NASA’s Curiosity rover has discovered evidence of an ancient carbon cycle on Mars, indicating that the planet once operated in a way similar to Earth. The rover’s drill samples contain siderite, a mineral that forms when fluids are supersaturated with dissolved minerals. This suggests that evaporation drove the precipitation of siderite, which is consistent with a global sulfate-bearing strata.
The discovery provides insights into the planet’s past climate and geology. Siderite deposition requires fluid supersaturation, indicating that ancient Mars had flowing water or other liquid environments. The presence of anhydrite and bassanite minerals also supports this idea.
Furthermore, the analysis suggests that diagenesis returned carbon to the atmosphere, which has implications for our understanding of the Martian past. The finding provides a unique window into the planet’s history, shedding light on its potential habitability and the evolution of its geology.
The discovery was made possible by the rover’s advanced drilling capabilities, which allowed it to collect samples from various rock formations on Mars. The data will be published in the journal Science, providing further insights into the Martian carbon cycle and its significance for understanding the planet’s history.
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado9966