Petrography and oxygen isotopic compositions in refractory inclusions from CO chondrites

Abstract

Fine-grained Ca-Al-rich inclusions (FGIs) in Yamato-81020 (CO3.0) and Kainsaz (CO3.1–CO3.2) chondrites have been studied by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The FGIs from Yamato-81020 consist of aggregates of hibonite, spinel, melilite, anorthite, diopside and olivine grains with no petrographic evidence of alteration. In contrast, the FGIs from Kainsaz commonly contain alteration products such as nepheline. From replacement textures and chemical compositions of altered and unaltered FGIs, we conclude that the alteration products formed by decomposition of melilite and anorthite. All phases in the Yamato-81020 FGIs are enriched in 16O, with δ 17, 18O = ∼−40‰ except for one FGI that experienced melting. Oxygen isotopic compositions of melilite, anorthite, some spinel and diopside in Kainsaz FGIs changed from δ 17, 18O = ∼−40‰ toward 0‰ by aqueous alteration. Alteration products in FGIs are depleted in 16O relative to primary phases, with δ 17, 18O = ∼0‰. These results show that FGIs in CO chondrites commonly had 16O-rich compositions in the solar nebula. The original 16O-rich FGIs were modified to 16O-poor compositions during aqueous alteration in the parent body.