Total carbon content of ordinary chondrites

Abstract

The total carbon content of eighty-six ordinary chondrites has been determined by a oxygen combustion-gas Chromatographic analysis technique. Values obtained range from 0.016 to 0.57 wt % carbon. Most ordinary chondrites in all groups have carbon contents lower than 0.20 wt %. Unequilibrated ordinary chondrites often have carbon contents greater than 0.20 wt %. There appears to be a general trend indicating that more meteorites with high concentrations of total carbon occur in the less metamorphosed chondrites, as indicated by the petrologic types of Van Schmus and Wood.