Aqueous Alteration and Habitability in Nili Fossae
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Aqueous Alteration and Habitability in Nili Fossae
J.F. Mustard, F. Poulet, N. Mangold, J-P. Bibring, R.E. Milliken, S. Pelkey, and L. Kanner
Noachian crust enriched in low-Ca pyroxene
Noachian crust enriched in phyllosilicate
Habitability defined by water activity, nutrient and energy availabilityPhyllosilicate alteration in ancient terrains in association with unaltered crust
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6 Candidate sites evaluateda) Nili Fossae Troughb) Nilosyrtis layered depositsc) Eroded Noachian basementd) Delta deposite) Olivine-phyllosilicatef) Altered olivine
• Systematic mapping of mafic and aqueous minerals
• Detailed verification of aqueous detections
• Geologic context of major occurrences– Noachian basement
– Delta deposits
– Layered material
Identification of Targets with OMEGA VNIR Data
OlivineLow-Ca PyroxenePhyllosilicate
a
b
c d
e f
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Nili Fossae Trough
• Distinct phyllosilicate outcrops connected to geologic formations exposed in a sapping (?) channel
• Phyllosilicate in the distal portion of ejecta deposit showing lobate/textured morphology
• Adjacent unaltered basement and phyllosilicate => chemical disequilibrium
• Hesperian volcanics of Syrtis Major sampling a critical time-stratigraphic marker and major lithology
• Noachian basement enriched in low-Ca pyroxene possibly sampling primary crust
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THEMIS VIS V02444003
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MOC E1200555
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MOC E1200555
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THEMIS VIS V14576022
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MOC R1403073
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• Topography: -690 to -520 m • Slopes 2-5 km length scale: < 2.5°• Thermal inertia: > 100 J m-2 s-0.5 K-1
• Albedo: < 0.25
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MOC M2101233
THEMIS VIS V10333012
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Nili Fossae Trough:Habitability
• Water activity : Nutrients : Energy• Phyllosilicate is a possible template for the origin of RNA-
DNA and life• Chemical sources of energy are critical
Pros• Phyllosilicate in bedrock and ejecta: neutral pH, concentration and preservation of organics
• chemical energy sources
Cons• Ancient (preservation)• Environment from morphology complex
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• Nili Fossae region presents a number of high priority targets for MSL
• Numerous phyllosilicate-bearing outcrops representing several deposition/formation environments
• Trough site: phyllosilicate adjacent/intimate with unaltered bedrock, distal ejecta deposits rich in clay, Syrtis Major lavas
• Trough site meets preliminary EDL, trafficability Planetary protection requirements
• Importance of phyllosilicate:– Preferential sequestration of organic carbon
– Formation in habitable environments with abundant energy sources and water
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-650 to -600 km elevation
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