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Fraeman AA, Edgar LA, Rampe EB, Thompson LM, Frydenvang J, Fedo CM, Catalano JG, Dietrich WE, Gabriel TSJ, Vasavada AR, Grotzinger JP, L'Haridon J, Mangold N, Sun VZ, House CH, Bryk AB, Hardgrove C, Czarnecki S, Stack KM, Morris RV, Arvidson RE, Banham SG, Bennett KA, Bridges JC, Edwards CS, Fischer WW, Fox VK, Gupta S, Horgan BHN, Jacob SR, Johnson JR, Johnson SS, Rubin DM, Salvatore MR, Schwenzer SP, Siebach KL, Stein NT, Turner SMR, Wellington DF, Wiens RC, Williams AJ, David G, Wong GM. Evidence for a Diagenetic Origin of Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars: Summary and Synthesis of Curiosity's Exploration Campaign. J Geophys Res Planets 2020; 125:e2020JE006527. [PMID: 33520561 PMCID: PMC7818385 DOI: 10.1029/2020je006527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) and summarizes the science results. VRR is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based on its distinct texture, topographic expression, and association with a hematite spectral signature. Curiosity conducted extensive remote sensing observations, acquired data on dozens of contact science targets, and drilled three outcrop samples from the ridge, as well as one outcrop sample immediately below the ridge. Our observations indicate that strata composing VRR were deposited in a predominantly lacustrine setting and are part of the Murray formation. The rocks within the ridge are chemically in family with underlying Murray formation strata. Red hematite is dispersed throughout much of the VRR bedrock, and this is the source of the orbital spectral detection. Gray hematite is also present in isolated, gray-colored patches concentrated toward the upper elevations of VRR, and these gray patches also contain small, dark Fe-rich nodules. We propose that VRR formed when diagenetic event(s) preferentially hardened rocks, which were subsequently eroded into a ridge by wind. Diagenesis also led to enhanced crystallization and/or cementation that deepened the ferric-related spectral absorptions on the ridge, which helped make them readily distinguishable from orbit. Results add to existing evidence of protracted aqueous environments at Gale crater and give new insight into how diagenesis shaped Mars' rock record.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Fraeman
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - L. A. Edgar
- U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science CenterFlagstaffAZUSA
| | | | - L. M. Thompson
- Planetary and Space Science CentreUniversity of New BrunswickFrederictonNew BrunswickCanada
| | - J. Frydenvang
- Global InstituteUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - C. M. Fedo
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of Tennessee, KnoxvilleKnoxvilleTNUSA
| | - J. G. Catalano
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - W. E. Dietrich
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - T. S. J. Gabriel
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - A. R. Vasavada
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - J. P. Grotzinger
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - J. L'Haridon
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique de Nantes, UMR6112 CNRSUniversité de Nantes, Université d'AngersNantesFrance
| | - N. Mangold
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique de Nantes, UMR6112 CNRSUniversité de Nantes, Université d'AngersNantesFrance
| | - V. Z. Sun
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - C. H. House
- Department of GeosciencesPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
| | - A. B. Bryk
- Department of Earth and Planetary ScienceUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCAUSA
| | - C. Hardgrove
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - S. Czarnecki
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - K. M. Stack
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | - R. E. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - S. G. Banham
- Department of Earth Science and EngineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - K. A. Bennett
- U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science CenterFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - J. C. Bridges
- Space Research Centre, School of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - C. S. Edwards
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary ScienceNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - W. W. Fischer
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - V. K. Fox
- Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of Minnesota, Twin CitiesMinneapolisMNUSA
| | - S. Gupta
- Department of Earth Science and EngineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - B. H. N. Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - S. R. Jacob
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - J. R. Johnson
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryLaurelMDUSA
| | - S. S. Johnson
- Department of Biology, Science, Technology, and International Affairs ProgramGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - D. M. Rubin
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSanta CruzCAUSA
| | - M. R. Salvatore
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary ScienceNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | | | - K. L. Siebach
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary SciencesRice UniversityHoustonTXUSA
| | - N. T. Stein
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | - D. F. Wellington
- School of Earth and Space ExplorationArizona State UniversityTempeAZUSA
| | - R. C. Wiens
- Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosNMUSA
| | - A. J. Williams
- Department of Geological SciencesUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - G. David
- L'Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieToulouseFrance
| | - G. M. Wong
- Department of GeosciencesPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPAUSA
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Macey MC, Fox-Powell M, Ramkissoon NK, Stephens BP, Barton T, Schwenzer SP, Pearson VK, Cousins CR, Olsson-Francis K. The identification of sulfide oxidation as a potential metabolism driving primary production on late Noachian Mars. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10941. [PMID: 32616785 PMCID: PMC7331718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67815-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transition of the martian climate from the wet Noachian era to the dry Hesperian (4.1-3.0 Gya) likely resulted in saline surface waters that were rich in sulfur species. Terrestrial analogue environments that possess a similar chemistry to these proposed waters can be used to develop an understanding of the diversity of microorganisms that could have persisted on Mars under such conditions. Here, we report on the chemistry and microbial community of the highly reducing sediment of Colour Peak springs, a sulfidic and saline spring system located within the Canadian High Arctic. DNA and cDNA 16S rRNA gene profiling demonstrated that the microbial community was dominated by sulfur oxidising bacteria, suggesting that primary production in the sediment was driven by chemolithoautotrophic sulfur oxidation. It is possible that the sulfur oxidising bacteria also supported the persistence of the additional taxa. Gibbs energy values calculated for the brines, based on the chemistry of Gale crater, suggested that the oxidation of reduced sulfur species was an energetically viable metabolism for life on early Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Macey
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
| | - M Fox-Powell
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, Irvine Building, St Andrews, UK
| | - N K Ramkissoon
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - B P Stephens
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - T Barton
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - S P Schwenzer
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - V K Pearson
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - C R Cousins
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, Irvine Building, St Andrews, UK
| | - K Olsson-Francis
- AstrobiologyOU, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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Olsson-Francis K, Ramkissoon NK, Macey MC, Pearson VK, Schwenzer SP, Johnson DN. Simulating microbial processes in extraterrestrial, aqueous environments. J Microbiol Methods 2020; 172:105883. [PMID: 32119957 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.105883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Finding evidence of life elsewhere in the Solar System is dependent on understanding biotic processes that could occur within potentially habitable environments. Here, we describe a suite of high-pressure flow-through reactors that have been developed to investigate biotic and abiotic processes within simulated sub-surface martian and icy moon environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Olsson-Francis
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK.
| | - N K Ramkissoon
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - M C Macey
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - V K Pearson
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - S P Schwenzer
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - D N Johnson
- STEM Faculty, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
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Bridges JC, Schwenzer SP, Leveille R, Westall F, Wiens RC, Mangold N, Bristow T, Edwards P, Berger G. Diagenesis and clay mineral formation at Gale Crater, Mars. J Geophys Res Planets 2015; 120:1-19. [PMID: 26213668 PMCID: PMC4508961 DOI: 10.1002/2014je004757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity found host rocks of basaltic composition and alteration assemblages containing clay minerals at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater. On the basis of the observed host rock and alteration minerals, we present results of equilibrium thermochemical modeling of the Sheepbed mudstones of Yellowknife Bay in order to constrain the formation conditions of its secondary mineral assemblage. Building on conclusions from sedimentary observations by the Mars Science Laboratory team, we assume diagenetic, in situ alteration. The modeling shows that the mineral assemblage formed by the reaction of a CO2-poor and oxidizing, dilute aqueous solution (Gale Portage Water) in an open system with the Fe-rich basaltic-composition sedimentary rocks at 10-50°C and water/rock ratio (mass of rock reacted with the starting fluid) of 100-1000, pH of ∽7.5-12. Model alteration assemblages predominantly contain phyllosilicates (Fe-smectite, chlorite), the bulk composition of a mixture of which is close to that of saponite inferred from Chemistry and Mineralogy data and to that of saponite observed in the nakhlite Martian meteorites and terrestrial analogues. To match the observed clay mineral chemistry, inhomogeneous dissolution dominated by the amorphous phase and olivine is required. We therefore deduce a dissolving composition of approximately 70% amorphous material, with 20% olivine, and 10% whole rock component.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Bridges
- Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of LeicesterLeicester, UK
- Correspondence to: J. C. Bridges,,
| | - S P Schwenzer
- Department of Physical Sciences, Open UniversityMilton Keynes, UK
| | - R Leveille
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, McGill UniversityMontreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - F Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRSOrléans CEDEX2, France
| | - R C Wiens
- Space Remote Sensing, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - N Mangold
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique de Nantes, LPGN/CNRS UMR6112 and Université de NantesNantes, France
| | - T Bristow
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, California, USA
| | - P Edwards
- Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of LeicesterLeicester, UK
| | - G Berger
- IRAP (CNRS-Univ. P. Sabatier)Toulouse, France
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5
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McLennan SM, Anderson RB, Bell JF, Bridges JC, Calef F, Campbell JL, Clark BC, Clegg S, Conrad P, Cousin A, Des Marais DJ, Dromart G, Dyar MD, Edgar LA, Ehlmann BL, Fabre C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Gellert R, Gordon S, Grant JA, Grotzinger JP, Gupta S, Herkenhoff KE, Hurowitz JA, King PL, Le Mouélic S, Leshin LA, Léveillé R, Lewis KW, Mangold N, Maurice S, Ming DW, Morris RV, Nachon M, Newsom HE, Ollila AM, Perrett GM, Rice MS, Schmidt ME, Schwenzer SP, Stack K, Stolper EM, Sumner DY, Treiman AH, VanBommel S, Vaniman DT, Vasavada A, Wiens RC, Yingst RA. Elemental geochemistry of sedimentary rocks at Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars. Science 2013; 343:1244734. [PMID: 24324274 DOI: 10.1126/science.1244734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Sedimentary rocks examined by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay, Mars, were derived from sources that evolved from an approximately average martian crustal composition to one influenced by alkaline basalts. No evidence of chemical weathering is preserved, indicating arid, possibly cold, paleoclimates and rapid erosion and deposition. The absence of predicted geochemical variations indicates that magnetite and phyllosilicates formed by diagenesis under low-temperature, circumneutral pH, rock-dominated aqueous conditions. Analyses of diagenetic features (including concretions, raised ridges, and fractures) at high spatial resolution indicate that they are composed of iron- and halogen-rich components, magnesium-iron-chlorine-rich components, and hydrated calcium sulfates, respectively. Composition of a cross-cutting dike-like feature is consistent with sedimentary intrusion. The geochemistry of these sedimentary rocks provides further evidence for diverse depositional and diagenetic sedimentary environments during the early history of Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M McLennan
- Department of Geosciences, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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6
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Grotzinger JP, Sumner DY, Kah LC, Stack K, Gupta S, Edgar L, Rubin D, Lewis K, Schieber J, Mangold N, Milliken R, Conrad PG, DesMarais D, Farmer J, Siebach K, Calef F, Hurowitz J, McLennan SM, Ming D, Vaniman D, Crisp J, Vasavada A, Edgett KS, Malin M, Blake D, Gellert R, Mahaffy P, Wiens RC, Maurice S, Grant JA, Wilson S, Anderson RC, Beegle L, Arvidson R, Hallet B, Sletten RS, Rice M, Bell J, Griffes J, Ehlmann B, Anderson RB, Bristow TF, Dietrich WE, Dromart G, Eigenbrode J, Fraeman A, Hardgrove C, Herkenhoff K, Jandura L, Kocurek G, Lee S, Leshin LA, Leveille R, Limonadi D, Maki J, McCloskey S, Meyer M, Minitti M, Newsom H, Oehler D, Okon A, Palucis M, Parker T, Rowland S, Schmidt M, Squyres S, Steele A, Stolper E, Summons R, Treiman A, Williams R, Yingst A, Team MS, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Cremers D, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Li S, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Farley K, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Manning H, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wray J, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Bish D, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Sutter B, Cabane M, Coscia D, Szopa C, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Nachon M, Buch A, Stalport F, Coll P, Francois P, Raulin F, Teinturier S, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Fay D, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Miller K, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Floyd M, Freissinet C, Garvin J, Glavin D, Harpold D, Martin DK, McAdam A, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Stern J, Tan F, Trainer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Aubrey A, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Christensen L, DeFlores L, Feldman J, Feldman S, Flesch G, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Webster CR, Yen A, Archer PD, Cucinotta F, Jones JH, Morris RV, Niles P, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Vicenzi E, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Kortmann O, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Owen T, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Franz H, Bower H, Brunner A, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Atreya S, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Wong M, Pepin R, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. A Habitable Fluvio-Lacustrine Environment at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars. Science 2013; 343:1242777. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1242777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 578] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Farley KA, Malespin C, Mahaffy P, Grotzinger JP, Vasconcelos PM, Milliken RE, Malin M, Edgett KS, Pavlov AA, Hurowitz JA, Grant JA, Miller HB, Arvidson R, Beegle L, Calef F, Conrad PG, Dietrich WE, Eigenbrode J, Gellert R, Gupta S, Hamilton V, Hassler DM, Lewis KW, McLennan SM, Ming D, Navarro-González R, Schwenzer SP, Steele A, Stolper EM, Sumner DY, Vaniman D, Vasavada A, Williford K, Wimmer-Schweingruber RF. In situ radiometric and exposure age dating of the martian surface. Science 2013; 343:1247166. [PMID: 24324273 DOI: 10.1126/science.1247166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We determined radiogenic and cosmogenic noble gases in a mudstone on the floor of Gale Crater. A K-Ar age of 4.21 ± 0.35 billion years represents a mixture of detrital and authigenic components and confirms the expected antiquity of rocks comprising the crater rim. Cosmic-ray-produced (3)He, (21)Ne, and (36)Ar yield concordant surface exposure ages of 78 ± 30 million years. Surface exposure occurred mainly in the present geomorphic setting rather than during primary erosion and transport. Our observations are consistent with mudstone deposition shortly after the Gale impact or possibly in a later event of rapid erosion and deposition. The mudstone remained buried until recent exposure by wind-driven scarp retreat. Sedimentary rocks exposed by this mechanism may thus offer the best potential for organic biomarker preservation against destruction by cosmic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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Leshin LA, Mahaffy PR, Webster CR, Cabane M, Coll P, Conrad PG, Archer PD, Atreya SK, Brunner AE, Buch A, Eigenbrode JL, Flesch GJ, Franz HB, Freissinet C, Glavin DP, McAdam AC, Miller KE, Ming DW, Morris RV, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Niles PB, Owen T, Pepin RO, Squyres S, Steele A, Stern JC, Summons RE, Sumner DY, Sutter B, Szopa C, Teinturier S, Trainer MG, Wray JJ, Grotzinger JP, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Minitti M, Cremers D, Bell JF, Edgar L, Farmer J, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Schmidt M, Li S, Milliken R, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Ehlmann B, Farley K, Griffes J, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Rice M, Siebach K, Stack K, Stolper E, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Manning H, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Kemppinen O, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Gupta S, Bish D, Schieber J, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Maurice S, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Oehler D, Coscia D, Israel G, Dromart G, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Mangold N, Nachon M, Stalport F, Francois P, Raulin F, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Wiens RC, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Treiman A, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Edgett K, Fay D, Hardgrove C, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, Malin M, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Blake DF, Bristow T, DesMarais D, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Wilhelm MB, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Floyd M, Garvin J, Harpold D, Jones A, Martin DK, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Tan F, Meyer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Anderson RC, Aubrey A, Beegle LW, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Calef F, Christensen L, Crisp JA, DeFlores L, Ehlmann B, Feldman J, Feldman S, Hurowitz J, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Maki J, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Parker T, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Vasavada AR, Yen A, Cucinotta F, Jones JH, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Vaniman D, Williams RME, Yingst A, Lewis K, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Grant J, Vicenzi E, Wilson SA, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, McLennan S, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Anderson RB, Herkenhoff K, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Dietrich W, Kortmann O, Palucis M, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Rubin D, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Gellert R, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Rowland S, Atlaskin E, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Bower H, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Wong M, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Newsom H, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Kah LC, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Kocurek G, Hallet B, Sletten R, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Kuzmin R, Arvidson R, Fraeman A, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. Volatile, Isotope, and Organic Analysis of Martian Fines with the Mars Curiosity Rover. Science 2013; 341:1238937. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1238937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Mahaffy PR, Webster CR, Atreya SK, Franz H, Wong M, Conrad PG, Harpold D, Jones JJ, Leshin LA, Manning H, Owen T, Pepin RO, Squyres S, Trainer M, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Minitti M, Cremers D, Bell JF, Edgar L, Farmer J, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Schmidt M, Li S, Milliken R, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Ehlmann B, Farley K, Griffes J, Grotzinger J, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Rice M, Siebach K, Stack K, Stolper E, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Steele A, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Kemppinen O, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wray J, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Gupta S, Bish D, Schieber J, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Maurice S, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Oehler D, Sutter B, Cabane M, Coscia D, Israel G, Szopa C, Dromart G, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Mangold N, Nachon M, Buch A, Stalport F, Coll P, Francois P, Raulin F, Teinturier S, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Wiens RC, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Treiman A, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Edgett K, Fay D, Hardgrove C, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, Malin M, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Miller K, Summons R, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Blake DF, Bristow T, DesMarais D, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Wilhelm MB, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Eigenbrode J, Floyd M, Freissinet C, Garvin J, Glavin D, Jones A, Martin DK, McAdam A, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Stern J, Tan F, Meyer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Anderson RC, Aubrey A, Beegle LW, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Calef F, Christensen L, Crisp JA, DeFlores L, Ehlmann B, Feldman J, Feldman S, Flesch G, Hurowitz J, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Maki J, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Parker T, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Vasavada AR, Yen A, Archer PD, Cucinotta F, Ming D, Morris RV, Niles P, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Vaniman D, Williams RME, Yingst A, Lewis K, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Grant J, Vicenzi E, Wilson SA, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, McLennan S, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Anderson RB, Herkenhoff K, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Dietrich W, Kortmann O, Palucis M, Sumner DY, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Rubin D, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Gellert R, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Rowland S, Atlaskin E, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Bower H, Brunner A, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Newsom H, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Kah LC, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Kocurek G, Hallet B, Sletten R, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Kuzmin R, Arvidson R, Fraeman A, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. Abundance and Isotopic Composition of Gases in the Martian Atmosphere from the Curiosity Rover. Science 2013; 341:263-6. [PMID: 23869014 DOI: 10.1126/science.1237966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Williams RME, Grotzinger JP, Dietrich WE, Gupta S, Sumner DY, Wiens RC, Mangold N, Malin MC, Edgett KS, Maurice S, Forni O, Gasnault O, Ollila A, Newsom HE, Dromart G, Palucis MC, Yingst RA, Anderson RB, Herkenhoff KE, Le Mouélic S, Goetz W, Madsen MB, Koefoed A, Jensen JK, Bridges JC, Schwenzer SP, Lewis KW, Stack KM, Rubin D, Kah LC, Bell JF, Farmer JD, Sullivan R, Van Beek T, Blaney DL, Pariser O, Deen RG. Martian fluvial conglomerates at Gale crater. Science 2013; 340:1068-72. [PMID: 23723230 DOI: 10.1126/science.1237317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Observations by the Mars Science Laboratory Mast Camera (Mastcam) in Gale crater reveal isolated outcrops of cemented pebbles (2 to 40 millimeters in diameter) and sand grains with textures typical of fluvial sedimentary conglomerates. Rounded pebbles in the conglomerates indicate substantial fluvial abrasion. ChemCam emission spectra at one outcrop show a predominantly feldspathic composition, consistent with minimal aqueous alteration of sediments. Sediment was mobilized in ancient water flows that likely exceeded the threshold conditions (depth 0.03 to 0.9 meter, average velocity 0.20 to 0.75 meter per second) required to transport the pebbles. Climate conditions at the time sediment was transported must have differed substantially from the cold, hyper-arid modern environment to permit aqueous flows across several kilometers.
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Schwenzer SP, Tommaseo CE, Kersten M, Kirnbauer T. Speciation and oxidation kinetics of arsenic in the thermal springs of Wiesbaden spa, Germany. Fresenius J Anal Chem 2001; 371:927-33. [PMID: 11769802 DOI: 10.1007/s002160101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Since 1886 arsenic has been known to be present as a trace component in the Wiesbaden thermal waters at concentrations of over 100 microg L(-1). In this study for the first time molecular level speciation of arsenic was measured both in the water (by HG-AAS) and in wellstone scale deposits (by XANES). Most of the arsenic in the anoxic NaCl-type waters is in the reduced arsenite form. Hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) precipitates in the scale deposits scavenge only the minor dissolved arsenate portion which is, however, accumulated up to 3% w/w. Isothermal precipitation experiments at in-situ temperatures showed a difference between the progress of both arsenic and iron oxidation and precipitation. This can be explained in terms of adsorption of the aqueous arsenite and heterogeneous oxidation on the HFO surface, but subsequently rapid release of the arsenate thereby formed back into the aqueous phase at enhanced temperature and increased pH. Such relatively rapid pseudo-homogeneous arsenite oxidation is too slow to efficiently retard the As(III) load already on the wellhead, but fast enough to prevent arsenic seepage into ground water aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Schwenzer
- Institut für Geowissenschaften, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Germany
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