Publication Date:
2019-06-28
Description:
Constraints are placed on the bulk compositions of the eucrite parent body (EPB) and the moon through analysis of the Eu and Sr 'anomalies' of eucrites and lunar rooks. It is noted that the elements Al, REE, and Sr are incompatible with the major minerals of these small, low-f(O2) bodies,except for plagioclase. Predictions can be derived about the concentrations of Al, REE, and Sr in samples affected by plagioclase fractionation, based on the hypothesis that these elements in the EPB and moon are all in proportions close to those in the bulk solar system. It is determined that the predictions are almost idealy fulfilled by eucrites and lunar samples. For the EPB, the ratios REE/Al, Sr/Al, and Sr/REE are found to be constrained probably within 10 percent of the chondritic ratios. For the moon, the constraints are found to be less precise: REE/Al is very probably within 25 percent of chondritic; Sr/Al and Sr/REE are probably within 35 percent of chondritic; Sr/Al and Sr/REE are probably within 35 percent of chondritic. It is concluded that there is a very strong similarity between the bulk compositions of the planets and the compositions of chondritic meteorites.
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (ISSN 0016-7037); 47; Sept
Format:
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