The properties and theory of genesis of the carbonaceous complex within the cold bokevelt meteorite

Abstract

The carbonaceous substances within the Cold Bokevelt Meteorite and other similar types of stones show uniform distribution. The Cold Bokevelt carbonaceous stone proved to contain over 1% extractable organic substances. The results of analyses, de-ashing experiments, etc., indicate that in addition the stone may bear a considerably higher proportion of carbonaceous matter. The extracts consist mainly of complex organic acids, they contain some organic chlorine, an element which has not been so far detected within any of the terrestrial bitumens. The fact that the extracts are optically neutral indicates that the organic matter may have been condensed from the atmosphere of the parent body through non-biological processes of polymerisation, etc. The low decomposition temperature of the finely divided carbonaceous substances seems to point to the hypothesis that the meteorite in question must have condensed under low-temperature conditions.