Polycyclic Aromatics In The Chang’E 5 Lunar Soils

editorAstrobiology5 hours ago3 Views

Polycyclic Aromatics In The Chang’E 5 Lunar Soils

Panoramic view of the Chang’e-5 landing site. Credit: CNSA/CLEP

Polycyclic aromatics are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and meteorites, yet the search for lunar polycyclic aromatics remains a significant challenge.

Here, we analyze Chang’E-5 lunar soil samples, revealing polycyclic aromatic concentrations of 5.0–9.2 µg/g (average: 7.4 ± 1.4 µg/g). Their aromatic structures are highly condensed, comparable to ~4 nm graphene sheets, and distinct from terrestrial analogs, such as wood char, soot and kerogen.

While meteorite impacts are the most likely sources, the stable carbon isotope composition of polycyclic aromatics in Chang’E-5 lunar soil (δ13C: −5.0 ± 0.6‰ to +3.6 ± 1.3‰) is more enriched in 13C compared to that in meteorites. This enrichment suggests a de novo formation mechanism during meteorite impacts, involving the conversion of non-aromatic organic matter—which is more enriched in δ13C—into polycyclic aromatics.

This process may play a significant role in carbon accretion in lunar regolith, as the resulting polycyclic aromatics are more stable and resistant to degradation compared to smaller organic molecules (e.g., amino acids), which are largely destroyed during impact events.

Polycyclic aromatics in the Chang’E 5 lunar soils, Nature Communications via PubMed

Astrobiology, Astrogeology,

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp veteran, (he/him) 🖖🏻

0 Votes: 0 Upvotes, 0 Downvotes (0 Points)

Leave a reply

Recent Comments

No comments to show.
Join Us
  • Facebook38.5K
  • X Network32.1K

Stay Informed With the Latest & Most Important News

I consent to receive newsletter via email. For further information, please review our Privacy Policy

Categories

Advertisement

Loading Next Post...
Follow
Sign In/Sign Up Search Trending
Popular Now
Loading

Signing-in 3 seconds...

Signing-up 3 seconds...