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Science 17 December 1976:
Vol. 194. no. 4271, pp. 1288 - 1293
DOI: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1288
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Articles

Mineralogic and Petrologic Implications of Viking Geochemical Results From Mars: Interim Report

A. K. BAIRD 1, PRIESTLEY TOULMIN III 2, BENTON C. CLARK 3, HARRY J. ROSE JR. 4, KLAUS KEIL 5, RALPH P. CHRISTIAN 4, and JAMES L. GOODING 6

1 Department of Geology, Pomona College, Claremont, California 91711
2 U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092
3 Planetary Sciences Laboratory, Martin Marietta Aerospace, Denver, Colorado 80201
4 U.S. Geological Survey, Reston
5 Department of Geology and Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131
6 Department of Geology and Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico

Chemical results from four samples of martian fines delivered to Viking landers 1 and 2 are remarkably similar in that they all have high iron; moderate magnesium, calcium, and sulfur; low aluminum; and apparently very low alkalies and trace elements. This composition is best interpreted as representing the weathering products of mafic igneous rocks. A mineralogic model, derived from computer mixing studies and laboratory analog preparations, suggests that Mars fines could be an intimate mixture of about 80 percent iron-rich clay, about 10 percent magnesium sulfate (kieserite?), about 5 percent carbonate (calcite), and about 5 percent iron oxides (hematite, magnetite, maghemite, goethite?). The mafic nature of the present fines (distributed globally) and their probable source rocks seems to preclude large-scale planetary differentiation of a terrestrial nature.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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R. Navarro-Gonzalez, K. F. Navarro, J. d. l. Rosa, E. Iniguez, P. Molina, L. D. Miranda, P. Morales, E. Cienfuegos, P. Coll, F. Raulin, et al. (2006)
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The carbon cycle on early Earth--and on Mars?.
M. M Grady and I. Wright (2006)
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Transformations of Mg- and Ca-sulfate hydrates in Mars regolith.
D. T. Vaniman and S. J. Chipera (2006)
American Mineralogist 91, 1628-1642
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The Chemical Composition of Martian Soil and Rocks Returned by the Mobile Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer: Preliminary Results from the X-ray Mode.
R. Rieder, T. Economou, H. Wänke, A. Turkevich, J. Crisp, J. Brückner, G. Dreibus, and H. Y. McSween Jr. (1997)
Science 278, 1771-1774
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Mars and Earth: Origin and Abundance of Volatiles.
E. Anders, E. Anders, and T. Owen (1977)
Science 198, 453-465
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Possible Surface Reactions on Mars: Implications for Viking Biology Results.
C. Ponnamperuma, C. PONNAMPERUMA, A. SHIMOYAMA, M. YAMADA, T. HOBO, and R. PAL (1977)
Science 197, 455-457
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Scientific Results of the Viking Missions.
G. A. Soffen and G. A. SOFFEN (1976)
Science 194, 1274-1276
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The Surface of Mars: The View from the Viking 2 Lander.
T. A. Mutch, T. A. MUTCH, S. U. GRENANDER, K. L. JONES, W. PATTERSON, R. E. ARVIDSON, E. A. GUINNESS, P. AVRIN, C. E. CARLSTON, A. B. BINDER, et al. (1976)
Science 194, 1277-1283
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Inorganic Analyses of Martian Surface Samples at the Viking Landing Sites.
B. C. Clark, B. C. CLARK, A. K. BAIRD, H. J. ROSE JR., P. TOULMIN III, K. KEIL, A. J. CASTRO, W. C. KELLIHER, C. D. ROWE, and P. H. EVANS (1976)
Science 194, 1283-1288
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