Global Estimates of Lunar Surface Elemental Abundances Derived from LRO
Diviner Data
Abstract
Information on the elemental abundances and distribution is essential
for understanding the petrological characteristics and geological
evolution of the Moon. In this paper, the thermal infrared data acquired
by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner are processed to
investigate lunar elemental abundances on a global scale (60°N/S) for
the first time. The Diviner Level 3 Standard Christiansen feature (CF)
product with the resolution of 128 pixels/degree and the coverage of
99.86% is first analyzed and used. The Diviner global models are then
established by the univariate regression methods based on the
relationships between Diviner CF and ground truths of elemental
abundances at 48 lunar sampling sites and the limitations of 1 RMSE of
48 datasets. Finally, the best maps of SiO, TiO, AlO, FeO, MgO and CaO
abundances considering both resolution and coverage simultaneously are
presented and analyzed from global, geologic units, crater and ejecta
surfaces. The comparisons indicate that a satisfactory consistency is
observed between Diviner results and Clementine or Chang’E (CE)-1
results, while Diviner results exhibit better practicability in
presenting detailed information for elemental abundances on lunar
surfaces and higher accuracy on the surface with high latitudes or poor
light conditions. Meanwhile, it is also demonstrated that Diviner
results is the reliable data sources for the applications in
classifications of mare basalt, inhomogeneity of highland crust and
Mg#.