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Widespread ilmenite contributions to the surface water cycle in lunar Procellarum KREEP Terrane

Author

Listed:
  • Yuchen Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Liyu Shan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Heng-Ci Tian

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jialong Hao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yangting Lin

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Christian Wöhler

    (TU Dortmund University)

  • Lixin Gu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhuang Guo

    (Northwest University)

  • Ruiying Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tianxin Zhang

    (Deep Space Exploration Laboratory
    China National Space Administration)

  • Wei Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yang Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xu Tang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Sheng Gou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Huaiyu He

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yongliao Zou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xianhua Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The role of widespread ilmenite in lunar mare regions in the abundance and diurnal variations of surficial OH/H2O remains controversial. Here, we report the water content and hydrogen isotopes in the rims of lunar ilmenites from Chang’e-5 soil samples using an ion microprobe. Ilmenite rims exhibit higher water contents (~730 − 3,700 ppm) and lower δD values (−884 to −482‰) than that of the lunar mantle, indicating a predominantly endogenic origin from solar-wind (SW) implantation. Our data further reveal that although ilmenite and silicate minerals overlap in the δD vs. H2O diagram, almost all ilmenites fall above those of silicates with SW-like δD values. This signature is consistent with the drastic difference in vesicle abundance between ilmenite and silicate minerals. Thus, the lower water content in ilmenite rims most likely reflects a faster dynamic equilibrium between SW-hydrogen implantation and outgassing than in other silicates. These findings suggest that ilmenite may play a critical role in the surface water cycle of lunar maria within the Procellarum KREEP Terrane. This is also crucial for assessing the in-situ resource utilization potential of the region, highlighting the need to reevaluate ilmenite as a viable resource for future lunar exploration.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuchen Xu & Liyu Shan & Heng-Ci Tian & Jialong Hao & Yangting Lin & Christian Wöhler & Lixin Gu & Zhuang Guo & Ruiying Li & Tianxin Zhang & Wei Yang & Yang Liu & Xu Tang & Sheng Gou & Huaiyu He & Yong, 2025. "Widespread ilmenite contributions to the surface water cycle in lunar Procellarum KREEP Terrane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62914-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62914-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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