The occurrence of metallic copper and redistribution of copper in the shocked Suizhou L6 chondrite

Copper possesses very strong chacophile properties,but under the conditions found in meteorites,its behavior is like that of siderophile elements.The Suizhou meteorite is a highly shocked L6 chondrite.Troilite and taenite are considered the main primary carrier of copper in this meteorite,and the post-shock thermal episode is considered the main reason that elemental Cu migrates from its original host phase and forms metallic grains.The Suizhou meteorite contains a few very thin shock melt veins.The occurrence and behavior of metallic copper in this meteorite were studied by optical microscopic examination,electron microprobe analyses,and high-resolution X-ray elemental intensity mapping.Our results show that metallic copper is abundant in the Suizhou chondritic rock.Metallic copper grains adjacent to small troilite grains inside FeNi metal are the most common occurrence,and those at the FeNi metal–troilite interface are the second most common case.The metallic copper grains occurring at the interface of FeNi metal/troililte and silicate are rather rare.Metallic copper grains are not observed within the Suizhou shock veins,Instead,Cu in elemental form is transferred through shock metamorphism into FeNi metal+troilite intergrowths.Four diff erent occurrence types of Cu in the FeNi metal+troilite intergrowths have been identifi ed:the concentrations of Cu in the FeNi+FeS intergrowths for four occurrence types are rather close,we estimate it might be lower than 1 wt%.

Formation of FeNi metal nodules in the Jilin H5 chondrite,the largest stone meteorite in the world

The Jilin H5 chondrite, the largest known stony meteorite in the world, with its No.1 fragment weighing1770 kg. It contains submillimeter-to centimeter-sized FeNi metal particles/nodules. Our optical microscopic and electron microprobe analyses revealed that the formation of metal nodules in this meteorite is a complex and long-term process, The early stage is the thermal diffusion-caused migration and concentration of dispersed metallic material along fractures to form root-hair shaped metal grains during thermal metamorphism of this meteorite. The later two collision events experienced by this meteorite led to the further migration and aggregation of metallic material into the shock-produced cracks and openings to form largersized metal grains. The shock-produced shear movement and frictional heating occurred in this meteorite greatly enhanced the migration and aggregation of metallic material to form the large-sized nodules. It was revealed that the metal nodule formation process in the Jilin H5 chondrite might perform in the solid or subsolidus state, and neither melting of chondritic metal grains nor shock-induced vaporization of bulk chondrite material are related with this process.

The breakdown of diopside to(Ca,Mg)SiO_(3)perovskite–(Mg,Ca,Fe)SiO_(3)glass–(Mg,Ca)SiO_(3)glass–(Mg,Ca)SiO_(3)majorite in a melt vein the Suizhou L6 chondrite

The Suizhou meteorite is a heavily shocked and melted vein-containing L6 chondrite.It contains a minor amount of diopside with a(Ca_(0.419)Mg_(0.466)Fe_(0.088))SiO_(3)composition,and a shock-metamorphosed diopside grain associated with ringwoodite and lingunite was found in a melt vein of this meteorite.Our electron microprobe,transmission electron microscopic and Raman spectroscopic analyses revealed four silicate phases with different compositions and structures inside this shock-metamorphosed diopside grain,termed phase A,B,C and D in this paper.Phase A is identified as orthorhombic(Ca_(0.663)-Mg_(0.314))SiO_(3)-perovskite which is closely associated with phase B,the vitrified(Mg_(0.642)Ca_(0.290)Fe_(0.098))SiO_(3)perovskite.Phase D is assigned to be(Mg_(0.578)Ca_(0.414))SiO_(3)majorite which is associated with phase C,the vetrified Carich Mg-perovskite with a(Mg_(0.853)Ca_(0.167))SiO_(3)composition.Based on high-pressure and high-temperature experiments,the diopside grain in the melt vein of the Suizhou meteorite would have experienced a P–T regime of 20–24GPa and 1800–>2000℃.Such P–T conditions are high enough for the decomposition of the diopside and the formation of four different silicate phases.The orthorhombic(Ca_(0.663)Mg_(0.314))SiO_(3)perovskite found in the Suizhou L6 chondrite might be considered as the third lower-mantle silicate mineral after bridgmanite and davemaoite after the detailed analyses of its crystal structure and physical properties being completed.

Possible Relevance of the Allende Meteorite Conditions in Prebiotic Chemistry: An Insight into the Chondrules and Organic Compounds

The study of the mineral and organic content of the Allende meteorite is important for our understanding of the molecular evolution of the universe as well as the ancient Earth. Previous studies have characterized the magnetic minerals present in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites, providing information on the evolution of magnetic fields. The interaction of organic compounds with magnetic minerals is a possible source of chemical diversity, which is crucial for molecular evolution. Carbon compounds in meteorites are of great scientific interest for a variety of reasons, such as their relevance to the origins of chirality in living organisms. This study presents the characterization of organic and mineral compounds in the Allende meteorite. The structural and physicochemical characterization of the Allende meteorite was accomplished through light microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction with complementary Rietveld refinement, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy using magnetic signal methods to determine the complex structure and the interaction of organic compounds with magnetic Ni-Fe minerals. The presence of Liesegang-like patterns of chondrules in fragments of the Allende structure may also be relevant to understanding how the meteorite was formed. Other observations include the presence of magnetic materials and nanorod-like solids with relatively similar sizes as well as the heterogeneous distribution of carbon in chondrules. Signals observed in the Raman and infrared spectra resemble organic compounds such as carbon nanotubes and peptide-like molecules that have been previously reported in other meteorites, making the Mexican Allende meteorite a feasible sample for the study of the early Earth and exoplanetary bodies.

小尺度地质体三维建模研究--以遗迹化石Chondrites和岩心三维建模为例

小尺度地质体的三维建模是地质学研究的一个新课题。运用虚拟现实技术,把表面特征建模和实体结构建模相结合,从技术特点与实践应用两方面着手,介绍了小尺度地质体三维建模的思想和方法;对小尺度三维地质体模型的动态切割算法的思路与实现过程进行了详细的描述。并以遗迹化石Chondrites和岩心的三维建模为实例,利用VRML(虚拟现实建模语言)提供的造型shape节点把理论和实践相结合,建立了它们的三维模型;依靠VRML提供的Script节点、传感器节点以及事件路由器,结合Javascript编程实现了小尺度地质体三维模型的动态切割和模型空间信息与属性信息的集成。最后,利用Visual Basic+Cortona组件开发了三维地质体模型的浏览平台,实现了小尺度地质体模型的浏览和查询,为小尺度地质体三维建模研究提供了一种新的技术手段,也为虚拟现实技术在地质学中的应用开拓了新的领域。

柴达木盆地南缘石炭系Chondrites遗迹化石的发现及其地质意义

在柴达木盆地南缘野外地质调查过程中,在祁曼塔格山前石拐子剖面的下石炭统石拐子组和乌图美仁庆华铁矿剖面的上石炭统缔敖苏组中发现了大量Chondrites遗迹化石。经鉴定,研究区的Chondrites遗迹化石主要包括Chondrites fenxiangensis Yang,1984(分乡丛藻迹);Chondrites filifalx Volk,1964(细枝丛藻迹)和Chondrites maqianensis Yang,1988(玛沁丛藻迹)3个遗迹种。根据研究区的Chondrites遗迹化石特征,结合岩性特征和其他实体化石资料,认为石拐子地区早石炭世为台洼沉积环境,乌图美仁庆华铁矿地区晚石炭世为局限碳酸盐岩台地沉积环境。另外,探讨了生物扰动对研究区储集层的改造作用。该研究对恢复柴达木盆地南缘石炭系的沉积环境和古生态以及评价研究区的储集层物性具有重要的借鉴意义。

湖北宜昌王家湾五峰组顶部Chondrites的发现及其环境意义

本文报道了湖北宜昌王家湾剖面五峰组笔石页岩段观音桥层发现的遗迹化石Chondrites的分布及其生态特点。结合生物相和同期上扬子海盆相对海平面的变化,分析了盆地水体底域在缺氧-富氧转折时期的古氧相变化特征:指出五峰组笔石页岩段上部地层沉积底域为典型的缺氧环境,在其与上覆观音桥段之间的沉积转换面附近发生了从无氧到有氧的转变,观音桥段中Hirnantia动物群繁盛于富氧的海底环境。

龙门山早-中泥盆世Chondrites类型及其环境意义

四川龙门山地区下-中泥盆统有丰富的丛藻迹遗迹化石,可识别出8种类型,包括:Chondrites expansus、Chondrites cf.fenxiangensis、Chondrites filiformis、Chondrites isp.、Chondrites targonii、Chondrites type-C、Chondrites cf.type-C和Chondrites intricatus,它们的组合类型有3种:单一种类型、两种组合类型和多种组合类型。Chondrites遗迹化石分布于滨岸-陆棚的沉积环境中,分属于Chondrites-Phycodes和Chondrites-Lockeia遗迹化石组合。其中Chondrites-Phycodes组合代表食物充足、氧含量相对较低的浅水陆棚环境,而Chondrites-Lockeia组合代表氧含量充足的常氧环境浅水陆棚环境。Chondrites遗迹化石的沉积环境包括深水陆棚凝缩段环境、浅水陆棚环境和风暴沉积环境等。保存于深水凝缩段中的Chondrites遗迹化石反映贫氧相环境,其余2种则代表常氧相环境。Chondrites虫孔直径大小与古氧相之间并不存在直接的对应关系。

Ca-, Al-rich Inclusions in Three New Carbonaceous Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica: New Evidence for a Similar Origin of the Objects in Various Groups of Chondrites

Three new carbonaceous chondrites (GRV 020025,021579 and 022459) collected from the Grove Mountains (GRV), Antarctica, have been classified as the CM2, CO3 and CV3 chondrites, respectively. A total of 27 Ca- and Al-rich inclusions have been found in the three meteorites, which are the earliest assemblages formed in the solar nebula. Most of the inclusions are intensively altered, with abundant phyllosilicates in the inclusions from GRV 020025 and FeO enrichment of spinel in those from GRV 022459. Except for one spinel-spherule in each of GRV 020025 and 021579, all the inclusions can be classified as Type A-like or spinel-pyroxene-rich inclusions, and they probably represent the continuum of solar nebular condensation. In addition, most of the inclusions in these meteorites share much similarity in both petrography and mineral chemistry, suggesting a similar origin of Ca-Al-rich inclusions in various chondrites.

Classification of 24 New Ordinary Chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of 24 ordinary chondrites from the Grove Mountains, Antarctica, have been studied in order to identify their chemical-petrographic types. These samples were selected from a total of 4448 Grove Mountains (GRV) meteorites collected during the 19th Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition so as to make an estimation of the large GRV meteorite collection. The chemical-petrographic types of these meteorites are presented below: 1 H3,2 H4, 4 H5, 2 H6, 1 L4, 7 L5, 5 L6, 1 LL4 and 1 LL6. The new data weaken the previous report that unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are unusually abundant in the Grove Mountains region. However, this work confirms significant differences in distribution patterns of chemical-petrographic types between the Grove Mountains and other regions in Antarctica. Many of these meteorites show significant terrestrial weathering, probably due to a high abundance ratio of meteorites found in moraines to those on blue ice. Nine meteorites experienced severe shock metamorphism, as evidenced by undulose extinction and intense fracturing of silicates and presence of shock-induced melt veins and pockets. These heavily shocked meteorites provided us with natural samples for the study of high-pressure polymorphs of minerals.

Bulk Chemical Composition of the Ningqiang Carbonaceous Chondrite:An Issue of Classification

The Ningqiang meteorite is a fall carbonaceous chondrite, containing various Ca-, Al-rich inclusions that usually escaped from secondary events such as high-temperature heating and low- temperature alteration. However, it has not yet been classified into any known chemical group. In order to address this issue, 41 elements of the bulk Ningqiang meteorite were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） and inductively coupled plasma atom emission spectrometry （ICP-AES） in this study. The Allende （CV3） carbonaceous chondrite and the Jilin （H5） ordinary chondrite were also measured as references, and our analyses are consistent with the previous results. Rare earth and other refractory lithophile elements are depleted in Ningqiang relative to both Allende and mean CK chondrites. In addition, the REE pattern of Ningqiang is nearly flat, while that of Allende shows slight enrichment of LREE relative to HREE. Siderophile elements of Ningqiang are close to those of mean CK chondrites, but lower than those of Allende. Our new analyses indicate that Ningqiang cannot be classified into any known group of carbonaceous chondrites, consistent with previous reports.

A Study of Mesoproterozoic Iron Cosmic Micro-spherules from 1.8 Ga and 1.6 Ga Old Strata in the Ming Tombs District,Beijing

Numerous iron cosmic micro-spherules have been discovered from Mesoproterozoic strata including the Changzhougou Formation （1.8 Ga） and the Dahongyu Formation （1.6 Ga） of the Ming Tombs district, Beijing. There are 1 to 30 grains of cosmic spherules per 2 kg of a sandstone sample taken from the bottom of a coarse sandstone bed of the Changzhougou Formation and 56 grains per 3.69 kg of a rock sample from silicified carbonate rocks of the Dahongyu Formation. The surface textures of cosmic spherules analyzed by means of the secondary electron imagery are identical with those reported from references either domestic or abroad. So far the geo-ages of 1.8 Ga and 1.6 Ga of cosmic spherules from the Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations might be older than those reported in the world. Table 1 gives the electron probe analysis data of cosmic spherules for 30 spherule grains and 44 testing points as follows （%）： FeO, 80-95; Cr2O3; 0-9.56; NiO, 0-0.78; CoO, 0-0.46; indicating that the Cr2O3 content is higher and FeO content lower in the Changzhougou Formation than in the Dahongyu Formation. The helium isotopic data of cosmic spherules as well as their host rocks vary greatly between the Changzhougou and the Dahongyu formations as shown in Table 2. The data of cosmic spherules of the Changzhougou Formation vs the Dahongyu Formation are 57.5/1.23 in ^3He/^4He （10^-8）; and 55.54/809.60 in ^4He （10^-6cm^3STP/g）; those of coarse sandstone of the Changzhougou Formation vs silicified carbonate of the Dahongyu Formation are 3.39/2.59 in ^3He/^4He （10^-8） and 4.56/2.34 in ^3He （10^-6cm^3STP/g）. The ratio of analytic data of helium isotopes are different for cosmic spherules and their host rocks; for example, the ^3He/^4He （10^-8） values are 16.96 and 0.48, and the ^4He （10^-6 cm^3STP/g） are 12.18 and 345.98 for the Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations respectively. It was reported that the world＇s oldest micrometeorites had been found in the Meso-Proterozoic Satakunta Formation, Finland. However, the cosmic spherules from the Meso-Proterozoic Changzhougou and Dahongyu formations are 200 to 400 Ma older than those from the Satakunta Formation. Besides, one carbonaceous chondrite grain was discovered for the first time as the earliest remain formed in the solar nebula from the Dahongyu Formation.

The vanadium isotopic composition of L ordinary chondrites

Stable isotopic data of meteorites are critical for understanding the evolution of terrestrial planets. In this study, we report high-precision vanadium （V） isotopic compositions of 11 unequilibrated and equilibrated L chondrites. Our samples show an average δ^51v of -1.25‰ ±0.38‰ （2SD, n = 11）, which is ,- 0.5‰ lighter than that of the bulk silicate Earth constrained by mantle peridotites. Isotopic fractionation in type 3 ordinary chondrites vary from - 1.76‰ to - 1.29‰, whereas the δ^51V of equilibrated chondrites vary from - 1.37‰ to -1.08‰. 551V of L chondrites do not correlate with thermal metamorphism, shock stage, or weathering degree. Future studies are required to explore the reason for V isotope variation in the solar system.

Oxygen Isotopic Compositions in a Plagioclase-Olivine Inclusion from Ningqiang Similar to Those in Al-rich Chondrules

We report the petrology and oxygen isotopic composition,using a Cameca Nano SIMS 50L ion microprobe,of a plagioclase-olivine inclusion,C#1,found in the Ningqiang carbonaceous chondrite.In addition to major phases(plagioclase,spinel and olivine),C#1 is also surrounded by a pyroxene rim(64 vol%Ca-rich and 36 vol%Ca-poor pyroxenes).On a three-isotope oxygen diagram,δ^(17)O vs.δ^(18)O,the compositions of individual minerals analyzed in C#1 fall along the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral line(CCAM),and oxygen isotopic compositions in C#1 show significant variability in δ^(18)O and δ^(17)O.The oxygen isotopic compositions of the pyroxene rim minerals are similar to those of the other host minerals,which suggests that the rim likely formed from the same melting process as the host.The rim is considered to have formed as a result of interaction between an ^(16)O-poor gas and a melt.Some spinel grains are typically ^(16)O-rich and likely of relict origin,which is similar to ^(16)O-rich Ca-,Al-rich inclusions,which are probably a precursor of C#1.The inclusion then likely melted in an ^(16)O-poor region where chondrules form,accompanied by oxygen isotope exchange with an ^(16)O-poor gas.Some anorthite,pyroxene and spinel might have undergone fluid-assisted thermal metamorphism on the Ningqiang chondrite parent body.The oxygen isotope data and evolution of the C#1 plagioclase-olivine inclusion are similar with those of Al-chondrules in chondrites.

Shock metamorphism of ordinary chondrites from Grove Mountains,Antarctica

Shock effects of 93 Grove Mountains （GRV） ordinary chondrites were studied in this work, including fracture, various types of extinction, and recrystallization of silicates observed under optical microscopy. Shock-induced veins and pockets show various microtextures, decomposition and phase transformation of minerals. The confirmed high-pressure polymorphs of silicates are ringwoodite, majorite, pyroxene glass and maskelynite. Based on the shock effects and assemblages of high-pressure minerals, shock stages of all of 93 GRV ehondrites were classified. In comparison with literature, the Grove Mountains meteorites have a higher fraction （23 out of 93 ） of heavily shocked samples （S4--S5）. Most of the heavily shocked meteorites are L group （22 out of 23）, except for one H chondrite. The distinct shock metamorphism between H and. L groups may indicate different surface properties of their parent bodies. In addition, there is relationship between petrologic types and shock stages, with most heavily shocked samples observed in equilibrated ordinary chondrites （ especially Type 5 and 6）.

Response of silicate chemical composition variation on thermal metamorphism of ordinary chondrites and classification of petrologic types:the case of L chondrites from Grove Mountains,Antarctica

Analysis of the thermal metamorphism of the ordinary chondrites is a key premise for gaining insights into the accretion and heating of rocky bodies in the early solar system.Such an analysis also represents an essential condition for constraining the early thermal and evolutionary histories of asteroids and terrestrial planets.Classifying ordinary chondrites into petrologic type(type 3–6)is the criterion for studying the thermal metamorphism of their parent bodies.However,the boundary between the unequilibrated(type 3)and equilibrated(type 4–6)chondrites is ambiguous at present,thus,limiting the understanding of their thermal metamorphism.In this study,the petrology,mineralogy and chemical composition of a set of seven ordinary chondrites with different degrees of thermal metamorphism collected from Grove Mountains(Antarctica)have been studied.The results demonstrated that these chondrite samples were L3.7,L3.8,L3.9,L3.9/4,L4,L5 and L6 type meteorites,with optimal correlations of Si,Mg,Fe,Mn and Ca with equilibrium degree of the olivine and low-calcium pyroxene and petrologic type.In this respect,the multi-parameter classification standard PMD(SiO2)-PMD(MgO)-PMD(MnO)-PMD(CaO)based on the percent mean deviation(PMD)of the chemical compositions of the olivine and low-calcium pyroxene was proposed to distinguish between the unequilibrated and equilibrated meteorites.The proposed standard exhibited high“resolution”in terms of classification,thus,also deepening the understanding of the effect of the silicate mineral composition in the thermal metamorphism of chondrites.Highlights The chemical groups and petrologic types of the selected seven Antarctic chondrites were L3.7,L3.8,L3.9,L3.9/4,L4,L5 and L6.A new method for petrologic type classification is proposed to distinguish the unequilibrated and equilibrated chondrites.The above developed multi-parameter system exhibited high“resolution”in terms of classification.

Petrography and mineral chemistry of 4 carbonaceous chondrites from the Grove Mountains,Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of four carbonaceous chondrites （ GRV 020017, GRV 020025, GRV 021579, GRV 022459 ） collected from the Grove Mountains （ GRV）, Antarctica, were reported here. All four chondrites are unequilibrated, as indicated by well shaped chondrules and the chemical variations of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene. The modal abundance ratio of matrix/chondrule are 2 （ GRV 020017）, 2. 8 （ GRV 020025 ）, l. 2 （ GRV 021579 ）, 1 （ GRV 022459 ）. GRV 022459 has the largest chondrules （0.6--2.0 ram）. A total of 30 Ca-Al-rich inclu- sions were found in the four meteorites. Most inclusions were highly altered, with a- bundant phyllosilicates in the inclusions of GRV 020017 and GRV 020025. On the base of petrography and mineral chemistry, these chondrites are classified as CM2 （GRV 020017 and 020025）, CO3 （GRV 021579） and CV3 （GRV 022459）.

Late veneer and the origins of volatiles of Earth

Late veneer is an important paradigm in early Earth and planetary studies.It refers to the late addition of extraterrestrial materials to the Earth’s mantle after the core formation,which leads to the overabundances of highly siderophile elements in the primitive upper mantle.In this review,the origin,evolution,and expansion of the late veneer hypothesis are summarized,including some unresolved problems.I hope this review would be helpful for the new entrants to this field.

Classification of Grove Mountains meteorites and its significance

Meteorites are the extraterrestrial rocks, which provide insights into the origin and evolution of the solar system. During the past half century, a great number of meteorites has been discovered on the Antarctic Ice Sheet, confirming that the Antarctica is the most important meteorite concentration area on the earth. Since the first four Antarctic meteorites were found in Grove Mountains in 1998, a total of 9834 meteorites have been collected by four subsequent expeditions. It opens a new field of meteorite study in China, and also accumulates a great deal of scientific samples for China. Recently, classification of Grove Mountains meteorites has been carried out for 6 years, and made following progresses ： （ 1 ） 2433 meteorites, which include many special meteorites, e.g. Martian meteorites, ureilites and carbonaceous chondrites, have been classified. （2） the Antarctic meteorite curation and the sample sharing system are set up preliminarily. （3） the classification procedure, the management of meteorite samples, and the application procedure for the Antarctic meteorites are completed after the systematic classification during these years. （4） young generation researchers on meteorite are trained through the cooperation of many universities and institutes on meteorite classification.

Weathering,shock metamorphism and type distribution patterns of 98 ordinary chondrites from the Grove Mountains,Antarctica

Petrography and mineral chemistry of ninety-eight ordinary chondrites from Grove Mountains （GRV）, Antarctica, were presented and their. Weathering effect, shock metamorphism and type distribution patterns were discussed in this study. Among them, six are unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, including 3 H3 and 3 L3 ; and 92 meteorites are equilibrated ordinary chondrites, including 24 H-group （ 13 H4, 10 H5, 1 H6）, 64 L-group （2 L4, 44 L5, 18 L6） and 4 LL-group （3 LL4, 1 LL5）. Most GRV ehondrites （ 〉 90% ） displayed minor weathering effect （ W1 and W2）. About half of the meteorites experienced severe shock metamorphism. They commonly contain shock-induced melt veins and pockets. These heavily shocked meteorites provide us with natural samples for study of high-pressure polymorphs of minerals. In addition, the Grove Mountains collection seems to have more abundant unequilibrated and L group ordinary ehondrites compared to the US Antarctic meteorite collection which were mainly found along the Transantarctic Mountains.