Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Published:

Oxidized conditions in iron meteorite parent bodies

Nature Geoscience volume 11, pages 401–404 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Magmatic iron meteorites are thought to originate from the cores of differentiated planetary embryos, but it is unclear where they formed in the circumstellar disk. Oxygen fugacity (fO2) is thought to have varied radially across the disk, affecting planetary accretion and core formation. Metal–silicate equilibration experiments show that the chromium concentration in metallic melt increases with decreasing fO2. Chromium can therefore be used to reconstruct fO2 during metal segregation. Here, we report mass-dependent fractionation of stable chromium isotopes measured for several groups of magmatic iron meteorites. We find that chromium concentrations are variable and most samples are isotopically heavy compared with the bulk silicate Earth and chondrites. Although it is evident that the chromium isotopes were systematically affected by fractional crystallization, we use the mass-dependent fractionation behaviour to derive initial chromium concentrations for the planetary embryo cores. We find that the cores were diverse in fO2 and demonstrate that core formation in some planetary embryos occurred under relatively oxidizing conditions (fO2 relative to iron–wüstite (IW) buffer (ΔIW) = −0.95 ± 0.15). It is difficult to reconcile this with the view that iron meteorite parent bodies formed closer to Earth and subsequently migrated outwards. Instead, we suggest that these parent bodies formed at greater distances, beyond Mars.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1: Chromium concentrations in the metal fraction during metal–silicate equilibrium experiments versus fO2 (ΔIW).
Fig. 2: Concentrations of gold and chromium in iron meteorites.
Fig. 3: Chromium isotopic compositions versus chromium and nickel concentrations in iron meteorites.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Newsom, H. E. in Origin of the Earth (eds Newsom, H. E. & Jones, J. H.) 273–288 (Oxford Univ. Press, New York, 1990).

  2. Wood, B. J., Wade, J. & Kilburn, M. R. Core formation and the oxidation state of the Earth: additional constraints from Nb, V and Cr partitioning. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 72, 1415–1426 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Brett, R. & Sato, M. Intrinsic oxygen fugacity measurements on 7 chondrites, a pallasite and a tektite and the redox state of the meteorite parent bodies. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 48, 111–120 (1984).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Cartier, C. et al. Experimental study of trace element partitioning between enstatite and melt in enstatite chondrites at low oxygen fugacities and 5 GPa. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 130, 167–187 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bottke, W., Nesvorny, D., Grimm, R., Morbidelli, A. & O’Brien, D. Iron meteorites as remnants of planetesimals formed in the terrestrial planet region. Nature 439, 821–824 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Kruijer, T. S., Burkhardt, C., Budde, G. & Kleine, T. Age of Jupiter inferred from the distinct genetics and formation times of meteorites. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 114, 6712–6716 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Allègre, C., Poirier, J., Humler, E. & Hofmann, A. The chemical composition of the Earth. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 134, 515–526 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. McDonough, W. & Sun, S. The composition of the Earth. Chem. Geol. 120, 223–253 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Gessmann, C. & Rubie, D. The origin of the depletions of V, Cr and Mn in the mantles of the Earth and Moon. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 184, 95–107 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Righter, K. Prediction of metal–silicate partition coefficients for siderophile elements: an update and assessment of PT conditions for metal–silicate equilibrium during accretion of the Earth. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 304, 158–167 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Siebert, J., Corgne, A. & Ryerson, F. J. Systematics of metal–silicate partitioning for many siderophile elements applied to Earth’s core formation. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 75, 1451–1489 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Tuff, J., Wood, B. J. & Wade, J. The effect of Si on metal–silicate partitioning of siderophile elements and implications for the conditions of core formation. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 75, 673–690 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fischer, R. A. et al. High pressure metal–silicate partitioning of Ni, Co, V, Cr, Si, and O. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 167, 177–194 (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Clesi, V. et al. Effect of H2O on metal–silicate partitioning of Ni, Co, V, Cr, Mn and Fe: implications for the oxidation state of the Earth. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 192, 97–121 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Goldstein, J. I., Scott, E. R. D. & Chabot, N. L. Iron meteorites: crystallization, thermal history, parent bodies, and origin. Chem. Erde Geochem. 69, 293–325 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Chabot, N. L., Saslow, S. A., McDonough, W. F. & Jones, J. H. An investigation of the behavior of Cu and Cr during iron meteorite crystallization. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 44, 505–519 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wasson, J. Trapped melt in IIIAB irons; solid/liquid elemental partitioning during the fractionation of the IIIAB magma. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 63, 2875–2889 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wasson, J. & Richardson, J. Fractionation trends among IVA iron meteorites: contrasts with IIIAB trends. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 65, 951–970 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Wasson, J. T., Huber, H. & Malvin, D. J. Formation of IIAB iron meteorites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 71, 760–781 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Williams, H. M. et al. Fe isotope fractionation in iron meteorites: new insights into metal–sulphide segregation and planetary accretion. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 250, 486–500 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Bridgestock, L. J. et al. Unlocking the zinc isotope systematics of iron meteorites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 400, 153–164 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Bishop, M. C. et al. The Cu isotopic composition of iron meteorites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 47, 268–276 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Cook, D. L. et al. Mass-dependent fractionation of nickel isotopes in meteoritic metal. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 42, 2067–2077 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Gall, L., Williams, H. M., Halliday, A. N. & Kerr, A. C. Nickel isotopic composition of the mantle. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 199, 196–209 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Ellis, A. S., Johnson, T. M. & Bullen, T. D. Chromium isotopes and the fate of hexavalent chromium in the environment. Science 295, 2060–2062 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Schoenberg, R., Zink, S., Staubwasser, M. & von Blanckenburg, F. The stable Cr isotope inventory of solid Earth reservoirs determined by double spike MC-ICP-MS. Chem. Geol. 249, 294–306 (2008).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Xia, J. et al. Chromium isotope heterogeneity in the mantle. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 464, 103–115 (2017).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Bonnand, P., Parkinson, I. J. & Anand, M. Mass dependent fractionation of stable chromium isotopes in mare basalts: implications for the formation and the differentiation of the Moon. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 175, 208–221 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Moynier, F., Yin, Q.-Z. & Schauble, E. Isotopic evidence of Cr partitioning into Earth’s core. Science 331, 1417–1420 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Schiller, M., Van Kooten, E., Holst, J. C., Olsen, M. B. & Bizzarro, M. Precise measurement of chromium isotopes by MC-ICP-MS. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 29, 1406–1416 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Bonnand, P., Williams, H. M., Parkinson, I. J., Wood, B. J. & Halliday, A. N. Stable chromium isotopic composition of meteorites and metal–silicate experiments: implications for fractionation during core formation. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 435, 14–21 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Schoenberg, R. et al. The stable Cr isotopic compositions of chondrites and silicate planetary reservoirs. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 183, 14–30 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Birck, J.-L. & Allègre, C. J. in Isotopic Ratios in the Solar System 21–25 (Cepadues-Editions, Toulouse,1985).

  34. Shima, M. & Honda, M. Distribution of spallation produced chromium between alloys in iron meteorites. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 1, 65–74 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Qin, L., Alexander, C. M. O., Carlson, R. W., Horan, M. F. & Yokoyama, T. Contributors to chromium isotope variation of meteorites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 74, 1122–1145 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Clayton, R. & Mayeda, T. Oxygen isotope studies of achondrites. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60, 1999–2017 (1996).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Trinquier, A., Birck, J.-L. & Allegre, C. J. Widespread Cr-54 heterogeneity in the inner solar system. Astrophys. J. 655, 1179–1185 (2007).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Wasson, J., Lange, D., Francis, C. & Ulff-Moller, F. Massive chromite in the Brenham pallasite and the fractionation of Cr during the crystallization of asteroidal cores. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 63, 1219–1232 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Isa, J., Ma, C. & Rubin, A. E. Joegoldsteinite: a new sulfide mineral (MnCr2S4) from the Social Circle IVA iron meteorite. Am. Mineral. 101, 1217–1221 (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Farkas, J. et al. Chromium isotope variations (δ53/52Cr) in mantle-derived sources and their weathering products: implications for environmental studies and the evolution of δ53/52Cr in the Earth’s mantle over geologic time. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 123, 74–92 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Bonnand, P., James, R. H., Parkinson, I. J., Connelly, D. P. & Fairchild, I. J. The chromium isotopic composition of seawater and marine carbonates. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 382, 10–20 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Shields, W., Murphy, T., Catanzaro, E. & Garner, E. Absolute isotopic abundance ratios and atomic weight of a reference sample of chromium. J. Res. NBS A Phys. Chem. 70, 193–197 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Bonnand, P., Parkinson, I. J., James, R. H., Karjalainen, A.-M. & Fehr, M. A. Accurate and precise determination of stable Cr isotope compositions in carbonates by double spike MC-ICP-MS. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 26, 528–535 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by STFC grant ST/M001318/1. We thank M. Boyet and A. Bouhifd for commenting on an earlier version of the manuscript. We also thank the Natural History Museum (London) and Smithsonian for access to samples.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    P. Bonnand & A. N. Halliday

  2. Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    P. Bonnand

  3. The Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    A. N. Halliday

Authors
  1. P. Bonnand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. N. Halliday
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

P.B. performed all the measurements. P.B. and A.N.H. wrote the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Bonnand.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note: Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Data and Figures

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bonnand, P., Halliday, A.N. Oxidized conditions in iron meteorite parent bodies. Nature Geosci 11, 401–404 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0128-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-018-0128-2

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing