A formation mechanism for hematite-rich spherules on Mars

Fan, Chaojun; Xie, Hongjie; Schulze‐Makuch, Dirk; Ackley, S. F.

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.11.001

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Crystalline gray hematite is uncommon on the Martian surface, yet in all known occurrences it is associated with layered, sedimentary units (Christensen et al, 2001). Most proposed formation mechanisms for these gray hematite spherules include: (a) direct precipitation from standing, oxygenated, iron-rich water (Herkenhoff et al, 2004;Squyres et al, 2004); (b) precipitation, oxidation, and crystallization from iron-rich hydrothermal fluids (Golden et al, 2008); (c) LT dissolution and precipitation through mobile groundwater leaching (McLennan et al, 2005); (d) sulfur-bearing water reaction of volcanic ash and basaltic pyroclastic deposits (Hynek et al, 2002); (e) oxidation of jarosite or other iron sulfide/sulphate minerals (Squyres & Knoll, 2005); (f) accretionary lapilli from an impact surge (Knauth et al, 2005); (g) fine hematite coatings (Kirkland et al, 2004); and (h) diagenesis of hematite-rich spherules following sediment transport and deposition (Fan et al, 2010). Association with layered deposits and strong correlation with these geological units led Christensen et al (2001) to favor precipitation from Fe-rich water, either in a LT subaqueous environment or a hydrothermal system.…”

Section: Gray Hematite Spherules (Hematite "Blueberries")mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Magnetic and Color Reflectance Properties of Hematite: From Earth to Mars

Jiang

Liu

Roberts

et al. 2022

Reviews of Geophysics

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Hematite is a canted antiferromagnet with reddish color that occurs widely on Earth and Mars. Identification and quantification of hematite is conveniently achieved through its magnetic and color properties. Hematite characteristics and content are indispensable ingredients in studies of the iron cycle, paleoenvironmental evolution, paleogeographic reconstructions, and comparative planetology (e.g., Mars). However, the existing magnetic and color reflectance property framework for hematite is based largely on stoichiometric hematite and tends to neglect the effects of cation substitution, which occurs widely in natural hematite and influences the physical properties of hematite. Thus, magnetic parameters for stoichiometric hematite are insufficient for complete analysis of many natural hematite occurrences and can lead to ambiguous geological interpretations. Remagnetization, which occurs pervasively in red beds, is another ticklish problem involving hematite. Understanding red bed remagnetization requires investigation of hematite's formation and remanence recording mechanisms. We elaborate on the influence of cation substitution on the magnetic and color spectral properties of hematite, and on identifying hematite and quantifying its content in soils and sediments. Studies of remagnetization mechanisms are discussed, and we summarize methods to discriminate between primary and secondary remanences carried by hematite in natural samples to aid primary remanence extraction in partially remagnetized red beds. Although there remain unknown properties and unresolved issues that require future work, recognition of the properties of cation‐substituted hematite and remagnetization mechanisms for hematite will aid identification and interpretation of the magnetic signals that it carries, which is environmentally important and responsible for magnetic signals on Earth and Mars.

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Section: Gray Hematite Spherules (Hematite "Blueberries")mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Magnetic and Color Reflectance Properties of Hematite: From Earth to Mars

Jiang

Liu

Roberts

et al. 2022

Reviews of Geophysics

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“…The Mö ssbauer spectrometer on the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity detected hematite-rich spherules in Meridiani Planum , and Mars Exploration Rover Spirit also detected Fe phases in Gusev Crater, including amorphous nanophase Fe(III) oxide, hematite, goethite, and ferric sulfate (Morris et al, , 2006. The formation mechanisms for the coarse-grained gray hematite phases remain a subject of debate (e.g., Hynek et al, 2002;Squyres et al, 2004;Chevrier and Mathé, 2007;Fan et al, 2008;Golden et al, 2008). One mechanism that has been proposed is formation of crystalline hematite associated with hydrothermal fluids or a groundwater system that involved oxidation, precipitation, and recrystallization from Fe-rich fluids (e.g., Squyres et al, 2004;Grotzinger et al, 2005;McLennan et al, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron Isotope Characteristics of Hot Springs at Chocolate Pots, Yellowstone National Park

Brucker

Beard

et al. 2013

Astrobiology

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Chocolate Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park is a hydrothermal system that contains high aqueous ferrous iron [∼0.1 mM Fe(II)] at circumneutral pH conditions. This site provides an ideal field environment in which to test our understanding of Fe isotope fractionations derived from laboratory experiments. The Fe(III) oxides, mainly produced through Fe(II) oxidation by oxygen in the atmosphere, have high ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios compared with the aqueous Fe(II). However, the degree of fractionation is less than that expected in a closed system at isotopic equilibrium. We suggest two explanations for the observed Fe isotope compositions. One is that light Fe isotopes partition into a sorbed component and precipitate out on the Fe(III) oxide surfaces in the presence of silica. The other explanation is internal regeneration of isotopically heavy Fe(II) via dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction farther down the flow path as well as deeper within the mat materials. These findings provide evidence that silica plays an important role in governing Fe isotope fractionation factors between reduced and oxidized Fe. Under conditions of low ambient oxygen, such as may be found on early Earth or Mars, significantly larger Fe isotope variations are predicted, reflecting the more likely attainment of Fe isotope equilibrium associated with slower oxidation rates under low-O₂ conditions.

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“…Recently, the analogy with the Utah blueberries has also been stressed by Yoshida et al [10], who proposed a formation in early Martian history due to the interaction between pre-existing calcite spherules and acidic sulphate water infiltrated into the soils. Other genetic mechanisms support the following hypotheses: (1) concretions from stagnant groundwaters [11][12][13]; (2) meteorite impact [14,15]; (3) interactions between volcanic deposits and acidic hydrothermal fluids [16,17]; (4) freezing of aqueous haematite nanoparticle suspensions [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Rolling Ironstones from Earth and Mars: Terrestrial Hydrothermal Ooids as a Potential Analogue of Martian Spherules

et al. 2021

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High-resolution images of Mars from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rovers revealed mm-size loose haematite spherulitic deposits (nicknamed “blueberries”) similar to terrestrial iron-ooids, for which both abiotic and biotic genetic hypotheses have been proposed. Understanding the formation mechanism of these haematite spherules can thus improve our knowledge on the possible geologic evolution and links to life development on Mars. Here, we show that shape, size, fabric and mineralogical composition of the Martian spherules share similarities with corresponding iron spherules currently forming on the Earth over an active submarine hydrothermal system located off Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Mediterranean Sea). Hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanic activity enable these terrestrial spheroidal grains to form and grow. The recent exceptional discovery of a still working iron-ooid source on the Earth provides indications that past hydrothermal activity on the Red Planet is a possible scenario to be considered as the cause of formation of these enigmatic iron grains.

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A formation mechanism for hematite-rich spherules on Mars

Cited by 13 publications

References 90 publications

The Magnetic and Color Reflectance Properties of Hematite: From Earth to Mars

The Magnetic and Color Reflectance Properties of Hematite: From Earth to Mars

Iron Isotope Characteristics of Hot Springs at Chocolate Pots, Yellowstone National Park

Rolling Ironstones from Earth and Mars: Terrestrial Hydrothermal Ooids as a Potential Analogue of Martian Spherules

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