Spectral masking of goethite in abandoned mine drainage systems: implications for Mars
Earth and Planetary Science Letters
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Abstract
Remote sensing studies of the surface of Mars use visible- to near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy to identify hydrated and hydroxylated minerals, which can be used to constrain past environmental conditions on the surface of Mars. However, due to differences in optical properties, some hydrated phases can mask others in VNIR spectra, complicating environmental interpretations. Here, we examine the role of masking in VNIR spectra of natural precipitates of ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, and goethite from abandoned mine drainage (AMD) systems in southeastern Pennsylvania. Mixtures of ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, and goethite were identified in four AMD sites by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and their XRD patterns compared to their VNIR spectra. We find that both ferrihydrite and schwertmannite can mask goethite in VNIR spectra of natural AMD precipitates. These findings suggest that care should be taken in interpreting environments on Mars where ferrihydrite, schwertmannite, or goethite are found, as the former two may be masking the latter. Additionally, our findings suggest that outcrops on Mars with both goethite and ferrihydrite/schwertmannite VNIR signatures may have high relative abundances of goethite, or the goethite may exist in a coarsely crystalline phase.
Suggested Citation
Cull, S., Cravotta, C.A., Klinges, J., Weeks, C., 2014, Spectral masking of goethite in abandoned mine drainage systems: implications for Mars: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 403, p. 217-224, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.06.045.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Spectral masking of goethite in abandoned mine drainage systems: implications for Mars |
| Series title | Earth and Planetary Science Letters |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.06.045 |
| Volume | 403 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Pennsylvania Water Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Earth and Planetary Science Letters |
| First page | 217 |
| Last page | 224 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Schuylkill County |