FeO-rich silicates and Ca, Al-rich inclusions in Qingzhen and Yamato 691 (EH3) meteorites: Evidence for migration of mass in the solar nebula

Abstract

The Qingzhen and Yamato 691 (EH3) enstatite chondrites, which formed under extremely reducing conditions, are studied using the scanning electron microscope and electron probe microanalyzer. Both meteorites contain FeO-rich silicates and minor Ca, Al-rich inclusions. Most FeO-rich silicates are Ca-poor pyroxenes and occur as fragments in matrix. A few grains of FeO-rich silicates were found in chondrules, and FeO-rich olivine is rare. In Qingzhen, FeO-rich silicates commonly contain abundant dust-like Ni-poor metals, which probably formed through reduction of FeO. In contrast, only a few fragments of FeO-rich silicates in Yamato 691 enclose dust-like metals. This difference is consistent with a more reducing condition of Qingzhen than Yamato 691. Ca, Al-rich inclusions have similar modal compositions and mineral chemistry as their counterparts in carbonaceous chondrites. We suggest that (1) the FeO-rich silicates probably formed in oxidized regions of the solar nebula, and then moved into the enstatite chondrite locations; and (2) Ca, Al-rich inclusions in both enstatite chondrites and carbonaceous chondrites may have similar origins and reservoirs.