Antarctic weathering of the CK chondrites EET90004, 90007, and 90022: Nickel and sulfur mobility

• Main Authors: Socki, R. A., Gibson, E. K., Jr., Allton, J. H., Romanek, C. S.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1994
• Subjects: ASTROPHYSICS; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19940030945

CK chondrites are a relatively new class of carbonaceous chondrite that have been described in the literature. Most meteorites that comprise the CK group are restricted to Antarctic finds; therefore terrestrial weathering processes can influence the geochemical records contained within these chondrites. The paired CK chondrites EET90004, 90007, and 90022 share not only a common heritage but similar weathering histories since all three meteorites were found on Antarctic ice covered with thick evaporative coatings. Additional material has grown on these samples during curation at the Antarctic Meteorite Lab at JSC, NASA. At present, efflorescence up to a millimeter thick coats the surface of EET90004 and 90022, with less material coating EET90007. The chemistry, mineralogy, and isotopic composition of efflorescence on EET90004 and 90022, described here, provide valuable information regarding the fate of meteoritic components in the Antarctic environment.