Isotopic composition and concentration of molybdenum in iron meteorites

Abstract

Isotopic composition and concentration of molybdenum in eight samples of meteoritic iron were measured by use of a ‘double spike’ isotopic dilution technique. No differences greater than 1% were found between the Mo92/Mo100 ratios of meteoritic and terrestrial Mo. The concentration of Mo in all but nickel-rich ataxites fell in the range 6 to 8 ppm, whereas the two nickel-rich ataxites analyzed fell outside this range. One of these, Weaver Mountains, contained over 30 ppm. The isotopic composition of terrestrial Mo was found to agree with that reported by Murthy but not with that of earlier investigators.