A TERRESTRIAL MODEL FOR AN ALKALINE MARTIAN HYDROSPHERE

Authors
KEMPE S KAZMIERCZAK J
Citation
S. Kempe et J. Kazmierczak, A TERRESTRIAL MODEL FOR AN ALKALINE MARTIAN HYDROSPHERE, Planetary and space science, 45(11), 1997, pp. 1493
Citations number
49
Journal title
Planetary and space science → ACNP
ISSN journal
00320633
Volume
45
Issue
11
Year of publication
1997
Database
ISI
SICI code
0032-0633(1997)45:11<1493:ATMFAA>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
The chemical evolution of the early hydrospheres on Earth and Mars cou ld have been similar. It may have been characterized by long-lasting h ighly alkaline conditions. By analogy with sediments produced in terre strial highly alkaline environments (soda lakes), traces of the martia n alkaline hydrosphere could be found by remote sensing and/or landing missions in form of (i) Ca-Mg carbonate precipitates, (ii) silicified volcanogenic natrocarbonatites, and (iv) efflorescenses. The potentia l significance of the highly alkaline Mars hydrosphere for the origin, sustenance, and subsequent evolution of living systems on that planet is discussed. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.