Jarosite, argon diffusion, and dating aqueous mineralization on Earth and Mars

Kula, Joseph; Baldwin, Suzanne L.

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2011.08.006

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Finally, minerals generated by low-temperature water-rock interaction may persist on the surface of Earth (e.g., Landis et al, 2005) or Mars for protracted periods of time. Measurements of diffusion parameters and closure temperatures for these phases are needed to determine if they can indeed remain closed to Ar at surface temperatures at billionyear time scales (Kula and Baldwin, 2011;Ren and Vasconcelos, 2019b). Challenges in determining diffusion parameters for hydrous phases include a lack of information on their thermal behavior during heating in vacuum (Gaber et al, 1988;Lee et al, 1991) and the possibility that Ar is released during phase transformation and not by volume diffusion (Vasconcelos et al, 1995).…”

Section: Detrital Mica 40 Ar/ 39 Ar Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpreting and reporting 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data

et al. 2020

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The 40Ar/39Ar dating method is among the most versatile of geochronometers, having the potential to date a broad variety of K-bearing materials spanning from the time of Earth’s formation into the historical realm. Measurements using modern noble-gas mass spectrometers are now producing 40Ar/39Ar dates with analytical uncertainties of ∼0.1%, thereby providing precise time constraints for a wide range of geologic and extraterrestrial processes. Analyses of increasingly smaller subsamples have revealed age dispersion in many materials, including some minerals used as neutron fluence monitors. Accordingly, interpretive strategies are evolving to address observed dispersion in dates from a single sample. Moreover, inferring a geologically meaningful “age” from a measured “date” or set of dates is dependent on the geological problem being addressed and the salient assumptions associated with each set of data. We highlight requirements for collateral information that will better constrain the interpretation of 40Ar/39Ar data sets, including those associated with single-crystal fusion analyses, incremental heating experiments, and in situ analyses of microsampled domains. To ensure the utility and viability of published results, we emphasize previous recommendations for reporting 40Ar/39Ar data and the related essential metadata, with the amendment that data conform to evolving standards of being findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) by both humans and computers. Our examples provide guidance for the presentation and interpretation of 40Ar/39Ar dates to maximize their interdisciplinary usage, reproducibility, and longevity.

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Section: Detrital Mica 40 Ar/ 39 Ar Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpreting and reporting 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data

et al. 2020

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“…Jarosite comprises ~10% in outcrop at the Meridiani Planum, the landing site of the Opportunity rover [ Christensen et al , ], while smaller but significant amounts have also been recently discovered in parts of Mawrth Vallis [ Farrand et al , ], Valles Marineris [ Milliken et al , ], Noctis Labyrinthus [ Weitz et al , ; Thollot et al , ], NE Syrtis Major [ Ehlmann and Mustard , ], and Gale Crater [ Léveillé et al , ]. In addition to serving as a mineralogical indicator of aqueous activity on the Martian surface [e.g., Christensen et al , ], jarosite is amenable to 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating [e.g., Lueth et al , ] and can therefore be additionally used to estimate the time since water was last present at a particular location [ Kula and Baldwin , ]. Laboratory studies indicate that jarosite has a limited stability field and can only be precipitated from highly acidic (pH < 3), oxidizing aqueous fluids in a sulfur‐bearing system [e.g., Baron and Palmer , ; Bigham et al , ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Jarosite occurrence in the Deccan Volcanic Province of Kachchh, western India: Spectroscopic studies on a Martian analog locality

et al. 2016

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The sulfate mineral jarosite is considered a key indicator of hydrous, acidic, and oxidizing conditions on the surface of early Mars. Here we report an analog terrestrial locality hosting jarosite from Matanumadh, Kachchh, western India, using detailed spectroscopic studies on weathered basalts of the Deccan Volcanic Province and overlying tuffaceous shales and sandstones of the Matanumadh Formation. Hyperspectral data in the visible/near‐infrared (350–2500 nm) to midinfrared (4000–400 cm−1) region of the electromagnetic spectrum and X‐ray diffraction patterns have been acquired on samples collected from the field to detect and characterize the hydrous sulfate and phyllosilicate phases present at the studied site. Hydrous sulfates occur in association with Al‐rich phyllosilicates (kaolinite) that overlie a zone of Fe/Mg smectites in altered basalts. Jarosite is found within both saprolitic clay horizons altered from the basalt and within variegated sandstone and shale/clay units overlying the saprolite; it mostly occurs as secondary veins with or without gypsum. Jarosite is also seen as coatings on kaolinite clasts of varying shapes and sizes within the tuffaceous variegated sandstone unit. We argue that the overall geological setting of the Matanumadh area, with this unusual mineral assemblage developing within altered basalts and in the overlying sedimentary sequence, mimics the geological environment of many of the identified jarosite localities on Mars and can be considered as a Martian analog from this perspective.

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“…The Mojave 2 mineralogy comprises substantial amounts of both plagioclase and jarosite, both of which host K, but which have different Ar release temperatures. Jarosite releases Ar at temperatures less than 500°C, whereas plagioclase retains the vast majority of its Ar to above 500°C (Cassata et al , 2009; Kula and Baldwin, 2011). Accordingly, an SAM experiment was devised to heat the Mojave 2 sample twice and validated by using the SAM testbed before its execution on Mars.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Situ Geochronology on Mars and the Development of Future Instrumentation

et al. 2019

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We review the in situ geochronology experiments conducted by the Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover to understand when the Gale Crater rocks formed, underwent alteration, and became exposed to cosmogenic radiation. These experiments determined that the detrital minerals in the sedimentary rocks of Gale are ∼4 Ga, consistent with their origin in the basalts surrounding the crater. The sedimentary rocks underwent fluid-moderated alteration 2 Gyr later, which may mark the closure of aqueous activity at Gale Crater. Over the past several million years, wind-driven processes have dominated, denuding the surfaces by scarp retreat. The Curiosity measurements validate radiometric dating techniques on Mars and guide the way for future instrumentation to make more precise measurements that will further our understanding of the geological and astrobiological history of the planet.

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Jarosite, argon diffusion, and dating aqueous mineralization on Earth and Mars

Cited by 17 publications

References 31 publications

Interpreting and reporting 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data

Interpreting and reporting 40Ar/39Ar geochronologic data

Jarosite occurrence in the Deccan Volcanic Province of Kachchh, western India: Spectroscopic studies on a Martian analog locality

In Situ Geochronology on Mars and the Development of Future Instrumentation

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