Open AccessConcentrations of radioactive elements in lunar materials
Author(s) -
Korotev Randy L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/97je03267
Subject(s) - regolith , mafic , geology , geochemistry , breccia , geology of the moon , lunar soil , radioactive decay , radionuclide , mineral , thorium , mineralogy , uranium , astrobiology , basalt , chemistry , nuclear physics , physics , organic chemistry
As an aid to interpreting data obtained remotely on the distribution of radioactive elements on the lunar surface, average concentrations of K, U, and Th as well as Al, Fe, and Ti in different types of lunar rocks and soils are tabulated. The U/Th ratio in representative samples of lunar rocks and regolith is constant at 0.27; K/Th ratios are more variable because K and Th are carried by different mineral phases. In nonmare regoliths at the Apollo sites, the main carriers of radioactive elements are mafic (i.e., 6–8% Fe) impact‐melt breccias created at the time of basin formation and products derived therefrom.