Three-Dimensional Features of Chondritic Meteorites : Applying Micro-Computed Tomography to Extraterres- Trial Material
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ORBIT-OnlineRepository ofBirkbeckInstitutionalTheses Enabling Open Access to Birkbeck’s Research Degree output Three-dimensional features of chondritic meteorites : applying micro-computed tomography to extraterres- trial material https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/40303/ Version: Full Version Citation: Almeida, Natasha Vasiliki (2018) Three-dimensional features of chondritic meteorites : applying micro-computed tomography to ex- traterrestrial material. [Thesis] (Unpublished) c 2020 The Author(s) All material available through ORBIT is protected by intellectual property law, including copy- right law. Any use made of the contents should comply with the relevant law. Deposit Guide Contact: email Three-dimensional features of chondritic meteorites: applying micro-computed tomography to extraterrestrial material Natasha Vasilki Almeida (MSci. Hons Planetary Science & MA Museum Studies, UCL) Supervisors: Professor Sara Russell (NHM), Dr Caroline Smith (NHM), & Professor Hilary Downes (Birkbeck College London) July 2017 A thesis submitted to Birkbeck College, University of London, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy I, Natasha Vasiliki Almeida, confirm that the work submitted in this thesis is my own. Where information has been derived from other sources, this is clearly indicated in the text. 2 Abstract This work examines the application of X-ray computed tomography (XCT) in meteoritics. This powerful technique uses the attenuation of X-rays passing through a sample to map it in three dimensions, allowing for the imaging and quantification of phases and features without the need for destructive sampling. XCT is a novel method with its applications to planetary science only recently recognised and not extensively explored. As such, this study presents two examples of using XCT to both elucidate its potential, and better understand the constituents of chondritic meteorites and the processes experienced on their parent bodies. To test the reliability of XCT, the data are conjoined with standard analytical techniques. Firstly, the 3D fabric and textural properties of 17 L chondrites of varying petrological type and shock stage are described. Specifically, porosity is imaged, quantified and compared with pycnometry data. For each chondrite, the size distribution and orientations of metal grains are reconstructed and correlated with the degree and direction of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in the sample. Both porosity and metal grain fabrics reveal trends with progressive thermal and shock metamorphism. The mechanisms accounting for such correlation are explored. Secondly, XCT is used to survey fragments of the Barwell L6 meteorite to identify and locate igneous inclusions. From this data, several inclusions were then subsampled and further geochemically investigated, including oxygen isotopic compositions, hafnium-tungsten systematics, and trace element analysis. Studied inclusions are found to be similar in composition and age to chondrules, but depleted in metal. A possible formation scenario is proposed and the potential link to chondrule formation is discussed. Using these examples, the factors influencing the accuracy of XCT data acquisition and processing are described. The benefits and limitations of the technique, with respect to the analysis of extraterrestrial material and implications for future use, are also considered. 3 Humans may crave absolute certainty; they may aspire to it; they may pretend, as partisans of certain religions do, to have attained it. But the history of science - by far the most successful claim to knowledge accessible to humans - teaches that the most we can hope for is successive improvement in our understanding, learning from our mistakes, an asymptotic approach to the Universe, but with the proviso that absolute certainty will always elude us. - Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World (1995). 4 Acknowledgements Firstly, many thanks to my supervisors for the life-changing opportunity, the helpful discussions, the patience, and the ‘open door policy’. Caroline, your encouragement has been a driving force behind my development as a curator – thank you for always pushing me forward, and for the laughs along the way. Sara, you always found time to listen to my thoughts and to support me in every way, whilst being an inspiration for women in our field. Hilary, your seeming disdain for my use of the Oxford comma is only surpassed by your never-failing belief in my success and ability. Immense thanks to you all and I look forward to working together in the years to come. Many thanks to my collaborators during the past four years – Ryan Zeigler, Jérôme Gattacceca, Jan Hellmann, Thorsten Kleine and Richard Greenwood. The opportunity to work with you, and in your laboratories, has been both a pleasure and a privilege. Similarly, I am grateful to Martin Lee and Matt Genge - their advice and challenges during the examination process have been much appreciated. This work would not have been possible without studentship funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, and funding for a Transnational Access visit to the University of Münster, awarded by the EU Europlanet 2020 Research Infrastructure. Thanks to the lovely folk in the labs for their great advice, teaching, patience and good company – John, Tony (the Meteorite Slayer), Alex, Emma, Farah, Will, Anton, Tomasz, Brett, Amin, Stas, and Callum. I would also like to thank Andy Fleet and Richard Herrington – and with them, the whole Earth Sciences department at the Natural History Museum – for a multitude of reasons, not least access to specimens, funding to attend conferences, support with everyday work and for providing a home for the past four years. I would like to honour all my friends at the NHM, but particularly Bex, Julie, Mr Brown, Claire, Mike S., Zoë, Mike R., and all my fellow curators (especially the Lyme Regis crew!). I am hugely indebted to those in the Meteorites team at the NHM that have kept me sane and shared many a Gin Friday. Much love for Epi, Penny, Jenny (hello to Jason Isaacs), Ashley, Enrica, Jay, Matthias, Paul, Nachiketa, and Helena. 5 Special mentions must go to those who have enriched my life immeasurably during this Ph.D. training. Debs – without whom I would never have walked through the door to Mineralley and who convinced me I was good enough (whilst also sharing a rendition of Black Sabbath on the kazoo). Dan – whose humour, kindness, music taste, and XCT smarts saw me through many a late night in the lab. Agata – whose willingness to share ideas, teach me to classify shock, and build my confidence, has shown me the great pleasure of working with true friends. As in all aspects of life, my family are key to my success in this endeavour - feeling loved is such a privilege. Thanks to Debbie and Phil for treating me as one of their own, and to my brother, Antonio, whose pride in me has been a constant source of strength. And of course my nieces, Sophie and Rebecca, who have provided much-needed joy and fun! I would like to dedicate this work to my mother, Elli Constantatou, and partner, Chris Le Monde. Both have held my hands throughout and I cannot express how much they mean to me. To my Pappou, Gerasimos Constantatos (1921-2015), and Yaya, Vasiliki Constantatou (1935-1995), who are always in my mind and drive me to be the best I can be. Σ’αγαπώ πάρα πολύ. Lastly, to those we lost along the way – Gerasimos, Ismini, Teresa, Tony and Nigel – thank you. 6 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Meteorites ........................................................................................................ 20 1.2 Formation and timescales of the Solar System ............................................... 21 1.3 Meteorite classification .................................................................................... 23 1.4 Chondrules ...................................................................................................... 27 1.4.1 Types of chondrules ................................................................................. 27 1.4.2 Chondrule formation ................................................................................. 31 1.5 Ordinary chondrites ......................................................................................... 34 1.6 Metamorphism ................................................................................................. 35 1.6.1 Thermal metamorphism ............................................................................ 35 1.6.2. Shock metamorphism ............................................................................... 40 1.7 X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) .............................................................. 43 1.7.1 3D vs 2D ................................................................................................... 43 1.7.2 Applications in planetary science .............................................................. 44 1.7.3 Mineralogy ................................................................................................ 45 1.7.4 Features of chondrites in 3D ..................................................................... 47 1.8 Curation ........................................................................................................... 51 1.9 Research Justification ..................................................................................... 53 1.10 Research Aim and Objectives ...................................................................... 55 Objectives .............................................................................................................