From hydrated silica to quartz: Potential hydrothermal precipitates found in Jezero crater, Mars

IF 4.8 1区地球科学 Q1 GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS

Earth and Planetary Science Letters Pub Date : 2025-02-28 DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119256

P. Beck , O. Beyssac , E. Dehouck , S. Bernard , M. Pineau , L. Mandon , C. Royer , E. Clavé , S. Schröder , O. Forni , R. Francis , N. Mangold , C.C. Bedford , A.P. Broz , E.A. Cloutis , J.R. Johnson , F. Poulet , T. Fouchet , C. Quantin-Nataf , C. Pilorget , R.C. Wiens

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

On Earth, silica-rich phases from opal to quartz are important indicators and tracers of geological processes. Hydrated silica, such as opal, is a particularly good matrix for the preservation of molecular and macroscopic biosignatures. Cherts, a type of silica-dominated rocks, provide a unique archive of ancient terrestrial life while quartz is the emblematic mineral of the Earth's continental crust. On Mars, hydrated silica has been detected in several locations based on remote sensing and rover-based studies. In the present article we report on the detection of cobbles made of hydrated silica (opal or chalcedony), as well as well-crystallized quartz. These detections were made with the SuperCam instrument onboard Perseverance (Mars 2020 mission), using a combination of LIBS, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Quartz-dominated stones are detected unambiguously for the first time on the Martian surface, and based on grain size and crystallinity are proposed to be of hydrothermal origin. Although these rocks were all found as float, we propose that these detections are part of a common hydrothermal system, and represent different depths / temperatures of precipitation. This attests that hydrothermal processes were active in and around Jezero crater, possibly triggered by the Jezero crater-forming impact. These silica-rich rocks, in particular opaline silica, are very promising targets for sampling and return to Earth given their high biosignature preservation potential.

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从水合二氧化硅到石英：在火星耶泽洛陨石坑发现的潜在热液沉淀

在地球上，从蛋白石到石英的富硅相是地质作用的重要指示物和示踪物。水合二氧化硅，如蛋白石，是保存分子和宏观生物特征的特别好的基质。燧石是一种硅质为主的岩石，为古代陆地生命提供了独特的档案，而石英是地球大陆地壳的标志性矿物。在火星上，根据遥感和探测车的研究，在几个地点发现了水合二氧化硅。在本文中，我们报告了水合二氧化硅（蛋白石或玉髓）以及结晶良好的石英制成的鹅卵石的检测。这些探测是由Perseverance（火星2020任务）上的SuperCam仪器进行的，它结合了LIBS、红外和拉曼光谱。首次在火星表面发现了以石英为主的岩石，根据颗粒大小和结晶度，提出了热液成因。虽然这些岩石都是漂浮的，但我们认为这些探测是一个共同的热液系统的一部分，代表了不同的深度/温度的降水。这证明了热液过程在耶泽洛陨石坑内部和周围很活跃，可能是由耶泽洛陨石坑形成的撞击引起的。这些富含二氧化硅的岩石，特别是蛋白石二氧化硅，是非常有希望的采样和返回地球的目标，因为它们具有很高的生物特征保存潜力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Earth and Planetary Science Letters 地学-地球化学与地球物理

CiteScore

10.30

自引率

5.70%

发文量

475

审稿时长

2.8 months

期刊介绍： Earth and Planetary Science Letters (EPSL) is a leading journal for researchers across the entire Earth and planetary sciences community. It publishes concise, exciting, high-impact articles ("Letters") of broad interest. Its focus is on physical and chemical processes, the evolution and general properties of the Earth and planets - from their deep interiors to their atmospheres. EPSL also includes a Frontiers section, featuring invited high-profile synthesis articles by leading experts on timely topics to bring cutting-edge research to the wider community.