| Abstract: | Abstract— An oxide layer adjacent to the surface of the Hoba Ni-Fe meteorite was analyzed chemically and mineralogically. Maghemite, magnetite, goethite and lepidocrocite were the main Fe minerals found in the oxide layer surrounding Hoba. Most of the Ni from the unweathered original meteorite was distributed among the above minerals with spinel-type oxides (maghemite and magnetite) having the largest Ni fraction. Some Ni migrated to the limestone in which the meteorite is embedded. No evidence for zaratite or akaganeite was found in the oxide layer. Sulfate derived from the oxidation of troilite precipitated as gypsum. Phosphate accumulation in limestone in contact with the meteorite is probably due to phosphate adsorbed on Fe-oxides. Maghemite with some magnetite was the oxidation product immediately next to the meteorite metal surface, which accommodated most of the Ni and Fe from the meteorite into its structure. Upon oxidation, some of the Ni, which was incorporated into calcite, was released. Cobalt associated with the oxides stayed within the oxide structure regardless of the oxidation state and did not migrate to the limestone. This suggests that Co may be a good tracer for oxides of meteoritic origin. |
