Distribution and isotopic composition of lithium in stone meteorites

Abstract

Distribution of lithium in several chondrites was examined by a fractional dissolution method. Water, bromine water, HCl, and HF were used to fractionally dissolve minerals comprising non-magnetic fractions of chondrites. From ordinary chondrites most of the lithium was extracted into HCl solutions. Although olivine was also decomposed with HCI, the degree of extraction of magnesium from olivine was different from that of lithium. In the case of Abee, an enstatite chondrite, bromine water extracted a major portion of lithium along with troilite. Other alkali metals remained in the acid insoluble silicates. These results indicate that lithium is located in a minor segregated constituent in stone meteorites. The isotopic compositions of lithium in the various fractions were found to be essentially identical to that of terrestrial lithium.