Polycyclic aromatics in the Chang’E 5 lunar soils
Polycyclic aromatics are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and meteorites, yet the search for lunar polycyclic aromatics remains a significant challenge. Here, we analyze Chang'E-5 lunar soil samples, revealing polycyclic aromatic concentrations of 5.0-9.2 µg/g (average: 7.4 ± 1.4 µg/g). Their aromatic structures are highly condensed, comparable to ~4 nm graphene sheets, and distinct from terrestrial analogs, such as wood char, soot and kerogen. While meteorite impacts are the most likely sources, the stable carbon isotope composition of polycyclic aromatics in Chang'E-5 lunar soil (δ<sup>13</sup>C: -5.0 ± 0.6‰ to +3.6 ± 1.3‰) is more enriched in <sup>13</sup>C compared to that in meteorites. This enrichment suggests a de novo formation mechanism during meteorite impacts, involving the conversion of non-aromatic organic matter-which is more enriched in δ<sup>13</sup>C-into polycyclic aromatics. This process may play a significant role in carbon accretion in lunar regolith, as the resulting polycyclic aromatics are more stable and resistant to degradation compared to smaller organic molecules (e.g., amino acids), which are largely destroyed during impact events.
Authors
- Liangliang Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1958-1442)
- Ping’an Peng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8031-8451)
- Yangzhi Mo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6075-3421)
- Guangcai Zhong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5647-5940)
- Yuhong Liao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0546-9743)
- Lele Tian
- Xin Yi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1639-6324)
- Sanyuan Zhu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3995-3402)
- Buqing Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9432-648X)
- Linbo Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1163-8846)
- Shizhen Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1534-9283)
- Yunpeng Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4164-9677)
- Jun Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3637-1642)
- Tengfei Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8378-7130)
- Yingjun Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4784-8282)
- Fu Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7540-3731)
- Gan Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9010-8140)
- Yue Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4542-6569)
- Shutao Gao
Institutions
- Fudan University (CN)
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry (CN)
- Institute of Geochemistry (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-04-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58865-5
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.31
Funders
- China National Space Administration
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences