Experimental Study of Brine Evaporation on Mars

Strong geomorphic evidence exists that liquid water once played a part in shaping the surface of Mars. Mineralogical evidence from Martian meteorites, however, implies that water may be scarce in the Martian crust, at least in the regions where these rocks resided before being transported to Earth. Studies of secondary minerals in these meteorites may help in constraining Martian water budgets. Some current models propose that secondary minerals in the meteorites were formed by evaporation of a Martian groundwater brine. The conditions under which this took place and the composition of the brine are not well constrained at this time. The P.I. proposes to carry out experiments studying brine evaporation processes in basaltic and ultramafic rocks similar to those found on the surface of Mars. These experiments will test the brine evaporation hypothesis and should provide estimates of the conditions at which the minerals formed and the time scale for reaction of rock and solution. Ultimately this information may help provide constraints on the total amount of water in the Martian crust.

This project will provide an opportunity for an undergraduate student to participate in research. Ideally this participation will involve the student having his or her own sub-project and participating in the design of some of the experiments. The student would also have the opportunity to present results at a conference such as the Murdock Science conference, and possibly to publish them in a scholarly journal.

Contact Information

Mail:	Dr. Leslie Baker
	Environmental Science Department
	Rocky Mountain College
	Billings, MT 59102