『Abstract
Where Martian rocks have been exposed to liquid water, chemistry
versus depth profiles could elucidate both Martian climate history
and potential for life. The persistence of primary minerals in
weathered profiles constrains the exposure time to liquid water:
on Earth, mineral persistence times range from 〜10 k.y. (olivine)
to 〜250 k.y. (glass) to 〜1 m.y. (pyroxene) to 〜5 m.y. (plagioclase).
Such persistence times suggest mineral persistence minima on Mars.
However, Martian solutions may have been more acidic than on Earth.
Relative mineral weathering rates observed for basalt in Svalbard
(Norway) and Costa Rica demonstrate that laboratory pH trends
can be used to estimate exposure to liquid water both qualitatively
(mineral absence or presence) and quantitatively (using reactive
transport models). Qualitatively, if the Martian solution pH >〜2,
glass should persist longer than olivine; therefore, persistence
of glass may be a pH indicator. With evidence for the pH of weathering,
the reactive transport code CrunchFlow can quantitatively calculate
the minimum duration of exposure to liquid water consistent with
a chemical profile. For the profile measured on the surface of
the exposed Martian rock known as Humphrey in Gusev Crater, the
calculated exposure time is 22 k.y., which is a minimum due to
physical erosion. If correct, this estimate is consistent with
short-term, episodic alteration accompanied by ongoing surface
erosion. More of these depth profiles should be measured to illuminate
the weathering history by Mars.
Keywords: Mars; basalt; weathering; reactive transport modeling;
weathering rind; pH』
Introduction
Mineral persistence
Reactive transport modeling
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References cited