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Science 17 December 1976:
Vol. 194. no. 4271, pp. 1283 - 1288
DOI: 10.1126/science.194.4271.1283
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Articles

Inorganic Analyses of Martian Surface Samples at the Viking Landing Sites

BENTON C. CLARK 1, A. K. BAIRD 2, HARRY J. ROSE JR. 3, PRIESTLEY TOULMIN III 3, KLAUS KEIL 4, ANGELO J. CASTRO 5, WARREN C. KELLIHER 6, CATHERINE D. ROWE 5, and PETER H. EVANS 7

1 Planetary Sciences Laboratory, Martin-Marietta Aerospace, Denver, Colorado 80201
2 Department of Geology, Pomona College, Claremont, California 91711
3 U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092
4 Department of Geology and Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87123
5 Martin-Marietta Aerospace
6 NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 23665
7 Department of Geology, Pomona College

Elemental analyses of fines in the Martian regolith at two widely separated landing sites, Chryse Planitia and Utopia Planitia, produced remarkably similar results. At both sites, the uppermost regolith contains abundant Si and Fe, with significant concentrations of Mg, Al, S, Ca, and Ti. The S concentration is one to two orders of magnitude higher, and K(<0.25 percent by weight) is at least 5 times lower than the average for the earth's crust. The trace elements Sr, Y, and possibly Zr, have been detected at concentrations near or below 100 parts per million. Pebblesized fragments sampled at Chryse contain more S than the bulk fines, and are thought to be pieces of a sulfate-cemented duricrust.

Submitted on November 15, 1976


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