Jarosite and hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mossbauer spectrometer

Citation

Klingelhoefer G, Morris RV, Bernhardt B, Schröder C, Rodionov DS, de Souza Jr PA, Yen AS, Gellert R, Evlanov EN, Zubkov BV, Foh J, Bonnes U, Kankeleit E, Gutlich P & Ming DW (2004) Jarosite and hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mossbauer spectrometer. Science, 306 (5702), pp. 1740-1745. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1104653

Abstract
Mössbauer spectra measured by the Opportunity rover revealed four mineralogical components in Meridiani Planum at Eagle crater: jarosite- and hematite-rich outcrop, hematite-rich soil, olivine-bearing basaltic soil, and a pyroxene-bearing basaltic rock (Bounce rock). Spherules, interpreted to be concretions, are hematiterich and dispersed throughout the outcrop. Hematitic soils both within and outside Eagle crater are dominated by spherules and their fragments. Olivine-bearing basaltic soil is present throughout the region. Bounce rock is probably an impact erratic. Because jarosite is a hydroxide sulfate mineral, its presence at Meridiani Planum is mineralogical evidence for aqueous processes on Mars, probably under acid-sulfate conditions.

Notes
Additional co-authors: F Renz, T Wdowiak, SW Squyres, RE Arvidson

Journal
Science: Volume 306, Issue 5702

People

Dr Christian Schroeder

Senior Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences