Chemical fractionations in group IIIAB iron meteorites - Origin by dendritic crystallization of an asteroidal core

Results of an investigation of the crystallization history of the asteroidal core that produced nearly 200 iron meteorites of group IIIAB are presented. The accuracy of the published distribution of coefficients between solid and liquid metal for seven elements and their dependence on the concentrations of S and P are critically assessed to develop a nonideal fractional crystallization model that reproduces all of the major features of the overall chemical trends in group IIIAB. It is suggested that the apparent distribution coefficient of S was was much higher than its equilibrium value (not greater than 0.01) and that it increased during crystallization. In the present preferred model the apparent distribution coefficient for S increases from 0.6 to 0.8, while the S concentration of the liquid increases from 6 to 13 wt pct. It is inferred that light S-rich liquid accumulates preferentially at the top of the core and in structural traps formed by the advancing solid.