Present day Mars habitability analogue environments on Earth: Difference between revisions
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So magnesium sulfate is a likely component of cold brines on the planet, especially with the limited availability of subsurface ice. Terrestrial magnesium sulfate lakes have similar chemical and physical properties. They also have a wide range of halophilic organisms, in all the three [[Kingdom (biology)#The three domains of life|Kingdoms of life]] (Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota), in the surface and near subsurface.<ref name="FosterKing2010">{{cite journal|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063309002463|last1=Foster|first1=Ian S.|last2=King|first2=Penelope L.|last3=Hyde|first3=Brendt C.|last4=Southam|first4=Gordon|title=Characterization of halophiles in natural {{chem|Mg|S|O|4}} salts and laboratory enrichment samples: Astrobiological implications for Mars|journal=Planetary and Space Science|volume=58|issue=4|year=2010|pages=599–615|issn=0032-0633|doi=10.1016/j.pss.2009.08.009|bibcode=2010P&SS...58..599F}}</ref> With the abundance of algae and bacteria, in alkaline hypersaline conditions, they are of astrobiological interest for both past and present life on Mars. |
So magnesium sulfate is a likely component of cold brines on the planet, especially with the limited availability of subsurface ice. Terrestrial magnesium sulfate lakes have similar chemical and physical properties. They also have a wide range of halophilic organisms, in all the three [[Kingdom (biology)#The three domains of life|Kingdoms of life]] (Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota), in the surface and near subsurface.<ref name="FosterKing2010">{{cite journal|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063309002463|last1=Foster|first1=Ian S.|last2=King|first2=Penelope L.|last3=Hyde|first3=Brendt C.|last4=Southam|first4=Gordon|title=Characterization of halophiles in natural {{chem|Mg|S|O|4}} salts and laboratory enrichment samples: Astrobiological implications for Mars|journal=Planetary and Space Science|volume=58|issue=4|year=2010|pages=599–615|issn=0032-0633|doi=10.1016/j.pss.2009.08.009|bibcode=2010P&SS...58..599F}}</ref> With the abundance of algae and bacteria, in alkaline hypersaline conditions, they are of astrobiological interest for both past and present life on Mars. |
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These lakes are most common in Western Canada, and the northern part of Washington state, USA. One of the examples, is Basque Lake 2 in Western Columbia, which is highly concentrated in magnesium sulfate. In summer it deposits epsomite ("Epsom salts"). In winter, it deposits [[meridianiite]]. This is named after [[Meridiani Planum]] where Opportunity rover found crystal molds in sulfate deposits ([[Vugs]]) which are thought to be remains of this mineral which have since been dissolved or dehydrated. It is preferentially formed at subzero temperatures, and is only stable below 2 °C,<ref>{{cite web|title=An Earth and Mars mineral – Meridianiite MgSO4.11H2O|url=https://crystallography365.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/an-earth-and-mars-mineral-meridianiite-mgso4-11h2o/|website=Crystallography 365|date=July 30, 2014}}</ref> while Epsomite ({{chem|Mg|S|O|4}}·7{{chem|H|2|O}}) is favored at higher temperatures.<ref name="MarionCatling2010">{{cite journal|last1=Marion|first1=G.M.|last2=Catling|first2=D.C.|last3=Zahnle|first3=K.J.|last4=Claire|first4=M.W.|title=Modeling aqueous perchlorate chemistries with applications to Mars|journal=Icarus|volume=207|issue=2|year=2010|pages=675–685|issn=0019-1035|doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2009.12.003|bibcode=2010Icar..207..675M}}</ref><ref name=Webmin>{{cite web|url=http://webmineral.com/data/Meridianiite.shtml|publisher=webmineral.com|title= |
These lakes are most common in Western Canada, and the northern part of Washington state, USA. One of the examples, is Basque Lake 2 in Western Columbia, which is highly concentrated in magnesium sulfate. In summer it deposits epsomite ("Epsom salts"). In winter, it deposits [[meridianiite]]. This is named after [[Meridiani Planum]] where Opportunity rover found crystal molds in sulfate deposits ([[Vugs]]) which are thought to be remains of this mineral which have since been dissolved or dehydrated. It is preferentially formed at subzero temperatures, and is only stable below 2 °C,<ref>{{cite web|title=An Earth and Mars mineral – Meridianiite MgSO4.11H2O|url=https://crystallography365.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/an-earth-and-mars-mineral-meridianiite-mgso4-11h2o/|website=Crystallography 365|date=July 30, 2014}}</ref> while Epsomite ({{chem|Mg|S|O|4}}·7{{chem|H|2|O}}) is favored at higher temperatures.<ref name="MarionCatling2010">{{cite journal|last1=Marion|first1=G.M.|last2=Catling|first2=D.C.|last3=Zahnle|first3=K.J.|last4=Claire|first4=M.W.|title=Modeling aqueous perchlorate chemistries with applications to Mars|journal=Icarus|volume=207|issue=2|year=2010|pages=675–685|issn=0019-1035|doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2009.12.003|bibcode=2010Icar..207..675M}}</ref><ref name=Webmin>{{cite web|url=http://webmineral.com/data/Meridianiite.shtml|publisher=webmineral.com|title=Meridianiihttps://web.archive.org/web/20170302113905/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/silva/earth-sciences/research/ices/research/analogue-environmentste Mineral Data|accessdate=March 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Analogue Environments|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/silva/earth-sciences/research/ices/research/analogue-environments|website=UCL Planetary Ices Group}}</ref> |
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{{Location map|Canada |
{{Location map|Canada |
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