Melilite Crystal/Liquid Partitioning of Refractory Lithophiles

The trace element chemistry of CAi's is complicated because of their multistage histories (e.g., Grossman, 1980; Murrell and Burnett, 1987). There is more to CAI origin than just igneous processes, even for Type B inclusions. We have initiated in-situ trace element microdistribution studies of synthetic and natural samples, to determine which aspects of CAI trace element microdistributions are due to igneous processes. Our ultimate goal is to assess those aspects that are not explicable in terms of igneous processes, so as to place constraints on the additional processes involved.