Formation of authigenic sulfates in cold dry glaciers: terrestrial and planetary implications
Abstract
Salts are commonly found on planetary surfaces, and sulfates have been widely observed on Earth, Mars [1] and on some of Jupiter's and Saturn's icy moons [2]. These minerals can form under a wide range of conditions, from warm environments with high water/rock ratioes to cold environments with low water/rock ratioes [3, 4]. The accurate determination of sulfate formation can thus provide key elements for deciphering past planetary surface conditions. If terrestrial sulfates are mainly formed with a high water/rock ratio, this condition is rarely encountered in the solar system. A formation process involving cold and dry conditions is thus perhaps more relevant for Mars and icy moons. Sulfate formation in this kind of environment is however poorly documented on Earth. As planetary sulfates are often associated with ice deposits, this study focuses on the formation mechanism of cryogenic sulfates in extreme cold and dry environments. For that purpose, we performed a detailed analysis of sulfates found on a Chilean glacier. The obtained results are then compared to planetary data.
- Publication:
-
European Planetary Science Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015EPSC...10..587M