Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-7-2024

Publication Title

Communications Earth & Environment

Volume

5

First page number:

1

Last page number:

15

Abstract

X-ray amorphous material comprises 15-73 wt.% of sedimentary rocks and eolian sediments in Gale crater. This material is variably siliceous and iron rich but aluminum poor. The presence of volatiles is consistent with the existence of incipient weathering products. To better understand the implications of this material for past aqueous conditions on Mars, here we investigate X-ray amorphous material formation and longevity within terrestrial iron rich soils with varying ages and environmental conditions using bulk and selective dissolution methods, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that in situ aqueous alteration is required to concentrate iron into clay-size fraction material. Cooler climates promote the formation and persistence of X-ray amorphous material whereas warmer climates promote the formation of crystalline secondary phases. Iron rich X-ray amorphous material formation and persistence on Mars are therefore consistent with past cool and relatively wet environments followed by long-term cold and dry conditions.

Controlled Subject

Mars (Planet); Planets--Geology; X-ray astronomy

Disciplines

Astrophysics and Astronomy | Atmospheric Sciences | Climate

File Format

pdf

File Size

2800 KB

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publisher Citation

Feldman, A.D., Hausrath, E.M., Rampe, E.B. et al. Fe-rich X-ray amorphous material records past climate and persistence of water on Mars. Commun Earth Environ 5, 364 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01495-4

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