 0.309), indicating the presence of SiC. The low-temperature steps (400 degrees and 450 degrees C) gave Xe-P3 with an admixture of Xe-HL. These results are in agreement with our earlier analysis of another aliquot of Murchison C delta [3]. Efremovka (DE-4): There is a broad release in the 550 degrees C and 600 degrees C steps and a second peak at 1200 degrees C. We estimate that about 60% and 40% respectively of the sample are combusted at the two low- temperature steps. Although the 550 degrees C and 600 degrees C steps have similar gas amounts (except for Xe), other gases show significant differences in their isotopic compositions. The minimum delta ^15N of -290 per mil (600 degrees C) is much heavier than the typical C delta value of -330 per mil [1]. Xenon in both fractions is pure Xe-HL, while Kr is different [86/82 = 1.67 (550 degrees C) and 1.91 (600 degrees C)]. The 1200 degrees C fraction shows the presence of a small admixture of Ne-E, Xe-S, and Kr-S, but the delta ^15N (-127 per mil ) is very heavy compared to the corresponding value for Murchison. The amount of Xe-P3 (132 ~ 0.25 x 10^-8 cc/g) and N contents (~1200 ppm) are depleted in Efremovka diamonds as compared to Murchison (8 x 10^-8 cc/g, ~8000 ppm). The lowest-temperature steps (400 degrees C and 450 degrees C) comprising <2% of total Xe show a mixture of Xe-HL and a Xe-component that is itself a mixture of a planetary-like component and cosmogenic(?) Xe. No Xe- S signature was detected in this fraction. A carbonaceous phase hosting heavy nitrogen (delta ^15N >= 0 per mil ), excess ^82Kr, and cosmogenic Xe and having a combustion temperature in the range of 450 degrees-700 degrees C can explain these low-temperature components. Graphite is a possible phase as it is known to be present in the Efremovka separate DE-4 [4]. Krymka (KR-4): Because of the very small sample size (~0.01 mg) analyzed, only the peak release fraction at 550 degrees C could be studied for all gases. It shows signature of pure Xe-HL, Ne-A2, and delta ^15N = -216 per mil. The 1200 degrees C step clearly indicates the presence of Xe-S. Nitrogen content (~5700 ppm) and Xe-HL (132 ~ 32 x 10^-8 cc/g) in Krymka are comparable to those in CM2 microdiamonds. The uniqueness of the delta ^15N signature in microdiamonds (-330 per mil) needs further scrutiny in view of the heavier delta ^15N value found in diamond-rich separates from both Efremovka and Krymka, and more so in view of the recent observation of probable interstellar diamonds in dense molecular clouds [5]. The lower abundances of both N and Xe-P3 in Efremovka C delta, as compared to Murchison, is most likely a consequence of metamorphic processes. References: [1] Russel S. S. et al. (1991) Science, 254, 1188-1191. [2] Huss G. R. and Lewis R. S. (1991) Meteoritics, 26, 348. [3] Murty S. V. S. et al. (1992) Meteoritics, 27, 265. [4] Verchovsky A. B. et al. (1992) LPS XXIII, 1467-1468. [5] Allamandola L. J. et al. (1993) Science, 260, 64-66.

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