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Sub-microscopic magnetite and metallic iron particles formed by eutectic reaction in Chang’E-5 lunar soil

Author

Listed:
  • Zhuang Guo

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Peking University
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chen Li

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Kunming University of Science and Technology)

  • Yang Li

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yuanyun Wen

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yanxue Wu

    (Guangdong University of Technology)

  • Bojun Jia

    (Peking University)

  • Kairui Tai

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Northwest University)

  • Xiaojia Zeng

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiongyao Li

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jianzhong Liu

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ziyuan Ouyang

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Ferric iron as well as magnetite are rarely found in lunar samples, and their distribution and formation mechanisms on the Moon have not been well studied. Here, we discover sub-microscopic magnetite particles in Chang’E-5 lunar soil. Magnetite and pure metallic iron particles are embedded in oxygen-dissolved iron-sulfide grains from the Chang’E-5 samples. This mineral assemblage indicates a FeO eutectoid reaction (4FeO = Fe3O4 + Fe) for formation of magnetite. The iron-sulfide grains’ morphology features and the oxygen’s distribution suggest that a gas–melt phase reaction occurred during large-impact events. This could provide an effective method to form ubiquitous sub-microscopic magnetite in fine lunar soils and be a contributor to the presentation of ferric iron on the surface of the Moon. Additionally, the formation of sub-microscopic magnetite and metallic iron by eutectoid reaction may provide an alternative way for the formation of magnetic anomalies observed on the Moon.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhuang Guo & Chen Li & Yang Li & Yuanyun Wen & Yanxue Wu & Bojun Jia & Kairui Tai & Xiaojia Zeng & Xiongyao Li & Jianzhong Liu & Ziyuan Ouyang, 2022. "Sub-microscopic magnetite and metallic iron particles formed by eutectic reaction in Chang’E-5 lunar soil," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-35009-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35009-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuki Kimura & Takeharu Kato & Satoshi Anada & Ryuji Yoshida & Kazuo Yamamoto & Toshiaki Tanigaki & Tetsuya Akashi & Hiroto Kasai & Kosuke Kurosawa & Tomoki Nakamura & Takaaki Noguchi & Masahiko Sato &, 2024. "Nonmagnetic framboid and associated iron nanoparticles with a space-weathered feature from asteroid Ryugu," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.

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