Comparative stable isotope geochemistry of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Fe in chondrites and iron meteorites

High-precision Ni isotopic variations are reported for the metal phase of equilibrated and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites, iron meteorites, mesosiderites, and pallasites. We also report new Zn and Cu isotopic data for some of these samples and combine them with literature Fe, Cu, and Zn isotope data to constrain the fractionation history of metals during nebular (vapor/solid) and planetary (metal/sulfide/silicate) phase changes. The observed variations of the Ni-62/Ni-58, Ni-61/Ni-58, and Ni-60/Ni-58 ratios vary linearly with mass difference and define isotope fractionation lines in common with terrestrial samples. This implies that Ni was derived from a single homogeneous reservoir. While no Ni-60 anomaly is detected within the analytical uncertainties, Ni isotopic fractionation up to 0.45 parts per thousand per mass-difference unit is observed. The isotope compositions of Ni and Zn in chondrites are positively correlated. We suggest that, in ordinary chondrites, exchange between solid phases, in particular metal and silicates, and vapor followed by mineral sorting during accretion are the main processes controlling these isotopic variations. The positive correlation between Ni and Zn isotope compositions contrasts with a negative correlation between Ni (and Zn) and Cu isotope compositions, which, when taken together, do not favor a simple kinetic interpretation. The observed transition element similarities between different groups of chondrites and iron meteorites are consistent with the genetic relationships inferred from oxygen isotopes (IIIA/pallasites and IVA/L chondrites). Copper is an exception, which we suggest may be related to separate processing of sulfides either in the vapor or during core formation. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.