Dissolution chemistry of fine-textured basaltic materials (lunar simulants)

Abstract

The dissolution chemistry of basaltic lunar-soil simulants in water, dilute acids, or dilute carboxylate solutions at near-neutral pH was explored. The silt-textured simulants examined include JLS-1 (Johnson Space Center Lunar Simulant-1) and MLS (Minnesota Lunar Simulant). JLS-1, i.e., JSC-1 (McKay et al., 1994), is similar to Apollo 14 Sample 14163 and is a simulant of basaltic materials of lunar highlands which are rich in K, rare earth elements, and P, i.e., KREEP basalts. MLS is similar to Apollo 11 Sample 10084 and is a simulant of Ti-rich lunar mare soils (Weiblen and Gordon, 1988). Future dissolution studies of lunar simulants are proposed, which could support development of bioregenerative life support systems for a permanently inhabited lunar launch site and test bed for planetary exploration. The utility of comprehensive soil extraction tests like the AB-DTPA test (Soltanpour, 1991) in these studies is also discussed.