Graphite and Organic Matter in Abee Enstatite Chondrite

Abstract

Abee is a EH4 enstatite chondrite. It has been described as an impact breccia, with some parts having been exposed to temperature over 880 °C [1]. The shock induced by the impact has likely resulted in the segregation of metal and enstatite, leading to an heterogeneous structure with metal-rich clasts included in enstatite sulfide assemblage. It contains 0.36% of carbon [2], mainly described as graphite, but some of the carbon is poorly organized, being likely organic matter [3]. We have extended the data we have already reported by using NanoSIMS and HRTEM [3], to precise the structure of both graphite and organic matter and to understand their relationship in Abee.

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