Secular evolution of water in the lunar mantle
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Environment, Earth & Ecosystems
Abstract
Water plays a crucial role in geological processes which operate on planetary bodies such as our own Earth. Water affects physical properties of magmas, thermal stabilities of minerals and melts, and control magma eruptive processes. In addition, water is one of the key components influencing the habitability of a planetary body and in the context of in-situ resource utilization on other planetary bodies, such as the Moon, it will be an invaluable resource for life-support, and a key resource for generating rocket fuel. Since the Apollo era, the Moon has always been considered bone dry, especially with respect to water in lunar magmas. Amongst the most exciting recent discoveries is the presence of significant quantities of water on the lunar surface at lower latitudes as confirmed by a number of spacecraft missions (India's Chandrayaan-1 and NASA's LRO and LCROSS). These findings have been corroborated by recent, earth-based, laboratory analysis of lunar samples which suggest significant quantities of indigenous water in lunar magmas. Although the first demonstration of water in lunar magmas came from direct measurement of volcanic glasses, since they formed in violent, 'fire-fountain' eruptions, they possibly degassed losing much of lunar magmatic water upon eruption. The new detections of water have come from apatite crystals found in mare basalts. Because the basalt came from quieter eruptions than the fire fountains that formed the glasses, the apatite crystals are better repository of lunar water and may provide better constraints on the original water content of the lunar magmas and by proxy the water content of the lunar mantle. Chronological studies of mare-basalts returned by Apollo and Luna missions have revealed that the basaltic volcanism on the Moon occurred between 3.9 Ga and 3.1 Ga ago, leading to the hypothesis that mare volcanism occurred mainly after the late heavy bombardment around 3.8-3.9 Ga. However, recent chronological studies of lunar basalts have significantly expanded our knowledge of the duration of basaltic volcanism on the Moon extending the age range from 2.9 to 4.35 Ga, leading to speculation that basaltic volcanism on the Moon began within the first 150 Ma of Solar System formation, much earlier than previously thought. This hypothesis may be tested by examining examples of mare-basalts suspected to be older than 3.9 Ga, notably as clasts in breccias from Apollo site 14. Therefore, one of the aims of this proposal is to carry out age dating of mare-basalts to determine the total range of ages recorded in lunar basalts to place limits on the duration of mare volcanism. Crucially, basalts are the dominant products of planetary melting providing a window into planetary interiors by which we can understand the physical and chemical makeup and evolution of planetary bodies after accretion. Since the Moon is the only planetary body, apart from Earth, from which we have rock-samples (including basalts from known locations), lunar sample studies can provide an unrivalled dataset with which we can understand the mechanisms of planetary formation and subsequent evolution during that critical time period not recorded in terrestrial samples. We propose to carry out a coupled study of determining the volcanic history of the Moon along with measuring and assessing water contents in lunar basalts and their source regions. We will target apatites which are shown to be the main repository of water in lunar basalts while being amenable to in-situ radiometric age dating, giving crystallization ages for mare magma, sourced from the lunar mantle. Therefore, our proposed work will provide a comprehensive dataset with which we will be able to investigate the secular variation of water in the lunar mantle, thereby, providing a ground-breaking research output with far-reaching implications for our understanding of the structure and evolution of the Moon and other similar terrestrial bodies in our Solar System.
People |
ORCID iD |
Mahesh Anand (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Abernethy F
(2013)
Stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen in angrites
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Anand M
(2012)
A brief review of chemical and mineralogical resources on the Moon and likely initial in situ resource utilization (ISRU) applications
in Planetary and Space Science
Anand M
(2014)
Understanding the origin and evolution of water in the Moon through lunar sample studies.
in Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences
Barnes J
(2016)
Investigating the History of Magmatic Volatiles in the Moon Using NanoSIMS
in Microscopy and Microanalysis
Barnes J
(2016)
Early degassing of lunar urKREEP by crust-breaching impact(s)
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Barnes J
(2013)
Accurate and precise measurements of the D/H ratio and hydroxyl content in lunar apatites using NanoSIMS
in Chemical Geology
Barnes J
(2014)
The origin of water in the primitive Moon as revealed by the lunar highlands samples
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Barnes JJ
(2016)
An asteroidal origin for water in the Moon.
in Nature communications
Barrett T
(2019)
Investigating magmatic processes in the early Solar System using the Cl isotopic systematics of eucrites
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Barrett T
(2016)
The abundance and isotopic composition of water in eucrites
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Bonnand P
(2016)
Mass dependent fractionation of stable chromium isotopes in mare basalts: Implications for the formation and the differentiation of the Moon
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Crawford I
(2012)
Back to the Moon: The scientific rationale for resuming lunar surface exploration
in Planetary and Space Science
Hallis L
(2014)
Trace-element modelling of mare basalt parental melts: Implications for a heterogeneous lunar mantle
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Hauri E
(2017)
Origin and Evolution of Water in the Moon's Interior
in Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Jaumann R
(2012)
Geology, geochemistry, and geophysics of the Moon: Status of current understanding
in Planetary and Space Science
Koike M
(2016)
Combined investigation of H isotopic compositions and U-Pb chronology of young Martian meteorite Larkman Nunatak 06319
in GEOCHEMICAL JOURNAL
McCubbin F
(2015)
Magmatic volatiles (H, C, N, F, S, Cl) in the lunar mantle, crust, and regolith: Abundances, distributions, processes, and reservoirs
in American Mineralogist
McCubbin F
(2015)
Experimental investigation of F, Cl, and OH partitioning between apatite and Fe-rich basaltic melt at 1.0-1.2 GPa and 950-1000 °C
in American Mineralogist
Morlok A
(2014)
Dust from collisions: A way to probe the composition of exo-planets?
in Icarus
Mortimer J
(2016)
Predominantly non-solar origin of nitrogen in lunar soils
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
N J Potts
(2015)
Apatite-Melt Volatile Partitioning Under Lunar Conditions
Potts N
(2016)
Characterization of mesostasis regions in lunar basalts: Understanding late-stage melt evolution and its influence on apatite formation
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Potts N
(2018)
Chlorine isotopic compositions of apatite in Apollo 14 rocks: Evidence for widespread vapor-phase metasomatism on the lunar nearside ~4 billion years ago
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Robinson K
(2016)
Water in evolved lunar rocks: Evidence for multiple reservoirs
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Santos A
(2015)
Petrology of igneous clasts in Northwest Africa 7034: Implications for the petrologic diversity of the martian crust
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Snape J
(2016)
Lunar basalt chronology, mantle differentiation and implications for determining the age of the Moon
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Sossi P
(2016)
On the iron isotope composition of Mars and volatile depletion in the terrestrial planets
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Tartese R
(2013)
NanoSIMS Pb/Pb dating of tranquillityite in high-Ti lunar basalts: Implications for the chronology of high-Ti volcanism on the Moon
in American Mineralogist
Tartèse R
(2013)
The abundance, distribution, and isotopic composition of Hydrogen in the Moon as revealed by basaltic lunar samples: Implications for the volatile inventory of the Moon
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Tartèse R
(2019)
H and Cl isotope characteristics of indigenous and late hydrothermal fluids on the differentiated asteroidal parent body of Grave Nunataks 06128
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Tartèse R
(2013)
Late delivery of chondritic hydrogen into the lunar mantle: Insights from mare basalts
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Tartèse R
(2014)
H and Cl isotope systematics of apatite in brecciated lunar meteorites Northwest Africa 4472, Northwest Africa 773, Sayh al Uhaymir 169, and Kalahari 009
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Tartèse R
(2014)
Apatites in lunar KREEP basalts: The missing link to understanding the H isotope systematics of the Moon
in Geology
Thomas R
(2014)
Hollows on Mercury: Materials and mechanisms involved in their formation
in Icarus
Thomas R
(2014)
Mechanisms of explosive volcanism on Mercury: Implications from its global distribution and morphology
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets
Thomas R
(2014)
Long-lived explosive volcanism on Mercury
in Geophysical Research Letters
Weider S
(2012)
The Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer: First results
in Planetary and Space Science
Zambardi T
(2013)
Silicon isotope variations in the inner solar system: Implications for planetary formation, differentiation and composition
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Description | We have discovered that the interior of the Moon is not completely dry as thought previously and that the source of this water in the lunar interior was most similar to a group of primitive meteorites called carbonaceous chondrites. We also discovered water in mineral apatite from some of the oldest Moon rocks suggesting that the Earth and Moon may have inherited water from a common source and that at least some water may have survived the violent collision between the Proto Earth and an impactor that gave rise to the Moon. In order to achieve these results, we developed new analytical methods for measuring the ages, water contents and its associated isotopic composition using a Nano Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (NanoSIMS) based at the Open University. |
Exploitation Route | Our research has highlighted the importance of continued investigations of Apollo lunar samples for their ages and volatile elements (water, carbon, nitrogen) budget using modern analytical techniques and instrumentations in order to establish the history of volatile elements delivery in the inner Solar System. Such information is crucial for improving our understanding of the origin and and evolution of life on Earth. |
Sectors | Education |
URL | https://sites.google.com/site/theoulunarresearchgroup/home |
Description | Findings from our research have been used by researchers around the world investigating the history of water in the inner Solar System. As a direct result of our research findings, many new collaborations have been established with colleagues from around the world who are keen to utilise our analytical skills and advancements in analysing apatites in planetary samples for measuring their water contents and associated isotopic compositions. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Natural History Museum |
Organisation | Natural History Museum |
Department | Department of Mineralogy |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Co-supervised PhD students funded by the Natural History Museum. |
Collaborator Contribution | Co-supervision of PhD students based at the Open University. |
Impact | Publications: (1) J.J. Barnes, R. Tartese, M. Anand, F. McCubbin, I.A. Franchi, N.A. Starkey, S.S. Russell (2014). The origin of water in the primitive Moon as revealed by the lunar highlands samples, EPSL, 390, 244-252. (2) Barnes, J.J., Franchi, I.A., Anand, M., Tartèse, R., Starkey, N.A., Koike, M., Sano, Y. & Russell, S.S. (2013), Accurate and precise measurements of the D/H ratio and hydroxyl content in lunar apatites using NanoSIMS, Chemical Geology 337-338, 48-55. (3) Hallis, L.J., Anand, M., Greenwood, R.C., Miller, M.F., Franchi, I.A., Russell, S.S. (2010) The oxygen isotope composition, petrology and geochemistry of mare basalts: Evidence for large-scale compositional variation in the lunar mantle, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 74, 6885-6899. (4) Joy, K.H., Crawford, I.A., Anand., M., Greenwood, R.C., Franchi, I.A., Russell, S.S., 2008. The Petrology and Geochemistry of Miller Range 05035: A New Lunar Gabbroic Meteorite, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 72, 3822-3844. (5) Anand., M., Russell, S.S., Blackhurst, R.L. and Grady, M.M., 2006. Searching for signatures of life on Mars: An Fe isotope perspective, Phil. Trans. Royal Soc. B, v. 361, (1474) 1715-1720. |
Description | OU-New Mexico partnership |
Organisation | University of New Mexico |
Department | Institute of Meteoritics |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We collaborated with colleagues at the University of New Mexico for carrying out analytical measurements on a suite of lunar samples. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborator provided the necessary lunar samples for analysis and participated in data interpretation and manuscript writing. |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in two peer-reviewed publications and several conference abstracts as listed below: 1) Tartèse, R., Anand, M., McCubbin, F., Elardo. S.M., Shearer, C.K., Franchi, I.A. (2014), Apatites in lunar KREEP basalts: The missing link to understanding the H isotope systematics of the Moon. Geology, In Press. 2) J.J. Barnes, R. Tartese, M. Anand, F. McCubbin, I.A. Franchi, N.A. Starkey, S.S. Russell (2014). The origin of water in the primitive Moon as revealed by the lunar highlands samples, EPSL, 390, 244-252. 3) F. M. McCubbin, K. E. Vander Kaaden, R. Tartèse, E. S. Whitson, M. Anand, I. A. Franchi, S. Mikhail, G. Ustunisik, E. H. Hauri, J. Wang, and J. W. Boyce (2014) APATITE-MELT PARTITIONING IN BASALTIC MAGMAS: THE IMPORTANCE OF EXCHANGE EQUILIBRIA AND THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF THE OH COMPONENT IN HALOGEN-RICH APATITE. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abs# 2741. 4) R. Tartèse, J. J. Barnes, M. Anand, F. M. McCubbin, N. A. Starkey, I. A. Franchi, S. M. Elardo, C. K. Shearer (2014) WATER CONTENT AND HYDROGEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION OF APATITE IN KREEP AND HIGH-AL MARE BASALTS: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON WATER IN THE MOON. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abs# 1999. 5) R. Tartèse, M. Anand, F. M. McCubbin, A. R. Santos and T. Delhaye (2014) ZIRCONS IN NORTHWEST AFRICA 7034: RECORDERS OF CRUSTAL EVOLUTION ON MARS. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abs# 2020. 6) |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | OU-University of Hawaii partnership |
Organisation | University of Hawaii |
Department | Institute of Geophysics and Planetology |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration involved analysis of selected lunar samples using analytical instrumentation and techniques developed at the Open University. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators provided the lunar samples and participated in data collection and interpretation. |
Impact | 1) K.L. Robinson, J.J. Barnes, R. Tartèse, K. Nagashima, L.J. Hallis, I.A. Franchi , M. Anand, and G.J. Taylor (2014) PRIMITIVE LUNAR WATER IN EVOLVED ROCKS? Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abs# 1607. 2) K. L. Robinson, J. J. Barnes, R. Tartèse, L. J. Hallis, I. A. Franchi , M. Anand and G. J. Taylor (2014) APATITE IN ALLAN HILLS 81005 AND THE ORIGIN OF WATER IN THE LUNAR MAGMA OCEAN. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abs# 2413. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Topical Team on Exploitation of Local Planetary Resources |
Organisation | European Space Agency |
Country | France |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | I lead a group of leading academics and researchers active in the field of in-situ resource utilisation of planetary materials to organise workshops and provide feedback to the European Space Agency about Science that can inform and enable exploration of planetary materials on the surfaces of Earth's neighbouring planetary bodies such as the Moon and Mars. |
Collaborator Contribution | The team members bring critical insights and a wealth of experience to bear on the topic of in situ resource utilisation on the Moon and other similar planetary bodies relevant to human destinations in foreseeable future. |
Impact | Anand, M.; Crawford, I. A.; Balat-Pichelin, M.; Abanades, S.; van Westrenen, W.; Péraudeau, G.; Jaumann, R. and Seboldt, W. (2012). A brief review of chemical and mineralogical resources on the Moon and likely initial in situ resource utilization (ISRU) applications. Planetary And Space Science, 74 (1), 42-48. |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Origin of the Moon Meeting - Royal Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | I presented the work of my research group to an audience of ~50 people representing the international lunar science community and included some of the highest-profile researchers from the field of Lunar and Planetary Sciences. It raised the profile of our research at the international stage which led subsequently to invitations for keynote talks at other meetings and conferences. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Rocks from Space |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Multiple visits to local primary schools to engage 5-7 year olds with hands on activities involving meteorite handling, viewing a polished rock section using a geological microscope and listening to brief talks about rock cycle on Earth and the origin of the Solar System and meteorites. We have made many repeat visits to local primary schools at their request. The topics covered during our visits complement some aspects of national curriculum for 5-7 year olds at primary schools in England and Wales. We are now receiving more requests from local primary schools than we can accommodate which demonstrates the popularity of our workshop. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014 |
Description | Science and Challenges of Lunar Sample Return |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | I served on the expert panel discussing Science and Challenges of the Lunar Sample Return in light of new missions proposed for sampling new materials from previously unvisited areas of the Moon. The panel discussion helped focus the community's mind on the top science questions that can be addressed by future lunar sample return missions and what challenges we face in undertaking such missions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |