Abstract

The results of multi-element epithermal neutron activation analysis of extraterrestrial materials- Carbonaceous Chondrites and the Polonnaruwa/Aralaganwila Stones-are reported. A total of 41 elements were determined at the reactor IBR-2 of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russian Federation. Special emphasis is made on anomalous levels in the Polonnaruwa/Aralaganwila stones of heat-producing elements (HPE's) Potassium (K), Thorium and Uranium and the Rare Earth Elements (REE), as compared with the Th, U, and KREEP component of Lunar basalts and the Orgueil, Murchison, Sutter's Mill and NWA carbonaceous chondrites.

Keywords: Carbonaceous chondrites; Polonnaruwa/Aralaganwila stones; Epithermal neutron activation analysis; Elemental content; Rare earth elements; KREEP

Abbreviations: REE: Rare Earth Elements; ENAA: Epithermal Neutron Activation Analysis; JINR: Joint Institute of Nuclear Research; MSFC: Marshall Space Flight Center; IBR-2: Pulsed Fast Reactor; KREEP: K (Potassium); P: Phosphorus; HPEs: Heat-Producing Elements (⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U)