Characterization of ferric hydroxysulfate on Mars and implications of the geochemical environment supporting its formation

Autor(en): J. L. Bishop, J. M. Meusburger, C. M. Weitz, M. Parente, C. Gross, D. Talla, A. M. Saranathan, Y. Itoh, M. R.D. Gruendler, A. E.G. Howells, M. Yeşilbaş, T. Hiroi, B. Schmitt, A. Maturilli, M. Al-Samir, T. F. Bristow, B. Lafuente, M. Wildner
Abstrakt: Sulfate minerals are significant components of the martian surface and provide clues about the martian geochemical environment. One unusual Fe-sulfate phase has been intriguing Mars scientists for over a decade due to its unique spectral bands that are distinct from any known minerals and its occurrence in layered sedimentary rocks. We describe here detection of ferric hydroxysulfate (Fe³⁺SO₄OH) and its implications for the geochemical history of Mars. Crystalline ferric hydroxysulfate is formed by heating hydrous Fe²⁺ sulfates to 100 °C or above and has a strong spectral band at 2.236 µm, similar to the spectral feature observed on Mars at Aram Chaos and on the plateau above Juventae Chasma. Hydrated sulfates at these locations likely formed through evaporative processes or low-temperature alteration. In contrast, Fe³⁺SO₄OH is more consistent with heating and oxidation of hydrated ferrous sulfates, potentially through deposition of lava, ash, or through hydrothermal processes.
Organisation(en): Institut für Mineralogie und Kristallographie
Externe Organisation(en): SETI Institute, National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Planetary Science Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Johns Hopkins University, University of California, San Diego, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Umeå University, Brown University, Université Grenoble-Alpes, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR)
Journal: Nature Communications
Band: 16
ISSN: 2041-1723
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2
Publikationsdatum: 12-2025
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ÖFOS 2012: 105116 Mineralogie, 105113 Kristallographie
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Allgemeine Chemie, Allgemeine Biochemie, Genetik und Molekularbiologie, General, Allgemeine Physik und Astronomie
Link zum Portal: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/e7b0c31c-c7e9-4f33-a562-ae514fc19a9c

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