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Partially Chloritized Smectites: Analogues of Smectites at Gale Crater, MarsCharacterizing the structure and composition of phyllosilicates is important for interpreting the aqueous history of Mars and identifying potential habitable environments. Smectites and chlorites are the most dominant clay types on Mars, and there is evidence of the presence of smectite/chlorite intergrades. Smectite has been detected at Gale Crater, Mars, via orbital observations and in-situ measurements, in abundances up to approximately 25 weight percentage of bulk rock. John Klein (JK) and Cumberland (CB) were analyzed by the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) and Samples Analysis at Mars (SAM) evolved gas analysis experiment (EGA) instruments, onboard Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), Curiosity, to distinguish clay mineralogy. John Klein has a collapsed 2:1 smectite with a d-spacing of 10 Angstroms, whereas Cumberland smectite did not fully collapse and has a d-spacing of approximately 13.2 Angstroms. It has been suggested that partial chloritization or ‘pillaring’ could be responsible for the expanded Cumberland smectite because pillaring inhibits the collapse of smectites down to 10 Angstrom, even under the desiccating conditions on the martian surface. Clay minerals have been detected in ancient fluvio-lacustrine rocks throughout Curiosity’s traverse and catalog the changes of the lake water chemistry and diagenetic conditions at Gale Crater, Mars. Investigating clay minerals is important for identifying them on the Martian surface, in particular as Curiosity proceeds into the upcoming Clay-bearing Unit.
Document ID
20190001831
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tu, V. M.
(Jacobs Technologies Engineering Science Contract Group Houston, TX, United States)
Rampe, E. B.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Morris, R. V.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Perry, S. E.
(Scripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
March 25, 2019
Publication Date
March 18, 2019
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
JSC-E-DAA-TN64975
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNJ13HA01C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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