This paper describes an initial investigation of the surface properties of three lunar soil samples from the Apollo 11, 12 and 16 missions, respectively. We report on density measurements using a helium pycnometer, adsorption isotherms of krypton applied for the determination of specific surface area of the samples and gravimetric measurement of the isotherms of water, heptane and octane. Electron-microscopic photographs are described and discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.