Nano- and microstructures of apatite and zircon in lunar samples: Implications for endogenous lunar volatile reservoirs and the age of the Moon

Katie Goss, PhD Student

Earth and Planetary Science
Mentors: Adrian Brearley and Charles Shearer

Through studying returned lunar samples, the scientific community has gained an extensive understanding of the formation and evolution of the Moon.

However, there still remains uncertainty regarding two long debated questions: (1) What is the origin and evolution of the lunar endogenous volatile reservoir? (2) What is the age of the Moon and its primordial crust?

This study focuses on constraining these questions by studying and interpreting the microstructures of the minerals apatite and zircon, to better understand the complex geochemical histories these grains have experienced.

Limited studies have investigated the microstructures of both of these minerals in lunar samples, but have illustrated the importance of doing so. This work will have implications for both the Moon and the Earth-Moon system.