Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufm.p52b..05m&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P52B-05
Physics
[0305] Atmospheric Composition And Structure / Aerosols And Particles, [3947] Mineral Physics / Surfaces And Interfaces, [5415] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Erosion And Weathering, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
Here we present a novel mechanism for mineral alteration which might still be active at the surface of Mars today. The mechanism involves the wind induced transport (saltation) of sand which leads not only to erosion, but also activation of mineral grain surfaces followed by chemical reaction (for example oxidation). Previous laboratory work has demonstrated oxidation of the iron oxide magnetite into hematite in the presence of quartz/silicate and thereby a mechanism to explain the presence of reddish hematite in the Martian dust. This constitutes the first demonstration of a formation mechanism for the red-dish Martian dust involving a process known to occur on Mars (sand transport). Results from subsequent studies will be presented in which other examples of mineral alteration have been observed and more has been learned about the nature of the erosion and alteration processes. 1. J.P. Merrison*, H.P. Gunnlaugsson, S.J.K. Jensen, P. Nørnberg, Icarus, 205, 716 (2010) Size distribution of quartz sand before and after gentle simulated erosion (tumbling around 10 million times) showing 'dust' production.
Photograph of reddish (hematite) deposited inside glass flasks after erosion of a magnetite/quartz mixture.
Gunnlaugsson Haraldur P.
Knak-Jensen S.
Merrison Jonathan Peter
Per N.
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