CHEMICAL ANALYSES OF THE MURCHISON AND LOST CITY METEORITES

The abundances of 22 elements have been determined in the recently fallen Murchison and Lost City meteorites. Analyses were performed by 14‐MeV neutron activation, thermal neutron activation, and in a few cases by wet chemical techniques. On the basis of these data the composition of the Murchison chondrite is intermediate between previously reported analyses of Type II and Type III carbonaceous chondrites. The data for the Lost City chondrite in general agree well with mean values reported for H‐group ordinary chondrites. The low oxygen content of the Lost City chondrite suggests that previously reported oxygen abundances in H‐group falls may be too high due to oxidation in storage or weathering prior to collection