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Beijing, July 23 (Reporter Wu Yuehui) The reporter learned from the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the 23rd that the Chinese scientific research team discovered an unknown mineral crystal rich in water molecules and ammonium on the moon, ULM-1, in the lunar samples brought back by Chang'e 5. This marks the first time that scientists have discovered molecular water in returned lunar soil, revealing the true existence form of water molecules and ammonium on the moon. The research results were recently published online in the academic journal Nature Astronomy.

Whether there is water on the moon is crucial for lunar evolution research and resource development. The lunar soil samples collected by Chang'e-5 belong to the youngest basalt and are the lunar samples with the highest latitude to date, providing new opportunities for the study of lunar water. The Chinese scientific research team found that this hydrated mineral contains up to 6 crystal waters in the molecular formula, and the mass ratio of water molecules in the sample is as high as 41%. The crystal structure and composition of ULM-1 are similar to those of a rare crater mineral discovered on Earth in recent years. On Earth, the mineral is formed by the interaction of hot basalt with volcanic gases rich in water and ammonia.

The presence of this hydrated mineral provides an important constraint on the composition of lunar volcanic gases. Thermodynamic analysis shows that the lower limit of water content in lunar volcanic gases at that time was comparable to that of the driest volcano on Earth today, Lengai Volcano. This reveals the complex degassing history of lunar volcanoes and is of great significance for exploring the evolution of the moon.

The discovery of this hydrated mineral also reveals a possible form of water molecules on the moon - hydrated salt. Unlike volatile water ice, this hydrate is very stable in the high-latitude areas of the moon (Chang'e 5 sampling site). This means that this stable hydrated salt may exist even in the vast sunlight-exposed areas of the moon. This provides new possibilities for the future development and utilization of lunar resources.

People's Daily (2nd edition, July 24, 2024)