Insights into the chemical diversity of the martian mantle from the Pb isotope systematics of shergottite Northwest Africa 8159

Abstract

Shergottite Northwest Africa (NWA) 8159 is a basaltic rock derived from a mantle source with chemical characteristics that are unique in the martian meteorite suite. To further investigate this source reservoir, the Pb isotope compositions of plagioclase/maskelynite, pyroxene, phosphates, and shock melt-glass in NWA 8159 have been measured in situ by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Due to the limited spread in Pb isotope data, these Pb isotope compositions have been used to calculate an imprecise PbPb isochron age of 3.4 ± 2.1 Ga (2σ), which is broadly consistent with the crystallization age of 2.37 ± 0.25 Ga determined previously by 147Sm143Nd. The lack of radiogenic in-growth within individual minerals since 2.4 Ga means that this sample is depleted in U, which is in agreement with NWA 8159's positive initial ε143Nd. An initial Pb composition was calculated using an x-y weighted average of the least radiogenic Pb isotope population measured in the sample. This initial Pb composition is not consistent with the model for Pb growth in the shergottite mantle at 2.4 Ga. This composition is, however, consistent with the model for the Nakhla-Chassigny mantle. Using the latter model, a source μ (238U/204Pb) of 2.6 ± 0.6 has been calculated. This μ-value is in contrast with the other depleted shergottites (1.4-1.5) and falls significantly off the array of source ε143Nd vs. μ defined by the rest of the martian meteorite suite and thus, necessitates a differentiation history distinct from the other martian meteorites. Sequestering Pb in sulphides during differentiation is the only mechanism to fractionate U from Pb and create a low-μ reservoir. Consequently, the relatively high μ-value of the source of NWA 8159 is in contrast with the positive initial ε143Nd and indicates that its mantle source region likely lacked significant sulphur. This is consistent with the lack of sulphides in the sample itself and could have played a role in its complicated oxidation history.