Trace Elemental Behavior in the Solar Nebula: Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Analyses of CM and CR Chondritic Iron Sulfides and Associated Metal

TL;DR

This study uses advanced microanalytical techniques to analyze trace elements in sulfides from meteorites, revealing common formation mechanisms and the relationship between sulfides and metals in the solar nebula.

Contribution

It is the first to link trace element chemistry with microstructure in chondritic sulfides, providing insights into their formation conditions and processes.

Findings

Similar trace element patterns in CM and CR sulfides suggest a common formation mechanism.

Trace element patterns indicate a genetic relationship between sulfides and associated metals.

Evidence supports formation via crystallization from sulfide melts and sulfidization of metals.

Abstract

We have performed a coordinated focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning and transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM), electron probe microanalysis (EMPA)-synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microprobe study to determine phase-specific microstructural characteristics and high-resolution in situ trace element concentrations of primary pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and associated metal grains from chondrules in CM2 and CR2 carbonaceous chondrites. This work is the first of its kind to link trace element chemical and microstructural observations in chondritic sulfides in an attempt to determine formation mechanisms and conditions of primary sulfides in these meteorite groups. SXRF microprobe analyses allowed the concentrations of the minor and trace elements, Co, Cu, Ge, Zn, and Se to be quantified, in addition to Fe and Ni, at a spatial resolution of 2 microns. The similarity between the CM and CR PPI sulfide trace element patterns provides evidence for a common formation mechanism for this type of sulfide grain in both meteorite groups. In addition, the SRM sulfide and metal have comparable trace element patterns that indicates a genetic relationship between the two, such as sulfidization of metal. Enrichments in Ni, Co, Cu, and Se are consistent with the chalcophile/siderophile behavior of these elements. The observed depletions in Ge suggest that it may have been lost by evaporation or else was never incorporated into the metal or sulfide precursor materials. The depletion in Zn may also be attributable to evaporation, but, being partially lithophile, may also have been preferentially incorporated into silicates during chondrule formation. Trace element concentrations support crystallization from an immiscible sulfide melt in chondrules for formation of the PPI grains and sulfidization of metal for the origin of the SRM grains.