C-rich Grains Research Articles

Abundant presolar silicates of the CM chondrite Asuka 12169: Implications for the thermal and aqueous alteration of the CM parent body

The solar system could be separated into two zones based on the isotopic dichotomy between non-carbonaceous and carbonaceous groups, with the latter likely accreted in the outer solar system. Among carbonaceous groups, the CM chondrite contains high abundances of organic carbon and water. They have undergone aqueous alteration, thermal metamorphism and brecciation to different degrees (e.g., Rubin et al., 2007; Tonui et al., 2014; Zolensky et al., 1997), which contributed to erasing most of the solar nebular records. Asuka 12169 was reported as the most primitive CM chondrite based on petrological and geochemical results, with little aqueous alteration (Kimura et al., 2020). In this paper, we report a survey of presolar grains in the fine-grained matrix and the accretionary rims of chondrules and CAIs in this meteorite, based on NanoSIMS mapping of C-, O-, and Si-isotopes. A total of 158 presolar grains were identified, including 119 silicates/oxides (208 ± 20 ppm), 38 SiC (73 ± 12 ppm) and 1 carbonaceous grain (2-2+5 ppm). These abundances are within the maximum abundance ranges of primitive chondrites (80–280 ppm for O-rich grains and 10–180 ppm for C-rich grains). In comparison with most CM chondrites (<40 ppm), Asuka 12169 is uniquely rich in presolar silicates (185 ± 18 ppm), with a high presolar silicate/oxide ratio of ∼8, therefore providing robust evidence for little aqueous alteration. The high abundances of presolar SiC and silicates in Asuka 12169 clearly show its pristine properties regarding both thermal and aqueous alteration. Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 subtypes of presolar O-rich grains account for 84%, 2.5%, 0.8% and 12.6%, respectively. One O-rich grain shows a high enhancement in 17O/16O and a subsolar 18O/16O ratio (17O/16O = 6.45 ± 0.09 × 10−3 and 18O/16O = 1.90 ± 0.02 × 10−3), indicating a stellar origin in binary star systems or novae. Most identified presolar SiC are mainstream grains of AGB origins. One with 28Si-excess is classified as an X grain, suggesting a supernova origin. There are two SiC grains that have 12C/13C < 10 but close-to-solar Si isotopic ratios, and are therefore classified as AB type. The pristine features of Asuka 12169 suggest that it was probably located in the outermost few kilometers of the CM asteroid, where temperature was high enough for sublimation of water ice under vacuum, but where no aqueous alteration occurred, and where the depth was enough for lithification. The high abundances of various types of presolar grains, together with the petrographic information of Asuka 12169, provide crucial constrains on the original properties and subsequent evolution of the CM asteroids.

Dust Production in a Thin Dense Shell in Supernovae with Early Circumstellar Interactions

In supernovae (SNe), where the light curves show evidence of strong and early interaction between the ejecta and the circumstellar matter (CSM), the formation of new dust is estimated to take place in a dense shell of gas between the forward shock (FS) and the reverse shock (RS). For the first time, in this study the mechanism of dust formation in this dense shell is modeled. A set of nine cases, considering variations of the ejecta mass and the pre-explosion mass-loss rates, is considered, accounting for the diverse nature of interactions reported in such SNe. For a single main-sequence mass, the variation of ejecta mass was manifested as a variation of the H-shell mass of the star, lost due to pre-explosion mass loss. We find that the dust masses in the dense shell range between 10−3 and 0.8 M ⊙, composed of O-rich and C-rich grains, whose relative proportions are determined by the nature of interaction. Dust formation in the post-shock gas is characterized by a gradual production rate, mostly ranging from 10−6 to 10−3 M ⊙ day−1, which may continue for a decade, post-explosion. A higher mass-loss rate leads to a larger mass of dust, while a smaller ejecta mass (smaller leftover H shell) increases the efficiency of dust production in such SNe. Dust formed behind the RS, as in our calculations, is not subject to destruction by either the FS or RS and is thus likely to survive in a larger proportion than dust formed in the ejecta.

The effects of secondary processing in the unique carbonaceous chondrite Miller Range 07687

AbstractOur detailed mineralogical, elemental, and isotopic study of the Miller Range (MIL) 07687 meteorite showed that, although this meteorite has affinities to CO chondrites, it also exhibits sufficient differences to warrant classification as an ungrouped carbonaceous chondrite. The most notable feature of MIL 07687 is the presence of two distinct matrix lithologies that result from highly localized aqueous alteration. One of these lithologies is Fe‐rich and exhibits evidence for interaction with water, including the presence of fibrous (dendritic) ferrihydrite. The other lithology, which is Fe‐poor, appears to represent relatively unaltered protolith material. MIL 07687 has presolar grain abundances consistent with those observed in other modestly altered carbonaceous chondrites: the overall abundance of O‐rich presolar grains is 137 ± 3 ppm and the overall abundance of SiC grains is 71 ± 11 ppm. However, there is a large difference in the observed O‐rich and SiC grain number densities between altered and unaltered areas, reflecting partial destruction of presolar grains (both O‐ and C‐rich grains) due to the aqueous alteration experienced by MIL 07687 under highly oxidizing conditions. Detailed coordinated NanoSIMS‐TEM analysis of a large hotspot composed of an isotopically normal core surrounded by a rim composed of 17O‐rich grains is consistent with either original condensation of the core and surrounding grains in the same parent AGB star, or with grain accretion in the ISM or solar nebula.

CARBON-RICH PRESOLAR GRAINS FROM MASSIVE STARS: SUBSOLAR 12 C/ 13 C AND 14 N/ 15 N RATIOS AND THE MYSTERY OF 15 N

Carbon-rich grains with isotopic anomalies compared to the Sun are found in primitive meteorites. They were made by stars, and carry the original stellar nucleosynthesis signature. Silicon carbide grains of Type X and C, and low-density graphites condensed in the ejecta of core-collapse supernovae. We present a new set of models for the explosive He shell and compare them with the grains showing 12C/13C and 14N/15N ratios lower than solar. In the stellar progenitor H was ingested into the He shell and not fully destroyed before the explosion. Different explosion energies and H concentrations are considered. If the SN shock hits the He-shell region with some H still present, the models can reproduce the C and N isotopic signatures in C-rich grains. Hot-CNO cycle isotopic signatures are obtained, including a large production of 13C and 15N. The short-lived radionuclides 22Na and 26Al are increased by orders of magnitude. The production of radiogenic 22Ne from the decay of 22Na in the He shell might solve the puzzle of the Ne-E(L) component in low-density graphite grains. This scenario is attractive for the SiC grains of type AB with 14N/15N ratios lower than solar, and provides an alternative solution for SiC grains originally classified as nova grains. Finally, this process may contribute to the production of 14N and 15N in the Galaxy, helping to produce the 14N/15N ratio in the solar system.

Coordinated NanoSIMS and FIB-TEM analyses of organic matter and associated matrix materials in CR3 chondrites

The organic matter in the primitive CR3 chondrites QUE 99177 and MET 00426 exhibits, as in other CR chondrites, N isotopic compositions characterized by large enrichments in 15N compared to solar. These enrichments are present in the matrices of these two meteorites as localized hotspots associated with C-rich grains, and larger, more diffuse regions with more modest enrichments in 15N. Occasionally depletions in 15N are also observed. FIB-TEM analysis of isotopically anomalous as well as isotopically normal C-rich grains from the matrix of MET 00426 shows that both types of grains consist of highly disordered organic matter that exhibits a variety of morphologies. There are no obvious correlations of isotopic composition with morphology, petrographic association or elemental composition. Large diffuse regions with modest 15N enrichments may be the result of fluid action that redistributed organic matter (and the associated 15N enrichments) in veins and cracks along grain boundaries. Grain formation likely occurred in a variety of environments (e.g., molecular clouds or the outer regions of the protosolar nebula) via UV photolysis of simpler precursor ices with variable isotopic compositions.

SILICON CARBIDE GRAINS OF TYPE C PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE UNSTABLE ISOTOPE 32 Si IN SUPERNOVAE

Carbon-rich grains are observed to condense in the ejecta of recent core-collapse supernovae, within a year after the explosion. Silicon carbide grains of type X are C-rich grains with isotpic signatures of explosive supernova nucleosynthesis have been found in primitive meteorites. Much rarer silicon carbide grains of type C are a special sub-group of SiC grains from supernovae. They show peculiar abundance signatures for Si and S, isotopically heavy Si and isotopically light S, which appear to to be in disagreement with model predictions. We propose that C grains are formed mostly from C-rich stellar material exposed to lower SN shock temperatures than the more common type X grains. In this scenario, extreme $^{32}$S enrichments observed in C grains may be explained by the presence of short-lived $^{32}$Si ($\tau$$_{1/2}$ = 153 years) in the ejecta, produced by neutron capture processes starting from the stable Si isotopes. No mixing from deeper Si-rich material and/or fractionation of Si from S due to molecular chemistry is needed to explain the $^{32}$S enrichments. The abundance of $^{32}$Si in the grains can provide constraints on the neutron density reached during the supernova explosion in the C-rich He shell material. The impact of the large uncertainty of the neutron capture cross sections in the $^{32}$Si region is discussed.

High Carbon Concentrations in Meteoritic Chondrules: A Record of Metal-Silicate Differentiation

Both (reduced) type I and (oxidized) type II chondrules from the primitive chondrites Allende, Semarkona, and Bishunpur, were analysed with ion microprobe for the carbon and hydrogen concentrations of their silicates. The high and variable H and C concentrations found, i.e., from ≈100 to ≈1500 ppm H 2O and from ≈100 to ≈3900 ppm C, show that these volatile elements were present in chondrule precursors as solid grains. Mean C concentrations are ≈ 3 times higher in type I chondrules than in type II chondrules. Therefore, it seems likely that metal-silicate oxydo-reduction reactions were promoted by C-rich grains whose heterogeneous distribution in the protosolar nebula caused the variation in the redox states of chondrules. Based on the present results, an in situ reduction of the silicates during chondrule melting seems plausible although reduction in the gas phase, before condensation, cannot be ruled out. Calculations of the devolatilisation rate of CO from hot chondrules account for the presently measured high C concentrations of type I chondrules, if 2–6 wt% C grains were originally present among chondrule precursors. Such a result is in agreement with the C concentration in C1 chondrites and with laboratory simulations which have demonstrated that up to ≈4 wt% C-grains were necessary to yield type I chondrules by in situ reduction ( Connolly et al 1994). Assuming a solar C/O ratio in the chondrule forming regions of the protosolar nebula, it is likely that the high density of C grains in the gas resulted from presolar chemistry. This interpretation is supported by the corresponding C-grain/atom-gas ratio (2.7 × 10 −13) which is ≈ 10 times below the ratio measured in the prestellar clouds.