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Oxygen isotopes in deep sea spherulesThe determination of the genetic relationships between the dust and small particles in the solar system, and the meteorites and larger bodies are examined. Oxygen isotopes proved useful in the identification of such relationships between one meteorite group and another. Of the various samples of submillimeter extraterrestrial particles available for laboratory study, only the deep sea spherules are abundant enough for precise oxygen isotope analysis using existing techniques. Complications arise in interpretation of the isotopic data, since these particles were melted during passage through the Earth's atmosphere, and have been in contact with seawater for prolonged periods. Spherules that were originally silicates are considered with the originally metallic ones to deduce their preterrestrial isotopic compositions. The type 1 spherules which enter the atmosphere as metallic particles, contain only atmospheric oxygen. The type S spherules contain a mixture of atmospheric oxygen and their original extraterrestrial oxygen. It is suggested that the Earth's mesosphere is strongly enriched in heavy isotopes of oxygen at altitudes near 90 km at which the iron particles are oxidized. Fractionation due to the combined diffusion of O atoms and O2 molecules may be responsible.
Document ID
19850007300
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mayeda, T. K.
(Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Clayton, R. N.
(Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Brownlee, D. E.
(Washington Univ. Seattle, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Institute The 47th Ann. Meteoritical Soc. Meeting
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N15609
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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