For everybody interested in regolith pedology and geology:
Dr. Jerome Juilleret, a pedologist and geologist from Luxembourg, released an incredible paper earlier this year called “A classification framework for mapping lunar soils”. In this study, he and his team review the concept of soil and soil-forming factors in the context of the lunar surface, demonstrate 7 lunar pedogenic processes, propose a classification system based on reference horizons, and use Apollo 15 deep cores as a test case. They propose 5 lunar reference soil groups within the World Reference Base for Soil Resources framework, and they propose a new order and six suborders within the Soil Taxonomy framework!
For anyone in the subgroup who has a plant background rather than a soil background, this is a must read. Any project dealing with regolith must consider its formation and properties. Generalizations and misrepresentations of regolith are far too common.
For those who have a geology or pedology background, I’m sure you’ll find this very interesting. I’ve invited Dr. Juilleret to be part of the AWG. Hopefully he will join us soon.
Here is the link: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/saj2.70206
Enjoy!
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Very interesting to read. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
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Thanks @adenvir for sharing this and for the kind words!
I would actually recommend reading our fisrt paper “Planetary pedology: New horizons for lunar resource mapping” first, before “A classification framework for mapping lunar soils.”
The first paper sets the conceptual foundation for the approach. It starts from a fundamental question: can lunar regolith be considered soil? We discuss the implications of lunar resource utilization and surface mapping, examine whether terrestrial soil classification systems such as the WRB and US Soil Taxonomy can be applied to the Moon, and show why the unique pedogenic processes operating on the lunar surface require substantial adaptations.We then propose a new labelling system for lunar soil horizons, specifically designed to reflect these differences in soil-forming processes between Earth and the Moon.
Unfortunately this article is currently not freely accessible, but I would be very happy to share a copy with anyone interested.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1002016025000220
Looking forward to joining the AWG and discussing these ideas with you all!
Jérôme
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