Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agusm.p21b..04b&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007, abstract #P21B-04
Mathematics
Logic
1040 Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry, 1115 Radioisotope Geochronology, 1160 Planetary And Lunar Geochronology
Scientific paper
It has long been known that The isotopic ratios 129 Xe/132Xe and 40Ar/36Ar are very high in Mars atmosphere relative to Earth or meteoritic backgrounds. This fact has allowed the SNC meteorites to be identified as Martian based on their trapped gases (1). However, while the isotopic anomalies explained one mystery, the origin of the SNC meteorites, they created a new mystery: the rock samples from Mars show no evidence of the large amounts of Iodine or Potassium that would give naturally give rise to the Xenon and Argon isotopic anomalies (2). In fact, the Martian meteorites are depleted in Potassium relative to earth rocks. This is added to the fact that for other isotopic systems such as 80Kr, Mars rock samples must be irradiated by neutrons at fluences of 1015 /cm2 to explain observed abundances (1) . Compounding the mystery is the fact that Mars surface layer has elevated levels of Uranium and Thorium relative to Earth and even its own rocks, as determined from SNCs (3). These anomalies can be explained if some large nuclear energy release, such as by natural nuclear reactors known to have operated on Earth (4) in in some concentrated ore body, occurred with perhaps a large volcano like explosion that spread residues over the planets surface. Based on gamma ray observations from orbit (3), and the correlations of normally uncorrelated Th and K deposits , the approximate location of this event would appear to have been in the north of Mars in a region in Acidalia Planitia centered at 45N Latitude and 15W Longitude (5). The possibility of such a large radiological event in Mars past adds impetus to Mars exploration efforts and particularly to a human mission to Mars to learn more about this possible occurrence. (1) Swindle, T. D. , Caffee, M. W., and Hohenberg, C. M., (1986) "Xenon and other Noble Gases in Shergottites" Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 50, pp 1001-1015. (2) Banin, A., Clark, B.C., and Wanke, H. "Surface Chemistry and Mineralogy" (1992) in "Mars" Kieffer , H.H. , Jackosky, B. M. , Snyder C.W. , and Matthews , M.S. Editors , The University of Arizona Press, (3) Taylor G. Jeffery, et al. "Igneous and Aqueous Processes on Mars: Evidence From Measurements of K and Th by the Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer." (2003) Proc. 6th International Mars Conference. Pasadena Ca. (4) Meshik , A. P. "the Workings of An Ancient Nuclear Reactor" Scientific American, November 2005, p83. (5) Brandenburg, J.E., "Evidence for a large Natural Nuclear Reactor in Mars Past " Proceedings of the Space technology International Forum Albuquereque NM Feb 12-16 2006.
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