cri EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON
’chemistry
ASSOCJATE EDITORS: Klaus Blemann, Georges Gulochon, Theodore Kuwana, Fred Lytle
EDlTORiAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editors: Stuart A. Borman, Rani A. George, Louise Voress Assistant Editor: Mary D. Warner Editorial Assistant: Grace K. Lee Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director: Alan Kahan Designer: Sharon Harris Wolfgang Production Editor: Gail M. Mortenson Circulation: Cynthia G. Smith Editorial Assistant, LabGuide: Joanne Mullican
Journals Dept., Columbus, Ohio Associate Head: Marianne Brogan Associate Editor: Rodney L. Temos
Advisory Board: Shier S. Berman, Brian S. Bidlingmeyer, Henry N. Blount, Gary D. Christian, Harry V. Drushel, Larry R. Faulkner, William R. Heineman, Harry S. Hertz, Gary M. Hieftje. Atsushi Mizuike, Erno Pungor, Melvin W. Redmond, Jr., Martin A. Rudat, Dennis Schuetzle, Charles L. Wilkins, Nicholas Winograd Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Howard G. Barth, Richard F. Browner, Richard S . Danchik, Thomas C. Farrar, Joel M. Harris, John F. Holland, F. James Holler, Peter N. Keliher, D. Warren Vidrine. The Analytical Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop, Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Books and Journals Dlvlslon Director: D. H Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Research and Development: Lorrin R. Garson Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1986 issue, page 267. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address
The Poor Man’s Space Probe In this issue Dr. Michael E. Lipschutz provides an excellent background article on the study of meteorites. Because meteorites arrive on Earth from outer space, they provide priceless “free” samples of material that can help elucidate the formation of the Solar System. Analytical chemistry is one of a number of scientific disciplines that contribute to our knowledge of cosmochemistry, and it is presented with boundless challenges. Of particular importance is the determination of trace elements, which are valuable markers of the processes the samples have undergone in their travels through space. Many analytical methods are used to unravel the complexities of meteorites; however, a serious problem exists regarding the quality of the methods and the quality of the analytical work itself. While preparing for the Apollo Lunar Analysis Program in the late 19609, I had the privilege of spending a sabbatical in the laboratory of Professor Harold C. Urey, a Nobel laureate and a founding father of cosmochemistry. One of the most important lessons I learned there was the need for reliable trace element methods of analysis. In 1953 Dr. Urey and Dr. Harmon Craig published an exhaustive study of all analyses of chondritic meteorites, using objective criteria to judge the accuracy of the abundant data in the literature (Geochim.et Cosmochim. Acta 1953,4, 36-82). Of the approximately 300 available analyses, 192 were rejected as unreliable and 94 were accepted as trustworthy. Urey and Craig’s work was a major contribution to the understanding of chondrite composition. When the 94 accepted analyses were critically examined, it was found that these meteorites could be grouped into distinct classes, a task that previously had been impossible because of the incorporation of poor analyses. Their classification stands to this day, In 1971 I used Urey and Craig’s approach to evaluate the quality of the elemental analyses on the much more expensive Apollo lunar samples (Anal. Chem. 1971,43(7), 22-31A), since inaccurate and incomplete data can lead to faulty geochemical conclusions and speculations. Among the factors considered in the evaluation of the spread of analytical results for a given element were an insufficient number of values reported, the low concentration of the element present, heterogeneity and contamination for certain elements, differences in capabilities of analytical techniques used, and most important, the ability of the investigator. Although a considerable amount of geochemical interpretation of far-reaching significance to lunar history has been generated from the existing data, substantiation of the concepts evolved can be done only after the deficiencies in the analytical data have been corrected. Of course, the same rigors of analytical support are essential to the study and interpretation of meteoritic data.
The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 58,
NO. 9,
AUQUST 1986
1905
