Yes, Kakangari is a unique chondrite

THE Kakangari chondrite seems to be the only representative so far recognised of a new class of chondrites. Mason and Wiik¹ noted a similarity between Kakangari and Mokoia (C3(V)) in bulk chemical composition when expressed on a volatile-free basis, but pointed out that the higher metal content of Kakangari suggests a relationship between it and Renazzo (C2). Recognising that Renazzo contains much less troilite and much more FeO than Kakangari, however, they concluded that Kakangari was a new type of carbonaceous chondrite, more reduced than the others. Graham and Hutchison² emphasised the chemical similarity between Kakangari and the ordinary chondrites, apart from its higher S content, and posed the question, ``is Kakangari a unique chondrite?''. Using the data of Mason and Wiik¹ as well as their own electron microprobe data, they noted that Kakangari is closer in total Fe content to the L- than the H- group chondrites but that its oxidation state lies between those of the H- and E- chondrites. Clayton et al.^3,4 were able to distinguish Kakangari from the ordinary chondrites on the basis of oxygen isotopes. On a three-isotope diagram, Kakangari plots with the anomalous stony-iron meteorites Bencubbin and Weatherford along an extrapolation of the apparent mass fractionation line defined by the low-temperature hydrous silicate phases of three C2 chondrites. We have now analysed a 17.1-mg piece of Kakangari for 20 elements and can answer Graham and Hutchison's question in the affirmative.