Inhibition of carbonate synthesis in acidic oceans on early Mars

Nature
Alberto G FairénRicardo Amils

Abstract

Several lines of evidence have recently reinforced the hypothesis that an ocean existed on early Mars. Carbonates are accordingly expected to have formed from oceanic sedimentation of carbon dioxide from the ancient martian atmosphere. But spectral imaging of the martian surface has revealed the presence of only a small amount of carbonate, widely distributed in the martian dust. Here we examine the feasibility of carbonate synthesis in ancient martian oceans using aqueous equilibrium calculations. We show that partial pressures of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the range 0.8-4 bar, in the presence of up to 13.5 mM sulphate and 0.8 mM iron in sea water, result in an acidic oceanic environment with a pH of less than 6.2. This precludes the formation of siderite, usually expected to be the first major carbonate mineral to precipitate. We conclude that extensive interaction between an atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide and a lasting sulphate- and iron-enriched acidic ocean on early Mars is a plausible explanation for the observed absence of carbonates.

References

Apr 3, 2001·Science·R J PhillipsS A Hauck
Jul 13, 2001·Nature·M T Zuber
Jul 13, 2001·Nature·V R Baker
Apr 6, 1989·Nature·H J Melosh, A M Vickery
Aug 5, 1994·Science·S W Squyres, J F Kasting
Oct 1, 1993·Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta·M W Schaefer
May 1, 1997·Journal of the Geological Society·M J Russell, A J Hall
Aug 23, 2003·Science·Joshua L BandfieldPhilip R Christensen
Nov 15, 2003·Science·Michael C Malin, Kenneth S Edgett
Apr 16, 2004·Nature·Jeffrey M Moore

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 19, 2006·Astrobiology·Olga Prieto-BallesterosSusanna C Manrubia
Aug 26, 2010·Astrobiology·Alfonso F DavilaJacek Wierzchos
Dec 22, 2007·Science·Itay HalevyDaniel P Schrag
Dec 20, 2008·Science·Bethany L EhlmannJames J Wray
Jul 24, 2010·Science·Ralph P Harvey
Feb 3, 2016·Astrobiology·Alberto G FairénVictor R Baker
Apr 1, 2015·Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems : G³·Alberto G FairénChristopher P McKay
Dec 27, 2005·Research in Microbiology·Emmanuelle J Javaux
Oct 7, 2015·Frontiers in Microbiology·Mónica Sánchez-RománRicardo Amils
May 21, 2014·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Sumanta DasNarayanan Neithalath
Apr 24, 2014·Scientific Reports·Mónica Sánchez-RománCrisogono Vasconcelos
Nov 7, 2017·Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets·Alberto G FairénLuis Gago-Duport
Jul 6, 2007·Nature·David C Catling
Feb 25, 2020·Astrobiology·Jacob Heinz, Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Oct 28, 2019·Nature Communications·Keisuke FukushiRobin Wordsworth
Aug 29, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Nancy MerinoDonato Giovannelli
May 1, 2019·Frontiers in Microbiology·Nancy MerinoDonato Giovannelli
Feb 9, 2017·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Thomas F BristowAshwin R Vasavada
Jul 24, 2020·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. a·Chathura de Alwis, Kathryn A Perrine
Sep 8, 2021·The Journal of Physical Chemistry. a·Chathura de AlwisKathryn A Perrine
Feb 19, 2005·Science·Aline GendrinStéphane LeMouélic

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.