Multitechnique characterization of secondary minerals near HI-SEAS, Hawaii, as Martian subsurface analogues

Sebastian J. Mulder, Frank J. A. van Ruitenbeek, Bernard H. Foing, Mónica Sánchez-Román

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Secondary minerals in lava tubes on Earth provide valuable insight into subsurface processes and the preservation of biosignatures on Mars. Inside lava tubes near the Hawaii-Space Exploration and Analog Simulation (HI-SEAS) habitat on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, a variety of secondary deposits with distinct morphologies were observed consisting of mainly sodium sulphate powders, gypsum crystalline crusts, and small coralloid speleothems that comprise opal and calcite layers. These secondary deposits formed as a result of hydrological processes shortly after the formation and cooling of the lava tubes and are preserved over long periods of time in relatively dry conditions. The coralloid speleothem layers are likely related to wet and dry periods in which opal and calcite precipitates in cycles. Potential biosignatures seem to have been preserved in the form of porous stromatolite-like layers within the coralloid speleothems. Similar secondary deposits and lava tubes have been observed abundantly on the Martian surface suggesting similar formation mechanisms compared to this study. The origin of secondary minerals from tholeiitic basalts together with potential evidence for microbial processes make the lava tubes near HI-SEAS a relevant analog for Martian surface and subsurface environments.
Original languageEnglish
Article number22603
JournalScientific Reports
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2023

Funding

This study was performed in the frame of a EuroMoonMars-International Moonbase Alliance-HI-SEAS campaign (EMMIHS1 2019). We acknowledge the EMMIHS1 crew and mission support, who aided in the research during the analogue Moon mission. We also acknowledge the International Moonbase Alliance (IMA) especially to H.B. Rogers and everyone from the Blue Planet Foundation, for making the operation possible at HI-SEAS. Support from ILEWG/LUNEX EuroMoonMars programme is also acknowledged. J. van der Lubbe and C.W. Nooitgedacht are also acknowledged for performing the XRD analyses at Cardiff University. S.J.M. conceived the study, carried out the field research, sample collection and lab analyses, wrote the main manuscript text and prepared the figures and tables. M.S.-R. designed the study and helped to draft the manuscript. F.J.A.V.R. provided the FTIR and SWIR facilities, supervised the FTIR and SWIR measurements and aided in the data analysis. B.H.F. made the sample collection possible and aided in field survey. All the authors reviewed the manuscript prior to submission. This work was supported by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) Project Nr.: OCENW.KLEIN.037 to M.S.-R.

FundersFunder number
Blue Planet Foundation
EuroMoonMars-International Moonbase Alliance-HI-SEAS campaignEMMIHS1 2019
HI-SEAS
International MoonBase Alliance
Cardiff University
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk OnderzoekOCENW.KLEIN.037

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