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Carbon Chemistry of the Lunar Surface

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Abstract

Indigenous CH4 and the chemical reaction product CD4 released by deuterated acid etch of Apollo 11 and 12 lunar samples have been examined by gas chromatography. Possible origins for the CH4 include solar wind synthesis and a small primordial contribution. The CD4 probably arises from carbide or “carbide-like” materials contributed by meteorite impact and solar wind implantation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Geochemistry Unit, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol,

    P. H. CADOGAN, G. EGLINTON, J. R. MAXWELL & C. T. PILLINGER

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  1. P. H. CADOGAN
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  2. G. EGLINTON
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  3. J. R. MAXWELL
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  4. C. T. PILLINGER
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CADOGAN, P., EGLINTON, G., MAXWELL, J. et al. Carbon Chemistry of the Lunar Surface. Nature 231, 29–31 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/231029a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/231029a0

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