Selective gadolinium micro- and nanominerals in lunar regolith From the Sea of Crises

The technique of direct observation of the finest fraction spread on adhesive carbon tape with the scanning electron microscope was used to study lunar regolith samples. The analyzed association of enriched with gadolinium complex oxides and silicate could be formed as specific product of exhalative activity on lunar surface. The monazite-(Ce) grains found in the same sample have clastogenic origin and their source is intrusive lunar rocks. REE fractionation mechanism, which lead to described multicomponent mineral phases formation, is considerably different from impact gases fractional condensation mechanism.