Micro-zoning in minerals of a Landes silicate inclusion

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Chondrites, Crystal Structure, Inclusions, Meteoritic Composition, Mineralogy, Olivine, Silicates, Thermal Diffusion, Diffusion Coefficient, Equilibrium, Grain Boundaries, Oxidation-Reduction Reactions, Phosphorus, Pyroxenes, Transmission Electron Microscopy

Scientific paper

There is an increasing number of meteorites with chondritic bulk composition but completely different textures than the conventional chondrite groups. Winonaites, Acapulcoites and silicate inclusions in IAB-iron meteorites have in common coarse grain size, highly equilibrated mineralogy with frequent 120 deg triple junctions and they record a significantly lower degree of oxidation than ordinary chondrites. They all have equilibration temperatures, based on Ca-exchange among pyroxenes, of around 900 to 1100 deg C. However, on cooling disequilibrium features may develop: (1) Olivine in IAB-inclusions has lower Fa-content than equilibrium Fs-content of pyroxenes requires; (2) CaO-zoning in olivine was established at temperatures of around 500 deg C, several hundred degrees below pyroxene equilibration temperatures. Obviously, olivine responded faster to changes in fO2 (Fa in olivine) and temperature (Ca-zoning) than pyroxenes. Differences in diffusion coefficients can readily explain the observed trends. Here we report on much more subtle zoning features in pyroxenes. TEM-observations reveal large compositional gradients in Ca, Na, Cr, Ti and Fe within the first micrometer of cpx and opx crystals. In summary, the data reflect the complicated subsolidus history of a chondritic mineral assemblage that was in thermodynamic equilibrium at about 900 deg C and cooled slowly from this temperature whereby oxidation reactions and different closure temperatures for various minerals and elements played an important role. The oxidation of P dissolved in metal and formation of phosphate, which is thermodynamically stable at low temperatures, is suggested to be responsible for most of the observed zoning.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Micro-zoning in minerals of a Landes silicate inclusion 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 Micro-zoning in minerals of a Landes silicate inclusion, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Micro-zoning in minerals of a Landes silicate inclusion will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1448123

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.