Geochemical constraints on the link between lunar magma ocean cumulates and the source of Chang'E-5 basalts from olivine trace element abundances

Yong Wu*, Jie Jun Jing*, Zi Ying Li, Ming Kuan Qin, Ben Xun Su, Jun Zhong, Dong Fa Guo, Guang Fan, Rui Ping Liu, Sheng He, Ting Li, Xiang Kun Ge, Jun Jie Li, Zhi Xin Huang, Liu Min Deng, Zhong Yao Tai, Apeng Yu, Wim van Westrenen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Chang'E-5 samples provide unique insights into the composition of the lunar interior ∼2 billion years ago, but geochemical models of their formation show a significant degree of discrepancy. Trace element abundance measurements in olivine grains in Chang'E-5 sub-sample CE5C0600YJFM002GP provide additional constraints on the basalt source. Geochemical modeling indicates that low-degree (4 %) batch melting of an olivine-pyroxenite lunar magma ocean cumulate, incorporating high levels of trapped lunar magma ocean liquid and plagioclase, can reproduce the rare earth element, Sr, Rb, Sc, Co and Ni abundances in our and previously reported Chang'E-5 samples, as well as observed Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope systematics. Overall, these results strengthen the direct geochemical links between lunar magma ocean evolution and basaltic volcanism occurring ∼2.5 billion years later. Additionally, Chang'E-5 high-Fo olivine is enriched in the volatile element Ge (1.38–3.94 μg/g) by ∼2 orders of magnitude compared to modeled results (< 0.02 μg/g). As Ge is a mildly compatible element with bulk Ge partition coefficients close to 1, a Ge-depleted initial LMO proposed by previous research cannot yield a high-Ge mantle source for Chang'E-5 basalt, even when invoking assimilation of high-Ge LMO cumulates. The overabundance of Ge requires either a high-Ge, volatile rich initial bulk Moon with chondritic composition or a late Ge chloride vapor-phase metasomatism.

Original languageEnglish
Article number116459
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalIcarus
Volume430
Early online date17 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 17 Jan 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
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Keywords

  • Chang'E-5
  • FRTE
  • Lunar magma ocean
  • Olivine

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