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Chemical weathering and diagenesis of a cold desert soil from Wright Valley, Antarctica - An analog of Martian weathering processesWeathering, diagenesis, and chemical alteration of a soil profile from the Dry Valleys of Antarctica are investigated as an analog to soil development within the Martian regolith. Soil samples from a soil pit one meter deep on Prospect Mesa, Wright Valley, are examined for their major element concentrations, water-soluble cations and anions, carbon, sulfur, and water concentrations, and related petrographic characteristics of weathering in a cold, dry environment. A petrographic study of the samples suggests that most silicate mineral and lithic fragments exhibit some degree of alteration. Chemical alteration occurs both in samples above and within the permanently frozen zone. The concentrations of water-soluble cations, for example, Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and anions, Cl(-), SO4(2-), NO3(-), are found to decrease significantly from the surface to the permanently frozen zone, suggesting a major movement of water-soluble species. It is also found that enrichments in secondary mineral abundances correlate with the water soluble ion concentrations. The formation of zeolites is seen throughout the soil column; these, it is thought, may be reservoirs for volatile storage within the regolith.
Document ID
19830040107
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Gibson, E. K.
(Lockheed Engineering and Management Services Co., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Mckay, D. S.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Experimental Planetology Branch, Houston, TX, United States)
Wentworth, S. J.
(Lockheed Engineering and Management Services Co., Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1983
Subject Category
Earth Resources And Remote Sensing
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Start Date: March 15, 1982
End Date: March 19, 1982
Accession Number
83A21325
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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