Distribution and significance of carbon compounds on the moon.

Exploration of available information concerning carbon on the moon, following review of what is known about carbon on the earth, and consideration of the results of studies of meteorites, which have provided the first direct clues about extraterrestrial carbon. Carbon and carbon isotope composition data taken from Apollo 11 samples are tabulated. Carbon compounds produced by pyrolysis, extracted with benzene-methanol, extracted with water, and freed by acid treatment are discussed. Carbon and carbon compounds in lunar rocks and soils appear to be distributed heterogeneously.