Trace element study of high‐ and low‐refractive index Muong Nong‐type tektites from Indochina

Abstract

Abstract— Previous work indicates that Muong Nong‐type tektites from Indochina with low refractive indices and high silica contents contain relict mineral grains while those with high refractive indices and low silica contents do not. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used to determine selected trace element concentrations for four Muong Nong‐type tektites with high refractive indices and no relict mineral inclusions and one with low refractive index and relict inclusions, to determine if there are any systematic differences in trace element compositions between the two groups. The data also were compared with published trace element data for sixteen Muong Nong‐type tektites which have low refractive indices and, therefore, should contain relict inclusions. Except for Ta which had lower concentrations in the high refractive index group, there is no consistent difference in trace element compositions between the two groups. We interpret these results to indicate a single, slightly heterogeneous source for the Muong Nong‐type tektites, rather than different source regions.