Disordered biopyriboles, amphibole, and talc in the Allende meteorite: products of nebular or parent body aqueous alteration?

Abstract

Transmission electron microscope observations of the Allende carbonaceous chondrite provided evidence of widespread hydrous phases replacing enstatite in chondrules. Calcic amphibole and talc occur in thin (less than 0.3 micrometer) crosscutting veins and as alteration products of primary chondrule glass in contraction cracks within the enstatite. In addition, talc and disordered biopyriboles were found replacing enstatite grains along cracks and fractures. Although rare hydrous phases have been reported in calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions in the Allende meteorite, these observations suggest that aqueous fluids played a much more significant role in the mineralogical and geochemical evolution of Allende than has previously been thought.