Volatile and organic compositions of sedimentary rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

H2O, CO2, SO2, O2, H2, H2S, HCl, chlorinated hydrocarbons, NO, and other trace gases were evolved during pyrolysis of two mudstone samples acquired by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay within Gale crater, Mars. H2O/OH-bearing phases included 2:1 phyllosilicate(s), bassanite, akaganeite, and amo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ming, D.W., Archer Jr., P.D., Glavin, D.P., Eigenbrode, J.L., Franz, H.B., Sutter, B., Brunner, A.E., Stern, J.C., Freissinet, C., McAdam, A.C., Mahaffy, P.R., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Campbell, J.L., Atreya, S.K., Niles, P.B., Bell III, J.F., Bish, D.L., Brinckerhoff, W.B., Buch, A., Conrad, P.G., Des Marais, D.J., Ehlmann, B.L., Fairén, A.G., Farley, K., Flesch, G.J., Francois, P., Gellert, R., Grant, J.A., Grotzinger, J.P., Gupta, S., Herkenhoff, K.E., Hurowitz, J.A., Leshin, L.A., Lewis, K.W., McLennan, S.M., Miller, K.E., Moersch, J., Morris, R.V., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A.A., Perrett, G.M., Pradler, I., Squyres, S.W., Summons, R.E., Steele, A., Stolper, E.M., Sumner, D.Y., Szopa, C., Teinturier, S., Trainer, M.G., Treiman, A.H., Vaniman, D.T., Vasavada, A.R., Webster, C.R., Wray, J.J., Yingst, R.A., MSL Science Team, the
Other Authors: NWO-NSO: The role of perchlorates in the preservation of organic compounds on Mars, Petrology
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2014
Subjects:
Yellowknife
Yellowknife Bay
Online Access:https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/309792
Description
Summary:H2O, CO2, SO2, O2, H2, H2S, HCl, chlorinated hydrocarbons, NO, and other trace gases were evolved during pyrolysis of two mudstone samples acquired by the Curiosity rover at Yellowknife Bay within Gale crater, Mars. H2O/OH-bearing phases included 2:1 phyllosilicate(s), bassanite, akaganeite, and amorphous materials. Thermal decomposition of carbonates and combustion of organic materials are candidate sources for the CO2. Concurrent evolution of O2 and chlorinated hydrocarbons suggests the presence of oxychlorine phase(s). Sulfides are likely sources for sulfur-bearing species. Higher abundances of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the mudstone compared with Rocknest windblown materials previously analyzed by Curiosity suggest that indigenous martian or meteoritic organic carbon sources may be preserved in the mudstone; however, the carbon source for the chlorinated hydrocarbons is not definitively of martian origin.

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