Publication
Names
  • A. N. Krot
  • M. I. Petaev
  • E. R. D. Scott
  • B.-G. Choi
  • M. E. Zolensky
  • K. Keil
Title
Progressive alteration in CV3 chondrites: more evidence for asteroidal alteration
Abstract
The oxidized CV3 chondrites can be divided into two major subgroups or lithologies, Bali-like (CV3oxB) and Allende-like (CV3oxA), in which chondrules, CAIs and matrices show characteristic alteration features (Weisberg et al., 1997; Krot et al., 1997d; Kimura and Ikeda, 1997). The CV3oxB lithology is present in Bali, Kaba, parts of the Mokoia breccia and, possibly, in Grosnaja and ALH85006. It is characterized by the presence of low-Ca phyllosilicates (saponite and Na-phlogopite), magnetite, Ni-rich sulfides, fayalite (Fa>90), Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes (Fs10-50Wo45-50) and andradite. Phyllosilicates replace primary Ca-rich minerals in chondrules and CAIs suggesting mobilization of Ca during aqueous alteration. Magnetite nodules are replaced to various degrees by fayalite, Ca-Fe- rich pyroxenes and minor andradite. Fayalite veins crosscut fine-grained rims around chondrules and extend into the matrix. Thermodynamic analysis of the observed reactions indicates that they could have occurred at relatively low temperatures (<300 C) in the presence of aqueous solutions. Oxygen-isotopic compositions of the coexisting magnetite and fayalite plot close to the terrestrial fractionation line with large (18Ofayalite-magnetite fractionation (~20 (). We infer that phyllosilicates, magnetite, fayalite, Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes and andradite formed at relatively low temperatures (< 300 C) by fluid-rock interaction in an asteroidal environment. Fayalite and phyllosilicates are virtually absent in the CV3oxA lithology, which is present in Allende and its dark inclusions, Axtell, ALHA81258, ALH84028, LEW86006, and parts of the Mokoia and Vigarano breccias. Instead, nepheline, sodalite, and fayalitic olivine are abundant. Fayalitic olivine replaces low-Ca pyroxenes, rims forsterite grains and forms coarse lath-shaped grains in the matrix. Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes are abundant. We infer that the CV3oxA lithology experienced alteration at higher temperatures than the CV3oxB lithology. The presence of the reduced and CV3oxA lithologies in the Vigarano breccia and CV3oxA and CV3oxB lithologies in the Mokoia breccia indicates that all CV3 chondrites came from one heterogeneously-altered asteroid. The metamorphosed clasts in Mokoia (Krot and Hutcheon, 1997) may be rare samples of the hotter interior of the CV asteroid. We conclude that the alteration features observed in the oxidized CV3 chondrites resulted from the fluid-rock interaction in an asteroid during progressive metamorphism of a heterogeneous mixture of ices or and anhydrous materials, mineralogically similar to the reduced CV3 chondrites.
Keywords
carbonaceous chondrites, CV chondrites, meteorite Allende, meteorite Axtell, meteorite Bali, meteorite Mokoia, meteorite Grosnaja, meteorite Efremovka, meteorite Vigarano, meteorite Leoville, meteorite Kaba, meteorite ALH 85006, meteorite ALH A81258, meteorite ALH A84028, meteorite LEW 86006, petrographic analyses
Content
material-matter, planetary sciences
Year
1998
Journal
Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Volume
33
Pages
1065 - 1085
Pages number
21
Document type
article
Publication state
published