Semimicro Chemical and X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Lunar Samples

Abstract

Major and selected minor elements were determined in seven whole rock fragments, five portions of pulverized lunar rock, and the lunar soil. Three different rock types were represented: vesicular, fine-grained basaltic rocks; medium to coarse-grained, vuggy gabbroic rocks; and breccia. The ranges (in percent) for the major constituents of the lunar samples are: SiO₂, 38 to 42; Al₂O₃, 8 to 14; total iron as FeO, 15 to 20; MgO, 6 to 8; CaO, 10 to 12; Na₂O, 0.5 to 1; K₂0, 0.05 to 0.4; TiO₂, 8 to 13; MnO, 0.2 to 0.3; and Cr₂O₃, 0.2 to 0.4. The high reducing capacity of the samples strongly suggests the presence of Ti(III).