ALH84001

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ALH84001 Curation History

Marilyn Lindstrom, PhD, NASA/JSC/SN2


Curation Specimens
Initial Weight - 1,931 g
MPL Weight
Bulk Samples - 1,527 g
12 Potted Butts - 17.5 g
2 Library Thin Sections - JSC and Smithsonian
Display Sample at Smithsonian, 212 g


Research Specimens
Research Specimens - 47 Investigators
30 Thin Sections - 16 Investigators
103 Chips - 39 Investigators
Large research allocations
4 Investigators >10 g
10 Investigators 5-10 g
Inventory Letter to Investigators
Most PI's replied that they would keep samples or had consumed them.
Some PI's are returning samples.


Availability of Carbonates
Examined 2 big pieces and 15 chips/fines samples > 10 g
Detailed survey shows 1% scattered through rock
Occur in diffuse and globular habits, both have PAH's


Curation
Past Processing (1985-1993)
Initial processing and large pieces in N2 cabinet
Small pieces processed on flow bench, sealed in air
All pieces stored in N2 cabinet
Band sawed in 1993 for consortium
Past Processing (1994-1996)
Sealed and stored in N2 cabinet
Special handling for organic analyses
Large and small pieces processed on flow bench
Current Processing of ALH84001
Large pieces processed only in cabinet
Small pieces processed on flow bench, sealed in cabinet
Special handling for organic analyses
Current Achondrite Processing
Process large & small pieces on flow bench
Seal & store in N2 cabinet
Use only clean, approved materials (stainless steel, aluminum, teflon, poly vials, nylon bags)


Possible Sources of Organic Contamination in MPL
Xylan lubricant - removed in 1990
Sample containers - vials and nylon bags
Cleaning procedures - ultrapure water, alchohol wipes
Gloves - neoprene and ployethylene
Proximity to humans at flow bench


Steps to Avoid Organic Contamination
Designate cabinet for martian meteorites only and do special cleaning
Test all sources of organic contamination (several are in-work)
Prepare samples for organic analyses without plastics