PROGRESSIVE ALTERATION IN CV3 CHONDRITES - MORE EVIDENCE FOR ASTEROIDAL ALTERATION

The oxidized CV3 chondrites can be divided into two major subgroups or lithologies, Ball-like (CV3(oxB)) and Allende-like (CV3(oxA)), in whi ch chondrules, calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) and matrices sh ow characteristic alteration features (Weisberg et al., 1997; Krot et al., 1997d; Kimura and Ikeda, 1997). The CV3(oxB) lithology is present in Bail, Kaba, parts of the Mokoia breccia and, possibly, in Grosnaja and Allan Hills (ALH) 85006. It is characterized by the presence of t he secondary low-Ca phyllosilicates (saponite and sodium phlogopite), magnetite, Ni-rich sulfides, fayalite (Fa(>90)), Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes (Fs(10-50)Wo(45-50)) and andradite. Phyllosilicates replace primary Ca -rich minerals in chondrules and CAIs, which suggests mobilization of Ca during aqueous alteration. Magnetite nodules are replaced to variou s degrees by fayalite, Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes and minor andradite. Fayal ite veins crosscut fine-grained rims around chondrules and extend into the matrix. Thermodynamic analysis of the observed reactions indicate s that they could have occurred at relatively low temperatures (<300 d egrees C) in the presence of aqueous solutions. Oxygen isotopic compos itions of the coexisting magnetite and fayalite plot close to the terr estrial fractionation line with large Delta(18)O(fyalite-magnetite) fr actionation (similar to 20 parts per thousand). We infer that phyllosi licates, magnetite, fayalite, Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes and andradite forme d at relatively low temperatures (<300 degrees C) by fluid-rock intera ction in an asteroidal environment. Secondary fayalite and phyllosilic ates are virtually absent in chondrules and CAIs in the CV3(oxA) litho logy, which is present in Allende and its dark inclusions, Axtell, ALH A81258, ALH 84028, Lewis Cliff(LEW) 86006, and parts of the Mokoia and Vigarano breccias. Instead secondary nepheline, sodalite, and fayalit ic olivine are common. Fayalitic olivine in chondrules replaces low-Ca pyroxenes and rims and veins forsterite grains; it also forms coarse lath-shaped grains in matrix. Secondary Ca-Fe-rich pyroxenes are abund ant. We infer that the CV3(oxA) lithology experienced alteration at hi gher temperatures than the CV3(oxB) lithology. The presence of the red uced and CV3(oxA) lithologies in the Vigarano breccia and CV3(oxA) and CV3(oxB) lithologies in the Mokoia breccia indicates that all CV3 cho ndrites came from one heterogeneously altered asteroid. The metamorpho sed clasts in Mokoia (Krot and Hutcheon, 1997) may be rare samples of the hotter interior of the CV asteroid. We conclude that the alteratio n features observed in the oxidized CV3 chondrites resulted from the f luid-rock interaction in an asteroid during progressive metamorphism o f a heterogeneous mixture of ices and anhydrous materials mineralogica lly similar to the reduced CV3 chondrites.