8737
Accession Number
32021
Author
Leshin, Laurie A.;Vicenzi, Edward
Title Of Article Chaper
Aqueous Processes Recorded by Martian Meteorites: Analysing Martian Water on Earth
Title Of Journal Book
Elements
Volume
2
Pages
159-164
Collation
6 p. : ills.
Reference Bibliography
Includes bibliographic references
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Martian meteorites have delivered to Earth water molecules and minerals produced by aqueous processes on Mars. The study of these samples, using powerful analytical instrumentation, provides a basis for understanding aqueous activity on Mars. Although most analyses are at the scale of microns, the conclusions reached have important implications for large-scale aqueous processes. Secondary minerals, such as clays, salts, and carbonates, are present at some level in all Martian meteorite subtypes and are especially important in the nakhlites and ALH840001. Light element stable isotope analyses show evidence for mixing between atmosphere and magmatic fluids into a crustal reservoir, and this crustal water was not in equilibrium with the host rocks. The mineralogical and isotopic data present a fairly consistent picture of the aqueous history of Mars: low levels of aqueous alteration are generally present by extensive aqueous processes are probably limited in space and time.
Keywords
mars;meteorite;stable;isotope;carbonate;water;rock;interaction
pub_id
8737