The scale of a martian hydrothermal system explored using combined neutron and X-ray tomography

Martell, J., Alwmark, C., Daly, L. , Hall, S., Alwmark, S., Woracek, R., Hektor, J., Helfen, L., Tengattini, A. and Lee, M. (2022) The scale of a martian hydrothermal system explored using combined neutron and X-ray tomography. Science Advances, 8(19), eabn3044. (doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3044) (PMID:35544576)

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Abstract

Nakhlite meteorites are igneous rocks from Mars that were aqueously altered ~630 million years ago. Hydrothermal systems on Earth are known to provide microhabitats; knowledge of the extent and duration of these systems is crucial to establish whether they could sustain life elsewhere in the Solar System. Here, we explore the three-dimensional distribution of hydrous phases within the Miller Range 03346 nakhlite meteorite using nondestructive neutron and x-ray tomography to determine whether alteration is interconnected and pervasive. The results reveal discrete clusters of hydrous phases within and surrounding olivine grains, with limited interconnectivity between clusters. This implies that the fluid was localized and originated from the melting of local subsurface ice following an impact event. Consequently, the duration of the hydrous alteration was likely short, meaning that the martian crust sampled by the nakhlites could not have provided habitable environments that could harbor any life on Mars during the Amazonian.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund grant 40957 (to J.M.), the Swedish Research Council grant 2017-06388 (to S.A.), and the Swedish Research Council grant 621-2012-4504 (to C.A.).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lee, Professor Martin and Daly, Dr Luke
Authors: Martell, J., Alwmark, C., Daly, L., Hall, S., Alwmark, S., Woracek, R., Hektor, J., Helfen, L., Tengattini, A., and Lee, M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Science Advances
Publisher:American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:2375-2548
ISSN (Online):2375-2548
Published Online:11 May 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Authors
First Published:First published in Science Advances 8(19): eabn3044
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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Data DOI:10.5281/zenodo.6365242

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