Rust in the Apollo 16 rocksApollo 16 samples of all four rock types and from all stations contain evidence for hydration and oxidation - i.e., the presence of hydrated iron oxide, probably goethite. Rock 66095 contains native FeNi grains with a characteristic intergrowth of schreibersite and, to lesser extents, of cohenite. Troilite also contains sphalerite. The goethite contains 1.5-4.6 wt.% chlorine and occurs mainly on the edges of FeNi metal, causing a rust color in the cracks and space around the native metal grains, which also contain abundant chlorine. This observation suggests the presence of lawrencite (FeCl2), a phase that deliquesces and oxidizes very rapidly upon exposure to water or to a moist atmosphere.
Document ID
19740040111
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Taylor, L. A. (Purdue University Lafayette, Ind.; Tennessee, University, Knoxville, Tenn., United States)
Mao, H. K.
Bell, P. M. (Carnegie Institution of Washington Washington, D.C., United States)