Planetary science: The early Moon was rich in
water
Marc Chaussidon1
Abstract
Analyses of lunar volcanic glasses show that they are rich in volatile elements and water. If parts of the lunar mantle contain as much water as Earth's, does this imply that the water has a common origin?
The Moon's chemical composition differs from Earth's. It is enriched by a factor of two to three in refractory elements (those that condense first from a high-temperature gas) such as aluminium, calcium and titanium; most easily vaporized (that is, volatile) elements, such as sodium and potassium, are rare; and it is considered to be almost devoid of water1.
Nature 454, 170-172 (10 July 2008)
