Gallium and germanium in the metal and silicates of L- and LL-chondrites

Abstract

Concentrations of Ga and Ge in the metal of 31 L-, 8 LL- and 2 H-chondrites, and in the silicates of 12 L- and LL-chondrites have been determined by spectrophotometric methods. The ranges of Ga contents in the metal of L- and LL-chondrites are 1.1–36.9 ppm and 1.0–34.1 ppm, respectively. The Ge content in the metal is positively correlated with Ga and ranges from 89.1–160 ppm, and 126–308 ppm for L- and LL-chondrites, respectively. The Ga content in the silicates of L-chondrites varies from 4.0 to 8.9 ppm. The Ga and Ge contents in the metal are clearly lower in unequilibrated than in equilibrated L- and LL-group chondrites. Unequilibrated (type 3 and 4) and equilibrated (type 5 and 6) chondrites are well separated in the plots of Ga vs Ge in the metal and the L- and LL-groups are also well resolved. The Ga and Ge in the metal are well correlated with petrologic grade. This suggests that Ga and Ge variations in the metal are related to thermal metamorphism. There is evidence of an enrichment of Ga in the metal due to shock-reheating.