Zirconium and hafnium in meteorites

• Published in: Meteoritics & planetary science 2010-07, Vol.45 (7), p.1136-1151
• Main Authors: PATZER, Andrea, PACK, Andreas, GERDES, Axel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Chondrites; Hafnium; Isotopes; Laser ablation; Lasers; Mass spectrometry; Meteorites; Meteors & meteorites; Refractories; Trace elements; Zirconium
• ISSN: 1086-9379; 1945-5100
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1945-5100.2010.01076.x

– The ratio of the two refractory trace elements zirconium (Zr) and hafnium (Hf) in meteorites has been proposed to be uniform. The most precise value available is 34.3 ± 0.2 (1σ). It was obtained by isotope dilution ICP‐MS applied to 15 chondrites, most of which were carbonaceous chondrites, and six achondrites. We reinvestigated the case and determined Zr/Hf ratios of a broad spectrum of meteoritic samples via laser ablation ICP‐MS. Our sample suite comprised 29 chondrites and five achondrites. The main objective of the study was two‐fold: we intended to verify the accuracy and precision of a relatively fast and inexpensive sample preparation method combined with expeditious laser ablation ICP‐MS techniques. Furthermore, we were looking into the possibility of systematic fine‐scale Zr/Hf variations among bulk meteoritic matter of different classes. The applied fusion technique together with laser ablation ICP‐MS turned out to be well suited to determine relative refractory trace element abundances. Absolute Zr/Hf ratios yield uncertainties of approximately 4% (1σ). As opposed to the most recent findings, we observed variable Zr/Hf ratios in different meteorites ranging from approximately 28 to approximately 38. Our value for Orgueil (CI1) is 34.0 ± 0.3 (1σ). Including literature data, we propose a solar system value of 34.1 ± 0.3. Our data also suggest that H chondrites tend to exhibit higher Zr/Hf ratios (average of 35.6 ± 0.5 [1σ]) while EL6 chondrites rather show low values (average of 30.8 ± 0.6 [1σ]). In addition to examining Zr/Hf ratios, we also explored the content of refractory major elements in different meteorite groups. Here, we found that EL6 chondrites often show very low Ca/Al ratios. The CI1 value for CaO/Al2O3 is 0.804. EL6 chondrites, however, display ratios as low as approximately 0.3. While the variation in Zr/Hf can be explained by fractional condensation processes in the early solar nebula, the observed low Ca/Al ratios in EL6 chondrites are probably attributable to deficits in oldhamite (CaS).