Highly 15N-Enriched Chondritic Clasts in the Isheyevo Meteorite
The metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites (CB and CH) have the highest whole-rock {sup 15}N enrichment ({delta}{sup 15}N up to +1500{per_thousand}), similar to {delta}{sup 15}N values reported in micron-sized regions (hotspots) of Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) of possibly cometary origin and fine-grained matrices of unmetamorphosed chondrites. These {sup 15}N-rich hotspots are commonly attributed to low-temperature ion-molecule reactions in the protosolar molecular cloud or in the outer part of the protoplanetary disk. The nature of the whole-rock {sup 15}N enrichment of the metal-rich chondrites is not understood. We report a discovery of a unique type of primitive chondritic clasts in the CH/CB-like meteorite Isheyevo, which provides important constraints on the origin of {sup 15}N anomaly in metal-rich chondrites and nitrogen-isotope fractionation in the Solar System. These clasts contain tiny chondrules and refractory inclusions (5-15 {micro}m in size), and abundant ferromagnesian chondrule fragments (1-50 {micro}m in size) embedded in the partly hydrated, fine-grained matrix material composed of olivines, pyroxenes, poorly-organized aromatic organics, phyllosilicates and other hydrous phases. The mineralogy and oxygen isotope compositions of chondrules and refractory inclusions in the clasts are similar to those in the Isheyevo host, suggesting formation at similar heliocentric distances. In contrast to the previously known extraterrestrial samples, the fine-grained material in the clasts is highly and rather uniformly enriched in {sup 15}N, with bulk {delta}{sup 15}N values ranging between +1000 and +1300{per_thousand}; the {delta}{sup 15}N values in rare hotspots range from +1400 to +4000{per_thousand}. Since fine-grained matrices in the lithic clasts are the only component containing thermally unprocessed (during CAI and chondrule formation or during impact melting) materials that accreted into the metal rich chondrite parent body(ies), the {sup 15}N-enriched clasts as present in Isheyevo probably represent the major primordial carrier of {sup 15}N anomaly in these meteorites. The rather uniform and very high bulk {sup 15}N enrichment of the Isheyevo chondritic clasts, in contrast to rare hotspots of possibly molecular cloud origin in cometary IDPs, indicates that the nitrogen-isotope fractionation recorded by these clasts, containing abundant solar system materials, could have resulted from processes in the protoplanetary disk (e.g., ultraviolet photodissociation of {sup 15}N{sub 2} followed by trapping {sup 15}N atoms into NH-bearing ices) rather than solely by inheritance from the protosolar molecular cloud. If this is the case, the unique {sup 15}N-rich signature of the clasts could have resulted from nitrogen-isotope fractionation in cold and optically thin parts of the protoplanetary disk.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 1019064
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-JRNL-410057; GCACAK; TRN: US201114%%607
- Journal Information:
- Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 74, Issue 22; ISSN 0016-7037
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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