Hydrothermal experiments of anorthite simulating chondrite parent bodies

Abstract

We performed hydrothermal experiments of anorthite with solutions of various pH and Na⁺ concentration, and made crystal identifications, micro-textural analyses to constrain environments in carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies by revealing process of nephelinization. As a result, anorthite-rich plagioclase are favorably altered into zeolites. Using Na⁺ and Cl^- -rich solution, significant amounts of secondary phases including sodalite were formed even under moderate alkaline condition.