Extensive carbonate deposits found on Mars

[JonClarke]

<p class="MsoNormal">For some reason nobody seems to have commented on nthis story, despite its importance.&nbsp; So, better late than never, here it is.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;font-family:Arial"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.space.com/includes/iab.html?url=/scienceastronomy/081218-agu-mro-carbonte.html</font></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">It is important for lots of reasons.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">It shows evidence for intense weathering on Mars in the Early Hesperian, which means lots of liquid water interaction with the rock.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">It shows evidence for extensive non-acidic weathering.</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:black;font-family:Arial">The magnesite (magnesium carbonate) occurs in qaulities that on Earth would be considered ore grade, This is of interest for those interested in Mars settlement as magnesium is a very useful metal.</span></font></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[kelvinzero]

<p>And it demonstrates the planet was not too acidic for life, according to the article.&nbsp;</p><p>Any possibility we have found a layer of chalk? <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

[JonClarke]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>And it demonstrates the planet was not too acidic for life, according to the article.&nbsp;Any possibility we have found a layer of chalk? &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />Posted by kelvinzero</DIV></p><p>Not chalk as we know it, it is magnesite, not calcite.</p><p>I suspect the whole acidity thing is over done.&nbsp; there is some evidence that, if the WCL samples wre run at Meridiani they would give alkaline results.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Jon<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[paulscottanderson]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>For some reason nobody seems to have commented on nthis story, despite its importance.&nbsp; So, better late than never, here it is.http://www.space.com/includes/iab.html?url=/scienceastronomy/081218-agu-mro-carbonte.htmlIt is important for lots of reasons.It shows evidence for intense weathering on Mars in the Early Hesperian, which means lots of liquid water interaction with the rock.It shows evidence for extensive non-acidic weathering.The magnesite (magnesium carbonate) occurs in qaulities that on Earth would be considered ore grade, This is of interest for those interested in Mars settlement as magnesium is a very useful metal. <br /> Posted by jonclarke</DIV></p><p>Yes, this is great news, and I had already blogged about it. This is yet more evidence that Mars' early water was NOT all acidic and nasty, as some would still like to think...</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="1"><span style="font-weight:bold" class="Apple-style-span">-----------------</span></font></p><p><font size="1"><span style="font-weight:bold" class="Apple-style-span">The Meridiani Journal</span><br />a chronicle of planetary exploration<br />web.me.com/meridianijournal</font> </p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Yes, this is great news, and I had already blogged about it. This is yet more evidence that Mars' early water was NOT all acidic and nasty, as some would still like to think... <br />Posted by paulscottanderson</DIV></p><p>I suspect none of it was, and the jarosite that is used as evidence of acidity is actually a weathering overprint.&nbsp; This was certaibnly the opinion of Burns, who is credited with developing the idea of acid waters on Mars.</p><p>Jon<br /></p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>