Chemical Alteration on Mars Indicated by the Iron-Manganese Ratio

The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometers (APXS) onboard the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) have measured the chemical compositions of over 400 samples on the surface of Mars. Fe and Mn are among the elements which are well established by this instrumentation. Fe2+ and Mn2+ have nearly the same ionic radii and distribute similarly in primary igneous rocks, maintaining a consistent Fe:Mn ratio. Upon exposure to an oxidative weathering environment, Fe 3+ and Mn4+ are commonly formed, and elemental fractionation can occur. Thus, altered samples will typically exhibit a Fe:Mn ratio different from precursor materials.