153 Advancing Mineral Science and Exploring Planetary Surfaces: In Honor of MSA Dana Medalist, Elizabeth B. Rampe (Posters)

This session honors MSA Dana Medalist Elizabeth B. Rampe, celebrating her contributions to Martian mineralogy and planetary science. We invite studies on in-situ and orbital planetary observations, lab/field data integration, and analog materials for extraterrestrial exploration.Sarah Simpson

Monday, 20 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Isotope Effects (Cl, O, C) of Heterogeneous Electrochemistry Induced by Martian Dust Activities

Paper number: 153-10
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Some of the oxidized compounds in Martian soils are suspected of being produced by heterogeneous electrochemistry (HEC) stimulated by electrostatic discharge (ESD) that is associated with dust activities (dust storms and dust devils) on the surface of Mars. One approach to distinguish HEC products could be to experimentally characterize their isotopic compositions; this may provide an improved basis for interpreting the isotopic compositions of Martian surface materials. Here, we measured isotopic compositions of Cl, O, and C in reactants and products from medium-strength ESD experiments conducted in a Mars simulation chamber (Wang et al., 2023).  Results of these isotopic measurements on chloride, (per)chlorate, and carbonate as ESD products show substantial mass-dependent depletions in heavy isotopes, with e37Cl ranging from -11.3 ‰ to +2.0 ‰, e18O from -34.5 ‰ to -12.9 ‰, and e13C around -11.4 ‰. These isotope characteristics suggest that the lighter isotopes are preferred in the newly generated volatile species (ClI*, OI*, O3, CO2+, and CO*) during the breakdown of chlorides and CO2 when impacted by energetic electrons, then being embedded in the consequent Cl-depots and air-born carbonates.  These results, when compared with isotopic measurements from recent Mars missions (ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument package aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover) and Martian meteorites, support the hypothesis that HEC induced by Martian dust activities can account for a substantial portion of the Cl-species and carbonates identified at the surface of Mars.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412073

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