Chemical variability in mineralized veins observed by ChemCam on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale crater, Mars

J. L'Haridon; N. Mangold; P.-Y. Meslin; J.R. Johnson; W. Rapin; O. Forni; A. Cousin; V. Payré; E. Dehouck; M. Nachon; L. Le Deit; O. Gasnault; S. Maurice; R.C. Wiens

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2018.01.028

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Chemical variability in mineralized veins observed by ChemCam on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale crater, Mars

Journal article

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Chemical variability in mineralized veins observed by ChemCam on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale crater, Mars

J. L'Haridon, N. Mangold, P.-Y. Meslin, J.R. Johnson, W. Rapin, O. Forni, A. Cousin, V. Payré, E. Dehouck, M. Nachon, …

Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962), Vol.311(C), pp.69-86

09/01/2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2018.01.028

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Abstract

•Diagenetic Ca-sulfate veins are pervasive along Curiosity traverse in Gale crater.•ChemCam highlights local enrichments in Fe and Mg in these features.•Passive reflectance shows that both ferric and ferrous phases are identified.•Groundwater redox and pH conditions appear variable along the stratigraphy. ChemCam has observed a wide range of diagenetic features along the Curiosity rover traverse including pervasive Ca-sulfate veins. Observations by multiple instruments on Curiosity indicate that these veins are hydrated, formed during diagenetic fluid event(s). In this study, we delve into the chemical variability in these Ca-sulfate bearing veins and have identified two subsets in the Murray formation with enrichments in Fe and Fe + Mg. These chemical trends do not reflect a sampling mixture with the surrounding host rock but likely indicates the presence of authigenic phases formed during the emplacement of these veins. Based on passive reflectance spectral analysis and correlation with other elements, Fe3+ oxides and/or sulfates are proposed to account for the Fe-rich observations in the vicinity of the Naukluft Plateau whereas the Fe + Mg trend is also observed in adjacent dark-toned features with elevated Mn and P near the Old Soaker outcrop. The specific localization of these observations in the Gale stratigraphy implies changing pH and redox conditions in the groundwater at the time of formation of these veins, from oxidizing and likely more acidic near the Naukluft Plateau to more reducing conditions in the upper part of the Murray formation.

Calcium sulfate

ChemCam

Diagenesis

Gale crater

Mars

Details

Title: Subtitle: Chemical variability in mineralized veins observed by ChemCam on the lower slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale crater, Mars
Creators: J. L'Haridon - Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences
N. Mangold - Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences
P.-Y. Meslin - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
J.R. Johnson - Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
W. Rapin - California Institute of Technology
O. Forni - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
A. Cousin - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
V. Payré - GeoRessources, Nancy, France
E. Dehouck - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
M. Nachon - Planetary Science Institute
L. Le Deit - Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences
O. Gasnault - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
S. Maurice - Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
R.C. Wiens - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962), Vol.311(C), pp.69-86
DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2018.01.028
ISSN: 0019-1035
eISSN: 1090-2643
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000104, name: NASA
Language: English
Date published: 09/01/2018
Academic Unit: Earth and Environmental Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984294926502771

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