Polycyclic aromatics in the Chang’E 5 lunar soils

Guangcai Zhong, Xin Yi, Shutao Gao, Shizhen Zhao, Yangzhi Mo, Lele Tian, Buqing Xu, Fu Wang, Yuhong Liao, Tengfei Li, Liangliang Wu, Yunpeng Wang, Yingjun Chen, Yue Xu, Sanyuan Zhu, Linbo Yu, Jun Li, Ping’an Peng and Gan Zhang ()
Additional contact information
Guangcai Zhong: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xin Yi: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shutao Gao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shizhen Zhao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yangzhi Mo: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lele Tian: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Buqing Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fu Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuhong Liao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tengfei Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Liangliang Wu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yunpeng Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yingjun Chen: Fudan University
Yue Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Sanyuan Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Linbo Yu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jun Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ping’an Peng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gan Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract 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 (δ13C: −5.0 ± 0.6‰ to +3.6 ± 1.3‰) is more enriched in 13C 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 δ13C—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.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58865-5

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