Tag Archives: minerals

Planetary Scientists Uncover New Minerals on Mars

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The recently identified mineral, Phalic Hydroxysullate, sheds light on the environmental conditions and history of Mars, hinting at potential past volcanic, ash, or hydrothermal activities.

A distinct spectral unit on the Juventue Plateau on Mars. Image credit: Bishop et al, doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2.

The compact reconnaissance imaging spectrometer (CRISM) on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has gathered hyperspectral data, enabling the mapping of numerous minerals that enhance our understanding of Mars’ ancient geochemical history.

Various sulfate minerals have been identified both from orbit and during landing missions, utilizing spectral parameters, X-ray diffraction, and elemental composition to compare with minerals found on Earth.

In 2010, a unique spectral band was detected in the CRISM data from Mars, specifically on the plateau near Juvento Chasma and within the eroded impact crater Arum Chaos.

This spectral band did not match any known minerals, presenting challenges in mineral identification for over 15 years.

Initial laboratory studies suggested that dehydrated iron sulfate could be the source of this unidentified material.

“The data obtained from spectrometers can’t be utilized in that manner,” explains Dr. Mario Parent, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“Data adjustments are necessary to account for atmospheric effects.”

“The sunlight reflecting off the minerals and CRISM passes through the Martian atmosphere twice,” he continues. “There are scattering molecules and gases that absorb light.” For instance, Mars has a high concentration of carbon dioxide, which can distort the data.

By employing a deep learning artificial intelligence method, researchers can map both known and unknown minerals, automatically identifying anomalies in individual image pixels.

This technique has revealed additional locations with similar spectral bands and clarified other spectral features.

With refined properties, researchers were able to replicate the minerals in the lab and identify the enigmatic compound as hydroxysulfate.

“Materials formed in laboratory conditions may represent new minerals due to their unique crystal structure and thermal durability,” states Dr. Janice Bishop, a researcher at the SETI Institute and NASA’s Ames Research Center.

“However, it is imperative to find them on Earth to officially classify them as new minerals.”

Hydroxyacids are formed at elevated temperatures (50-100 degrees Celsius) in the presence of oxygen and water under acidic conditions.

“When will we observe this material once we develop a mineral attribution and obtain the necessary indicators of a specific material?” Dr. Parente questions.

Scientists deduced that it formed in Arum Chaos due to geothermal heat, while the same minerals likely originated in Juvento from volcanic activity involving ash or lava.

They speculate this may have occurred during the Amazonian era, which is estimated to be under 3 billion years ago.

“Factors such as temperature, pressure, and pH are critical indicators of what the paleoclimate was like,” states Dr. Parente.

“The existence of this mineral adds depth to our understanding of Martian processes.”

“Some regions of Mars have been chemically and thermally altered more recently than previously thought, providing new insights into the planet’s dynamic surface and its potential to support life.”

Study published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Jl Bishop et al. 2025. The properties of iron hydroxythrusa acid on Mars and the implications of the geochemical environment that supports its formation. Nat commun 16, 7020; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2

Source: www.sci.news

Research Shows Ice Dissolves Iron Minerals More Efficiently than Liquid Water

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Ice at 10 degrees Celsius releases iron from more abundant minerals compared to liquid water at 4 degrees Celsius, according to researchers from Umeå University, Chimiques de Rennes, and CNRS. This discovery sheds light on why many Arctic rivers are taking on a rusty orange hue as permafrost begins to thaw in warmer climates.

Schematic diagram of the iron mineral dissolution reaction of ice. Image credit: Sebaaly et al. , doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122.

“It may seem counterintuitive, but ice is not merely a static frozen mass,” stated Professor Jean François Boyley from Umeå University.

“Frozen states create microscopic pockets of liquid water between ice crystals.”

“These pockets function like chemical reactors, where compounds become concentrated and highly acidic.”

“This implies that even at temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius, they can engage with iron minerals.”

To investigate this phenomenon, Professor Boyley and his team examined goethite, a diverse array of iron oxide minerals, along with naturally occurring organic acids.

Through advanced microscopy and a series of experiments, they found that repeated freeze-thaw cycles enhance iron dissolution significantly.

When ice undergoes freezing and thawing, it releases organic compounds that were previously trapped, fostering additional chemical reactions.

Salt concentration also plays a critical role; fresh brackish waters promote iron dissolution, whereas seawater inhibits it.

The outcomes of this research are particularly relevant in acidic environments like mine drainage sites, frozen atmospheric dust, acid sulfate soils along the Baltic coast, or acidic freezing locales where iron minerals interact with organic matter.

“As global temperatures rise, the freeze-thaw cycles are becoming more frequent,” remarked Angelo Pio Severly, a doctoral candidate at Umeå University.

“Each cycle liberates iron from the soil and permafrost into the water, potentially impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems over vast areas.”

“These findings emphasize that ice is an active participant, rather than a passive medium for storage.”

“It is crucial to recognize the growing impact of freeze and thaw processes in polar and mountainous regions on ecosystems and elemental cycling.”

The research team’s paper was published on August 26, 2025, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Angelo P. Severly et al. 2025. Ice as a kinetic and mechanical driver for iron oxide dissolution of oxalate oxide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 122 (35): E2507588122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507588122

Source: www.sci.news

Minerals, Mobile Phones, and Militias: The Evolution of Conflict in the DRC

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hWelcome to the depths of intricate turmoil and long-standing waves. A peace agreement is being negotiated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this week after three months of intense conflict. I spoke with East Africa correspondent Carlos Mureicz about the situation, its rapid escalation, and the prospects for peace.

Echoes of the 90s




Flag Bearer… individuals will expand the monument during an anti-government demonstration in Bukabu in February. Photo: Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images

In late January, in a swift and shocking turn of events, the M23 militia group captured Goma, one of the largest cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Weeks later, these rebels took control of Bukabu, another strategically important city, successfully repelling attempts by Congolese troops to halt their advance. The M23’s rapid mobilization and territorial gains are rooted in decades of political and economic strife.

Carlos highlights that the conflict’s origins trace back to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Millions of refugees have crossed from Rwanda into the DRC, with Hutu and Tutsi factions still driven by ethnic narratives.

The M23 is primarily led by Tutsi, an ethnic group that has taken up arms over a decade ago and faced numerous skirmishes since. Their military actions are justified as necessary to protect minority communities from ongoing threats and marginalization, given that hundreds of thousands of Tutsi were slaughtered during the genocide by Hutu extremists.

Carlos notes that despite the longstanding conflict, the M23’s advances this year signify a new level of intensity, having made significant territorial gains in a remarkably short period. “This year, [the fighting is] the worst we’ve encountered.”

Conflict Minerals




Heavy Metal… the DRC is the leading producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global production last year. Photo: Junior Kanna/AFP/Getty Images

The M23’s advancements represent a grave infringement on the sovereignty of the DRC, a situation exacerbated by the Rwandan government’s support for the rebel group. “Rwanda denies any involvement; however, according to the United Nations and the international community, Rwanda is financially backing the M23,” Carlos pointed out. The Rwandan government claims its assistance is limited to “protecting targeted Tutsis from genocide,” Carlos added.

However, local experts suggest that Rwanda has heavily invested in maintaining proxy control over parts of the DRC, driven not only by overlapping ethnic groups but also by the rich natural resources the DRC possesses. Often referred to as conflict minerals, these resources have fueled avarice and perpetuated military strife in Eastern and Southern DRC.

It is noteworthy that these regions are seldom discussed in light of their extraordinary beauty, showcasing unique landscapes of stunning red and orange hills, lakes, and fertile soil. Caught in the crossfire of political and economic aspirations, the area has become a battleground for ethnic and commercial conflicts. While the tensions initially stemmed from community disputes, minerals have since played a crucial role, according to Carlos.

These minerals are extremely abundant in the DRC; essential in modern technology. Cobalt, lithium, and coltan are vital components for lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The DRC accounts for an astonishing 60-70% of the global supply of these minerals. Carlos emphasizes the extensive resources being allocated for the capture and trade of these natural riches.

A Surge of Violence




Uprooted… individuals fleeing the conflict arrive by handmade boats near Minova, South Kivu province of DRC. Photo: Alexis Huguet/AFP/Getty Images

“Rapid and brutal” is how Carlos describes the events of recent months. He underscores that this is merely the latest chapter in the ongoing strife, which has resulted in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Since 1996, the conflict has led to over 6 million fatalities and displaced a similar number of individuals both within and outside the DRC.

In March, Carlos visited Sibi Talk in Burundi, DRC’s neighbor and a primary destination for refugees fleeing the violence. Those who escaped shared “truly horrifying experiences.”

As the M23 advanced through southeastern DRC, refugees witnessed numerous Congolese soldiers deserting. Carlos remarked: “To illustrate the dire situation, these soldiers told civilians, ‘We are fleeing from the M23. We are outmatched. You should consider leaving this town if you can.’

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Those who managed to escape, carrying whatever they could, reached the Burundi border, navigating a perilous river along the way. “The Congolese army appeared utterly powerless. It was a desperate situation.”

Eastern DRC – Remote Regions of a Vast Country




The sunsets of Bulambo, DRC… the shadows of warfare loom in a nation celebrated for its diverse wildlife and landscapes. Photo: Pietro Olivetta/Getty Images/500px

A unique aspect of the DRC conflict is its localization, which may partly explain the tepid response from the Army and local security forces. The capital, Kinshasa, feels worlds apart from Goma, situated a 47-hour drive and ferry journey away. Refugees shared a common sentiment: they attributed their plight to the government, feeling that Kinshasa has neglected the Eastern DRC.

The government operates in the region, comprised of numerous political factions that exploit mineral resources and allocate contracts to foreign companies. Carlos states that many believe that as long as politicians can continue profiting from the region, conflict will persist.

The Prospect of Peace




Peace Process… Qatar’s chief speaks with the Rwandan president (left) and his Congolese counterpart in Doha last month. Photo: Mofa Qatar/AFP/Getty Images

This situation may be shifting, as the M23’s advances pose a threat to the stability of Kinshasa. Carlos mentioned that just weeks ago, the warring parties were inclined to engage in dialogue. Initial discussions held in Doha yielded promises from both sides to produce a preliminary peace agreement. The Trump administration has also shown interest, expressing a strong desire to sponsor peace negotiations.

According to Carlos, these discussions are among the most hopeful in recent times. While an end to hostilities is urgently needed and welcomed, a fragile resolution is only achievable if it doesn’t revert to current chaos. The key to durable peace lies in lifting the DRC out of its historical and geographical entanglements.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

The Curiosity Rover Uncovers Carbonate Minerals on Early Mars, Revealing the Carbon Cycle in Action

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NASA’s curiosity rover discovered evidence of the ancient Mars carbon cycle, bringing scientists closer to answers on whether the planet can support life.

Curiosity watches the track retreat in the distance on April 30, 2023 at a site called Ubajara. This site is where Rover discovered the Siderate. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS.

Planetary researchers have long believed that Mars once had a thick carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere and liquid water on the surface of the planet.

That carbon dioxide and water should have reacted with Mars rocks to produce carbonate minerals.

However, to date, rover missions and near-infrared spectroscopy analysis from Mars orbit satellites have not discovered the amount of carbonate on the Earth’s surface predicted by this theory.

“We’ve seen a lot of experience in the world,” said Dr. Benjamin Tutoro, a researcher at the University of Calgary.

“The planet is habitable and shows that the model of habitability is correct.”

Using data collected by curiosity, Dr. Tutoro and his colleagues analyzed the composition of the 89 m stratigraphic section of Gail Crater, which once contained an ancient lake.

They identified high concentrations of iron carbonate minerals called siderelites in layers rich in magnesium sulfate, ranging from about 5% to over 10% by weight.

This was unexpected as orbital measurements had not detected carbonates in these layers.

Given its source and chemistry, the researchers speculate that the Seidelians, formed by the water rock reaction and evaporation, indicate that carbon dioxide has been chemically isolated from the Martian atmosphere to sedimentary rocks.

If the mineral composition of these sulfate layers represents a globally sulfate-rich region, these deposits contain large carbon reservoirs that were previously unrecognised.

The carbonate is partially destroyed by a later process, indicating that some of the carbon dioxide was later returned to the atmosphere, creating a carbon cycle.

“The discovery of abundant siderelites in Gale Crater represents both an astonishing and important breakthrough in understanding Mars’ geological and atmospheric evolution,” Dr. Tutoro said.

Dr. Thomas Bristow, a researcher at NASA’s Ames Research Center, added:

“A mere centimeters below gives us a good idea of ​​minerals that were formed on or near the surface about 3.5 billion years ago.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Science.

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Benjamin M. Tsutoro et al. 2025. Carbonates identified by the curiosity rover show the carbon cycle operating on ancient Mars. Science 388 (6744): 292-297; doi: 10.1126/science.ado9966

Source: www.sci.news

Iron-rich minerals containing water may be the primary reason for the red hue of Mars.

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This iron mineral, called ferihydrite, formed under oxidative conditions during cold, humid periods on early Mars, continuing its transition to the current overheating environment.

This image of Mars Express's high-resolution stereo camera shows Mars glove set on a dark background. The planet's disc has patches of yellow, orange, blue and green, all with a muted gray hue throughout, representing the various compositions of the surface. Image credits: ESA/DLR/FU BERLIN/G. MICHAEL/CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.

Mars is easily identified in the night sky due to its prominent red tint.

Thanks to a fleet of spacecrafts that have been studying planets over the past decades, this red colour is known to be due to rusty iron minerals in the dust.

In other words, iron bound to the rocks of Mars reacted at one point with water and oxygen in the air, just as how rust on Earth formed.

For more than billions of years, this rusty material, iron oxide — has been broken down into dust around the planet by the wind, a process that continues today.

However, iron oxide has a lot of flavour and the precise chemistry of Mars' rust is heavily debated as it is a window into the environmental conditions of Earth at the time.

And what's closely linked to it is the question of whether Mars has been habitable to date.

Previous studies of the iron oxide components of Martian dust based solely on spacecraft observations found no evidence of water contained within it.

Therefore, planetary researchers say that this particular type of iron oxide is formed under hematite, which is formed under dry surface conditions through reaction with the Martian atmosphere for billions of years after an early wet period on Mars. I had concluded that it had to be.

However, new analysis of spacecraft observations combined with new laboratory techniques shows that Mars' red colour is better matched by iron oxides containing water known as ferihydrite.

Felihydrite usually forms quickly in the presence of cold water, so it must have been formed when Mars was still water on the surface.

The minerals hold a watery signature to this day, despite their spreading down to the ground.

Dr. Adomas Valantinas, a researcher at Brown University, said:

“Ferihydrite, mixed with volcanic rock basalt, has proven to be the most suitable for the minerals found in Martian spacecraft.”

“Mars is still a red planet. It's not only about understanding why Mars is red, but it also means that our understanding has changed.”

“The main meaning is that Mars was rusting faster than before, as ferrihydrite could only form when water was still on the surface.”

“In addition, under current conditions on Mars, ferrihydrite remains stable.”

Mars has acquired its iconic color from the combination of rust and erosion over its 4.6 billion years of history. Image credits: ESA/ATG Europe/Valantinas et al. , doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56970-z.

Other studies have also suggested that ferrihydrite may be present in Mars' dust, but the current study has been the first comprehensive study through a unique combination of space mission data and new laboratory experiments. Provide evidence.

The authors used an advanced grinder machine to create replica Mars dust, achieving realistic dust grain sizes equivalent to 1/100th of human hair.

To make a direct comparison, the samples were then analyzed using the same technology as the spacecraft orbiting the spacecraft, and ultimately identified ferrihydrite as the best match.

“This study is the result of a complementary dataset from a fleet of international missions exploring Mars at orbital and ground levels,” says Dr. Colin Wilson, PhD, Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) from ESA and Mars Express Project Scientist. said.

Mars Express's dust mineralogy analysis helped to show that even the highly dusty regions of the planet contain water-rich minerals.

Also, thanks to TGO's unique trajectory, you can see the same area at different lighting conditions and angles. Researchers can unravel the particle size and composition essential to replicate the correct dust size in the lab.

Data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and ground-based measurements from NASA's Mars Rovers Curiosity, Pathfinder and opportunity also helped to assert ferrihydrite.

“We are eagerly awaiting the results of our upcoming missions, including ESA's Rosalind Franklin Rover and sample returns from NASA/ESA Mars.

“Some of the samples that have already been collected by NASA's Perseverance Rover and are waiting for their return to Earth contain dust. Putting these precious samples into the lab will result in dust. You can accurately measure the amount of ferihydrite contained and what this means to understand the history of water and the potential for life on Mars.”

“This research is an opening opportunity for the door,” said Dr. Jack Mustard, a planetary scientist at Brown University.

“It gives us a better opportunity to apply the principles of mineral formation and conditions and tap time.”

“More importantly, the return of samples from Mars, which are currently being collected through patience.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal Natural Communication.

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A. Valantinas et al. 2025. Detection of ferrihydrite in the red dust of Mars records ancient cold and wet conditions on Mars. Nut commune 16, 1712; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-56970-z

Source: www.sci.news

Study shows Lafayette meteorite minerals interacted with Martian water 742 million years ago

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Eleven million years ago, an asteroid hit Mars, sending debris flying through space. One of these masses eventually crashed into Earth. During initial investigation of this object, lafayette meteoritescientists discovered that it interacted with liquid water while on Mars. Now, researchers from the US and UK have determined the age of minerals in meteorites that formed when liquid water was present.

The Lafayette meteorite was scraped off the surface of Mars and then spent about 11 million years flying through space. It finally ended up in a drawer at Purdue University in 1931 and has been teaching scientists about Mars ever since. Image credit: Purdue Brand Studio.

A meteorite is a solid time capsule from a planet or celestial body in the universe.

They carry bits of data that can be unlocked by geochronologists.

They are distinguished from rocks you might find on Earth by the crust they form as they fall into the atmosphere, often forming a fiery portal visible in the night sky.

“We can identify meteorites by studying what minerals are in them and the relationships between these minerals,” said researcher Dr. Marissa Tremblay. states. purdue university.

“Meteorites are often denser than Earth's rocks, contain metals, and are magnetic.”

“We can also look for things like the fusion crust that forms when we enter Earth's atmosphere.”

“Finally, we can use the chemical properties of meteorites (particularly their oxygen isotope composition) to determine which planet they came from or what type of meteorite they belong to. ”

According to the authors, some Martian meteorites, such as the 0.8 kg Nacritite meteorite called the Lafayette meteorite, contain minerals that were formed by interaction with liquid water while on Mars. That's what it means.

“So by dating these minerals, we can tell when in Mars' geological past there was liquid water on or near the surface of Mars,” Tremblay said. .

“We dated these minerals in the Martian meteorite Lafayette and found that they formed 742 million years ago.”

“At this point, we don't think there was an abundance of liquid water on the surface of Mars.”

“Instead, we believe this water comes from melting nearby underground ice called permafrost, and that permafrost thaw is caused by magmatic activity that continues to occur regularly on Mars. ”

Researchers say the age derived from the timing of water-rock interactions on Mars is robust and the chronometer used is not affected by events that happened to the Lafayette meteorite, which changed in the presence of water. It was proved that.

“This age could be due to the impact of the Lafayette meteorite being ejected from Mars, the heating Lafayette experienced during its 11 million years floating in space, or the heating Lafayette experienced when it fell to Earth and burned up a bit. “in Earth's atmosphere,'' Dr. Tremblay said.

“But we were able to demonstrate that none of these things affected the chronology of water quality changes in Lafayette.”

“This meteorite has unique evidence that it interacted with water,” said Dr. Ryan Ickert, also of Purdue University.

“The exact date of this is controversial, and our publication dates from a time when water existed.”

“We know this because after this meteorite was ejected from Mars, it was bombarded with cosmic ray particles in space, producing specific isotopes at Lafayette,” Tremblay said. said.

“Many meteoroids are produced by impacts on Mars and other planets, but only a handful end up falling on Earth.”

of findings Published in this month's magazine Geochemical perspective letter.

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MM Tremblay others. 2024. Dating recent water activity on Mars. Letter from a geochemical perspective 32;doi: 10.7185/geochemlet.2443

Source: www.sci.news

Carbonate minerals in Gale Crater reveal insights into the climate of ancient Mars

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Carbonate minerals are an integral part of the carbon and water cycles, both of which are implicated in habitability, making them of particular interest in paleoenvironmental studies. In the new study, planetary scientists focused on carbon and oxygen isotope measurements of carbonate minerals detected by NASA’s Curiosity rover inside Mars’ Gale Crater.

An artist’s concept of an early Mars with liquid water (blue area) on its surface. Image credit: NASA / MAVEN / Lunar and Planetary Institute.

Isotopes are versions of an element that have different masses. As the water evaporates, the lighter ones, carbon and oxygen, are more likely to escape into the atmosphere, while the heavier ones are more likely to be left behind, accumulating in larger quantities, and in this case eventually incorporated into carbonate rocks.

Scientists are interested in carbonates because they have been shown to act as climate records.

These minerals may retain traces of the environment in which they formed, such as the temperature and acidity of the water and the composition of the water and atmosphere.

“The isotopic values ​​of these carbonates indicate extreme amounts of evaporation, suggesting that these carbonates likely formed in climates where only ephemeral liquid water could exist. ‘ said Dr. David Burt, a researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Our samples do not match an ancient environment in which life (biosphere) existed on the surface of Mars. However, it does not match the subterranean biosphere or the surface environment that began and ended before these carbonates formed. This does not exclude the possibility of a biosphere.

Dr. Burt and his colleagues propose two formation mechanisms for the carbonates found in Gale Crater.

In the first scenario, carbonates form through a series of dry-wet cycles within the crater.

In the second, carbonates form in extremely salty water under cold ice-forming (cryogenic) conditions inside the crater.

“These formation mechanisms represent two different climate regimes that could indicate different habitation scenarios,” said Dr. Jennifer Stern, also of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Wetting and drying cycles would indicate alternations between more and less habitable environments, while the extremely low temperatures in the mid-latitudes of Mars mean that most of the water is trapped in ice. “And what’s there would be very salty and unpleasant to live in.” “

These climate scenarios for ancient Mars have been previously proposed based on the presence of certain minerals, global modeling, and the identification of rock formations.

The results are the first to add isotopic evidence from rock samples to support the scenario.

The heavy isotope values of carbonates on Mars are significantly higher than carbonate minerals observed on Earth, and are the heaviest carbon and oxygen isotope values ​​ever recorded in Martian material.

In fact, both wet-dry and cold-saline climates are required to form carbonates, which are extremely rich in heavy carbon and oxygen.

“The fact that these carbon and oxygen isotope values ​​are higher than any other measured on Earth or Mars indicates that the process is extreme,” Dr. Burt said.

“While evaporation can cause significant oxygen isotope changes on Earth, the changes measured in this study were two to three times larger.”

“This means two things: (i) there was an extreme degree of evaporation that made these isotope values ​​very heavy, and (ii) these heavier values ​​were conserved so that the lighter isotopes The process that generated the body value must have significantly reduced its size.””

team’s paper Published in this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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David G. Burt others. 2024. High concentrations of carbon and oxygen isotopes in carbonate-derived CO2 At Gale Crater on Mars. PNAS 121 (42): e2321342121;doi: 10.1073/pnas.2321342121

This article is based on a press release provided by NASA.

Source: www.sci.news

Rare earth metal-containing minerals on the ocean floor found to be a source of oxygen production, according to scientists

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Researchers from the Scottish Institute for Marine Science have discovered that the deep ocean floor of the Pacific Ocean, covered with polymetallic nodules, produces so-called “dark oxygen.”

Polymetallic nodules recovered from the ocean floor in a Northwestern University lab. Image courtesy of Camille Bridgewater/Northwestern University.

Polymetallic nodules – naturally occurring mineral deposits that form on the seafloor – are commonly found in the sediment-covered abyssal plains of oceans around the world.

These consist primarily of iron and manganese oxides, but also contain metals such as cobalt and rare earth elements, which are essential components of many advanced, low-carbon energy technologies.

For the new study, Dr Andrew Sweetman from the Scottish Institute for Marine Science and his colleagues carried out experiments using chambers placed on the seafloor at a depth of around 4,200 metres to measure oxygen levels at multiple sites more than 4,000 kilometres apart in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean, where polymetallic nodules are found.

Nearly every experiment showed a steady increase in oxygen levels over the two days.

The researchers conducted additional laboratory analysis and claim that the source of the detected oxygen release is polymetallic nodules.

Based on numerical simulations, they hypothesize that the electrical properties of the nodes are responsible for oxygen production.

While the researchers note that it is difficult to estimate how much oxygen polymetallic nodules produce over a wide area, they suggest that this source of oxygen may support ecosystems on the deep seafloor, which could be affected if these nodules are mined.

“We understand that oxygen was needed for aerobic life to begin on Earth, and Earth's oxygen supply began with photosynthetic organisms,” Dr Sweetman said.

“But we now know that oxygen is produced even in the deep ocean, where there is no light.”

“So I think we need to rethink questions like where did aerobic life begin.”

of result Published in a journal Nature Chemistry.

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A.K. Sweetman othersEvidence for dark oxygen production on the deep seafloor. National GeographyPublished online July 22, 2024, doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01480-8

This article is based on a press release provided by Springer Nature and Northwestern University.

Source: www.sci.news

The enigmatic ultraviolet absorber found in Venus’ clouds may be clarified by the mixture of two minerals.

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Venus’ clouds are thought to be composed of trace elements such as sulfuric acid and iron-containing compounds. The concentration of each of these compounds varies with height in the thick atmosphere of our neighboring planet. In a new study, researchers at the University of Cambridge have synthesized an iron-bearing sulfate mineral that is stable under the harsh chemical conditions of Venus’ clouds. Their spectroscopic analysis revealed that a combination of his two minerals, rhinoclase and acidic ferric sulfate, could explain the mysterious ultraviolet (UV) absorption features in Venus’ atmosphere.

Jean other. They hypothesize that there is an abundant, poorly understood, heterogeneous chemistry within Venusian cloud droplets that significantly influences cloud optical properties and the behavior of trace gas species throughout Venus’ atmosphere. I am. Image credit: Matthias Malmar / NASA.

There are several mysteries surrounding Venus’ clouds. They extend from 48 km to about 65 km and are located in the lower atmosphere (<48 km) と、光化学と力学が関係する上層大気 (>65 km).

In order to understand the chemical cycles between the Venusian atmosphere and its volcanic surfaces and to accurately interpret potential biosignatures, increasing research efforts are being focused on generating complete modeling frameworks for the Venusian atmosphere.

Dr Paul Rimmer, a researcher at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, said: “The only data available on cloud composition has been collected by spacecraft, which reveals some strange aspects of clouds that have so far not been fully explained.'' “We have clarified the nature of this.'' .

“In particular, when examined under ultraviolet light, Venus’ clouds showed a specific pattern of ultraviolet absorption.”

“What elements, compounds, and minerals are involved in such observations?”

Rimmer and his colleagues synthesized several iron-bearing sulfate minerals in their aqueous geochemistry laboratory based on Venus’ atmospheric chemistry.

By suspending the synthesized material in various concentrations of sulfuric acid and monitoring chemical and mineralogical changes, we narrowed down the candidate minerals to rhinoclase and acidic ferric sulfate, and characterized their spectroscopic characteristics in a manner similar to that of the sun. examined under a light source specifically designed to mimic the spectrum. flare.

In an attempt to mimic even more extreme Venusian clouds, the authors measured the UV absorbance pattern of ferric sulfate under extremely acidic conditions.

“The pattern and level of absorption exhibited by the combination of these two mineral phases is consistent with the dark UV patches observed in the clouds of Venus,” said researcher Dr. Clancy Jijiang Jiang from the University of Cambridge.

“These targeted experiments reveal a complex chemical network in the atmosphere and shed light on elemental cycling on Venus’ surface.”

“Venus is our closest neighbor, but it remains mysterious,” Dr. Rimmer says.

“Future NASA and ESA missions will explore its atmosphere, clouds, and surface, giving us the opportunity to learn more about this planet in the coming years.”

“This study sets the stage for future exploration.”

team’s paper appear in the diary scientific progress.

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Clancy Jean Jean other. 2024. Iron and sulfur chemistry can explain ultraviolet absorbers in Venus’ clouds. Scientific Advances 10 (1); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adg8826

Source: www.sci.news

For the First Time, NASA Unveils World Map of Earth’s Surface Minerals

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NASA’s EMIT has produced the first global map of hematite, goethite, and kaolinite in the dry regions of Earth using data from the year ending November 2023. The mission collected billions of data measurements of three different minerals along with seven minerals that could impact climate when released into the air. The mission, EMIT, aims to provide a detailed map of the mineral composition of Earth’s dust source regions, which can help scientists model the impact of fine particles on climate change.

EMIT launched to the International Space Station in 2022, will be launched by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and surveys the Earth’s surface from approximately 250 miles in the air. The mission captures high-resolution images to create detailed maps of surface composition and is capable of detecting plumes of methane and carbon dioxide emitted by various human activities. EMIT’s data will be used to improve climate models and study the effects of dust on global ecosystems, including its impact on phytoplankton blooms and the transport of essential nutrients over long distances.

In addition to tracking the 10 major minerals as part of its primary mission, EMIT’s data also tracks other minerals, vegetation types, snow and ice, and even humans at or near the surface. The instrument was selected from NASA’s Earth Venture Instrument-4 public offering and is managed by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. The data collected by EMIT is publicly available for use by other researchers and the public at the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center.

Source: scitechdaily.com