Electron microprobe study of spherules from Atlantic Ocean sediments

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Scientific paper

Spherules recovered by K. Utech from Atlantic Ocean sediments ( Albatross expedition, lat. 23° 58'N, long. 38° 56'W) were studied by means of electron microprobe techniques. Unlike the analyses of spherule surfaces reported by et al . (1963); (1963), (1964); et al . (1964); (1964); and and (1964), those in the present study were performed on polished sections of the spherules. Apparent terrestrial alteration of particle surfaces and the introduction of contaminants suggest that analyses limited to surfaces cannot be regarded as representative of entire spherules. Thirteen spherules ranging from 60-450 in diameter were classed into four groups baaed on their textures and compositions; Group 1 : magnetite laths containing Ni and Co, surrounded by Si-rich films at grain boundaries. Occasionally, an off-center, circular area of metallic Ni-Fe-Co and/or trevorite (NiFe 2 O 4 ) is present. Group 2: homogeneous magnetite, with small amounts of Ni and Co. Group 3: magnetite with Si-rich lamallae in a dendritic intergrowth. Group 4: irregular particles commonly with low Fe content, but occasionally with minute Ni-rich flakes embedded in a granular matrix. Each particle shows effects of alteration, ranging from a narrow rim at the circumference on most to essentially complete corrosion of others. Lesser amounts of major constituents were present in alteration zones; in addition, minor amounts of Si, Al, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cr and Ti were noted there. Where metallic Ni-Fe-Co areas were altered, trevorite with traces of V was formed. The data suggest that spherules in Groups 1 and perhaps 2 are of meteoritic origin, representing ablation droplets swept from meteorites during passage through the earth's atmosphere. No definite conclusions were derived as to the origin of particles in Groups 3 and 4.

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