EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
McKay & Basu 1983
McKay, D.S. and Basu, A. (1983). The production curve for agglutinates in planetary regoliths. Journal of Geophysical Research 88: doi: 10.1029/JS088iS02p0B193. issn: 0148-0227.

Models for the production of agglutinates are developed that can be applied to the lunar surface or to any planetary or asteroidal body lacking an atmosphere. Models are developed using rate equations for progressively more complex situations and range from Model 1, which is a simple linear increase of agglutinate content with time, to Model 4, which includes for recycling of existing agglutinates and replenishment and burial of exposed soil. Model 4 has some aspects of a steady state because, depending on the rate constants, aggutinate content may be limited to an intermediate value, even for long exposure times. In an extreme case, agglutinate content may be limited to a value near zero. These models predict that agglutinates should be low in abundance in areas of thin regolith, such as the Lunokhod-2 site on the moon, and on asteroids. The models may also help explain the apparent low agglutinate abundances of lunar regolith breccias and meteorite regolith breccias.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit