Premium
In situ detection of boron by ChemCam on Mars
Author(s) -
Gasda Patrick J.,
Haldeman Ethan B.,
Wiens Roger C.,
Rapin William,
Bristow Thomas F.,
Bridges John C.,
Schwenzer Susanne P.,
Clark Benton,
Herkenhoff Kenneth,
Frydenvang Jens,
Lanza Nina L.,
Maurice Sylvestre,
Clegg Samuel,
Delapp Dorothea M.,
Sanford Veronica L.,
Bodine Madeleine R.,
McInroy Rhonda
Publication year - 2017
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 - 10.1002/2017gl074480
Subject(s) - bedrock , boron , mars exploration program , geology , evaporite , groundwater , geochemistry , astrobiology , leaching (pedology) , impact crater , weathering , mineralogy , geomorphology , chemistry , sedimentary rock , soil science , geotechnical engineering , soil water , physics , organic chemistry
Abstract We report the first in situ detection of boron on Mars. Boron has been detected in Gale crater at levels <0.05 wt % B by the NASA Curiosity rover ChemCam instrument in calcium‐sulfate‐filled fractures, which formed in a late‐stage groundwater circulating mainly in phyllosilicate‐rich bedrock interpreted as lacustrine in origin. We consider two main groundwater‐driven hypotheses to explain the presence of boron in the veins: leaching of borates out of bedrock or the redistribution of borate by dissolution of borate‐bearing evaporite deposits. Our results suggest that an evaporation mechanism is most likely, implying that Gale groundwaters were mildly alkaline. On Earth, boron may be a necessary component for the origin of life; on Mars, its presence suggests that subsurface groundwater conditions could have supported prebiotic chemical reactions if organics were also present and provides additional support for the past habitability of Gale crater.