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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1970

Relationship between vegetation reflectance spectra and soil geochemistry: New data from Catheart Mountain, Maine

Spectral reflectance curves for red spruce and balsam fir in the 350- to 1100-nanometer region showed differences between specimens growing over and away from a concealed copper deposit at Catheart Mountain, Maine. A sample group of 15 anomalous spruce, 9 background spruce, 10 anomalous fir, and 10 background fir was studied. Measurements of copper and molybdenum contents in the supporting soil were used to categorize the trees as anomalous or background. Analyses using parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were performed to establish whether significant differences existed between the anomalous and background groups. At the 95% confidence level, significant differences were found to exist for both species, generally in the chlorophyll band centered at about 550 nanometers and in the region from 700 to 900 nanometers.

Canney, F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Geochemistry of Apollo 15 basalt 15555 and soil 15531.

Data are presented on major and trace element concentrations determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, colorimetry, and isotope dilution in Apollo 15 mare basalt 15555 from the Hadley Rille area, as well as on trace element concentrations determined in plagioclase and pyroxene separates from basalt 15555 and in soil 15531 from the same area. Most of the chemical differences between basalt 15555 and soil 15531 could be accounted for if the soil were a mixture of 88% basalt, 6% KREEP (a component, identified in other Apollo soils, rich in potassium, rare-earth elements, and phosphorus), and 6% plagioclase.

Schnetzler, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Apollo orbital geochemistry: X-rays

Aluminum/silicon and magnesium/silicon concentration measurements along Apollo-15 and -16 lunar groundtracks by X-rays show that the highlands are very rich in aluminum, and that mare basalts cover large areas.

Adler, I.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Apollo orbital geochemistry: Gamma rays

Lunar gamma ray spectra obtained during Apollo-15 and -16 flights show a natural radioactivity due to potassium, thorium, and uranium as well as a cosmic ray induced activity in the lunar surface due to high neutron interactions produced by (p,n) reaction in the lunar surface. The radioactivity is at a low in the highlands on the backside of the moon; most of the radioactivity is confined to the Oceanus Procellarum/Mare Imbrium region and to the Van de Graff area on the lunar backside.

Trombka, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1972

C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance in organic geochemistry.

Study of C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of polycyclic fused systems. The fingerprint qualities of the natural abundance in C-13 NMR spectra permitting unequivocal identification of these compounds is discussed. The principle of structural additivity of C-13 NMR information is exemplified on alpha and beta androstanes, alpha and beta cholestanes, ergostanes, sitostanes, and isodecanes.

Balogh, B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Trace geochemistry of lunar material

The lunar samples from the Apollo 16 and 17 flights which were analyzed include soil, igneous rock, anorthositic gabbro, orange soil, subfloor basalt, and norite breccia. Up to 57 elements including majors, minors, rare earths and other trace elements were determined in the lunar samples. The analytical techniques used were spark source mass spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. The latter was done either instrumentally or with group radiochemical separations. The differences in abundances of the elements in lunar soils at the various sites are discussed. With regard to the major elements only Si is about the same at all the sites. A detailed analysis which was performed on a sample of the Allende meteorite is summarized.

Morrison, G. H.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Selected Apollo 17 soils - Mineralogy and geochemistry of opaque and non-opaque phases

Soil samples 74220 ('orange soil'), 74241 and 75081 were sized, and the compositions of the opaque and silicate phases were determined. The ilmenites, particularly in 74241, contain up to 7.8 wt % MgO and display higher bireflectance than low-Mg ilmenites. They commonly contain exsolution-like chromite and rutile and occasionally are in association with native Fe in an assemblage probably resulting from reduction. The chromian ulvospinels are similar to Apollo 11 spinels in that they contain near-equal amounts of chromite and ulvospinel molecules. No primary chromites were observed. Most native Fe has No and Co contents of less than 1 wt %; some in 74220 contained 5-6% Ni and less than 1% Co in association with schreibersite.

Taylor, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Geochemistry of primordial Pb, Bi, and Zn in Apollo 15 samples

Primordial Pb as Pb-204 is present in Apollo 15 samples in concentrations ranging from less than 0.2 ppb in basalts to 6 ppb in soils. An acid soluble, pH-5-6, readily volatile component of this Pb is present, possibly as PbBr2; the remainder is correlated with the metal content of the sample. Leachable Bi and Pb-204 are correlated; residual Bi is probably present in a phosphate, possibly apatite. Zn is also highly leachable; residual Zn and Pb-204 are correlated.

Allen, R. O., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Trace element geochemistry of Archean volcanic rocks

The K, Rb, Sr, Ba and rare-earth-element contents of some Archean volcanic rocks from the Vermilion greenstone belt, northeast Minnesota, were determined by the isotopic dilution method. The characteristics of trace element abundances, supported by the field occurrences and major element chemistry, suggest that these volcanic rocks were formed in an ancient island arc system.

Jahn, B.-M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Selenium in soils of the Lower Wasatch Formation, Campbell County, Wyoming: Geochemistry, distribution, and environmental hazards

The author has identified the following significant results. Seleniferous Shingle series soils and sandstone outcrops of section 27, T 48 N, R 71 W, Wyoming are mapped on aerial photography by their association with Astragalus bisulcatus. Chemical leachate analyses and atomic absorption methods reveal all studied Samsil and Shingle soils to contain acid, base, and water soluble selenium compounds, and that water extractions showed varied concentration behavior due to soil pH. Acid-soluble selenium is found to be associated with smectite. Statistical analyses confirm that A. bisulcatus presence has a weak influence on soil-lens organic selenium concentration, and determine the importance of other geobotanical factors for convertor presence. Environmental procedures of high selenium lens burial, convertor plant eradication, and revegetated site monitoring are recommended. Usage of density analysis and photographic enlargement are used to successfully produce both a control area and a Campbell County, Wyoming regional map of A. bisulcatus supportive soils and outcrops using Skylab photography.

Kolm, K. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Light element geochemistry of the Apollo 16 site

The abundance and isotopic composition of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen, the abundance of helium and hydrogen, and the content of metallic iron are reported for lunar surface samples from the Apollo 16 landing site at Cayley-Descartes. The light elements show marked interstation variability at the site. The abundances in soils of C, N, He, and H are apparently controlled mainly by exposure to the solar wind, through implantation or stripping processes. Carbon abundances (but not observed isotopic distributions) are compatible with a model in which equilibrium is established after 10,000-100,000 yr between solar wind input and loss by proton stripping. Sulfur abundances in soils are apparently controlled by abundances in local country rocks, but the lunar S cycle is quite complex. A metallic iron component may have originated by solar wind reduction of lunar Fe(2+).

Kerridge, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Formational history of lunar rocks - Applications of experimental geochemistry of the opaque minerals

Experimental data on the cooling histories of lunar rocks are presented along with a descriptive mineralogy of certain opaque minerals in Apollo 17 samples. Lunar rocks having Zr partitionings of coexisting ilmenite and ulvospinel indicative of high-temperature equilibrium (above 1000 C) appear to have cooled rapidly to temperatures below 800-900 C. The Ti content of troilite coexisting with ilmenite can be used to differentiate rock fragments which are mineralogically and texturally similar. It is found that Cr and Mg partitionings between coexisting armalcolite and ilmenite vary notably between rocks so that they can be used to distinguish otherwise similar samples. The spinels are analyzed as varieties of chromian ulvospinel and titanian chromite.

Taylor, L. A.↗