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The case against UV photostimulated oxidation of magnetite
Author(s) -
Morris Richard V.,
Lauer H. V.
Publication year - 1980
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/gl007i008p00605
Subject(s) - magnetite , ultraviolet , photostimulation , kinetics , chemistry , mineralogy , photochemistry , materials science , metallurgy , physics , optoelectronics , biochemistry , quantum mechanics
We have studied the kinetics of magnetite oxidation in O 2 ‐bearing atmospheres in the presence of electromagnetic radiation. No perceptible oxidation of magnetite by ultraviolet (UV) photostimulation occurred. These results do not corroborate previous conclusions by Huguenin (1973a,b; 1974) as to the occurrence of this process. Therefore, although we cannot totally rule out the possibility that the process actually occurs, we conclude that there is not yet a basis in laboratory experiments for inferring that UV photostimulated oxidation of magnetite occurs naturally on the surface of Mars.