Geochemical Processes Along the Greenheugh/Glen Torridon ...
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Geochemical Processes Along the Greenheugh/Glen Torridon Unconformity in Gale Crater 1 *Geochemistry-A differs from Geochemistry-B below unconformity. *What processes caused this geochemical variation? 50 m 2m Unconformity Geochemistry-A Geochemistry-B Geochemistry-A Greenheugh Pediment Greenheugh Pediment Murray (Glen Torridon) Murray (Glen Torridon)
Transcript of Geochemical Processes Along the Greenheugh/Glen Torridon ...
Geochemical Processes Along the Greenheugh/Glen Torridon Unconformity in Gale Crater
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*Geochemistry-A differs from Geochemistry-B below unconformity.
*What processes caused this geochemical variation?
50 m
2mUnconformity
Geochemistry-A
Geochemistry-B
Geochemistry-AGreenheugh Pediment
Greenheugh Pediment
Murray (Glen Torridon)
Murray (Glen Torridon)
0 1000 2000 3000 4000
KM
GE
MA
GG
HU
EB
mgC/g
Geochemical differences consistent with past diagenetic conduit alteration or subaerial alteration processes.
20 5 10
KM
GE
MA
GG
HU
EB
SO3 (wt.%)
SAM
APXS
No pediment nitrate infiltration below contact Loss of carbon below contact Loss of sulfate below contact
Pediment
Murray Clay
Contact
Broader Implications
• Results are consistent with aqueous conditions being active after truncation of the Murray material or Pediment deposition.
– Conditions well into the late Hesperian could have supported microbial habitability.
• Detection of limited microbial essential nitrogen below contact; however, could have limited microbial populations in the Murray material.
• Brad Sutter email [email protected]
