Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993metic..28r.398m&link_type=abstract
Meteoritics, vol. 28, no. 3, volume 28, page 398
Computer Science
Carbonaceous Chondrites, Cm Chondrites, Dust, Interplanetary, Particle Tracks, Rims
Scientific paper
Most CM chondrites are breccias that contain fragments of primary rock representing densely packed agglomerates of chondrules, CAIs, etc., all of which are mantled by thick layers of fine-grained mineral dust [1]. These dust mantles seem to be the result of dust sampling by the various components during their isolated existence in the solar nebula prior to the formation of the CM parent body [1]. Metzler et al. [1] concluded that these rock fragments are well-preserved remnants of the freshly accreted CM parent body(ies). There is an opposing hypothesis that favors an origin of the dust mantles in an active regolith on the CM parent body [e.g., 2]. A list of arguments against the latter view is given by Metzler et al. [1], including a hint at the absence of solar-wind-implanted gases in dust mantles and in fragments of primary rock. In analogy to brecciated ordinary chondrites and lunar breccias, the most probable residence of the solar gases in CM chondrites is their clastic matrix. The same holds for track-rich olivines that were observed in CM chondrites. The occurrence of these grains in the clastic matrix and their absence in the primary rock would give an additional argument for the idea of a dust mantle origin in the solar nebula rather than in a planetary regolith. To answer this important question, mosaics of backscattered electron images of several large polished thin sections of Murchison and Cold Bokkeveld were prepared. The thin sections (1.5-5 cm^2 each) were etched in a WN solution [3] for about 4 hr to reveal the heavy ion tracks in olivines. Results: The background GCR track density produced during meteoroid transit is on the order of 10^4 tracks/cm^2, as was previously observed by [4]. Following the definition given by Goswami and Lal [4], olivines with track densities >10^5 tracks/cm^2 were classified as preirradiated grains and were found in both meteorites in a very small quantity. In both meteorites, 39 preirradiated isolated olivine grains were found in the clastic matrix, whereas the investigated fragments of primary rock do not contain preirradiated olivines. In Murchison about 1.8% (15 out of 850 investigated grains) of the isolated olivines in the clastic matrix show high track densities in the range between 1.9 x 10^6 and >5 x 10^7, comparable to the results of Goswami and co-workers [4,5]. Both Fe-poor and Fe-rich olivines with grain sizes between 40 and 710 micrometers were found to be preirradiated. Track gradients were found in 33% of these olivines, which is very similar to the values obtained by Goswami and Lal [4] and identical to those obtained by MacDougall and Phinney [6]. About 0.4% (2 out of 530) of the investigated olivine-bearing chondrules and chondrule fragments are preirradiated. In the case of Cold Bokkeveld, 3.7% (24 out of 650) of the isolated olivines show high track densities. Thirteen of these 24 grains were found to be concentrated in a distinct inclusion (1 x 4 mm) that is characterized by its elongated appearence and clastic fabric. The track densities of its preirradiated olivines show a very narrow range, indicating a common irradiation history of these grains. The petrography of this inclusion is currently under investigation. Conclusions: Track-rich (preirradiated) olivines in CM chondrites occur exclusively in the clastic matrix of these meteorites, comparable to observations in brecciated ordinary chondrites. Fragments of primary rock in CM chondrites do not contain solar-wind-implanted gases [1] or preirradiated grains. This confirms the view that the dust mantles around various components of these rocks are the products of dust accretion in the solar nebula rather than of regolith processes on the parent body surface. References: [1] Metzler K. et al. (1992) GCA, 56, 2873. [2] Kerridge J. (1992) personal communication. [3] Krishnaswami S. et al. (1971) Science, 174, 287. [4] Goswami J. N. and Lal D.(1979) Icarus, 40, 510. [5] Goswami J. N. and MacDougall J. D. (1983) Proc. LPSC 13th, in JGR, 88, A755. [6] MacDougall J. D. and Phinney D. (1977) Proc. LSC 8th, 293.
No associations
LandOfFree
In Situ Investigation of Preirradiated Olivines in CM Chondrites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with In Situ Investigation of Preirradiated Olivines in CM Chondrites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and In Situ Investigation of Preirradiated Olivines in CM Chondrites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1073057