scholarly journals Lunar bulk chemical composition: a post-Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory reassessment

2014 ◽  
Vol 372 (2024) ◽  
pp. 20130242 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Jeffrey Taylor ◽  
Mark A. Wieczorek
Keyword(s):  
Formation Processes ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Volatile Elements ◽  
Bulk Chemical Composition ◽  
Refractory Elements ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Samples ◽  
Mass Fractions ◽  
Bulk Chemical ◽  
Gravity Recovery

New estimates of the thickness of the lunar highlands crust based on data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory mission, allow us to reassess the abundances of refractory elements in the Moon. Previous estimates of the Moon fall into two distinct groups: earthlike and a 50% enrichment in the Moon compared with the Earth. Revised crustal thicknesses and compositional information from remote sensing and lunar samples indicate that the crust contributes 1.13–1.85 wt% Al 2 O 3 to the bulk Moon abundance. Mare basalt Al 2 O 3 concentrations (8–10 wt%) and Al 2 O 3 partitioning behaviour between melt and pyroxene during partial melting indicate mantle Al 2 O 3 concentration in the range 1.3–3.1 wt%, depending on the relative amounts of pyroxene and olivine. Using crustal and mantle mass fractions, we show that that the Moon and the Earth most likely have the same (within 20%) concentrations of refractory elements. This allows us to use correlations between pairs of refractory and volatile elements to confirm that lunar abundances of moderately volatile elements such as K, Rb and Cs are depleted by 75% in the Moon compared with the Earth and that highly volatile elements, such as Tl and Cd, are depleted by 99%. The earthlike refractory abundances and depleted volatile abundances are strong constraints on lunar formation processes.

scholarly journals On the Possible Differences in the Bulk Chemical Composition of the Earth and the Moon Forming in the Circumterrestrial Swarm

1972 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 426-428
Author(s):  
E. L. Ruskol
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Chemical Fractionation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Active Stage ◽  
Bulk Chemical Composition ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Bulk Chemical ◽  
Origin Of The Moon

The model of the origin of the Moon in the circumterrestrial swarm during the active stage of the Earth's growth [1, 2] receives now a support (see e.g. [3]). In this model the feeding substance is the same for both bodies. However two different processes may be mentioned of chemical fractionation between the Earth and the Moon.

scholarly journals Volatile loss following cooling and accretion of the Moon revealed by chromium isotopes

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (43) ◽  
pp. 10920-10925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo A. Sossi ◽  
Frédéric Moynier ◽  
Kirsten van Zuilen
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Mass Unit ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Volatile Elements ◽  
Mass Unit ◽  
Earth’S Mantle ◽  
Refractory Elements ◽  
Common Precursor ◽  
Lunar Rocks ◽  
Evaporative Loss ◽  
Volatile Loss

Terrestrial and lunar rocks share chemical and isotopic similarities in refractory elements, suggestive of a common precursor. By contrast, the marked depletion of volatile elements in lunar rocks together with their enrichment in heavy isotopes compared with Earth’s mantle suggests that the Moon underwent evaporative loss of volatiles. However, whether equilibrium prevailed during evaporation and, if so, at what conditions (temperature, pressure, and oxygen fugacity) remain unconstrained. Chromium may shed light on this question, as it has several thermodynamically stable, oxidized gas species that can distinguish between kinetic and equilibrium regimes. Here, we present high-precision Cr isotope measurements in terrestrial and lunar rocks that reveal an enrichment in the lighter isotopes of Cr in the Moon compared with Earth’s mantle by 100 ± 40 ppm per atomic mass unit. This observation is consistent with Cr partitioning into an oxygen-rich vapor phase in equilibrium with the proto-Moon, thereby stabilizing the CrO2 species that is isotopically heavy compared with CrO in a lunar melt. Temperatures of 1,600–1,800 K and oxygen fugacities near the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer are required to explain the elemental and isotopic difference of Cr between Earth’s mantle and the Moon. These temperatures are far lower than modeled in the aftermath of a giant impact, implying that volatile loss did not occur contemporaneously with impact but following cooling and accretion of the Moon.

Constitution of terrestrial planets

1981 ◽  
Vol 303 (1477) ◽  
pp. 287-302 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Composition ◽  
Parent Body ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Volatile Elements ◽  
Earth’S Mantle ◽  
The Earth ◽  
History Of ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Reduced State

Reliable estimates of the bulk composition are so far restricted to the three planetary objects from which we have samples for laboratory investigation, i.e. the Earth, the Moon and the eucrite parent asteroid. The last, the parent body of the eucrite— diogenite family of meteorites, an object that like Earth and Moon underwent magmatic differentiations, seems to have an almost chondritic composition except for a considerable depletion of all moderately volatile (Na, K, Rb, F, etc.) and highly volatile (Cl, Br, Cd, Pb, etc.) elements. The Moon is also depleted in moderately volatile and volatile elements compared to carbonaceous chondrites of type 1 (Cl) and also compared to the Earth. Again normalized to Cl and Si the Earth’s mantle and the Moon are slightly enriched in refractory lithophile elements and in magnesium. It might be that this enrichment is fictitious and only due to the normalization to Si and that both Earth’s mantle and Moon are depleted in Si, which partly entered the Earth’s core in metallic form. The striking depletion of the Earth’s mantle for the elements V, Cr and Mn can also be explained by their partial removal into the core. The similar abundances of V, Cr and Mn in the Moon and in the Earth’s mantle indicate the strong genetic relationship of Earth and Moon. Apart from their contents of metallic iron, all siderophile elements, moderately volatile and volatile elements, Earth and Moon are chemically very similar. It might well be that, with these exceptions and that of a varying degree of oxidation, all the inner planets have a similar chemistry. The chemical composition of the Earth’s mantle, for which reliable and accurate data have recently been obtained from the study of ultramafic nodules, yields important information about the accretion history of the Earth and that of the inner planets. It seems that accretion started with highly reduced material, with all Fe as metal and even Si and Cr, V and Mn partly in reduced state, followed by the accretion of more and more oxidized matter.

Element correlations and the bulk composition of the Moon

1977 ◽  
Vol 285 (1327) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Nebula ◽  
Bulk Composition ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Primary Component ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Group Relations ◽  
Refractory Elements ◽  
Lunar Samples ◽  
Mechanical Mixtures

A great number of element correlations have been observed in lunar samples. It is known from theoretical and experimental studies that in the solar nebula the elements condensed in groups according to their condensation temperatures and chemical affinities. One of these groups - the refractory elements - is represented by the early condensates or high temperature condensates (h.t.c.). From element correlations and group relations we estimate the bulk Moon to contain about 50 % of h.t.c.; the other 50%, the non-refractory portion, consists mainly of (Mg, Fe)-silicates and minor phases of about chondritic composition. Recently we have found strong evidence that most of the lunar highland samples represent mechanical mixtures of a differentiated (feldspathic) lunar component and a primary component from the last accretion stage of the Moon. The contribution of the h.t.c. in this primary material is estimated to 21 %. Hence, an inhomogeneous accretion of the Moon is indicated. After the formation of a highly refractory core relatively more and more non-refractory material was added until the Moon reached its final mass. The composition of the primary matter observed in the lunar highlands gives us an important clue to the composition of the non-refractory portion of the Moon and thus leads to a more reliable estimation of the lunar bulk composition.

scholarly journals Evaporative fractionation of volatile stable isotopes and their bearing on the origin of the Moon

2014 ◽  
Vol 372 (2024) ◽  
pp. 20130259 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. D. Day ◽  
Frederic Moynier
Keyword(s):  
Global Scale ◽  
Parent Body ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Magma Ocean ◽  
Volatile Elements ◽  
Giant Impact ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Present Distribution ◽  
Volatile Loss

The Moon is depleted in volatile elements relative to the Earth and Mars. Low abundances of volatile elements, fractionated stable isotope ratios of S, Cl, K and Zn, high μ ( 238 U/ 204 Pb) and long-term Rb/Sr depletion are distinguishing features of the Moon, relative to the Earth. These geochemical characteristics indicate both inheritance of volatile-depleted materials that formed the Moon and planets and subsequent evaporative loss of volatile elements that occurred during lunar formation and differentiation. Models of volatile loss through localized eruptive degassing are not consistent with the available S, Cl, Zn and K isotopes and abundance data for the Moon. The most probable cause of volatile depletion is global-scale evaporation resulting from a giant impact or a magma ocean phase where inefficient volatile loss during magmatic convection led to the present distribution of volatile elements within mantle and crustal reservoirs. Problems exist for models of planetary volatile depletion following giant impact. Most critically, in this model, the volatile loss requires preferential delivery and retention of late-accreted volatiles to the Earth compared with the Moon. Different proportions of late-accreted mass are computed to explain present-day distributions of volatile and moderately volatile elements (e.g. Pb, Zn; 5 to >10%) relative to highly siderophile elements (approx. 0.5%) for the Earth. Models of early magma ocean phases may be more effective in explaining the volatile loss. Basaltic materials (e.g. eucrites and angrites) from highly differentiated airless asteroids are volatile-depleted, like the Moon, whereas the Earth and Mars have proportionally greater volatile contents. Parent-body size and the existence of early atmospheres are therefore likely to represent fundamental controls on planetary volatile retention or loss.

A young Moon-forming giant impact at 70–110 million years accompanied by late-stage mixing, core formation and degassing of the Earth

2008 ◽  
Vol 366 (1883) ◽  
pp. 4163-4181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex N Halliday
Keyword(s):  
Isotopic Composition ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Lunar Crust ◽  
Core Formation ◽  
Volatile Elements ◽  
Giant Impact ◽  
Isotope Data ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Isotopic Effects ◽  
Late Veneer

New W isotope data for lunar metals demonstrate that the Moon formed late in isotopic equilibrium with the bulk silicate Earth (BSE). On this basis, lunar Sr isotope data are used to define the former composition of the Earth and hence the Rb–Sr age of the Moon, which is 4.48±0.02 Ga, or 70–110 Ma (million years) after the start of the Solar System. This age is significantly later than had been deduced from W isotopes based on model assumptions or isotopic effects now known to be cosmogenic. The Sr age is in excellent agreement with earlier estimates based on the time of lunar Pb loss and the age of the early lunar crust (4.46±0.04 Ga). Similar ages for the BSE are recorded by xenon and lead–lead, providing evidence of catastrophic terrestrial degassing, atmospheric blow-off and significant late core formation accompanying the ca 100 Ma giant impact. Agreement between the age of the Moon based on the Earth's Rb/Sr and the lead–lead age of the Moon is consistent with no major losses of moderately volatile elements from the Earth during the giant impact. The W isotopic composition of the BSE can be explained by end member models of (i) gradual accretion with a mean life of roughly 35 Ma or (ii) rapid growth with a mean life of roughly 10 Ma, followed by a significant hiatus prior to the giant impact. The former assumes that approximately 60 per cent of the incoming metal from impactors is added directly to the core during accretion. The latter includes complete mixing of all the impactor material into the BSE during accretion. The identical W isotopic composition of the Moon and the BSE limits the amount of material that can be added as a late veneer to the Earth after the giant impact to less than 0.3±0.3 per cent of ordinary chondrite or less than 0.5±0.6 per cent CI carbonaceous chondrite based on their known W isotopic compositions. Neither of these on their own is sufficient to explain the inventories of both refractory siderophiles such as platinum group elements and rhenium, and volatiles such as sulphur, carbon and water.

Lithium and halogens in lunar samples

1977 ◽  
Vol 285 (1327) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Composition ◽  
Fluorine Content ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Rock Samples ◽  
A Value ◽  
Refractory Elements ◽  
Incompatible Elements ◽  
Lunar Samples ◽  
Mare Basalts

Lithium and the halogen elements F, Cl, Br and I have been measured in soils, breccias and rock samples from all Apollo missions. With the exception of the anorthosites, the fluorine content of the lunar samples is in the same range as for C l chondrites. Contrary to fluorine the other halogen concentrations show large variations. The lowest concentrations are found in the mare basalts of Apollo 15 and 17, the highest in some highland breccias. Lithium correlates well with some of the incompatible elements in both mare basalts and 'KREEP’-containing highland soils and breccias. From the observed ratios it is evident that in the bulk composition of the Moon Li is neither enriched nor depleted; it belongs to the group of non-refractory elements. From the correlation of Li with some refractory elements (Be, La, etc.) a value of 50:50 for the refractory to non-refractory portion of the Moon is inferred without any further assumption, thus confirming previous estimates of Wanke et al. (1974a, 1975)

Comparative chemical history of the Earth, the Moon and parent body of achondrite

1977 ◽  
Vol 285 (1327) ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Major Elements ◽  
Parent Body ◽  
Chemical Fractionation ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Molten Layer ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Lunar Samples ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chemical History ◽  
Major Chemical

Chronological studies on the lunar samples suggest that major chemical fractionation occurred at 4.4 Ga. It is inferred from both whole-rock Rb-Sr isochron and Nd-Sm systematics. It is stressed that any models on the lunar petrogenesis and evolution should reconcile with this early fractionation. A model for chemical evolution of the Moon (extensive fractional crystallization of a molten layer, followed by impact melting and mixing of melts) is discussed to account for phase relations and r.e.e. abundances. Similar chronological characteristics are observed for achondrite parent body. Achondrite parent body experienced a similar evolutionary history to the Moon starting with a slightly different initial composition (major elements). In the Earth, on the contrary, chemical differentiation has continued (or is still continuing) as indicated by chronological and isotopic evidence.

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