Microfragments of the Saratov meteorite in the magnetic fraction of modern soils: search and identification
Authors:
About authors
- 1 — Ph.D. Leading Researcher Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 2 — Ph.D., Dr.Sci. Professor Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the RAS ▪ Orcid
- 3 — Ph.D. Researcher Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of RAS ▪ Orcid
- 4 — Ph.D. Senior Researcher Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 5 — Researcher Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the RAS ▪ Orcid
- 6 — Ph.D., Dr.Sci. Professor Center for the Development of the Saratov Agglomeration and Industrial Parks ▪ Orcid
- 7 — Ph.D., Dr.Sci. Leading Researcher Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 8 — Ph.D. Senior Researcher Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 9 — Postgraduate Student Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 10 — Postgraduate Student Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 11 — Postgraduate Student Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
- 12 — Ph.D. Senior Researcher Lomonosov Moscow State University ▪ Orcid
Abstract
The paper addresses the problem of identifying microscopic traces of meteoritic material in soils more than 100 years after a fall. The area of the Saratov meteorite shower of October 6, 1918 was selected as the study site. In 2024, soil samples were collected along the historical flight trajectory, and the magnetic fraction was separated using the heavy-mineral concentration (panning) method. A combination of techniques – optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), and Raman spectroscopy – was used to study the morphology and composition of the separated particles. It is shown that the bulk of the magnetic spherules are likely technogenic in origin. However, microfragments of rock containing fayalite and olivine with Ni and Cr admixtures, as well as plagioclase with reduced crystallinity, were detected in the samples. Their composition and morphology are consistent with published data on the Saratov meteorite. The obtained results demonstrate the fundamental feasibility of detecting microfragments of meteoritic material in modern soils and illustrate the effectiveness of an integrated mineralogical-geochemical approach for reconstructing the strewn fields of meteorite showers.
Область исследования:
Geology
Funding:
Fieldwork and sampling were carried out with financial support from the state assignments of the Earth Science Museum of Lomonosov MSU AAAA-A16-116042010089-2 and AAAA-A16-116042710030-7 within the framework of the State assignment of the IG RAS FMWS-2026-0005. The material for the study was obtained during the scientific and educational expedition “Flotilla of Floating Universities”. SEM-EDX and Raman spectroscopy analyses were performed at the SRF of the IPE RAS with support from the IPE RAS State assignment. Partial funding was provided by the State assignment of the IO RAS (theme N FMWE-2024-0020). Sample preparation and interpretation of analytical data were carried out with financial support from the State assignment of the GEOKHI RAS and within the framework of the State assignment of Lomonosov MSU N AAAA-A16-116033010119-4.
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