Nearly 100 chondrules were extracted from -8.6g of the Mokoia (CV3) meteorite and have been analyzed by sequential instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The resulting data were utilized in a comprehensive statistical characterization of these objects and, unlike similar investigations, virtually no loss of relevant data was incurred due to the use of inadequate or inappropriate software. Mass and elemental frequency distributions, correlation analysis and sorting coefficients support a "nebular" setting for chondrule genesis, and a scenario in which interstellar "dust-balls" (= chondrule precursors) are subject to some transient (short duration) high-energy process(es) followed by gravitationally or aerodynamically induced sorting, while it appears that an enhanced oxygen fugacity due to particle/gas fractionation may also be a factor. Conversely, a "planetary" setting for chondrule formation which requires the melting of pre-existing rocks (e.g., incompatible with the observed data. Factor analysis has led to the identification of the following precursor assemblages (i.e., factors) in the Mokoia chondrite: a refractory lithophile phase, a siderophile/chalcophile phase, a Mg-rich (silicate ?) phase, a refractory siderophile phase and a common lithophile phase. Previous studies of the Allende (CV3), Ornans (C03), Semarkona (LL3) and Chainpur (L3) meteorites are compared with these findings and interchondrite relationships are discussed (e.g., do these objects share similar parental materials, or are their compositions somehow complementary? were they formed in proximity with each other? etc.). A very unique oxide-sulfide-phosphate opaque assemblage was found in Mokoia and analyzed by INAA/electron-probe microanalysis, and may eventually serve to place constraints on the low-temperature thermal histories of chondrules or chondrites as well as provide information concerning the oxygen and sulfur fugacities within the Mokoia chondrite parent body. / Graduation date: 1991

No description available.

abstract: An exhaustive parameter study involving 133 dynamic crystallization experiments was conducted, to investigate the validity of the planetary embryo bow shock model by testing whether the cooling rates predicted by this model are consistent with the most dominant chondrule texture, porphyritic. Results show that using coarse-grained precursors and heating durations ≤ 5 minutes at peak temperature, porphyritic textures can be reproduced at cooling rates ≤ 600 K/hr, rates consistent with planetary embryo bow shocks. Porphyritic textures were found to be commonly associated with skeletal growth, which compares favorably to features in natural chondrules from Queen Alexandra Range 97008 analyzed, which show similar skeletal features. It is concluded that the experimentally reproduced porphyritic textures are consistent with those of natural chondrules. This work shows heating duration is a major determinant of chondrule texture and the work further constrains this parameter by measuring the rate of chemical dissolution of relict grains. The results provide a robust, independent constraint that porphyritic chondrules were heated at their peak temperatures for ≤ 10 minutes. This is also consistent with heating by bow shocks. The planetary embryo bow shock model therefore remains a viable chondrule mechanism for the formation of the vast majority of chondrules, and the results presented here therefore strongly suggest that large planetary embryos were present and on eccentric orbits during the first few million years of the Solar System’s history. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Geological Sciences 2018

Chondritic meteorites are undifferentiated fragments of asteroids that contain the oldest solids formed in our Solar System. Their primitive, solar-like chemical compositions indicate that they experienced very little processing following accretion to their parent bodies. As such, they retain the best records of chemical and physical processes active in the protoplanetary disk during planet formation. Chondritic meteorites are depleted relative to the sun in volatile elements such as S and O. In addition to being important components of organic material, these elements exert a strong influence on the behavior of other more refractory species and the composition of planets. Understanding their distribution is therefore of key interest to the scientific community. While the bulk abundance of volatile elements in solid phases present in meteorites is below solar values, some meteorites record volatile-rich gas phases. The Rumuruti (R) chondrites record environments rich in both S and O, making them ideal probes for volatile enhancement in the early Solar System. Disentangling the effects of parent-body processing on pre-accretionary signatures requires unequilibrated meteorite samples. These samples are rare in the R chondrites. Here, I report analyses of unequilibrated clasts in two thin sections from the same meteorite, PRE 95404 (R3.2 to R4). Data include high resolution element maps, EMP chemical analyses from silicate, sulfide, phosphate, and spinel phases, SIMS oxygen isotope ratios of chondrules, and electron diffraction patterns from Cu-bearing phases. Oxygen isotope ratios and chondrule fO2 levels are consistent with type II chondrules in LL chondrites. Chondrule-sized, rounded sulfide nodules are ubiquitous in both thin sections. There are multiple instances of sulfide-silicate relationships that are petrologically similar to compound chondrules, suggesting that sulfide nodules and silicate chondrules formed as coexisting melts. This hypothesis is supported by the presence of phosphate inclusions and Cu-rich lamellae in both sulfide nodules and sulfide assemblages within silicate chondrules. Thermodynamic analyses indicate that sulfide melts reached temperatures up to 1138 °C and fS2 of 2 x 10^(-3) atm. These conditions require total pressures on the order of 1 atm, and a dust- or ice-rich environment. Comparison with current models suggest that either the environmental parameters used to model chondrule formation prior to planetesimal formation should be adjusted to meet this pressure constraint, or R chondrite chondrules may have formed through planetesimal bow shocks or impacts. The pre-accretionary environment recorded by unequilibrated R chondrites was therefore highly sulfidizing, and had fO2 higher than solar composition, but lower than the equilibrated R chondrites.Chalcopyrite is rare in meteorites, but forms terrestrially in hydrothermal sulfide deposits. It was previously reported in the R chondrites. I studied thin sections from PRE 95411 (R3 or R4), PCA 91002 (R3.8 to R5), and NWA 7514 (R6) using Cu X-ray maps and EMP chemical analyses of sulfide phases. I found chalcopyrite in all three samples. TEM electron diffraction data from a representative assemblage in PRE 95411 are consistent with this mineral identification. TEM images and X-ray maps reveal the presence of an oxide vein. A cubanite-like phase was identified in PCA 91002. Electron diffraction patterns are consistent with isocubanite. Cu-rich lamellae in the unequilibrated clasts of PRE 95404 are the presumed precursor materials for chalcopyrite and isocubanite. Diffraction patterns from these precursor phases index to bornite. I hypothesize that bornite formed during melt crystallization prior to accretion. Hydrothermal alteration on the parent body by an Fe-rich aqueous phase between 200 and 300°C resulted in the formation of isocubanite and chalcopyrite. In most instances, isocubanite may have transformed to chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite at temperatures below 210°C. This environment was both oxidizing and sulfidizing, suggesting that the R chondrites record an extended history of volatile-rich interaction. These results indicate that hydrothermal alteration of sulfides on the R chondrite parent body was pervasive and occurred even in low petrologic types. This high temperature aqueous activity is distinct from both the low temperature aqueous alteration of the carbonaceous chondrites and the high temperature, anhydrous alteration of the ordinary chondrites.

Les chondres, témoin des débuts du Système Solaire, ont une origine encore débattue. En particulier, l'origine de leurs olivines est encore mal comprise. Furent-elles formées par processus magmatique ou de condensation ? Héritées ou formées directement dans le chondre ? Pour répondre cette question, une étude chimique détaillée a été réalisée sur des inclusions vitreuses piégées dans les olivines magnésiennes d'Allende (CV3). Des images 3D et des profils chimiques en profondeur des éléments majeurs montrent un comportement chimique similaire à celui d'inclusions magmatiques synthétiques, un argument en faveur d'une origine magmatique. Les inclusions ont ensuite été chauffées à haute température (1 800 °C) grâce à une platine chauffante unique au monde, développée au cours du projet, afin d'étudier le verre homogène. Les teneurs élevées en Na2O des inclusions chauffées montrent que les inclusions évoluent en système fermé et que les olivines se sont formées dans un environnement riche en Na. Du fait de la volatilité du Na à haute température, un tel environnement est difficilement conciliable avec une formation des olivines par condensation ou magmatique au sein des chondres. Ceci suggère donc que les olivines sont héritées. Des mesures de REE ont été réalisées par SIMS dans les inclusions et leurs olivines hôtes afin de calculer le taux de cristallisation nécessaire à la formation de ces olivines. Les compositions chimiques des magmas parents calculés d'après ces taux de cristallisation correspondent à celles attendues d'après les études expérimentales déjà existantes. Celles-ci suggèrent la formation des olivines au sein de planétésimaux fondus de composition CV ou CI / Chondrules, witnesses of the beginning of the Solar System still have a debated origin ti this day. In particular, the origin of chondrules' olivines is still poorly understood. Were they formed by magmatism or condensation processes? Inherited or grown directly within the chondrule? In order to answer this, a detailed chemical study was undertook on glass inclusions trapped in Mg-rich olivines from Allende (CV3) meteorite. 3D images and chemical depth profiles showed a similar behavior between Allende's inclusions and synthetic magmatic ones, which is an argument in favor of a magmatic origin for olivines. Glass inclusions were then heated at high temperature (1 800 °C) via a new and unique heating stage developed during the project, in order to study the homogeneous glasses. High Na2O amounts in heated inclusions show that they behave as closed systems and that olivines formed in a Na-rich environment. Because Na is highly volatile at high temperatures, such an environment is hard to reconcile with olivines forming by condensation or magmatism within chondrules. This suggests that olivines are inherited. Measurements of REE were performed via SIMS in inclusions and hosts olivines in order to calculate the crystallization rates necessary to olivines formation. Chemical compositions of parent magmas, calculated from crystallization rates correspond to those expected from previous experimental studies. They suggest that olivines from chondrules form within molten planetesimals of global CI to CV composition

<p dir="ltr">We present a model describing an impact jetting origin for the formation of chondrules, the mm– scale, igneous components of chondritic meteorites which originated during the first few million years of solar system history. The ubiquity of chondrules in both non-carbonaceous and carbonaceous chondrites suggests their formation persisted throughout the protoplanetary disk, but their formation mechanism is debated and largely unexplored in the outer disk.<b> </b>Using the iSALE2D shock physics code, we generate models of the process of impact jetting during mixed material (dunite and water ice) impacts that mimic accretionary impacts that form giant planet cores. We show that the process of impact jetting provides the conditions necessary to satisfy critical first-order constraints on chondrule characteristics (size, shape, thermal history). We then explore the implications of chondrule formation by impact jetting during the formation of giant planet cores by combining the original results with simulations of giant planet core accretion generated using a Lagrangian Integrator for Planetary Accretion and Dynamics (LIPAD) code.</p><p dir="ltr">The second closest Galilean satellite to Jupiter is Europa, an ocean world with an outer ice shell and subsurface water ocean encapsulating its rocky core. The surface of Europa is covered in double ridges. These features are defined by two topographic highs about 100 meters tall, with a central trough between them, which extend for hundreds of kilometers over the surface of the moon. Accurate models for the formation of features as prominent as double ridges will help to further constrain the interior structure and dynamics of the interior of the body. We use analytical and numerical finite element models to show that the incremental growth of an ice wedge within the ice shell can cause deformation matching the observed size and shape of observed double ridges on Europa. These models indicate that the total height and width of the ridges correspond to the depth of the wedge, so that deeper wedges create shorter and broader ridges. We consider different sources for the wedge material and ultimately argue in favor of local sources of liquid water within the ice shell.</p>

No description available.

Les chondres, sphérules infra-millimétriques composées de minéraux silicatés de haute température, sont les constituants majeurs des météorites primitives. Ils présentent d'importantes variabilités texturales et chimiques révélatrices d'une histoire complexe. Cette thèse s'est intéressée à la chronologie de formation des chondres et de leurs précurseurs à deux échelles de temps distinctes aux moyens de deux approches complémentaires : la géochimie isotopique via le chronomètre isotopique à courte période ²⁶lAl-²⁶Mg et la pétrologie expérimentale. Le développement au cours de cette thèse d'un protocole analytique innovant de mesure in situ de haute précision par sonde ionique des compositions isotopiques du Mg et Al, a permis de démontrer l'homogénéité de la distribution de l'²⁶Al dans le disque d'accrétion, ce qui présente d'importantes implications sur la chronologie relative et les processus de formation des chondres, mais aussi sur l'origine de l'²⁶Al dans le Système Solaire. L'application de ce protocole analytique aux olivines reliques des chondres permet de préciser leur origine, ainsi que leur chronologie et leur processus de formation. Les expérimentations permettent de montrer qu'il est aisé de former des analogues de chondres de type II PO à partir de chondres de type I PO. Un tel processus de formation des chondres implique l'application de régimes thermiques isothermes suivis d'une trempe rapide, incompatibles avec les mécanismes classiques d'ondes de choc. D'autre part, nous montrons que les compositions chimiques en éléments majeurs et traces des différents types de chondres porphyriques peuvent être reproduites par le mélange de trois phases réfractaires solides héritées des précurseurs des chondres (olivine réfractaire, liquide réfractaire et métal) et d'une phase gazeuse riche en éléments volatils et modérément volatils. Ces résultats nous ont conduit à proposer un modèle de filiation entre les chondres / Chondrules are the major constituent of primitive meteorites. The large variability of textures and chemical compositions within chondrules is indicative of a complex history. This work is focused on the chronology of formation of chondrules and of their precursors by using two complementary tools: the short-lived radio-isotopes ²⁶Al-²⁶Mg and the experimental petrology.The development of a high precision analytical methodology for in situ measurements of the Mg and Al isotopic compositions by ion probe allows to demonstrate that the distribution of ²⁶Al was homogeneous within the accretion disk. This result has important implications for the chronology and process of chondrule formation and also for the origin of ²⁶Al in the Solar System. By using the same methodology with relict olivines in chondrules, we were able to constrain their origin and their formation process.From experimental petrology studies, we show that it was easy to form type II PO chondrules analogues from type I PO analogues. Such a process for chondrules formation implies an isothermal heating followed by a quick quench which is incompatible with the classical shock-waves model. Moreover, we show that the chemical compositions for major and trace elements of the different types of porphyritic chondrules can be easily reproduced by a mixing model composed of three refractory phases inherited from chondrules precursors (refractory olivine, refractory liquid and iron metal) and a gas phase enriched in volatile and moderately volatile elements. Finally, we propose a model of genetic linkage between the different types of porphyritic chondrules

Les alcalins, généralement lithophiles à basse température, deviennent volatils à haute température et/ou sous des conditions réductrices. Il existe peu de données expérimentales sur les relations activité-composition dans les silicates fondus et aucun modèle thermodynamique ne permet de prédire leur comportement dans les liquides silicatés. Pour acquérir une base de données cohérente sur ces relations, nous avons développé un nouveau système expérimental permettant d'imposer et de contrôler, à haute température, une pression partielle de sodium sous des conditions d'oxydoréduction fixées. Une cellule thermochimique originale, simple de mise en œuvre et efficace a été conçue pour contraindre l’ensemble de ces paramètres thermodynamiques. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que les processus de condensation et de volatilisation du sodium dans les liquides silicatés du système CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 peuvent être décrits par une équation simple de type : Na(gaz) +1/2 O2(gaz) = Na2O(liq). Les données obtenues à l'équilibre sur des liquides de compositions différentes ont permis de dériver un modèle permettant de prédire la solubilité et les coefficients d’activité (aNa2O et ?Na2O) dans un liquide silicaté du système CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2, à différentes températures et différentes PNa, en fonction de la composition de ce dernier. Ce modèle est basé sur la détermination de la basicité optique du liquide sans sodium, c'est-à-dire suivant l’état de polymérisation du liquide et suivant ses interactions acide-base entre oxydes. Par ailleurs, ces travaux ont permis la détermination d’un nouveau type de diagramme de phase à isoPNa. Enfin cette étude a de nombreuses applications en cosmochimie, sidérurgie et magmatologie / Alkalis in molten silicates have a complex behaviour, changing from lithophile to volatile elements depending on temperature and/or reducing conditions. However, due to the lack of experimental data concerning activity/composition relationships, there is no thermodynamic model available to describe alkali solubility in silicate melts, and their partitioning between melts, minerals and gases. In order to tackle this issue, we have developed a new device for the determination of sodium oxide activity in silicate melts by equilibration of melts with gaseous environment of known Na partial pressure at high temperature and fixed oxygen fugacity (PO2) following: Na(gaz) +1/2 O2(gaz) = Na2O(liq). Using equilibrium data we have establish a model able to predict the sodium solubility and activity in silicate melt belonging CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system, at differents PNa and temperatures, as a function of optical basicity, i.e. melt composition. These results have allowed us to determine new type of phase diagram at isoPNa. Finally, this study have to many applications in cosmochemistry, steel and magmatic process