作者: Paul Douglas Archer , Heather B. Franz , Brad Sutter , Ricardo D. Arevalo , Patrice Coll
DOI: 10.1002/2013JE004493
关键词: Astrobiology 、 Sample Analysis at Mars 、 Martian soil 、 Evolved gas analysis 、 Clay minerals 、 Rocknest 、 Geology 、 Martian 、 Martian surface 、 Mars Exploration Program
摘要: The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity detected evolved gases during thermal analysis of soil samples from Rocknest aeolian deposit in Gale Crater. Major species (in order decreasing molar abundance) were H2O, SO2, CO2, and O2, all µmol level, with HCl, H2S, NH3, NO, HCN present tens to hundreds nmol level. We compute weight % numbers for major by assuming a likely source calculate abundances between 0.5 3 wt.%. evolution these implies presence both oxidized (perchlorates) reduced (sulfides or H-bearing) as well minerals formed under alkaline (carbonates) possibly acidic (sulfates) conditions. Possible phases material are hydrated amorphous material, minor clay minerals, perchlorate salts (all potential H2O sources), carbonates (CO2), perchlorates (O2 HCl), N-bearing materials (e.g., Martian nitrates, terrestrial nitrogenated organics, ammonium salts) that evolve and/or HCN. conclude physical mixture chemical disequilibrium, consistent mixing, although weathering is not extensive, it may be ongoing even current surface