Petrology and Geochemistry of LEW 88663 and PAT 91501: High Petrologic L Chondrites

Details Petrology and Geochemistry of LEW 88663 and PAT 91501: High Petrologic L Chondrites Petrology and Geochemistry of LEW 88663 and PAT 91501: High Petrologic L Chondrites

Jul 1993

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993metic..28r.401m&link_type=abstract

Meteoritics, vol. 28, no. 3, volume 28, page 401

Mathematics

Logic

3

Achondrites, Geochemistry, Petrology, Primitive, Chondrites, L, L7 Chondrites, Shaw

Scientific paper

Primitive achondrites (e.g., Acapulco, Lodran) are believed to be highly metamorphosed chondritic materials, perhaps up to the point of anatexis in some types. Low petrologic grade equivalents of these achondrites are unknown, so the petrologic transition from chondritic to achondritic material cannot be documented. However, there are rare L chondrites of petrologic grade 7 that may have experienced igneous processes, and study of these may yield information relevant to the formation of primitive achondrites, and perhaps basaltic achondrites, from chondritic precursors. We have begun the study of the L7 chondrites LEW 88663 and PAT 91501 as part of our broader study of primitive achondrites. Here, we present our preliminary petrologic and geochemical data on these meteorites. Petrology and Mineral Compositions: LEW 88663 is a granular achondrite composed of equant, subhedral to anhedral olivine grains poikilitically enclosed in networks of orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Small grains of clinopyroxene are spatially associated with orthopyroxene. Troilite occurs as large anhedral and small rounded grains. The smaller troilite grains are associated with the orthopyroxene-plagioclase networks. PAT 91501 is a vesicular stone containing centimeter-sized troilite +/- metal nodules. Its texture consists of anhedral to euhedral olivine grains, anhedral orthopyroxene grains (some with euhedral clinopyroxene overgrowths), anhedral to euhedral clinopyroxene, and interstitial plagioclase and SiO2-Al2O3-K2O- rich glass. In some areas, olivine is poikilitically enclosed in orthopyroxene. Fine-grained troilite, metal, and euhedral chromite occur interstitial to the silicates. Average mineral compositions for LEW 88663 are olivine Fo(sub)75.8, orthopyroxene Wo(sub)3.4En(sub)76.2Fs(sub)20.4, clinopyroxene Wo(sub)42.6En(sub)47.8Fs(sub)9.6, plagioclase Ab(sub)75.0An(sub)21.6Or(sub)3.4. Mineral compositions for PAT 91501 are olivine Fo(sub)73.8, orthopyroxene Wo(sub)4.5En(sub)74.8Fs(sub)20.7, clinopyroxene Wo(sub)34.3En(sub)52.4Fs(sub)13.3, plagioclase Ab(sub)81.6An(sub)14.0Or(sub)44. Geochemistry: We have completed INM analysis of LEW 88663 only; analyses of PAT 91501 are in progress. The weighted mean lithophile element (refractory, moderately volatile, and volatile) content of LEW 88663 normalized to average L chondrites [1] is 0.97. The weighted mean siderophile element (excluding Fe) content is only 0.57x L. This supports the suggestion that LEW 88663 lost metal relative to average L chondrites, although not as complete as implied earlier [1]. The mean lithophile-element abundance is that of L chondrites, but the lithophile-element pattern is fractionated. Highly incompatible elements are enriched in LEW 88663 relative to L chondrites (e.g., La 2.6x, Sm 1.9x L chondrites), while the more compatible elements are near L chondrite levels or depleted (e.g., Lu 1.1x, Sc 0.94x, Cr 0.87x L chondrites). Discussion: LEW 88663 and PAT 91501 are texturally similar to the Shaw L7 chondrite [3] and to poikilitic textured clasts in LL chondrites [4]. Several textural and mineralogical characteristics of PAT 91501 indicate that this stone is in part igneous. Large rounded troilite +/- metal nodules imply that melting occurred in the metal-troilite system. Interstitial material consists of euhedral, zoned chromites, euhedral clinopyroxene overgrowths on orthopyroxene, and plagioclase + glass. Olivine often shows euhedral faces in contact with the interstitial regions. These textures indicate that the interstitial regions were molten. The average pyroxene compositions in PAT 91501 indicate equilibration at 1200 degrees C [5], above the ordinary chondrite solidus [6]. Although PAT 91501 is in part igneous in origin, we have yet to determine whether it represents an extension of parent body heating from that of metamorphosed L chondrites, or whether it represents impact melting on the parent body. We will evaluate shock features, cooling rates, and the bulk composition of PAT 91501 in order to investigate this further. Orthopyroxenes in LEW 88663 have a lower Wo content, and clinopyroxenes have a higher Wo content, than those in PAT 91501, and have equilibrated to lower temperatures, perhaps ~1000 degrees C [5]. References: [1] Wasson and Kallemeyn (1988) Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., A325, 535. [2] Davis et al. (1993) LPS XXIV, 375. [3] Taylor et al. (1979) GCA, 43, 323. [4] Fodor and Keil (1975) Meteoritics, 10, 325. [5] Lindsley (1983) Am. Mineral., 68, 477. [6] Jurewicz et al. (1993) LPS XXIV, 739.

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