NITROGEN COMPONENTS IN UREILITES

Abstract

Abundances and isotopic compositions of nitrogen and argon have been investigated in bulk samples as well as in acid-resistant C-rich residues of a suite of ureilites consisting of six monomict (Haverö, Kenna, Lahrauli, ALH81101, ALH82130, LEW85328), three polymict (Nilpena, EET87720, EET83309), and the diamond-free ureilite ALH78019. Nitrogen in bulk ureilites varies from 6.3 ppm (in ALH 78019) to ∼55 ppm (in ALH82130), whereas C-rich acid residues have ∼65 to ∼530 ppm N, showing approximately an order of magnitude enrichment, compared with the bulk ureilites, somewhat less than trapped noble gases. Unlike trapped noble gases that show uniform isotopic composition, nitrogen shows a wide variation in δ15N values within a given ureilite as well as among different ureilites. The variations observed in δ15N among the ureilites studied here suggest the presence of at least five nitrogen components. The characteristics of these five N components and their carrier phases have been identified through their release temperature during pyrolysis and combustion, their association with trapped noble gases, and their carbon (monitored as CO + CO2 generated during combustion). Carrier phases are as follows: 1) Amorphous C, as found in diamond-free ureilite ALH78019, combusting at ≤500°C, with δ15N = –21‰ and accompanied by trapped noble gases. Amorphous C in all diamond-bearing ureilites has evolved from this primary component through almost complete loss of noble gases, but only partial N loss, leading to variable enrichments in 15N. 2) Amorphous C as found in EET83309, with similar release characteristics as component 1, δ15N ≥ 50‰ and associated with trapped noble gases. 3) Graphite, as clearly seen in ALH78019, combusting at ≥700°C, δ15N ≥ 19‰ and devoid of noble gases. 4) Diamond, combusting at 600–800°C, δ15N ≤ –100‰ and accompanied by trapped noble gases. 5) Acid-soluble phases (silicates and metal) as inferred from mass balance are expected to contain a large proportion of nitrogen (18 to 75%) with δ15N in the range –25‰ to 600‰. Each of the ureilites contains at least three N components carried by acid-resistant C phases (amorphous C of type 1 or 2, graphite, and diamond) and one acid-soluble phase in different proportions, resulting in the observed heterogeneity in δ15N. In addition to these five widespread components, EET83309 needs an additional sixth N component carried by a C phase, combusting at