Antarctic micrometeorites bearing coarse-grained relict minerals: Links to chondrite chemical groups

Abstract

We studied 103 micrometeorites (MMs) bearing relicts of olivines and low-Ca pyroxenes focusing on the relationship with chemical groups of chondrites. As a result, we found that 53 MMs are similar to carbonaceous chondrites, 31 to ordinary chondrites, and the remains (19 MMs) to others. MMs bearing low-Ca pyroxenes are dominant of unmelted MMs. Four unmelted MMs show poikilitic textures that droplet kamacites are enclosed in low-Ca pyroxenes. They are rounded with one hundred micron meter, similar to CO3 chondrules. A MM similar to shock-melted H chondrite was also identified.