Loss of oxygen, silicon, sulfur, and potassium from the lunar regolithThe processes of formation and maturation of lunar soils lead to enrichments in the heavy stable isotopes of oxygen, silicon, sulfur, and potassium. The isotopic enrichment implies substantial losses of these elements from the moon. Vaporization by micrometeorite impact and by ion sputtering have removed at least 1% of the mass of the regolith. The losses of sulfur and potassium amount to at least 20-30% of their original abundance in the regolith.
Document ID
19750055579
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Clayton, R. N.
Mayeda, T. K.
Hurd, J. M. (Chicago, University Chicago, Ill., United States)