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PLASMA CHEMISTRY OF METEORITES—I. CLEANSING AND REDUCTION OF THE ODESSA IRON METEORITE
Author(s) -
Cocke David L.,
Rowe M.W.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
meteoritics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 0026-1114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1986.tb00876.x
Subject(s) - meteorite , iron meteorite , magnetite , chemistry , astrobiology , metal , radiochemistry , metallurgy , materials science , physics , organic chemistry
Three small samples of the Odessa, Texas iron meteorite, two surrounded by sandy soil, were introduced into a hydrogen plasma. The soil was effectively cleansed from the iron surfaces, being substantially destroyed with only a fine dust remaining. The appearance of the iron meteorite samples indicated that the terrestrial oxidation was reversed, probably to magnetite, Fe 3 O 4 , and metallic iron.