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Stability of hydrated minerals on Mars
Author(s) -
Cloutis Edward A.,
Craig Michael A.,
Mustard John F.,
Kruzelecky Roman V.,
Jamroz Wes R.,
Scott Alan,
Bish David L.,
Poulet François,
Bibring JeanPierre,
King Penelope L.
Publication year - 2007
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 - 10.1029/2007gl031267
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , astrobiology , geology , mineralogy , stability (learning theory) , geochemistry , earth science , geophysics , physics , machine learning , computer science
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 H 2 O than structural OH. Minerals such as gypsum that contain structural H 2 O are more resistant to H 2 O 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.