Search for organic compounds in the lunar dust from the Sea of Tranquillity

C. Ponnamperuma; K. Kvenvolden; S. Chang; Richard Johnson; G. Pollock; D. Philpott; I. Kaplan; J. Smith; J.W. Schopf; C. Gehrke; G. Hodgson; Irving A. Breger; B. Halpern; A. Duffield; K. Krauskopf; E. Barghoorn; H. Holland; Klaus Keil

doi:10.1126/science.167.3918.760

USGS · 70010136

Search for organic compounds in the lunar dust from the Sea of Tranquillity

C. Ponnamperuma·K. Kvenvolden·S. Chang·Richard Johnson·G. Pollock·D. Philpott·I. Kaplan·J. Smith·J.W. Schopf·C. Gehrke·G. Hodgson·Irving A. Breger·B. Halpern·A. Duffield·K. Krauskopf·E. Barghoorn·H. Holland·Klaus Keil

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Abstract

A sample of lunar dust was examined for organic compounds. Carbon detected in concentrations of 157 micrograms per gram had a δ 13 C per mil (PDB) value of + 20. Treatment with hydrochloric acid yielded hydrocarbons of low molecular weight, suggesting the presence of carbides. The gas chromatogram of the acylated and esterified derivatives of the hydrolyzate was similar to that obtained for the Pueblito de Allende meteorite. There were no detectable amounts of extractable high-molecular-weight alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, isoprenoid hydrocarbons, normal alkanes, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, or nucleic acid bases. Traces of porphyrins were found, perhaps arising from rocket exhaust materials.

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C. Ponnamperuma, K. Kvenvolden, S. Chang, Richard Johnson, G. Pollock, D. Philpott, I. Kaplan, J. Smith, J.W. Schopf, C. Gehrke, G. Hodgson, Irving A. Breger, B. Halpern, A. Duffield, K. Krauskopf, E. Barghoorn, H. Holland, Klaus Keil. 1970. Search for organic compounds in the lunar dust from the Sea of Tranquillity. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.167.3918.760

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