Petrology of some lithic fragments from Luna 20

Microscopic and electron microprobe studies were made of polished thin sections of part of a 30-mg sample of 250–500 μm lunar soil returned by Luna 20 from a point between Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Crisium. Very fine-grained lithic (crystalline) rock fragments, composing about one fifth of the total sample, have mineralogical compositions equivalent to various types of gabbro, anorthositic gabbro, gabbroic anorthosite and troctolite, with minor basalt. The textures now observed in these fragments are in large part metamorphic. Twentyseven electron microprobe analyses of minerals from these fragments are presented, including olivine, plagioclase, pyroxene, spinel, nickel-iron and a Zr-Ti-REE mineral possibly similar to ‘phase B’ of Lovering and Wark (1971). Analyses of seven melt inclusions and twenty-eight defocused beam analyses of lithic fragments are also given. Some of the fragments contain ‘gas’ inclusions which, along with the fine grain size, are believed to indicate final crystallization under low pressure near surface conditions. The almost complete absence of granophyric material in this sample raises the question of whether or not there are at least two distinct magmas for the plagioclase-rich terrae rocks from which this soil sample was derived in part.     

Petrology of Luna 20 regolith from the lunar highlands

The Luna 20 regolith sample contains crystalline lithic fragments of mare basalt, the anorthosite-norite-troctolite group, and feldspathio basalt. Discrete mineral fragments and mineral fragments in regolith breccias can generally be assigned, based on chemical criteria, to one or the other of the first two rock types. A complex history is indicated for the regolith fragments involving repeated metamorphism and melting of the highlands due to impact events. The glass fragments and the feldspathic basalts probably are the result of this melting and their composition may be representative of a large portion of the regolith at this site.     

Oxide minerals in lithic fragments from Luna 20 fines

One hundred and seventy-six oxide mineral grains in the Luna 20 samples were analyzed by electron microprobe. Spinel is the most abundant oxide, occurring in troctolite fragments. Next most abundant is ilmenite, which occurs in all rock types except those containing spinel. Chromite also occurs in all rock types except those containing spinel. Minor amounts of ulvöspinel, armalcolite, zirkelite, baddeleyite and an unidentified TiO₂-rich phase were also found.Spinel grains are predominantly spinel-hercynite solid solutions, commonly with very minor chromite. The $\text{Fe}\text{(Fe + Mg)}$ ratio is generally lower than in spinel from Apollo 14 rocks. Chromites in non-mare rocks are similar to those from mare rocks. Ilmenite of mare origin is Mg-poor and Zr-rich compared to non-mare ilmenite; these elements may therefore be useful in determining the origin of ilmenite grains.Phase equilibria considerations suggest that spinel troctolite crystallized from a melt high in alumina; a likely candidate is the high-alumina basalt of Prinzet al. (1973a).Sub-micron wide rods of metallic Fe occur in plagioclase grains and may have formed by sub-solidus reduction processes.     

Chemical composition of Luna 20 soil and rock fragments

Abundances of 22 elements, including 9 rare earth elements (REE), have been determined by ‘monostandard’ instrumental neutron activation analysis of samples from the Luna 20 soil and in 6 rock fragments, including a crystalline rock of highland origin, a breccia of similar composition, a glass and a feldspar grain. The soil appears to have been contaminated with W and Mo. The REE content of the soil is very low, being close to 2.3 times below the level in the Luna 16 soil. Sampling errors, for most elements, are negligible in the case of analyses performed on one or several tens of mg of soil, but they become significant on crystalline rock fragments in the 1–2 mg range.     

The age and petrography of two Luna 20 fragments and inferences for widespread lunar metamorphism

Ages were determined by the ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar method on two metaclastic rocks returned from the lunar highlands north of Mare Fecunditatis by the Luna 20 probe. Both samples gave very well-defined argon retention ages of 3.90 ± 0.04 AE which are indistinguishable from each other within a resolution of 0.02 AE. Both fragments, 22006 and 22007, are highly recrystallized polymict breccias; there is no evidence for loss of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar, and the age almost surely dates the time of recrystallization. The cosmic ray exposure ages of these fragments are similar and high: 900 million years for 22006, 1300 million years for 22007. 22007 also contains substantial trapped argon with a high ${}^{40}\text{Ar}{}^{36}\text{Ar}$ ratio.The Luna 20 results greatly extend the area of the Moon's surface exhibiting a well-defined record of metamorphism at 3.9 AE. So far, lunar history in the interval 4.6?3.9 AE is not preserved in the ages of surface rocks. This obliteration suggests lunar-wide metamorphic conditions occurring or terminating at this time as a result of major impacts.     

Mineralogy,petrology and chemistry of lithic fragments from Luna 20 fines: origin of the cumulate ANT suite and its relationship to high-alumina and mare basalts

Bulk analyses of 157 lithic fragments of igneous origin and analyses of their constituent minerals (plagioclase, pyroxene, olivine, Mg-Al spinel, chromite, ilmenite, armalcolite, baddeleyite, zirkelite, K-feldspar, interstitial glass high in SiO₂ and K₂O) have been used to characterize the lunar highland rock suites at the Luna 20 site. The predominant suite is composed of ANT (anorthositic-noritic-troctolitic) rocks, as found at previous Apollo and Luna sites. This suite consists of an early cumulate member, spinel troctolite, and later cumulate rocks which are gradational from anorthosite to noritic and troctolitic anorthosite to anorthositic norite and troctolite; anorthositic norite is the most abundant rock type and its composition is close to the average composition for the highland rocks at this site. Spinel troctolite is a distinctive member of this suite and is characterized by the presence of Mg-Al spinel, magnesian olivine (average, Fo₈₃), and plagioclase. High-alumina basalt with low alkali content is another important rock type and melt of this composition may be parental to the cumulate ANT suite. Alkalic high-alumina basalt (KREEP) was not found in our sample, but may be genetically related to the ANT suite in that it may have formed by partial melting of rocks similar to those of the ANT suite. Fractional crystallization of low alkali, high-alumina basalt probably cannot produce alkalic high-alumina basalt because the enrichment in KREEP component is many times greater than the simultaneous change in major element components. Formation of alkalic high-alumina basalt by mechanical mixing of ANT rocks with very KREEP-rich components is not likely because the high-alumina basalt suite falls on a cotectic in the anorthiteolivine-silica system. Mare basalts may also be genetically related in that they may have been derived by remelting of rocks formed from residual liquids of fractional crystallization of parental low-alkali, high-alumina basalt, plus mafic cumulate crystals; the resultant melt would have a negative Eu anomaly and high $\text{Fe}\text{Mg}$ and $\text{pyroxene}\text{plagioclase}$ ratios.     

Oxygen isotopic composition of the Luna 20 soil

The Luna 20 soil (< 125 μm fraction) has a relatively low δO¹⁸ (5.7%.), compared to other lunar soils (5.8 to 6.3%.). This implies either a low-O¹⁸ source material or an unusually small O¹⁸ enrichment in the processes of soil formation and maturation.     

Luna 16 microbreccia lithic fragments: Samples of an early basalt filling of mare fecunditatis

Summary Thirty five microbreccia fragments from Mare Fecunditatis recovered by the Luna 16 unmanned mission were studied inPTS by optical microscopy. Bulk compositions were determined by scanning electron beam analysis, and microbreccia constituents (pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, spinel-group minerals, glasses) were analyzed with the electron microprobe. Results: Microbreccia fragments have bulk and mineral compositions distinctly different from those of aluminous basalt fragments from the same site: FeO, alkalis and FeO/MgO are lower and Cr₂O₃ is higher in the microbreccia fragments. Furthermore, microbreccia fragments are predominantly olivine-normative, whereas the basalt fragments are predominantly quartz-normative. In addition, in the microbreccia fragments, pyroxene compositions cover the range typical of pyroxenes from Luna 16 basalts but extend to more Mg-rich and Ca-poor compositions. Pyroxferroites found in aluminous basalt fragments were not observed in the microbreccia fragments. Plagioclase populations cluster at ) An₉₅ in the microbreccia fragments as compared to ) An₉₀ in the basalt fragments. Compositions of basaltic glasses from within the microbreccia fragments are similar to those from the soil. Conclusions: We found evidence that at the Luna 16 site, two major basalt types are present. One is represented by the 3.42 b.y. old aluminous basalt fragments, the other by the dominant component in the microbreccia fragments and basaltic glasses. The microbreccia fragments and basaltic glasses represent a here tofore unknown lunar basalt type for which we calculate a flatREE pattern with abundances approximately 10× chondritic, thus making it one of the most primitive basalt types known from the Moon. We suggest that this basalt type formed by a relatively high degree of partial melting of a plagioclase bearing source rock at about 60–100 km depth. We further suggest that this basalt type represents older mare fillings now largely covered by younger flows. These younger flows are represented by the aluminous basalt fragments, a rock type that may have formed from a similar source rock by a relatively low degree of partial melting.

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Luna 16 mikrobrekzien fragmente: proben eines frühen basaltes aus dem mare foecunditatis

Zusammenfassung 35 Mikrobrekzien-Fragmente aus der Bodenprobe von Mar Foecunditatis, die von der unbemannten Sonde Luna 16 aufgesammelt wurde, sind in polierten Dünnschliffen mikroskopisch und mittels Elektronenstrahl-Mikrosonde untersucht worden. Pauschalzusammensetzungen der Mikrobrekzien-Fragmente wurden mittels integrierender Elektronen-Raster-Technik und die zusammensetzungen der Komponenten (Pyroxen, Olivin, Plagioklas, Minerale der Spinell-Gruppe und Gläser) mittels konventioneller Elektronenstrahl-Mikroanalyse bestimmt. Resultate: Die Mikrobrekzien-Fragmente unterscheiden sich in ihrer Pauschalzusammensetzung deutlich von den Aluminiumreichen Basaltfragmenten derselben Bodenprobe: FeO- und Alkaligehalte und das FeO/ MgO-Verhältnis sind niedriger und der Cr₂O₃-Gehalt ist höher in den Mikrobrekzien-Fragmenten. Weiters sind die Mikrobrekzien-Fragmente meist Olivin-normativ, während die Basaltfragmente meist Quarz-normativ sind. Auch die Pyroxenzusammensetzungen in den Mikrobrekzien-Fragmenten unterscheiden sich deutlich von jenen der Basaltfragmente durch einen hohen Anteil an Mg-reichen und Ca-armen Pyroxenen, die in den Basaltfragmenten nicht vorkommen. Weiters konnten Pyroxferroite, die typisch für die Luna 16 Basaltfragmente sind, in den Mikrobrekzien-Fragmenten nicht gefunden werden. Die Plagioklas-Zusammensetzungen in den Mikrobrekzien-Fragmenten zeigen ein ausgeprägtes Häufigkeitsmaximum bei ) An₉₅, wogegen das Maximum der Plagioklase in den Basaltfragmenten bei ) An₉₀ liegt. Die Zusammensetzung der Gläser in den Mikrobrekzien-Fragmenten und in den Bodenproben außerhalb der Fragmente ist identisch. Schlußfolgerungen: Die analytischen Daten zeigen, daß an der Luna 16 Landestelle zwei Basalttypen weit verbreitet sind. Der eine Typ ist durch die 3.42×10⁹ Jahre alten Aluminium-reichen Basaltfragmente vertreten, der andere durch die Hauptkomponente der Mikrobrekzienfragmente und basaltischen Gläser. Letzterer repräsentiert einen bisher nicht bekannten Basalttyp vom Mond, der Olivin- und Plagioklas-reich ist und einen niedrigen Spurenelementgehalt hat. Die errechnete Häufigkeit der Seltenen Erden ist etwa 10× chondritische Häufigkeit und weitesgehend unfraktioniert. Dieser neue Basalttyp scheint somit einer der primitivsten zu sein, den wir bisher vom Monde kennen. Er repräsentiert wahrscheinlich eine Schmelze, die durch einen hohen Grad von partieller Aufschmelzung eines plagioklasführenden Ausgangsgesteins in einer Tiefe von etwa 60–100 km entstand. Dieser Basalttyp stellt wahrscheinlich ältere Füllungen des Mare Foecunditatis dar, welche später durch jüngere Basaltergüsse größtenteils bedeckt wurden. Diese jüngeren Basalte sind durch die Basaltfragmente repräsentiert und sind durch hohe Spurenelementgehalte charakterisiert. Die Zusammensetzung der jüngeren Basalte kann durch eine relativ geringe und jene der älteren (Brekzien-) Basalte durch einen hohen Grad partieller Aufschmelzung eines ähnlichen Ausgangsgesteines erklärt werden.

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With 9 Figures     

Carbonaceous and non-carbonaceous lithic fragments in the Plainview,Texas, chondrite: origin and history

The Plainview. Texas, meteorite is a polymict-brecciated H-group chondrite composed of recrystallized light-colored portions embedded in a well-compacted, dense, somewhat recrystallized, dark-colored matrix. Both portions consist of equilibrated silicates (H5 classification), but a small number of silicate grains and unequilibrated lithic fragments not compatible with equilibrated ordinary H-group material are present in the dark-colored matrix. Lithic fragments include: (i) dark-colored, more or less altered, type II carbonaceous chondrites. (ii) unequilibrated ordinary chondrites and (iii) light-colored, unequilibrated and equilibrated fragments, some of which are compositionally similar to the host. Also present are fragment-like dark areas that are highly-shocked host material and not true lithic fragments (pseudo-fragments). Conclusions: Plainview represents a complex regolith breccia formed by repeated impact episodes. Recrystallized, light-colored portions represent surface or near-surface material of a small (asteroidal-sized) parent body. Impacts broke up this material to form fine-grained, dark material which enclosed light-colored protolith. Lithic fragments (i-iii) and some unequilibrated silicate grains and chondrules (apparently derived from unequilibrated chondrites) were embedded in the dark matrix during these repeated impacts. Xenolitlils of carbonaceous and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites are either residues of projectiles that impacted the Plainview parent body, or material from coexisting regoliths impact-splashed into Plainview regolith. Chondrules and silicate grains in the dark matrix which differ from H-group material are likely related to these xenoliths and their regoliths. Light-colored lithic fragments may represent shock-melted chondritic material, sometimes compositionally-modified, or new, achondritic meteoritic types. Unequilibrated and carbonaceous lithic fragments in the dark-colored host matrix indicate that equilibration of the host occurred before incorporation of the fragments and that compaction and lithification of the Plainview regolith to form a coherent meteorite must have occurred at temperatures below 300°C and/or on a short time scale.     

Composition and origin of lithic fragments and glasses in apollo 11 samples

Approximately 100 glasses and 52 lithic fragments from Apollo 11 lunar fines and microbreccias were analyzed with the electron microprobe. Ranges in bulk composition of lithic fragments are considerably outside the precision (<±1%) and accuracy (±2–5%) of the broad electron beam technique. Results of this study may be summarized as follows: i) A large variety of rock types different from the hand specimens (basalt) were found among the lithic fragments, namely anorthosites, troctolitic and noritic anorthosites, troctolites, and norites (different from Apollo 12 norites). ii) In analogy to the hand specimens, the basaltic lithic fragments may be subdivided into low-K and high-K groups, both of which extend considerably in composition beyond the hand specimens. iii) Glasses were divided into 6 groups: Group 1 are the compositional analogs of the anorthositic-troctolitic lithic fragments and were apparently formed in single-stage impact events directly from parent anorthosites and troctolites. iv) Group 2 glasses are identical in composition to Apollo 12 KREEP glass and noritic lithic fragments, but have no counterparts in our Apollo 11 lithic fragment suite. Occurrence of KREEP in Apollo 11,12, and 14 samples is indicative of its relatively high abundance and suggests that the lunar crust is less depleted in elements that are common in KREEP (e.g. K, rare earths, P) than was originally thought on the basis of Apollo 11 basalt studies. v) Group 3 glasses are the compositional analogs of the basaltic lithic fragments, but low-K and high-K glasses cannot be distinguished because of loss of K (and Na, P) by volatilization in the vitrification process. vi) Group 4 glasses have no compositional analogs among the lithic fragments and were probably derived from as yet unknown Fe-rich, moderately Ti-rich, Mg-poor basalts. vii) Group 5 (low Ti-high Mg peridotite equivalent) and 6 (ilmenite peridotite equivalent) glasses have no counterparts among the Apollo 11 lithic fragments, but rock equivalents to group 5 glasses were found in Apollo 12 samples. Group 6 glasses are abundant, have narrow compositional ranges, and are thought to be the products of impact melting of an as yet unrecognized ultramafic rock type. iix) The great variety of igneous rocks (e.g. anorthosites, troctolites, norites, basalts, peridotites) suggests that large scale melting or partial melting to considerable depth must have occurred on the moon.     

The halogens in Luna 16 and Luna 20 soils

Cl and P₂U₅ do not appear to exhibit the same correlation in soils from the Luna 20 and possibly the Luna 16 sites as they do in samples from the Apollo 11–15 sites. Nevertheless, the coherence between labile Cl and other KREEP-related elements is maintained.     

Composition of the Descartes region,lunar highlands

Analytical data for 40 elements are reported for Apollo 16 soils 60601, 61181, 61501, 64801, 67701, 68501, 65701 and breccias 60015, 60017, 60018, 60315, 61016, 61175, 65015 and 66055. The soils are uniform except for the North Ray Crater rim sample which is richer in Al₂O₃.The breccia components show great diversity in composition. Low-K Fra Mauro basalt, Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro) and plagioclase are important constituents. Medium-K Fra Mauro basalt is an important constituent of breccias 65015 and 60315.The breccias contain many meteorite fragments and high nickel contents, evidence of the early highland bombardment.Most of the refractory elements (REE, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ba) show strong positive correlations, interpreted as resulting from mixing. The REE patterns of the breccias show extreme variation relative to chondrites. There is a good inverse correlation between REE and the europium anomaly ($\text{Eu}\text{Eu}{}^{\mathrm{x}}$). The $\text{La}\text{Yb}$ ratio is constant at 3.1 except in plagioclase. Eu depletion or enrichment is interpreted as due to addition or removal of plagioclase.The Cayley and Descartes formations cannot be distinguished chemically and the differences in surface expression are not due to chemical distinctions. They are interpreted as structural differences, related to early highland cratering and mare basin formation.The complex soil and breccia compositions are related to mixing of four components. These are Low-K Fra Mauro basalt, Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro) and subordinate plagioclase and Medium-K Fra Mauro basalt. These compositions have been used in a computer program (PETMIX III) to provide fits for the analytical data in terms of the end-members.An average highland composition is proposed, based on the Apollo 15 and 16 orbital data for Si, Al, Mg and Th. Abundances for most other elements are derived from the interelement relationships and correlations, and checked by the mixing program.The resulting composition consists of 69 per cent Highland basalt (anorthositic gabbro) and 31 per cent Low-K Fra Mauro basalt. There is no significant Eu anomaly. The abundances are: SiO₂: 45.2 per cent; TiO₂: 0.68 per cent; Al₂O₃: 24.9 per cent; FeO: 6.3 per cent; MgO: 8.5 per cent; CaO: 13.8 per cent; Na₂O: 0.4 per cent; K₂O: 0.11 per cent; Cr₂O₃: 0.11 per cent; Ba: 144 ppm; Th: 1.8 ppm; U: 0.46 ppm; Pb: 1.6 ppm; Zr: 156 ppm; Hf: 3.2 ppm; Nb: 10.8 ppm; Y: 32 ppm; ΣREE: 85 ppm.     

Petrology of glacial sand: implications for the origin and mechanical durability of lithic fragments

The petrology of first cycle (unmodified) and second cycle (reworked) sand at the termini of eleven valley glaciers eroding coarse- to fine-grained bedrock types is determined in order to evaluate the origin and mechanical durability of lithic sands. First cycle sands are coarse- to medium-grained, poorly sorted, fine-skewed, non-modal lithic sands with an average composition of Q₂₁F₆L₇₃. Grain-size distributions do not vary with composition or source rock types, although sands derived from finer grained source rocks contain more lithic fragments than sands from coarser grained sources. By contrast, second cycle sands are medium-grained, poorly sorted, fine- to coarse-skewed arkosic to lithic sands with an average composition of Q₁₉F₄₀L₄₁, and contain fewer lithic fragments than do first cycle sands. We propose that the origin, mechanical durability and survival potential of lithic fragments are related to the types and abundances of their internal planes of weakness, and the particular stress field of the transporting medium. As a result of abrasion, glacial clasts and lithic fragments are subjected to shear stress so that fractures propagate along intracrystal and intercrystal planes of weakness resulting in a continuous grain-size spectrum of lithic fragments and monomineralic grains irrespective of the type of source rock. Upon subsequent aqueous transport in the proglacial environment lithic fragments are subjected to point-loading during saltation in addition to shear stress. Point-loading produces extensional fractures which preferentially propagate along intercrystal planes of weakness, so the lithic fragments break into smaller monomineralic grains and/or lithic fragments. Lithic fragments of very coarse sand-size are abundant in first cycle sands, thus refuting, at least for glacial sands, the widely held view that grains of this size are deficient in nature. The presence of fewer grains of this size in second cycle sands indicates that very coarse sand-size lithic fragments can survive recycling, but in greatly reduced proportions due to breakage.     

Chemical composition of Luna 20 rocks and soil and Apollo 16 soils

The abundances of 24 major, minor and trace elements have been measured by INAA in Luna 20 metaigneous rocks 22006,1 and 22007,1, breccia 22004 and soil 22001,9 and in Apollo 16 soils 62281, 66041 and 66081. An additional 12 trace meteoritic and non-meteoritic elements have also been determined in 22001 and 62281 soils by RNAA. The bulk compositions of L 20 and Ap 16 rocks and soils show close similarity between the two highland sites. There are appreciable differences in bulk compositions between the L 20 highland and the L 16 mare site (120 km apart), suggesting little intermixing of rocks and soils from either site. Luna 20 rocks 22006 and 22007 are nearly identical in chemical composition to Ap 16 metaigneous rocks 61156 and 66095. Luna 20 rocks are feldspathic and are similar to low K-type Fra Mauro basalts. Such rocks and anorthositic gabbros appear to be the major components in highland soils. Luna 20 soil can be distinguished from Ap 16 soils by lower abundances of Al₂O₃, CaO and large ion lithophilic elements. Luna 20 breccia 22004 probably is compacted soil. All L 20 samples show negative Eu anomalies with $\text{Sm}\text{Eu}$ ratios of 5.8, 7.2, 3.9 and 3.3 for rocks 22006, 22007, breccia 22004 and soil 22001, respectively. Norite-KREEP is insignificant, ≤1 per cent, at the L 20 highland site. The derivation of the L 20 soil may be explained by ≈33 per cent of L 20 metaigneous rocks and ≈ 65 per cent anorthositic gabbroic breccia rocks like 15418 (with a positive Eu anomaly) and ≈ 2 per cent meteoritic contributions. Interelement correlations observed previously for maria are also found in highland samples. Luna 20 and Ap 16 soils are low in alkalis. Both soils show an apparent Cd-Zn rich component similar to that observed at the mare sites and high 11 abundances relative to mare sites. The Ap 16 (62281) soil contains a fractionated meteoritic component (probably ancient) of ≈ 1.5 per cent in addition to ≈ 1.9 per cent Cl like material. Luna 20 soil may simply contain 1.9 per cent Cl equivalent.     

Carbon chemistry of Luna 16 and Luna 20 samples

Luna 16 and Luna 20 samples were analyzed for volatilizable species using vacuum pyrolysis to 1400°C. The major gaseous products evolved (ranging from 10–650 μg/g) were H₂O, CO, CO₂, N₂ and CH₄. Minor components (all < 10 μg/g) included NH₃, HCN, NO, SO₂, H₂S, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₆ and higher hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, and the polymeric contaminants Teflon^® and silicone oil. The total carbon and nitrogen contents (μg/g) for these sieved samples (< 125 μm) were: Luna 16—C 418, N 134 and Luna 20—C 380, N 80.     

Luna 20: mineralogy and petrology of fragments less than 125 μm size

Two milligrams of less than 125 μm size particles from the Luna 20 soil sample (22001,17) have been examined. The results of the mineral identification and analysis verify earlier assumptions that the nature of the lunar highlands is predominantly anorthositic in composition. The presence of highly magnesian clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and olivine suggests crystallization of Highland rocks in an ultrabasic environment. No fragments were observed that could be unequivocally assigned to mare basalt types.     

Petrology of fine-grained rock fragments and petrologic implications of single crystals from the Luna 20 soil

Only fine-grained rocks are present in the Luna 20 samples, and coarser grained rocks are represented by fragments of single crystals. A petrologic study has been made of 47 fine-grained crystalline rocks, microbreccias, and glassy aggregates. In addition, a total of 33 single crystals of pyroxene, plagioclase, olivine and spinel, in the size range 125 to 500 μ, have been examined using electron microprobe and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.The most abundant fine-grained crystalline rocks in the samples we have examined are recrystallized anorthositic norite and anorthositic troctolite. Gabbroic rocks, anorthosite, and KREEP basalt are present but not common. Most of the single crystals of pyroxene and plagioclase could have been derived from coarser grained noritic, troctolitic and anorthositic rocks. However, three of the 14 pyroxene crystals, and 2 of the 5 olivine crystals have $\text{Fe}\text{(Fe + Mg)}$ contents greater than 0.45 and are believed to have been derived from mare basalts or related rocks. Two relatively sodic crystals of plagioclase were found. One is a crystal zoned at least over the range An₈₅ to An₆₃, and the second is a homogeneous crystal of albite (~An₃).     

The mineralogy and petrology of the Luna 20 soil sample

Fragments of igneous rocks, glasses and minerals comprise 25 per cent of the studied sample of the Luna 20 soil. Basalt fragments in the Luna 20 soil are similar to basalts from the mare regions of the Moon—in that they are characterized by the presence of iron-rich olivines and pyroxenes. On the basis of the FeO contents of plagioclases, it appears possible to distinguish between the plagioclase of the mare and highland regions of the Moon. Other igneous rock fragments are anorthosite, gabbroic anorthosite and anorthositic gabbro. The most abundant rock type (75 per cent of the sample) is microbreceia. One third of the fragments of microbreccia have undergone thermal metamorphism resulting in the homogenization of phases and the development of poikioblastic and hornfelsic textures. Excluding the basalt fragments, the dominant minerals in the Luna 20 soil are anorthite (An_93–98), magnesium-rich orthopyroxenes, intermediate clinopyroxenes and olivine (< Fa₅₀). Chemically, the Luna 20 and Apollo 16 soil samples are similar, but the Luna 20 soil is slightly depleted in aluminum and calcium and enriched in iron and magnesium relative to the Apollo 16 soils. The slight difference in bulk chemistry of the two soils may be a result of the presence of a minor amount of mare material in the Luna 20 soil and its apparent absence in the Apollo 16 soils.