Evaluation of the Tindouf Basin Region in Southern Morocco as an Analogue Site for Soil Geochemistry on Noachian Mars

Abstract

Locations on Earth that provide insights into processes that may be occurring or may have occurred throughout martian history are often broadly deemed "Mars analog environments." As no single locale can precisely represent a past or present martian environment, it is important to focus on characterization of terrestrial processes that produce analogous features to those observed in specific regions of Mars or, if possible, specific time periods during martian history. Here, we report on the preservation of ionic species in soil samples collected from the Tindouf region of Morocco and compare them with the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the martian meteorite EETA79001, and the in situ Mars analyses from the Phoenix Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL). The Moroccan samples show the greatest similarity with those from Victoria Valley, Beacon Valley, and the Atacama, while being consistently depleted compared to University Valley and enriched compared to Taylor Valley. The NO/Cl ratios are most similar to Victoria Valley and Atacama, while the SO/Cl ratios are similar to those from Beacon Valley, Victoria Valley, and the Atacama. While perchlorate concentrations in the Moroccan samples are typically lower than those found in samples of other analog sites, conditions in the region are sufficiently arid to retain oxychlorines at detectable levels. Our results suggest that the Tindouf Basin in Morocco can serve as a suitable analogue for the soil geochemistry and subsequent aridification of the Noachian epoch on Mars.

Indigenous Organic‐Oxidized Fluid Interactions in the Tissint Mars Meteorite

“…This is supported by previously reported isotopic analyses of volatiles within the meteorite that do not indicate contamination of the Tissint meteorite by terrestrial water (Chen et al, 2015). Furthermore, our analysis of the soluble chemistry of the strewn field indicates that the highly soluble ClO 4 − , derived from the terrestrial atmosphere and preserved in desert environments (Catling et al, 2010), is not present in significant enough quantities to leach into the Tissint until~20 cm below the surface (Oberlin et al, 2018). Figure 1 demonstrates that the bulk soluble ion ratios in the southern Moroccan soil surface are distinct from those measured in Tissint, in a manner that would be challenging to explain via terrestrial contamination.…”

“…Detailed analysis of the soluble inorganic component of strewn field samples is presented elsewhere (Oberlin et al, 2018). In summary, analysis of the strewn field samples indicated no surface ClO 4 − concentrations above a 25-ppb limit of detection.…”

“…Details of the strewn field soil sampling and analyses are described elsewhere (Oberlin et al, 2018). In summary, 12 sampling sites were centered within a 6-km radius of the center of the strewn field, spanning a morphologically stable plateau and a valley floor with evidence of ephemeral fluvial alteration.…”

Nitrates as a Potential N Supply for Microbial Ecosystems in a Hyperarid Mars Analog System

“…Mars [18], with low moisture and large nitrate reservoirs. The transitional and arid sites, on the other 40 hand (sites TZ-4, TZ-5 and TZ-6), are more analogous to regions of Mars where precipitation and 41 organic C levels might have been slightly elevated, like Noachian Mars [67]. Therefore, comparisons 42 between the hyperarid sites and transitional/arid sites provide insight into the strategies that 43 potentially extant microorganisms on Mars might have uses to respond to changes in rainwater and 44 nitrogen input.…”

Tin Content Is a Possible Marker to Discriminate Argan Oil Against Olive, Sesame, Mustard, Corn, Peanut, and Sunflower Oils

“…[32] In Errachidia soil, element content is low but dominated by the equimolar presence of calcium and magnesium, predominantly as bicarbonate salts. [33,34] The soil of the Tindouf region (Algeria) is particularly hostile, [35] it is moderately rich in ferromagnesian minerals. [36] In Mersin, the soil most predominant natural cation is calcium.…”