Mineralogical characteristics of lunar ilmenite from the Chang'e-6 mission
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P184.1;P578.4+4

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    Abstract:

    The Chang'e 6 (CE6) mission achieved the first sample return from the lunar farside in 2024, recovering 1 935.3 g of regolith. This study focuses on ilmenite in CE6 lunar soil breccia and basalt clasts, integrally employing characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and three-dimensional electron diffraction (3DED) to systematically investigate the mineralogical characteristics of ilmenite with different occurrences in the CE6 lunar soil. The results indicate that ilmenite in basaltic clasts exhibits characteristics of primary magmatic origin, whereas ilmenite in breccia clasts commonly displays shock-metamorphic features such as mechanical fragmentation and impact melting. Raman spectra show no resolvable differences in peak positions or full width at half maximum (FWHM) among ilmenite grains with different occurrences. HRTEM observations reveal neither dislocation development nor amorphization, confirming the preservation of lattice integrity despite prolonged exposure to lunar surface impact processes. Compositional variations between ilmenite in basalt and breccia clasts are minor, and no significant changes in Ti or Fe valence states were detected. Notably, compared to ilmenite from basalt clasts, those from breccia clasts display relative enrichment in trace elements and a higher abundance of oxygen vacancies, which could be ascribed to shock metamorphism. These findings provide robust mineralogical evidence for the exceptional resistance of ilmenite to impact-induced structural modification and refine our understanding of its occurrence and stability within the lunar surface environment.

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陈生东,鲜海洋,李珊,肖瑶,杨宜坪,林枭举,朱建喜,2026,嫦娥六号月球钛铁矿的矿物学特征[J].岩石矿物学杂志,45(4):629~646. CHEN Sheng-dong, XIAN Hai-yang, LI Shan, XIAO Yao, YANG Yi-ping, LIN Xiao-ju, ZHU Jian-xi,2026,Mineralogical characteristics of lunar ilmenite from the Chang'e-6 mission[J]. Acta Petrologica et Mineralogica,45(4):629~646.

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History
  • Received:February 25,2026
  • Revised:April 28,2026
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  • Online: July 11,2026
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