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Chemical evolution of the early martian hydrosphere
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Schaefer, M. W. |
| Copyright Year | 1990 |
| Description | The chemical evolution of the early Martian hydrosphere is discussed. The early Martian ocean can be modeled as a body of relatively pure water in equilibrium with a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere. The chemical weathering of lavas, pyroclastic deposits, and impact melt sheets would have the effect of neutralizing the acidity of the juvenile water. As calcium and other cations are added to the water by chemical weathering, they are quickly removed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate and other minerals, forming a deposit of limestone beneath the surface of the ocean. As the atmospheric carbon dioxide pressure and the temperature decrease, the Martian ocean would be completely frozen. Given the scenario for the chemical evolution of the northern lowland plains of Mars, it should be possible to draw a few conclusions about the expected mineralogy and geomorphology of this regions. |
| File Size | 359517 |
| Page Count | 4 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19910013688 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t0jt4k32w |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1990-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Lunar And Planetary Exploration Geomorphology Lava Oceans Mineralogy Mars Planet Calcium Carbonates Minerals Impact Melts Hydrology Atmospheric Composition Carbon Dioxide Concentration Weathering Mars Surface Chemical Evolution Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
