Low temperature volatilization on the Moon

Abstract

The concentrations of volatile elements in grain‐size separated agglutinate and mineral fractions of samples 76240 (permanently shadowed) and 76260 were compared in heating experiments. The surface concentrations of Hg were found to be considerably higher in the shadowed sample. For the rest of the investigated elements only small or insignificant differences in the concentrations were observed between the two samples which differ in the storage temperature during the last 104 y. The difference in the concentrations of Hg must be the result of the shadowing. Based on the present investigation and on our earlier heating experiments, it can be concluded that Hg and Cd are mobilized by solar heating of the uppermost lunar soil and are trapped in cold places on the moon. This low‐temperature volatilization leads to a redistribution of volatiles (e.g., Hg and Cd) on the lunar surface.

Academic Aspects of Lunar Water Resources and Their Relevance to Lunar Protolife

“…La Solfatara produces 7 kilograms of mercury per year. Recall that we have previously mentioned there are high concentrations of mercury in the shadow of lunar rocks as reported by von Gunten [ 7 ].…”

“…Possibly heavy volatized elements such as mercury could be brought to the lunar surface. In support of this possibility is the high concentration of mercury in the shadowed areas behind lunar rocks where colder temperatures would promote precipitation (von Gunten et al ) [ 7 ]. This author suggests the mercury is a phenomenon of defluidization possibly associated with transient phenomena over millions of years concentrating in low temperature shadows.…”