K, U, and Th Behavior in Martian Environmental Conditions
Abstract
The possibility of K, U, and Th content determination from orbit and in situ allows consideration of those elements as geochemical indicators in the planetary studies. In the case of Mars the unambiguous interpretations of such data in terms of igneous rocks are remarkably constrained by the widespread rock alteration and the existence of exogenic deposits. Besides, the terrestrial experience indicates that K, U, and Th contents could be used as indicators of environmental geochemical processes. Thus the determination of K, U, and Th contents in the Martian surface materials could provide the indirect data on the conditions of some exogenic geological processes. The speculations on the K, U, and Th behavior in the Martian environments show that aeolian and aqueous processes leads to the preferential accumulation of K, U, and Th in fine dust material. The separation of K, U, and Th on Mars is smaller in scale to that on Earth.
- Publication:
-
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
- Pub Date:
- March 1993
- Bibcode:
- 1993LPI....24.1585Z
- Keywords:
-
- Geochemistry;
- Mars Environment;
- Mars Surface;
- Potassium;
- Thorium;
- Uranium;
- Weathering;
- Accumulations;
- Igneous Rocks;
- Planetary Geology;
- Sediment Transport;
- Water Erosion;
- Wind Effects;
- Wind Erosion;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration