High temperature strontium stable isotope behaviour in the early solar system and planetary bodies

B. L.A. Charlier*, G. M. Nowell, I. J. Parkinson, S. P. Kelley, D. G. Pearson, K. W. Burton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

This study presents comprehensive strontium stable isotope ( 88Sr/ 86Sr) data, measured by multiple-collector inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), for a suite of carbonaceous chondrites, differentiated meteorites, lunar, martian and terrestrial samples.Carbonaceous chondrites comprise a mixture of refractory inclusions and chondrules that have light δ 88Sr values between -0.35 to +0.05% and matrix material that possesses a heavy δ 88Sr composition of 0.65%, confirming the results of earlier studies. Consequently, bulk carbonaceous chondrites are relatively heterogeneous in composition ranging from +0.12 to +0.35%, most likely reflecting clast-matrix variability. The light δ 88Sr compositions of the refractory inclusions are consistent with mass dependent fractionation of other refractory elements (Ca and Eu) and are most likely produced by non-equilibrium fractionation (undercooling in the nebula gas) during condensation of hibonite from the solar nebula (Simon and DePaolo, 2010. Stable calcium isotopic composition of meteorites and rocky planets. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 289, 457-466).Carbonaceous chondrites, angrites and martian meteorites have indistinguishable compositions at the level of analytical uncertainty of this study. However, statistical analysis indicates that melts derived from the Earth's mantle have heavier δ 88Sr values than bulk carbonaceous chondrites and martian meteorites, but compositions indistinguishable from eucrites (δ 88Sr=+0.26±0.12%). Moreover, terrestrial basalts and andesites have restricted δ 88Sr values (+0.30±0.07%), suggesting that mantle melting delivers rather homogenous melts to the Earth's surface with respect to δ 88Sr.In contrast, glasses from evolved terrestrial rocks and lunar basalts extend to very light δ 88Sr values ~-0.20%. The Sr stable isotope composition covaries with europium anomaly (Eu/Eu*), as an index of plagioclase fractionation, and δ 88Sr can be successfully modelled by the heavy isotopes of Sr being preferentially partitioned into plagioclase with a fractionation factor of ~1.0007 for 88Sr/ 86Sr. Our results demonstrate that Sr stable isotopes may be significantly fractionated at high temperatures and their measurement can provide insights into planetary evolution and magmatic processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-40
Number of pages10
JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume329-330
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2012

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Sr/ Sr
  • Mass-dependent fractionation
  • MC-ICP-MS
  • Strontium isotopes
  • Zr

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