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Infrared spectroscopy of simulated Martian surface materialsMineralogy inferred from the Viking X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) is compared with mineralogy indicated by spectral data. The comparison is done by taking laboratory spectra of Viking analog minerals. Both XRFS and infrared data are consistent with clays as the dominant SiO2 containing minerals on Mars. The X-ray fluorescence data might also be consistent with the dominance of certain mafic SiO2 igneous minerals, but the spectral data are probably inconsistent with such materials. Sulfates, inferred by XRFS, are consistent with the spectral data. Inferences following Mariner 9 that high-SiO2 minerals were important on Mars may have been biased by the presence of sulfates. Calcium carbonate, in the quantities indirectly suggested by XRFS are inconsistent with the spectral data, but smaller quantities of CaCO3 are consistent, as are large quantities of other carbonates.
Document ID
19790003814
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Toon, O. B. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Sagan, C. (Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1978
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-157922
Accession Number
79N11985
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-2277
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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