Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI (2005) 2290.pdf STABILITY OF MAGNESIUM SULFATE MINERALS IN MARTIAN ENVIRONMENTS. G.M. Marion1 and J.S. Kargel2, 1Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512,
[email protected], 2U.S. Geological Survey, 2255 N. Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86001,
[email protected]. Introduction: Viking Lander, Pathfinder, and –3.6°C for a pure MgSO4-H2O system. In this system, Mars Exploration Rover missions to Mars have found the lower hydrates, hexahydrite and kieserite, only abundant sulfur in surface soils and rocks, and the best form at higher temperatures (48°C and 69°C, respec- indications are that magnesium sulfates are among the tively). key hosts [1-6]. At Meridiani Planum, MgSO4 salts The presence of other constituents in ternary (or constitute 15 to 40 wt.% of sedimentary rocks [3-5,7]. higher) systems can lower the temperatures at which Additional S is hosted by gypsum and jarosite. Reflec- lower hydrates are stable. For example, hexahydrite is tance and thermal emission spectroscopy is consistent stable at 25°C in a MgSO4-MgCl2-H2O system at 3.8 with the presence of kieserite (MgSO4•H2O) and ep- m MgCl2 [12]. This requires high chloride concentra- somite (MgSO4•7H2O) [3]. Theoretically, the tions that may occur in Martian environments that dodecahydrate (MgSO4•12H2O) should also have have previously undergone extensive sulfate precipita- precipitated [8]. tion and chloride concentration due to extreme freez- We first examine theoretically which MgSO4 min- ing or desiccating conditions [3-5]. erals should have precipitated on Mars, and then how Based on the Rover mission to Meridiani Planum, dehydration might have altered these minerals.