Non-metallic inclusions in IVA iron meteorites

Abstract

Although iron meteorites mainly consist of Fe-Ni alloys; some sulfide, phosphide, graphite, nitride or oxide inclusions can be found in most iron meteorites. These inclusions contain potentially important information about their parent bodies. One of the advantages of using these samples is that one can conduct precise geochemical investigations in metallic core materials in laboratory environments. In this study, I investigated non-metallic inclusions in IVA iron meteorites. I found that the non-metallic mineral phases evolved during the crystal fractionation in a metallic core. These phases were likely controlled with concentrations of light elements in liquid metal such as oxygen.