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A Complex Fluviolacustrine Environment on Early Mars and Its Astrobiological Potentials
Jun Huang 黄俊1,2,3, Mark R Salvatore4, Christopher S Edwards4
11 Planetary Science Institute, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences , Wuhan, China .
Astrobiology
|August 4, 2018
Summary
Ancient Martian highlands show evidence of water activity with chloride and phyllosilicate minerals coexisting. This discovery suggests potential for past life and habitability on early Mars, making the site a prime target for future exploration.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Chloride and phyllosilicate minerals are common in Mars' southern highlands but rarely found together in ancient lake and river environments.
- Studying their coexistence offers insights into Mars' past water activity, geochemistry, climate, and habitability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize diverse minerals, specifically chlorides and phyllosilicates, in a Noachian fluviolacustrine environment west of Knobel crater.
- To investigate the geological context and formation history of these mineral deposits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution compositional and morphological orbiter data.
- Analyzed stratigraphic relationships and crater retention ages to determine mineral formation timing.
- Assessed mineral distribution within a specific fluviolacustrine basin.
Main Results:
- Identified widespread chloride-bearing deposits and phyllosilicate-bearing units in the study area.
- Determined that chlorides likely formed from brine evaporation in a closed basin, predating 3.7 billion years.
- Observed an enigmatic relationship between chloride formation and the alteration of basaltic materials to iron-magnesium smectites.
Conclusions:
- The close association of these minerals indicates a complex history of aqueous activity on early Mars.
- Evaporitic deposits, like those found, are crucial for preserving ancient biosignatures and could harbor subsurface habitable microenvironments.
- The site holds high astrobiological potential, making it a compelling candidate for future Mars missions and sample return.
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