Subsurface water and clay mineral formation during the early history of Mars

Nature

Volumn 479, Issue 7371, 2011, Pages 53-60

  Ehlmann, Bethany L ^a,f   Mustard, John F ^b   Murchie, Scott L ^c   Bibring, Jean Pierre ^a   Meunier, Alain ^d   Fraeman, Abigail A ^e   Langevin, Yves ^a  

^a UNIVERSITÉ PARIS SUD   (France)

^b BROWN UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^c JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY   (United States)

^d UNIVERSITÉ DE POITIERS   (France)

^e WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^f CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

GROUND WATER; MINERAL; SURFACE WATER;

CLAY MINERAL; EARTH; GEOMORPHOLOGY; MARS; PLANETARY LANDFORM; PLANETARY SURFACE; SURFACE WATER; WEATHERING PROFILE;

ASTRONOMY; CHEMICAL INTERACTION; CLAY; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW; WEATHERING;

ALUMINUM SILICATES; EXOBIOLOGY; EXTRATERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENT; GROUNDWATER; ICE; MARS; SILICATES;

EID: 80455177344     PISSN: 00280836     EISSN: 14764687     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1038/nature10582     Document Type: Review

References (99)

1. Guggenheim, S. & Martin, R. T. Definition of clay and clay mineral: joint report of the AIPEA nomenclature and CMS Nomenclature Committees. Clays Clay Miner. 43, 255-256 (1995).
2. Eberl,D.D., Farmer,V.C.& Barrer,R.M. Clay mineral formation and transformation in rocks and soils. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., A 311, 241-257, 1984. (Pubitemid 15450893)
3. Merriman, R. J. Clay minerals and sedimentary basin history. Eur. J. Mineral. 17, 7-20 (2005). (Pubitemid 40367964)
4. Kump, L. R., Brantley, S. L. & Arther, M. A. Chemical weathering, atmospheric CO2, and climate. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 28, 611-667 (2000).
5. Nimmo, F. & Tanaka, K. Early crustal evolution of Mars. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 33, 133-161 (2005). (Pubitemid 40849781)
6. Poulet, F. et al. Phyllosilicates on Mars and implications for early Martian climate. Nature 438, 623-627 (2005). (Pubitemid 41740566)
7. Bibring, J. P. et al. Global mineralogical and aqueous Mars history derived from OMEGA/Mars express data. Science 312, 400-404 (2006).
8. Mustard, J. F. et al. Hydrated silicate minerals on Mars observed by the Mars reconnaissance orbiter CRISM instrument. Nature 454, 305-309 (2008). (Pubitemid 352009992)
9. Rogers, D. & Christensen, P. R. Surface mineralogy of Martian low-albedo regions from MGS-TES data: implications for upper crustal evolution and surface alteration. J. Geophys. Res. 112, E01003 (2007).
10. Kraft, M. D., Michalski, J. R. & Sharp, T. G. Effects of pure silica coatings on thermal emission spectra of basaltic rocks: considerations for Martian surface mineralogy. Geophys. Res. Lett. 30, 2288 (2003).
11. Murchie, S. L. et al. A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E00D06 (2009).
12. Chevrier, V., Poulet, F. & Bibring, J.-P. Early geochemical environment of Mars as determined from thermodynamics of phyllosilicates. Nature 448, 60-63 (2007). (Pubitemid 47037007)
13. Andrews-Hanna, J. et al. Early Mars hydrology: Meridiani playa deposits and the sedimentary record of Arabia Terra. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E06002 (2010).
14. Haberle, R. M. et al. On the possibility of liquid water on present-day Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 106, E10 (2001).
15. Tanaka,K.L.Sedimentary history and mass flow structuresofChryse andAcidalia Planitiae, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 4131-4149 (1997).
16. Fassett, C. I. & Head, J. W. The timing of Martian valley network activity: constraints from buffered crater counting. Icarus 195, 61-89 (2008).
17. Haberle, R. Early Mars climate models. J. Geophys. Res. 103, E12 (1998).
18. Halevy, I. et al. A sulfur dioxide climate feedback on early Mars. Science 318, 1903-1907 (2007).
19. Phillips, R. et al. Massive CO2 ice deposits sequestered in the south polar layered deposits of Mars. Science 332, 838-841 (2011).
20. Squyres, S. W. & Kasting, J. F. Early Mars: how warm and how wet? Science 265, 744-749 (1994). (Pubitemid 24267020)
21. Fairén, A. G., Davila, A. F., Gag-Duport, L., Amils, R. & McKay, C. P. Stability against freezing of aqueous solutions on early Mars. Nature 459, 401-404 (2009).
22. Meunier, A. Clays (Springer, 2005).
23. Frey, M. & Robinson, D. Low-Grade Metamorphism (Blackwell, 1999).
24. Spear, F. S. Metamorphic Phase Equilibria and Pressure-Temperature-Time Paths (Mineralogical Society of America, 1993).
25. Griffith, L. L.& Shock,E.L. Hydrothermal hydrationofMartian crust: illustration via geochemical model calculations. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 9135-9143 (1997).
26. Franzson, H., Zierenberg, R. & Schiffman, P. Chemical transport in geothermal systems in Iceland: evidence from hydrothermal alteration. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 173, 217-229 (2008).
27. Cann, J. R. & Vine, F. J. An area on the crest of the Carlsberg Ridge: petrology and magnetic survey. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A 259, 198-217 (1966).
28. Ehlmann, B. L., Mustard, J. F. & Bish, D. L. in Analogue Sites for Mars Missions: MSL and Beyond abstr. 6020, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/ meetings/analogues2011/pdf/6020.pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2011).
29. Nesbitt, H.W. & Wilson, R.E. Recent chemical weathering ofbasalts. Am.J.Sci. 292, 740-777 (1992).
30. Gislason, S. R., Arnorsson, S. & Armannsson, H. Chemical weathering of basalt in southwest Iceland: effects of runoff, age of rocks, and vegetative/glacial cover. Am. J. Sci. 296, 837-907 (1996).
31. Hurowitz, J. A. & McLennan, S. L. A ,3.5 Ga record of water-limited, acidic weathering conditions on Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 260, 432-443 (2007). (Pubitemid 47065251)
32. This paper uses a conceptual framework from the Earth science literature to understand element transport in different alteration scenarios and shows acidic, low-W/R alteration since the Hesperian. Milliken, R. E. et al. Missing salts on early Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 36, L11202 (2009).
33. This paper models Noachian clay formation in open-system weathering and notes that abundant coeval salts should be produced but are not detected. Hurowitz, J. et al. Origin of acidic surface waters and the evolution of atmospheric chemistry on early Mars. Nature Geosci. 3, 323-326 (2010).
34. Harder, H. Nontronite synthesis at low temperatures. Chem. Geol. 18, 169-180 (1976).
35. Tosca, N. J. et al. in Workshop on Martian Phyllosilicates: Recorders of Aqueous Processes? abstr. 7030, Æhttp://www.ias.u-psud.fr/Mars- Phyllosilicates/phyllo/4.Wednesday afternoon/6.Tosca-Phyllo-2008.pptæ (Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 2008).
36. Altheide, T. et al. Mineralogical characterization of acid weathered phyllosilicates with implications for secondary Martian deposits. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 74, 6232-6248 (2010).
37. Carter, J., Poulet, F., Bibring, J.-P. & Murchie, S. Detection of hydrated silicates in crustal outcrops in the northern plains of Mars. Science 328, 1682-1686 (2010).
38. Baldridge, A. M. et al. Contemporaneous deposition of phyllosilicates and sulfates: using Australian acidic saline lake deposits to describe geochemical variability on Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 36, L19201 (2009).
39. Buczkowski, D. L. et al. Investigation of an Argyre basin ring structure using Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E12011 (2010).
40. Buczkowski, D. et al. in 41st Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstr. 1458, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2010/pdf/1458.pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2010).
41. Ehlmann,B.L.etal. Identification ofhydrated silicate mineralsonMars using MRO-CRISM: geologic context near Nili Fossae and implications for aqueous alteration. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E00D08 (2009).
42. Ehlmann, B. L., Mustard, J. F. & Murchie, S. L. Geologic setting of serpentine deposits on Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L06201 (2010).
43. Fraeman, A. A. et al. in 40th Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstr. 2320, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2009/pdf/2320.pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2009).
44. Glotch, T. D. et al. Distribution and formation of chlorides and phyllosilicates in Terra Sirenum, Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L16202 (2010).
45. Michalski, J. R. & Niles, P. B. Deep crustal carbonate rocks exposed by meteor impact on Mars. Nature Geosci. 3, 751-755 (2010).
46. McKeown, N. et al. Characterization of phyllosilicates observed in the central Mawrth Vallis region, Mars, their potential formational processes, and implications for past climate. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E00D10 (2009).
47. Milliken, R. E. et al. Paleoclimate of Mars as captured by the stratigraphic record in Gale Crater. Geophys. Res. Lett. 37, L04201 (2010).
48. Milliken,R.E.&Bish,D.L.Sources and sinksofclay mineralsonMars. Phil. Mag. 90, 2293-2308 (2010).
49. Mustard, J. F. & Ehlmann, B. L. in 42nd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstr. 2355, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/2355. pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2011).
50. Noe Dobrea, E. Z. et al. Mineralogy and stratigraphy of phyllosilicate-bearing and dark mantling units in the greater Mawrth Vallis/west Arabia Terra area: constraints on geological origin. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E00D19 (2010).
51. Roach, L. H. et al. Hydrated mineral stratigraphy of Ius Chasma, Valles Marineris. Icarus 206, 253-268 (2010).
52. Wiseman, S. M. et al. Phyllosilicate and sulfate-hematite deposits within Miyamoto crater in southern Sinus Meridiani, Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L19204 (2008).
53. Wiseman, S. M. et al. Spectral and stratigraphic mapping of hydrated sulfate and phyllosilicate-bearing deposits in northern Sinus Meridiani, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E00D18 (2010).
54. Wray, J. J. et al. Columbus crater and other possible groundwater-fed paleolakes of Terra Sirenum, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 116, E01001 (2011).
55. Ehlmann,B. L., Mustard, J. F., Clark,R.N., Swayze, G. A. & Murchie,S. L.Evidence for low-grade metamorphism, hydrothermal alteration, and diagnosis on Mars from phyllosilicate mineral assemblages. Clays Clay Miner. 59, 357-375 (2011).
56. Wray, J. J. et al. Diverse aqueous environments on ancient Mars revealed in the southern highlands. Geology 37, 1043-1046 (2009).
57. Mustard, J. F. et al. Composition, morphology, and stratigraphy of Noachian crust around the Isidis basin. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E00D12 (2009).
58. Allen, C. C., Jercinovic, M. J., See, T. & Keil, K. Experimental shock lithification of water-bearing rock powders. Geophys. Res. Lett. 9, 1013-1016 (1982).
59. Rathbun, J. A. & Squyres, S. W. Hydrothermal systems associated with Martian impact craters. Icarus 157, 362-372 (2002).
60. Abramov, O. & Kring, D. A. Impact-induced hydrothermal activity on early Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 110, E12S09 (2005).
61. Newsom,H.E.Hydrothermalalterationofimpactmeltsheetswith implicationsfor Mars. Icarus 44, 207-216 (1980).
62. Schwenzer,S.P.&Kring,D.A.Impact-generatedhydrothermalsystemscapableof forming phyllosilicates on Noachian Mars. Geology 37, 1091-1094 (2009).
63. Fairen, A. G. et al. Noachian and more recent phyllosilicates in impact craters on Mars. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 107, 12,095-12,100 (2010).
64. Marzo, G. A. et al. Evidence for Hesperian impact-induced hydrothermalism on Mars. Icarus 208, 667-683 (2010).
65. Melosh, J. Impact Cratering: A Geologic Process (Oxford Univ. Press, 1989).
66. Hughes, A. C. G. et al. in 42nd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstr. 2301, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/2301.pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2011).
67. Osterloo, M. M. et al. Geologic context of proposed chloride-bearing materials on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 115, E10012 (2010).
68. Loizeau, D. Etude Spectrale et Geologique des Phyllosilicates de Mars 165-209. PhD thesis, Univ. Paris-Sud XI (2008).
69. Michalski, J. et al. The Mawrth Vallis region of Mars: a potential landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. Astrobiology 10, 687-703 (2010).
70. Bishop, J. L. et al. Phyllosilicate diversity and past aqueous activity revealed at Mawrth Vallis, Mars. Science 321, 830-833 (2008).
71. Irwin III R.P., et al. An intense terminal epoch of widespread fluvial activity on early Mars: 2. Increased runoff and paleolake development. J. Geophys. Res. 110, E12S15 (2005).
72. Howard, A. D., Moore, J. M. & Irwin, R. P. An intense terminal epoch of widespread fluvial activity on early Mars: 1. Valley network incision and associated deposits. J. Geophys. Res. 110, E12S14 (2005).
73. Taylor, G. J. et al. Mapping Mars geochemically. Geology 38, 183-186 (2010).
74. Poulet, F. et al. Abundance of minerals in the phyllosilicate-rich units on Mars. Astron. Astrophys. 487, L41-L44 (2008).
75. Barnhart, C. J. et al. Long-term precipitation and late-stage valley network formation: landform simulations of Parana Basin, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 114, E01003 (2009).
76. Meunier, A. et al. The Fe-rich clay microsystems in basalt-komatiite lavas: importance of Fe-smectites for pre-biotic molecule catalysis during the Hadean eon. Orig. Life Evol. Biosph. 40, 253-272 (2010).
77. Clifford, S. M. A model for the hydrologic and climatic behavior of water on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 98, 10,973-11,016 (1993).
78. Abramov, O. & Mojzsis, S. J. Microbial habitability of the Hadean Earth during the late heavy bombardment. Nature 459, 419-422 (2009).
79. Gulick, V. C. Magmatic intrusions and a hydrothermal origin for fluvial valleys on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 103, 19365-19387 (1998). (Pubitemid 28560819)
80. Harrison, K. P. & Grimm, R. E. Controls on Martian hydrothermal systems: application to valley network and magnetic anomaly formation. J. Geophys. Res. 107, 5025 (2002).
81. Parmentier,E.M.&Zuber, M.T.Early evolutionofMars with mantle compositional stratification or hydrothermal crustal cooling. J. Geophys. Res. 112, E02007 (2007).
82. Carr, M. H. Stability of streams and lakes on Mars. Icarus 56, 476-495 (1983).
83. Tosca, N. J. & Knoll, A. H. Juvenile chemical sediments and the long term persistence of water at the surface of Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 286, 379-386 (2009).
84. Ehlmann, B. L. et al. Orbital identification of carbonate-bearing rocks on Mars. Science 322, 1828-1832 (2008).
85. Segura, T. L. et al. Environmental effects of large impacts on Mars. Science 298, 1977-1980 (2002). (Pubitemid 35425250)
86. Phillips, R. J. et al. Ancient geodynamics and global-scale hydrology on Mars. Science 291, 2587-2591 (2001). (Pubitemid 32249680)
87. Johnson,S.S.etal.Sulfur-induced greenhouse warmingonearly Mars.J.Geophys. Res. 113, E08005 (2008).
88. Wray, J. J.etal. Phyllosilicates and sulfatesatEndeavour Crater, Meridiani Planum, Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 36, L21201 (2009).
89. Grant, J. A. et al. The science process for selecting the landing site for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory. Planet. Space Sci. 59, 1114-1127 (2011).
90. Bridges, J. C. et al. Alteration assemblages in Martian meteorites: implications for near-surface processes. Space Sci. Rev. 96, 365-392 (2001). (Pubitemid 32842979)
91. Wray, J. J. et al. in 42nd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstr. 2635, Æhttp://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/2635.pdfæ (Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2011).
92. Whitman, W. B., Coleman, D. C. & Wiebe, W. J. Prokaryotes: the unseen majority. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 95, 6578-6583 (1998). (Pubitemid 28278022)
93. Pace,N. R. A molecular view ofmicrobial diversity and the biosphere. Science 276, 734-740 (1997).
94. Reysenbach, A.-L. & Shock, E. Merging genomes with geochemistry in hydrothermal systems. Science 296, 1077-1082 (2002). (Pubitemid 34517117)
95. Acuña, M. H. et al. Global distribution of crustal magnetization discovered by the Mars Global Surveyor MAG/ER experiment. Science 284, 790-793 (1999). (Pubitemid 29291341)
96. Frey, H. Ages of very large impact basins on Mars: implications for the late heavy bombardment in the inner solar system. Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L13203 (2008).
97. Werner, S.C. The early Martian evolution-constraints from basin formation ages. Icarus 195, 45-60 (2008).
98. Werner, S. C. The global Martian volcanic evolutionary history. Icarus 201, 44-68 (2009).
99. Hartmann, W. K. & Neukum, G. Cratering chronology and the evolution of Mars. Space Sci. Rev. 96, 165-194 (2001). (Pubitemid 32842974)