Extended time scales of carbonaceous chondrite aqueous alteration evidenced by a xenolith in LaPaz Icefield 02239 (CM2)

Lee, M. R. , Floyd, C. , Martin, P.-E. , Zhao, X., Franchi, I. A., Jenkins, L. and Griffin, S. (2023) Extended time scales of carbonaceous chondrite aqueous alteration evidenced by a xenolith in LaPaz Icefield 02239 (CM2). Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 58(5), pp. 672-687. (doi: 10.1111/maps.13978)

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Abstract

LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02239 is a mildly aqueously altered CM2 carbonaceous chondrite that hosts a xenolith from a primitive chondritic parent body. The xenolith contains chondrules and calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in a very fine-grained matrix. The chondrules are comparable in mineralogy and oxygen isotopic composition with those in the CMs, and its CAIs are also mineralogically similar to the CM population apart for being unusually small and abundant. The presence of serpentine demonstrates that the xenolith has been aqueously altered, and its phyllosilicate-rich matrix has a comparable oxygen isotopic composition to the matrices of CM meteorites. The xenolith's chondrules lack fine-grained rims, whereas the xenolith itself has a fine-grained rim that is petrographically and chemically comparable with the rims on coarse grained objects in LAP 02239 and other CM meteorites. These properties show that the xenolith's parent body was formed from similar materials to the CM parent body(ies). Following its lithification by aqueous alteration, a piece of the xenolith's parent body was impact-ejected, acquired a fine-grained rim while free-floating in the protoplanetary disc, then was accreted along with rimmed chondrules and other materials to make the LAP 02239 parent body. Subsequent aqueous processing of the LAP 02239 parent body altered the fine-grained rims on the xenolith, chondrules, and CAIs. The xenolith shows that the timespan of geological evolution of carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies was sufficiently long for some of them to have been aqueously altered before others had formed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Martin, Pierre-Etienne and Jenkins, Miss Laura and Griffin, Dr Sammy and Floyd, Cameron and Lee, Professor Martin
Authors: Lee, M. R., Floyd, C., Martin, P.-E., Zhao, X., Franchi, I. A., Jenkins, L., and Griffin, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences > Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Meteoritics and Planetary Science
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1086-9379
ISSN (Online):1945-5100
Published Online:10 April 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 The Authors
First Published:First published in Meteoritics and Planetary Science 58(5):672-687
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
308251UK leadership in extraterrestrial sample returnMartin LeeScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/T002328/1P&S - Physics & Astronomy
317508The cosmic carbon observatoryMartin LeeScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)ST/W001128/1GES - Geography