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Science 13 February 2004:
Vol. 303. no. 5660, pp. 997 - 1000
DOI: 10.1126/science.1092906
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Reports

Chondrules with Peculiar REE Patterns: Implications for Solar Nebular Condensation at High C/O

Andreas Pack,1,3* J. Michael G. Shelley,2 Herbert Palme1

Rare earth element (REE) data from two ordinary chondrite chondrules show distinct negative chondrite-normalized concentration anomalies of samarium, europium, and ytterbium. The peculiar patterns may be the result of REE gas/solid fractionation at an oxygen fugacity lower than has been assumed for the canonical solar nebula. We suggest that the two ordinary chondrite chondrules acquired the fractionated REE patterns by incorporation of highly reduced, ultrarefractory condensates in their precursors. This interpretation implies that high-temperature condensation processes occurred in nebular environments with a strong deficit in oxygen, such as regions with an enhanced carbon/oxygen ratio.

1 Institut für Mineralogie und Geochemie, Universität Köln, Zülpicher Strasse 49b, D-50674 Köln, Germany.
2 Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
3 CNRS Centre de Recherches Pétrographiques et Géochimiques, 15 rue Notre Dame des Pauvres, 54501 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: apack{at}crpg.cnrs-nancy.fr

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)