Workshop on Martian Sulfates as Recorders of Atmospheric-Fluid Rock Interactions : October 22-24, 2006, Houston, Texas

Abstract

Sulfate compounds are abundant at the martian surface — as first discovered by the Viking landers and now convincingly proven by instruments on current rovers and orbiter spacecraft. By analogies with terrestrial systems, the martian sulfates can provide crucial clues about present and past environments on Mars, including the source of sulfate (weathering, magmatic gas), fluid compositions during sulfate transport (pH, oxygen fugacity, etc.), the timing of sulfate deposition and mobility, atmospheric evolution, the martian sulfur cycle in relation to biotic potential, and the possibilities of ore deposits to support human habitation. This workshop will focus on understanding how to interpret martian sulfate minerals in the larger pictures of Mars: its present surface environment, its geological and chemical histories, and the targets for its future exploration.