Lunar Soil Data
Mineral Particle Density *1 = 2.65 g cm -3
Bulk Density (upper few mm) = 0.8 - 1.0 tonnes m -3 = 0.8 - 1.0 g cm -3
Bulk Density (10 - 20 cm) = 1.5 - 1.8 tonnes m -3 = 1.5 - 1.8 g cm -3
Average Bulk Density (0 - 30 cm) = 1.58 tonnes m -3 = 1.58 g cm -3
Average Bulk Density (0 - 30 cm) = 1.74 tonnes m -3 = 1.74 g cm -3
Porosity (0 - 15 cm) = 35 - 45 %
Porosity (upper few mm) *2 = 0.62 - 0.70 cm 3 cm -3
Porosity (10 - 20 cm) *2 = 0.32 - 0.43 cm 3 cm -3
Soil Cohesian = 0.1 - 1.0 kN m -2
Thermal Diffusivity (30 cm) *3 = 0.7 - 1.0 x 10 -8 m 2 s -1
Thermal Conductivity = 0.9 - 1.3 x 10 -2 W m -1 K -1
Colour Range = 10 YR 3/1 dark grey to 10 YR 8 white
Structure = None
Weathering processes = Micrometeorite bombardment and radiation interaction (solar wind, solar flares and cosmic rays)
Notes:
*1 Assumed Earth soil mineral particle density
*2 Based on the above assumption
*3 At depths < 30 cm thermal diffusivity is lower
Bibliography:
Lunar Base Agriculture: Soils For Plant Growth - D.W.
Ming & D.L. Henninger (Editors)
Soil Science: Methods and Applications - D.L. Rowell