Comparison of the Phoenix Mars Lander WCL soil analyses with Antarctic Dry Valley soils, Mars meteorite EETA79001 sawdust, and a Mars simulant

摘要: Abstract The results of the Mars Phoenix Lander’s Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) for analyses soluble ionic species present in soil at northern polar plains are compared to from Antarctic Dry Valleys (ADVs), martian meteorite EETA79001 sawdust, and a simulant. ADV was site by averaging samples analogous 0–5 cm depths also all pavement ice-table. Results each analysis reveal similar ion concentrations ranging plus or minus one order-of-magnitude ions except perchlorate ( ClO 4 - ) , which three orders-of-magnitude greater soil. pH solution electrical conductivity were found be soils. profiles confirm that gradients sensitive indicators presence form liquid H2O on both Earth Mars. contained ratios but average ∼4% those only exception ∼16% higher level Ca2+ due CaCO3 druse. imply is significantly more arid than University Valley, has been period time, as evidenced lack salt age A simulant formulated according MINEQL equilibrium model WCL results, its provides confidence composition parent salts reasonably constrained. Overall, comparison these sawdust indicates not does contain plains, soils both, thus strengthening argument suitable terrestrial analog environment.