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High manganese concentrations in rocks at Gale crater, Mars
Author(s) -
Lanza Nina L.,
Fischer Woodward W.,
Wiens Roger C.,
Grotzinger John,
Ollila Ann M.,
Cousin Agnes,
Anderson Ryan B.,
Clark Benton C.,
Gellert Ralf,
Mangold Nicolas,
Maurice Sylvestre,
Le Mouélic Stéphane,
Nachon Marion,
Schmidt Mariek,
Berger Jeffrey,
Clegg Samuel M.,
Forni Olivier,
Hardgrove Craig,
Melikechi Noureddine,
Newsom Horton E.,
Sautter Violaine
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl060329
Subject(s) - manganese , mars exploration program , oxidizing agent , geology , redox , martian , impact crater , martian surface , ferric iron , basalt , astrobiology , geochemistry , mineralogy , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , ferrous , physics , organic chemistry
The surface of Mars has long been considered a relatively oxidizing environment, an idea supported by the abundance of ferric iron phases observed there. However, compared to iron, manganese is sensitive only to high redox potential oxidants, and when concentrated in rocks, it provides a more specific redox indicator of aqueous environments. Observations from the ChemCam instrument on the Curiosity rover indicate abundances of manganese in and on some rock targets that are 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than previously observed on Mars, suggesting the presence of an as‐yet unidentified manganese‐rich phase. These results show that the Martian surface has at some point in time hosted much more highly oxidizing conditions than has previously been recognized.