Discovery of Nuwaite, Ni_6GeS_2, a New Alteration Mineral in Allende

Abstract

During an ongoing nanomineralogy investigation of the Allende CV3 meteorite, a new mineral, Ni_6(Ge,Sn)(S,Te)_2, was identified in alteration veins in a Type B1 Ca-Al-rich refractory inclusion (CAI) ACM-2, named "nuwaite". Synthetic Ni_6SnS_2 is well known [1] but synthetic Ni_6GeS_2 is not reported. Presented here is the first natural occurrence of Ni6GeS_2, as a new alteration mineral in a CAI from a chondritic meteorite.

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