Possible Phosphate Redistribution on the Martian Surface: Implication From Simulation Experiments

Details Possible Phosphate Redistribution on the Martian Surface: Implication From Simulation Experiments Possible Phosphate Redistribution on the Martian Surface: Implication From Simulation Experiments

Dec 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agufm.p51a..06d&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2001, abstract #P51A-06

Physics

6207 Comparative Planetology, 6215 Extraterrestrial Materials, 6225 Mars, 6240 Meteorites And Tektites

Scientific paper

The chemical composition of Martian rocks and soils as measured with the APXS (Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer) of the Mars Pathfinder Mission are very different [1]. Surprisingly, only small differences of the phosphorous concentrations between soils and rocks were found. The P concentration of about 4000 ppm is similar to that measured in basaltic shergottites. Phosphates are the host mineral for the REE, Th and U. Leach experiments with slightly acidified brines on basaltic shergottites easily dissolved more than a half of the REEs and U whereas K remained insoluble. Therefore, we suggested the possibility of alteration and mobilization of phosphates in the Martian environment with the result of an enrichment of U, Th, and consequently P on the surface. However, the APXS measured no P enrichment in rocks and soil of the Martian crust, whereas a high Th concentration on the surface was measured with the gamma-spectroscopy from orbit by Mars-5 and Phobos-2 [2]. With leach experiments on terrestrial samples we studied the solubility of U and Th as in the case of shergottites, but also that of phosphorous. Furthermore, simulation experiments of reactions between slightly acidified calcium-phosphate solution and different terrestrial rock types were performed to clarify the redistribution of P at the Martian surface with its complex weathering history. Ref.: [1] Brueckner J. et al. (2001) Lunar Planet. Science. XXXII, 1293; [2] Surkov Yu. A. et al. (1989) Nature 341, 595.

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