Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks

Details Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks

Mar 1978

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1978icar...33..483g&link_type=abstract

Icarus, vol. 33, Mar. 1978, p. 483-513.

Computer Science

62

Atmospheric Effects, Chemical Attack, Mars Surface, Reaction Kinetics, Weathering, Gas-Solid Interfaces, Minerals, Olivine, Planetary Composition, Pyroxenes, Tables (Data), Thermodynamic Equilibrium, Viking Lander Spacecraft, Mars, Mafic, Gases, Atmosphere, Weathering, Minerals, Composition, Surface, Thermodynamics, Phase Change, Decomposition, Igneous Rocks

Scientific paper

Chemical weathering on Mars is examined theoretically from the standpoint of thermodynamic equilibrium between primary rock-forming minerals and the atmospheric gases O2, H2O, and CO2. The primary minerals considered are those common to mafic igneous rocks and include olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, magnetite, troilite, pyrrhotite, and apatite. The importance of kinetics and reaction mechanisms in controlling possible weathering processes on Mars is discussed within the limits of currently available data, and the possible influence of liquid water on Martian weathering processes is evaluated where appropriate. For gas-solid weathering of mafic igneous rocks at the Martian surface, it is concluded that upon attainment of thermodynamic equilibrium: (1) oxides and carbonates should dominate the mineral assemblage of weathering products; (2) hematite rather than goethite should be the stable mineral form of Fe (III); (3) FeSO4 or FeSO4.H2O could be the stable weathering product of iron sulfides in the absence of liquid water; and (4) kaolinite is apparently the only clay mineral that should be thermodynamically stable over all ranges of temperature and water-vapor abundance at the Martian surface.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1080440