Mars exploration——In situ K-Ar dating of jarosite

作     者：Jing YANG Dewen ZHENG Ying WU Hong CHEN Li YANG Bin ZHANG 

作者机构：Key Laboratory of Active Tectonics and Geological SafetyMinistry of Natural ResourcesInstitute of GeomechanicsChinese Academy of Geological SciencesBeijing 100081China State Key Laboratory of Earthquake DynamicsInstitute of GeologyChina Earthquake AdministrationBeijing 100029China Institute of Earth SciencesChina University of GeosciencesBeijing 100083China Key Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and EnvironmentInstitute of Geology and GeophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing 100029Chin 

出 版 物：《Science China Earth Sciences》 (中国科学（地球科学英文版）)

年 卷 期：2024年第67卷第3期

页      面：641-656页

核心收录：

学科分类：07[理学] 0708[理学-地球物理学] 070401[理学-天体物理] 0704[理学-天文学] 

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42241161,41873063) the Geological Survey Project of China Geological Survey(Grant No.DD20221644) the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2021M703196) the 2021Graduate Innovation Fund Project of China University of Geosciences,Beijing(Grant No.YB2021YC021) 

主　　题：Mars Jarosite In situ K-Ar dating Ar diffusion Stability 

摘      要：To accurately determine the chronological framework of climatic variations recorded by various Martian terrains, the absolute ages of Martian events and cratering rate need to be constrained by either in situ dating or returned samples. In situ K-Ar dating is currently a more plausible dating technique as compared with sample return. Jarosite(KFe_(3)[SO_(4)]_(2)[OH]_(6)) is the only confirmed K sulfate mineral that is widely present on Mars, as indicated by in situ detection, orbital remote sensing, and meteorite studies. Jarosite can be used for precise K-Ar and (40)Ar/(39)Ar dating. The preservation of jarosite on Mars provides information about the nature and duration of aqueous processes on the Martian surface. Different ages of Martian jarosite represent the key to constraining the transition from Martian surface water activity to arid climatic conditions. This paper summarizes recent advances in our knowledge of the spatial distribution of Martian jarosite, its mineralogical properties and stability on Mars, the Ar diffusion kinetics of jarosite, and the current status of in situ K-Ar dating. Moreover, we examine the key scientific issues to be addressed for in situ K-Ar dating of jarosite and Martian sample return missions, and discuss future research directions.