Nature Communications (Nov 2017)

Clay mineral formation under oxidized conditions and implications for paleoenvironments and organic preservation on Mars

  • Seth R. Gainey,
  • Elisabeth M. Hausrath,
  • Christopher T. Adcock,
  • Oliver Tschauner,
  • Joel A. Hurowitz,
  • Bethany L. Ehlmann,
  • Yuming Xiao,
  • Courtney L. Bartlett

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01235-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 7

Abstract

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In the Gale Crater on Mars, organic matter has been detected, but in much lower concentrations than expected. Here, the authors conduct clay mineral synthesis experiments which suggest that clay minerals may rapidly form under oxidized conditions and thus explain the low organic concentrations in Gale Crater.