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Explanation for the very low Ga and Ge concentrations in some iron meteorite groups

Abstract

THE Ge/Ni ratios in iron meteorites range from 10−2 to 10−7 atoms/atom (ref. 1). Gallium is strongly correlated with Ge, but the total range in Ga/Ni ratio is only about 2,000. Iron meteorites tend to have Ga and Ge concentrations within various restricted ranges—thus their usefulness for the classification of iron meteorites. No other element correlates strongly with Ga and Ge. Here we point out parallels between the abundance patterns of moderately volatile elements in iron meteorites and ordinary chondrites, and discuss how these can be related to condensation processes in the solar nebula.

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WASSON, J., WAI, C. Explanation for the very low Ga and Ge concentrations in some iron meteorite groups. Nature 261, 114–116 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/261114a0

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