NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI)

1. Water on Mars

   Project Investigators: G. Jeffrey Taylor

   Summary

   We use orbital geochemistry and mineralogy, and meteorite studies, to characterize the role of water in the evolution of the Martian crust. We focus on water chemistry and abundance during aqueous alteration of crustal materials.

   Astrobiology Roadmap Objectives:

   • Objective 2: Develop and test plausible pathways by which ancient counterparts of membrane systems, proteins and nucleic acid were synthesized from simpler precursors and assembled into protocells.

   Project Progress

   We wrapped up a study of weathering products in Martian meteorite MIL 03346, which includes analysis of trace elements in weathering veins. The data are consistent with weathering by acidic fluids at a low water/rock ratio, as also concluded by those using data from the MER missions. We also collaborated with colleagues on the Mars Odyssey GRS team to use orbital geochemical data and a host of other data in a study of the Arabia regions of Mars. This appears to have been an important sedimentary basin > 3.5 billion years ago.

   Mission Involvement

   Mars Odyssey

   The Gamma-Ray Spectrometer provides basic data on the chemical composition of the Martian surface.

Publications

Boynton, W.V.  (2008).  Elemental abundances determined by Mars Odyssey GRS..  In: J.F. Bell (Ed.).  The Martian Surface: Composition, Mineralogy, and Physical Properties (pp. 105-124).  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Dohm, J.M.a.1.c.-a.  (2007).  Possible ancient giant basin and related water enrichment in the Arabia Terra province.  Icarus, 190:74-92.

Taylor, G.J.  (2008).  Implications of observed primary lithologies..  The Martian Surface: Composition, Mineralogy, and Physical Properties (pp. 501-513).  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.