No Arabic abstract
The Al/Si and Mg/Si ratios in non-carbonaceous chondrites are lower than the solar (i.e., CI-chondritic) values, in sharp contrast to the non-CI carbonaceous meteorites and the Earth, which are enriched in refractory elements and have Mg/Si ratios that are solar or larger. We show that the formation of a first generation of planetesimals during the condensation of refractory elements implies the subsequent formation of residual condensates with strongly sub-solar Al/Si and Mg/Si ratios. The mixing of residual condensates with different amounts of material with solar refractory/Si element ratios explains the Al/Si and Mg/Si values of non-carbonaceous chondrites. To match quantitatively the observed ratios, we find that the first-planetesimals should have accreted when the disk temperature was ~1,330-1,400 K depending on pressure and assuming a solar C/O ratio of the disk. We discuss how this model relates to our current understanding of disk evolution, grain dynamics, and planetesimal formation. We also extend the discussion to moderately volatile elements (e.g., Na), explaining how it may be possible that the depletion of these elements in non-carbonaceous chondrites is correlated with the depletion of refractory elements (e.g., Al). Extending the analysis to Cr, we find evidence for a higher than solar C/O ratio in the protosolar disks gas when/where condensation from a fractionated gas occurred. Finally, we discuss the possibility that the supra-solar Al/Si and Mg/Si ratios of the Earth are due to the accretion of ~40% of the mass of our planet from the first-generation of refractory-rich planetesimals.
The valence of iron has been used in terrestrial studies to trace the hydrolysis of primary silicate rocks. Here, we use a similar approach to characterize the secondary processes, namely thermal metamorphism and aqueous alteration, that have affected carbonaceous chondrites. X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy at the Fe-K- edge was performed on a series of 36 CM, 9 CR, 10 CV, and 2 CI chondrites. Among the four carbonaceous chondrites groups studied, a correlation between the iron oxidation index (IOI = [2 ((Fe2+) + 3(Fe3+))/FeTOT) and the hydrogen content is observed. However, within the CM group, for which a progressive alteration sequence has been defined, a conversion of Fe3+ to Fe2+ is observed with increasing degree of aqueous alteration. This reduction of iron can be explained by an evolution in the mineralogy of the secondary phases. In the case of the few CM chondrites that experienced some thermal metamorphism, in addition to aqueous alteration, a redox memory of the aqueous alteration is present: a significant fraction of 3+ 2+ 0 Fe is present, together with Fe and sometimes Fe. From our data set, the CR chondrites show a wider range of IOI from 1.5 to 2.5. In all considered CR chondrites, the three oxidation states of iron coexist. Even in the least-altered CR chondrites, the fraction of Fe3+ can be high (30% for MET 00426). This observation confirms that oxidized iron has been integrated during formation of fine-grained amorphous material in the matrix. Last, the IOI of CV chondrites does not reflect the reduced/oxidized classification based on metal and magnetite proportions, but is strongly correlated with petrographic types. The valence of iron in CV chondrites therefore appears to be most closely related to thermal history, rather than aqueous alteration, even if these processes can occur together .
Metal-poor globular clusters (GCs) exhibit intriguing Al-Mg anti-correlations and possible Si-Al correlations, which are important clues to decipher the multiple-population phenomenon. NGC 5053 is one of the most metal-poor GCs in the nearby Universe, and has been suggested to be associated with the Sagittarius (Sgr) dwarf galaxy, due to its similarity in location and radial velocity with one of the Sgr arms. In this work, we simulate the orbit of NGC 5053, and argue against a physical connection between Sgr and NGC 5053. On the other hand, the Mg, Al, and Si spectral lines, which are difficult to detect in the optical spectra of NGC 5053 stars, have been detected in the near-infrared APOGEE spectra. We use three different sets of stellar parameters and codes to derive the Mg, Al, and Si abundances. Regardless of which method is adopted, we see a large Al variation, and a substantial Si spread. Along with NGC 5053, metal-poor GCs exhibit different Mg, Al, and Si variations. Moreover, NGC 5053 has the lowest cluster mass among the GCs that have been identified to exhibit an observable Si spread until now.
We report microscopic, cathodoluminescence, chemical and O isotopic measurements of FeO-poor isolated olivine grains (IOG) in the carbonaceous chondrites Allende (CV3), Northwest Africa 5958 (C2-ung), Northwest Africa 11086 (CM2-an), Allan Hills 77307 (CO3.0). The general petrographic, chemical and isotopic similarity with bona fide type I chondrules confirms that the IOG derived from them. The concentric CL zoning, reflecting a decrease in refractory elements toward the margins, and frequent rimming by enstatite are taken as evidence of interaction of the IOG with the gas as stand-alone objects. This indicates that they were splashed out of chondrules when these were still partially molten. CaO-rich refractory forsterites, which are restricted to $Delta^{17}O < -4permil$ likely escaped equilibration at lower temperatures because of their large size and possibly quicker quenching. The IOG thus bear witness to frequent collisions in the chondrule-forming regions.
Protoplanetary disks are dust-rich structures around young stars. The crystalline and amorphous materials contained within these disks are variably thermally processed and accreted to make bodies of a wide range of sizes and compositions, depending on the heliocentric distance of formation. The chondritic meteorites are fragments of relatively small and undifferentiated bodies, and the minerals that they contain carry chemical signatures providing information about the early environment available for planetesimal formation. A current hot topic of debate is the delivery of volatiles to terrestrial planets, understanding that they were built from planetesimals formed under far more reducing conditions than the primordial carbonaceous chondritic bodies. In this review, we describe significant evidence for the accretion of ices and hydrated minerals in the outer protoplanetary disk. In that distant region highly porous and fragile carbon and water-rich transitional asteroids formed, being the parent bodies of the carbonaceous chondrites (CCs). CCs are undifferentiated meteorites that never melted but experienced other physical processes including thermal and aqueous alteration. Recent evidence indicates that few of them have escaped significant alteration, retaining unique features that can be interpreted as evidence of wet accretion. Some examples of carbonaceous chondrite parent body aqueous alteration will be presented. Finally, atomistic interpretations of the first steps leading to water-mediated alteration during the accretion of CCs are provided and discussed. From these new insights into the water retained in CCs we can decipher the pathways of delivery of volatiles to the terrestrial planets.
Two different precipitate hardening aluminium alloys processed by friction stir welding were investigated. The microstructure and the hardness of the as delivered materials were compared to that of the weld nugget. Transmission electron microscopy observations combined with three-dimensional atom probe analyses clearly show that beta; precipitates dissolved in the nugget of the Al-Mg-Si giving rise to some supersaturated solid solution. It is shown that the dramatic softening of the weld could be partly recovered by post-welding ageing treatments. In the Al-Mg-Sc alloy, Al3Sc precipitate size and density are unchanged in the nugget comparing to the base metal. These precipitates strongly reduce the boundary mobility of recrystallised grains, leading to a grain size in the nugget much smaller than in the Al-Mg-Si alloy. Both coherent and incoherent precipitates were detected. This feature may indicate that a combination of continuous and discontinuous recrystallisation occurred in the weld nugget.