In this section
@article{Lewis:2018:10.1089/ast.2017.1717,
author = {Lewis, JMT and Najorka, J and Watson, JS and Sephton, MA},
doi = {10.1089/ast.2017.1717},
journal = {Astrobiology},
pages = {454--464},
title = {The search for Hesperian organic matter on Mars: Pyrolysis studies of sediments rich in sulfur and iron},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ast.2017.1717},
volume = {18},
year = {2018}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Jarosite on Mars is of significant geological and astrobiological interest as it forms in acidic aqueous conditions that are potentially habitable for acidophilic organisms. Jarosite can provide environmental context and may host organic matter. The most common analytical technique used to search for organic molecules on the surface of Mars is pyrolysis. However, thermal decomposition of jarosite produces oxygen, which degrades organic signals. At pH values greater than 3 and high water to rock ratios jarosite has a close association with goethite. Hematite can form by dehydration of goethite or directly from jarosite under certain aqueous conditions. Goethite and hematite are significantly more amenable for pyrolysis experiments searching for organic matter than jarosite. Analysis of the mineralogy and organic chemistry of samples from a natural acidic stream revealed a diverse response for organic compounds during pyrolysis of goethite-rich layers but a poor response for jarosite-rich or mixed jarosite-goethite units. Goethite units that are associated with jarosite but do not contain jarosite themselves should be targeted for organic detection pyrolysis experiments on Mars. These findings are extremely timely as future exploration targets for Mars Science Laboratory include Hematite Ridge, which may have formed from goethite precursors.
AU - Lewis,JMT
AU - Najorka,J
AU - Watson,JS
AU - Sephton,MA
DO - 10.1089/ast.2017.1717
EP - 464
PY - 2018///
SN - 1531-1074
SP - 454
TI - The search for Hesperian organic matter on Mars: Pyrolysis studies of sediments rich in sulfur and iron
T2 - Astrobiology
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ast.2017.1717
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/50437
VL - 18
ER -