The MECA Wet Chemistry Laboratory on the 2007 Phoenix Mars Scout Lander

Kounaves, Samuel P.; Hecht, M. H.; West, Steven J.; Morookian, John Michael; Young, S. M. M.; Quinn, R. C.; Grunthaner, P. J.; Wen, Xiaowen; Weilert, M.; Cable, Casey A.; Fisher, Anita M.; Gospodinova, K.; Kapit, Jason; Stroble, Shannon T.; Hsu, Po Chang; Clark, B. C.; Ming, D. W.; Smith, Peter H.

doi:10.1029/2008je003084

Cited by 64 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…To search for soluble salts, three soil samples were added to Phoenix's Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) [Kounaves et al, 2009], which registered a strong signal that was interpreted as resulting from perchlorate [Hecht et al, 2009]. Because perchlorates are strongly deliquescent salts, their homogeneous distribution through the soil column was cited as evidence that the Phoenix soils have not interacted extensively with liquid water [Hecht et al, 2009].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrated perchlorate at the Mars Phoenix landing site: Evidence for thin film liquid water on Mars

Cull

Arvidson

Catalano

et al. 2010

Geophysical Research Letters

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101

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NASA's Phoenix mission, which landed on the northern plains of Mars in 2008, returned evidence of the perchlorate anion distributed evenly throughout the soil column at the landing site. Here, we use spectral data from Phoenix's Surface Stereo Imager to map the distribution of perchlorate salts at the Phoenix landing site, and find that perchlorate salt has been locally concentrated into subsurface patches, similar to salt patches that result from aqueous dissolution and redistribution on Earth. We propose that thin films of liquid water are responsible for translocating perchlorate from the surface to the subsurface, and for concentrating it in patches. The thin films are interpreted to result from melting of minor ice covers related to seasonal and long‐term obliquity cycles.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrated perchlorate at the Mars Phoenix landing site: Evidence for thin film liquid water on Mars

Cull

Arvidson

Catalano

et al. 2010

Geophysical Research Letters

Self Cite

101

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“…NASA's Phoenix mission to Mars is equipped with the Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) and the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) as part of the spacecraft's Microscopy, Electrochemistry, and Conductivity Analyzer (MECA), which can analyze the chemistry and mineralogy of the soil Hecht et al, 2009;Kounaves et al, 2009;Smith et al, 2009). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlation Between the Extent of Catalytic Activity and Charge Density of Montmorillonites

et al. 2010

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The clay mineral montmorillonite is a member of the phyllosilicate group of minerals, which has been detected on martian soil. Montmorillonite catalyzes the condensation of activated monomers to form RNA-like oligomers. Extent of catalysis, that is, the yield of oligomers, and the length of the longest oligomer formed in these reactions widely varies with the source of montmorillonite (i.e., the locality where the mineral is mined). This study was undertaken to establish whether there exists a correlation between the extent of catalytic property and the charge density of montmorillonites. Charge density was determined by saturating the montmorillonites with alkyl ammonium cations that contained increasing lengths of alkyl chains, [CH 3 þ , where n ¼ 3-16 and 18, and then measuring d (001) , interlayer spacing of the resulting montmorillonite-alkyl ammoniummontmorillonite complex by X-ray diffractometry (XRD).Results demonstrate that catalytic activity of montmorillonites with lower charge density is superior to that of higher charge density montmorillonite. They produce longer oligomers that contain 9 to 10 monomer units, while montmorillonite with high charge density catalyzes the formation of oligomers that contain only 4 monomer units.The charge density of montmorillonites can also be calculated from the chemical composition if elemental analysis data of the pure mineral are available. In the next mission to Mars, CheMin (Chemistry and Mineralogy), a combined X-ray diffraction/X-ray fluorescence instrument, will provide information on the mineralogical and elemental analysis of the samples. Possible significance of these results for planning the future missions to Mars for the search of organic compounds and extinct or extant life is discussed.

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“…In addition, HPLC systems are relatively complex, require substantial maintenance, toxic chemicals (depending on analysis), and have significant consumable requirements (e.g., solvents, columns, sample vials). Even with their high flexibility and precision, the aforementioned characteristics leave them not well positioned for spaceflight [127]. In particular, even an HPLC-on-chip, which diminishes the mass and volume issues, does not rank well in comparison to other potential technologies for portable diagnostic systems considered for future space exploration missions [128].…”

Section: Ion-selective Sensor Technologies For Terrestrial and Space-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems

Bamsey

Graham

Thompson

et al. 2012

Sensors

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The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry's demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.

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The MECA Wet Chemistry Laboratory on the 2007 Phoenix Mars Scout Lander

Cited by 64 publications

References 34 publications

Concentrated perchlorate at the Mars Phoenix landing site: Evidence for thin film liquid water on Mars

Concentrated perchlorate at the Mars Phoenix landing site: Evidence for thin film liquid water on Mars

Correlation Between the Extent of Catalytic Activity and Charge Density of Montmorillonites

Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems

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