Evidence for calcium carbonate at the Mars Phoenix landing site. Science (New York, N.Y.) [Science] Journal article

Title	Evidence for calcium carbonate at the Mars Phoenix landing site.
Author(s)	Boynton WV, Ming DW, Kounaves SP, Young SM, Arvidson RE, Hecht MH, Hoffman J, Niles PB, Hamara DK, Quinn RC, Smith PH, Sutter B, Catling DC, Morris RV
Institution	Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. wboynton@LPL.Arizona.edu
Source	Science 2009 Jul 3; 325(5936):61-4.
MeSH	Calcium Carbonate Carbon Dioxide Extraterrestrial Environment Hot Temperature Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Mars Precipitation Spacecraft Water
Abstract	Carbonates are generally products of aqueous processes and may hold important clues about the history of liquid water on the surface of Mars. Calcium carbonate (approximately 3 to 5 weight percent) has been identified in the soils around the Phoenix landing site by scanning calorimetry showing an endothermic transition beginning around 725 degrees C accompanied by evolution of carbon dioxide and by the ability of the soil to buffer pH against acid addition. Based on empirical kinetics, the amount of calcium carbonate is most consistent with formation in the past by the interaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with liquid water films on particle surfaces.
Language	eng
Pub Type(s)	Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
PubMed ID	19574384

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