R-chondrite bulk-chemical compositions and diverse oxides: Implications for parent-body processes

The least equilibrated R chondrites contain nearly pure magnetite but the spinels in metamorphosed R chondrites contain additional components (e.g., Cr2O3 and Al2O3 and some minor cations). The NiO content in olivine correlates with the magnetite component in magnetite-chromite solid solution in equilibrated R chondrites and is a function of the degree of oxidation. The absence of metallic Fe in A-881988 and LAP 031156 indicates a high degree of oxidation; the relatively low-FeO (Fa35) olivine in these rocks in part reflects the conversion of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and its partitioning into magnetite. Oxidation trends in R chondrites are affected by both aqueous alteration and thermal metamorphism. The differing degrees of oxidation in this group reflect differences in local environments on the parent asteroid.