Geochemistry of the Martian Meteorite GRV 90027

Abstract

GRV 90027 is a Martian lherzolitic shergottites (L-S) containing poikilitic, non-poikilitic, and melted pocket components. GRV 99027 is mainly composed of olive (55 vol %) and pyroxene (37.5 vol %), with minor maskelynite (6 vol %) and chromite (1.5 vol %), and trace white lockite and troilite, ect. In this paper, the mineralogy and petrology of GRV 99027 are reported; in addition, the geochemical characteristics of the REEs and H isotopes in the GRV 99027 are also further investigated. The ∑REE in GRV 99027 is relatively low; HREEs are enriched in olivine and pyroxene grains; LREEs are enriched in plagioclase with a high positive Eu anomaly. High ∑REE value is found in rare mineral whitlockite (less than 0.2 vol %), LREE ≈ HREE, and whitlockite has a negative Eu anomaly. The REE distribution patterns of the whole rock of GRV 99027 is similar to but different from that of other L-S Martian meteorites, indicating that they came from different location of Mars. GRV 99027 has a high δD value. Different water-bearing minerals give different contribution for δD value. The δD of phosphates generally does not correlate with water content, and δD has a weak negative correlation with water content. GRV 99027 can be classified as an L-S Martian meteorite based on mineralogical assemblage patterns, REE distribution patterns, and hydrogen isotope. The isotope data of Sr, Nd, Pb, Os and REE from other L-S Martian meteorites were collected to discuss the formation history of the GRV 99027. Similar to other L-S Martian meteorites, GRV 99027 originated from part of Mars mantle; during one strong impact event about 4M years ago, the meteorites were ejected from deep mantle into space, and traveled for a different duration in space (indicated by different cosmic exposure time), and captured by the Earth later in different time, ultmiately falling on the Antarctica as L-S Martian meteor ites

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