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The salts of MarsSalt compounds are apparently an important component of the fine-grained regolith on Mars. Salt enrichment may be explained either as a secondary concentration of chemical weathering products or as direct incorporation of planetary released volatiles. Geochemical measurements and chemical relationships constrain the salt species and resultant physicochemical consequences. A likely assemblage is dominated by (Mg,Na)SO4, NaCl, and (Mg,Ca)CO3. Formation of brine in equilibrium with such a salt mixture is unlikely under the temperature and water-vapor restrictions prevalent over most, if not all, of the Martian surface. Acidic conditions, accompanying salt formation, favor the preferential destruction of susceptible igneous minerals.
Document ID
19810053548
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Clark, B. C.
(Martin Marietta Corp. Denver, CO, United States)
Van Hart, D. C.
(Martin Marietta Aerospace Planetary Sciences Laboratory Denver, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 45
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
81A37952
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-3284
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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