Mystery of martian kieserite: Kieserite (MgSO4· H2O) was identified on Mars based on NIR reflectance spectra obtained by OMEGA instrument on the Mars Express and CRISM instrument on the MRO [1, 2, 3]. Nevertheless, the pathway of forming kieserite on Mars is quite perplexing. Laboratory experiments [4, 5, 6, 7] have demonstrated that if epsomite (MgSO4. 7H2O) or hexahydrite (MgSO4.6H2O) precipi...

Introduction: Recent orbital and landed missions, OMEGA on Mar Express and two Mars Exploration rovers [1-5] have found Mg-sulfates on Mars. In order to further advance our knowledge on the hydrologic history of Mars and to evaluate its potential for hosting life, in situ identification of hydration states of magnesium sulfates, as well as the Ca-, Fe-, hydrated sulfates, will be crucial for fu...

Halotrichite has been identified in geothermal fields of the Kambalny-Pauzhetka-Koshelev region, Bolshoi Semiachik complex, and Mutnovsky volcano (Kamchatka, Russia). forms efflorescence on soils heated up to 70°C, around steam-gas vents boiling springs. Tschermigite, rozenite, szomolnokite, gypsum, alunogen, barite, melanterite, hexahydrite, minerals copiapite, alunite voltaite groups were fou...

The Fragnè mine, located in the Lanzo valley municipality of Chialamberto (Turin, Piedmont Region), represented most important regional site for Fe–Cu sulfide exploitation over a period more than eighty years (1884–1965). entire mining area is part structural complex Lower Unit Western Alps, characterized by presence amphibolite, metabasite (“prasinite”), and metagabbroic rocks. In particular, ...

[1] The validity of recent identification of various hydrated minerals (kieserite, gypsum, hexahydrite, nontronite, chamosite, and montmorillonite) on Mars was assessed by exposing these minerals to simulated Martian surface conditions of atmospheric composition and pressure, temperature, and ultraviolet light irradiation. When exposed to such conditions the hydrated minerals exhibit in general...

An artificial pyritic coal spoil was prepared and examined over a period of 1.5 years for changes in the population of various physiological varieties of bacteria and also for mineral leaching. Heterotrophic bacteria were the first to dominate the spoil, acquiring a population of 10(7) cells per g within 2 weeks. Bacteria capable of utilizing choline sulfate as the sole source of energy compris...

The Olympia Undae sand sea contains the largest known deposit of gypsum discovered on surface Mars. origin this gypsum, a hydrated sulfate mineral requiring liquid water for its formation, remains largely unconstrained. We examine hypothesis that was derived from early-Amazonian aged Basal Unit, which is suggested to contain sulfates. Previous attempts detect sulfates in Unit using CRISM and OM...

Introduction: The dominant naturally-occurring members of the MgSO4·nH2O series on Earth are epsomite (MgSO4·7H2O), hexahydrite (MgSO4·6H2O), and kieserite (MgSO4·H2O). In addition, other magnesium sulfate hydrates (sanderite 2H2O, starkeyite 4H2O, pentahydrite 5H2O) have been identified as efflorescent salts in limited localities in the United States, Chile, and Germany. Chipera et al., [1,2] ...

Introduction: Inferred paleolakes on the surface of Mars are key targets for astrobiology. To date, pale-olakes have been identified primarily based on mor-phologic evidence, including inlet and outlet channels, deltas, and horizontal bedding in closed basins [1-3]. Clay minerals have been identified in some of these settings, but these may be detrital [4]. Other alteration products such as eva...