Stability of hydrated minerals on Mars

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 34; no. 20; pp. L20202 - n/a
• Main Authors: Cloutis, Edward A., Craig, Michael A., Mustard, John F., Kruzelecky, Roman V., Jamroz, Wes R., Scott, Alan, Bish, David L., Poulet, François, Bibring, Jean-Pierre, King, Penelope L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Geophysical Union 01.10.2007; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Mars; Mineral and crystal chemistry; Mineral Physics; Mineralogy and Petrology; Optical, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy; Planetary Sciences; Remote sensing; Solar System Objects; Solid Surface Planets; spectroscopy; Surface materials and properties; Mars; spectroscopy; metals; exhibits; sulfates; kieserite; montmorillonite; Atmospheric composition; Absorption band; nontronite; temperature; sheet silicates; silicates; stability; wavelength; Light irradiation; absorption; Position; chlorite; pressure; gypsum; smectite; intensity; hexahydrite; clay minerals; chamosite
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2007GL031267

The validity of recent identification of various hydrated minerals (kieserite, gypsum, hexahydrite, nontronite, chamosite, and montmorillonite) on Mars was assessed by exposing these minerals to simulated Martian surface conditions of atmospheric composition and pressure, temperature, and ultraviolet light irradiation. When exposed to such conditions the hydrated minerals exhibit in general, greater losses of interlayer H2O than structural OH. Minerals such as gypsum that contain structural H2O are more resistant to H2O loss than phyllosilicates. The partial loss of OH in some of the phyllosilicates is not accompanied by a measurable and systematic change in the wavelength position or intensity of metal‐OH absorption bands. The characteristic absorption features that allow for identification of these minerals on Mars may be reduced in intensity, but are nevertheless largely preserved.