Relict olivine, chondrule recycling, and the evolution of nebular oxygen reservoirs

Abstract

Chondrules often contain relict olivine grains that did not crystallize in situ, providing opportunities to decipher how chondrule components evolved. We studied olivine in the Sahara-97210 (LL3.2), Wells (LL3.3) and Chainpur (LL3.4) chondrites using SEM, EMPA, and SIMS techniques. Oxygen isotopes were analyzed in 16 objects from all three meteorites, and trace elements were analyzed in Sahara-97210 and Chainpur. Two groups of olivine are identified based on oxygen isotope compositions. One group is enriched in 16O (Δ 17O ∼ − 8 to − 4‰) and falls close to the CCAM mixing line; it includes forsterite and Mg-rich olivine present as relict grains in Type II (ferrous) chondrules and the forsteritic cores of some isolated grains. These low-Δ 17O grains are poor in MnO (< 0.2 wt.%) and are usually enriched in CaO (∼ 0.3–0.65 wt.%). The other group is less enriched in 16O (Δ 17O ∼ − 3 to + 4 ‰); it includes normal (non-relict) ferrous olivine in type II chondrules, normal (non-relict) Mg-rich olivine in Type I (magnesian) chondrules, dusty olivine relict grains in Type I chondrules, and Mg-rich olivine relicts in a Type II and a Type I chondrule. These high-Δ 17O grains have variable CaO (0–0.95 wt.%) and MnO (∼ 0–0.45 wt.%) contents, with the more calcic and Mn-poor compositions associated with forsteritic olivine. Trace-element data show that forsteritic olivine grains in both oxygen groups are similarly enriched in refractory elements (Al, Sc, Y, Ca, Ti, V) and depleted in volatile elements (Cr, Mn, P, Rb, sometimes K and Na) compared to normal ferrous olivine, suggesting that variations in chemical composition reflect the extent of thermal processing (greater for magnesian olivine). The data are consistent with a model in which nebular reservoirs became less enriched in 16O with time. An earlier episode of chondrule formation produced Type I chondrules and isolated forsterites in carbonaceous chondrites, and forsteritic grains that were incorporated into ordinary chondrites as relict grains in chondrules and as isolated grains. Later episodes of chondrule formation produced both Type I and Type II chondrules in ordinary chondrites under a variety of thermal and redox conditions.