Composition and PGE Distribution in Suevite of the Popigai Astrobleme.

The data on the concentrations of major and trace elements, including platinum group elements (PGE) and Re, in suevite samples collected in different parts of the Popigai meteorite crater are reported. The suevite studied shows the identity of the bulk composition; gneiss of the Anabar Shield is identified as the protolith. It was found that the total concentrations of PGEs in suevite are not uniform: they decrease successively in the samples from the western to the southern, and further to the eastern part of the crater. The results of this study showed that the enrichment of suevite on PGEs is a characteristic of meteoritic contamination and is not associated with either crustal or mantle rocks of mafic or ultramafic composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]