Volatiles in the Martian Crust

Volatiles in the Martian Crust is a vital reference for future missions - including ESA’s EXO Mars and NASA’s Mars2020 rover - looking for evidence of life on Mars and the potential for habitability and human exploration of the Martian crust. Mars science is a rapidly evolving topic with new data returned from the planet on a daily basis. The book presents chapters written by well-established experts who currently focus on the topic, providing the reader with a fresh, up-to-date and accurate view.

Organized into two main sections, the first half of the book focuses on the Martian meteorites and specific volatile elements. The second half of the book explores processes and locations on the crust, including what we have learned about volatile mobility in the Martian crust. Coverage includes data from orbiter and in situ rovers and landers, geochemical and geophysical modeling, and combined data from the SNC meteorites.

Presents information about the nature, relationship, and reactivity of chemical elements and compounds on MarsExplores the potential habitability of MarsProvides a comprehensive view of volatiles in the Martian crust from studies of actual samples as well as from the variety of landed missions, including the MER and Curiosity roversDelivers a vital reference for ongoing and future missions to Mars while synthesizing large data sets and research on volatiles in the Martian atmosphereConcludes with an informative summary chapter that looks to future Mars missions and what might be learned

1. Introduction and Overview 2. Volatiles in Martian Magmas and the Interior: Inputs of Volatiles into the Crust and Atmosphere 3. Noble gases in Martian meteorites: Budget, sources, sinks and processes 4. Hydrogen Reservoirs in Mars as Revealed by Martian Meteorites 5. Carbonates on Mars 6. Sulfur on Mars from the Atmosphere to the Core 7. The Hydrology of Mars including a Potential Cryosphere 8. Sequestration of Volatiles in the Martian Crust through Hydrated Minerals: A Significant Planetary Reservoir of Water 9. Volatiles Measured by the Phoenix Lander at the Northern Plains of Mars 10. Evidence for Fluid Mobility at Meridiani Planum: A Review of MER Opportunity’s 10 Years of Investigation 11. Alteration Processes in Gusev Crater, Mars: Volatile/Mobile Element Contents of Rocks and Soils Determined by the Spirit Rover 12. Volatile Detections in Gale Crater Sediment and Sedimentary Rock: Results from the Mars Science Laboratory’s Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument 13. Conclusion and Summary