Low-Temperature Carbonate Concretions in the Martian Meteorite ALH84001: Evidence from Stable Isotopes and Mineralogy
Abstract
The martian meteorite ALH84001 contains small, disk-shaped concretions of carbonate with concentric chemical and mineralogical zonation. Oxygen isotope compositions of these concretions, measured by ion microprobe, range from delta18O = +9.5 to +20.5 per thousand. Most of the core of one concretion is homogeneous (16.7 +/- 1.2 per thousand) and over 5 per thousand higher in delta18O than a second concretion. Orthopyroxene that hosts the secondary carbonates is isotopically homogeneous (delta18O = 4.6 +/- 1.2 per thousand). Secondary SiO2 has delta18O = 20.4 per thousand. Carbon isotope ratios measured from the core of one concretion average delta13C = 46 +/- 8 per thousand, consistent with formation on Mars. The isotopic variations and mineral compositions offer no evidence for high temperature (>650 degrees C) carbonate precipitation and suggest non-equilibrium processes at low temperatures (< approximately 300 degrees C).
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The carbonate globules in Martian meteorites have iron-rich cores and progress to pure magnesite rims.
“The carbonate globules have iron-rich cores and progress to pure magnesite rims [Valley et al., 1997].”
From A chemical model for evaporites on early Mars: Possible sedimentary tracers of the early climate and implications for exploration (1999) · cites this paper as Valley et al., 1997
Current oxygen isotope analyses of carbonate rosettes and interstitial carbonates show that interior carbonates have the lowest δ18O values, while exterior carbonates have the highest, implying decreasing temperature during carbonate formation.
“Current oxygen isotope analyses of carbonate rosettes and interstitial carbonates show that the interior carbonates have the lowest δ 18 O values, while exterior carbonates have the highest (Valley et al. 1997; Leshin et al. 1998; Saxton et al. 1998; Eiler et al. 2002b), implying decreasing temperature during carbonate formation.”
From Multi-generational carbonate assemblages in martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001: Implications for nucleation, growth, and alteration (2004) · cites this paper as Valley et al. 1997
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Correlated chemical and isotopic zoning in carbonates in the martian meteorite ALH84001
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- Authors
- Valley, J. W., Eiler, J. M., Graham, C. M., Gibson, E. K., Romanek, C. S., & Stolper, E. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- California Institute of Technology (US)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
- Johnson Space Center (US)
- University of Georgia (US)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 1997-03-14
- Volume
- 275
- Issue
- 5306
- Pages
- 1633-1638
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2014372723
- Cited by
- 189
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 16.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geophysics › Geological and Geochemical Analysis
- Keywords
- ALH84001, Martian meteorites, carbonate concretions, oxygen isotopes, carbon isotopes, secondary carbonates, orthopyroxene, mineralogical zonation, nonequilibrium processes
- MeSH terms
- Carbon Isotopes, Carbonates, Minerals, Oxygen Isotopes, Chemical Precipitation, Silicon Dioxide, Temperature, Mars, Meteoroids
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