Two geologic systems providing terrestrial analogues for the exploration of sulfate deposits on Mars: Initial spectral characterization

We present the Messinian evaporite suite (Mediterranean region) and the Solfatara hydrothermal system (Phlegraean Fields volcanic province, Italy), discuss their implications for understanding the origin of sulfates on Mars and show preliminary sets of VNIR laboratory and in situ reflectance spectra of rocks from these geologic systems. The choice was based on a number of evidence relative to Mars: (1) the chemistry of the Martian sulfates, suggesting fluid interactions with possibly alkali-basaltic rocks and/or regolith; (2) close range evidence of sulfates within sedimentary formations on Mars; (3) sulfate spectral signatures associated to large-scale layered patterns interpreted as thick depositional systems on Mars. The Messinian evaporites comprise three units: primary shallow-water sulfates (primary lower gypsum: PLG), shallow- to deep-water mixed sulfates and clastic terrigenous deposits (resedimented lower gypsum: RLG), and shallow-water associations of primary sulfates and clastic fluvio-deltaic deposits (upper evaporites: UE). The onset of the Messinian evaporites records the transition to negative hydrologic budget conditions associated with the Messinian Salinity Crisis, which affected the entire Mediterranean basin and lasted about 640 kyr. The Solfatara is a still evolving hydrothermal system that provides epithermal deposits precipitated from the interaction of fluids and trachybasaltic to phonolitic rocks. Thermal waters include alkali-chloride, alkali-carbonate and alkali-sulfate endmembers.The wide spectrum of sedimentary gypsum facies within the Messinian formation includes some of the depositional environments hitherto identified on Mars and others not found on Mars. The PLG unit includes facies associations correlated over long distances, that could be a possible analog of the stratified rock units exposed from Arabia Terra at least as far as Valles Marineris. The facies cycles within the UE unit can be compared to the sequences of strata observed in craters such as Holden and Eberswalden. The UE unit records paleoenvironmental changes which are ultimately controlled by terrestrial climatic variations. They can be considered as a reliable climatic proxy and may be useful for the reconstruction of climatic events on Mars. The intermediate Messinian RLG unit has not, at present, a well-defined depositional counterpart on Mars, although there are some similarities with the northern lowlands and Vastitas Borealis Formation. The dramatic variation of hydrologic budget conditions at the onset of the Messinian evaporites may provide criteria for the interpretation of similar variations on Mars.The volcanic rocks at the Solfatara bear some similarities with the “alkaline magmatic province” observed at the Gusev crater on Mars, and the assemblages of hydrothermal phases resulting from the Solfatara's parent rocks could be analogues for processes involving Gusev-type rocks.The Messinian sulfates have a prevalent Ca-sulfatic composition and wide textural variability. Preliminary laboratory reflectance spectra of rock samples in the VNIR region reveal the signature of sulfates and mixtures of several Fe-bearing phases. At the Solfatara, in situ reflectance measurements of epithermal minerals close to active fumaroles showed the presence of Fe-bearing sulfates, hematite, Al- and K-sulfates and abundant amorphous fraction. XRD analysis supported this interpretation.The range of depositional facies observed in the Messinian units and the variety of minerals detected in the Solfatara will be useful for the interpretation of close range data of Mars. The spectral characterization at various scales of the Messinian sedimentary facies and the Solfatara hydrothermal minerals will both help in the exploration of Mars from orbit and with close range inspection.     

Atacama Field Campaign: laboratory and in-situ measurements for remote sensing applications

This work presents the preliminary results of the first field calibration campaign performed in the Atacama Desert, Chile, between the 18 and 22 August 2014, called the Atacama Field Campaign (ATAFIC 2014). In situ measurements were performed in order to spectrally characterize the surface reflectance spectra between 0.3 and 2.5?µm, radiometric temperature (8.0–14.0?µm) and atmospheric measurements. A soil sample was collected and analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction techniques to characterize the surface reflectance spectra and mineralogical composition, respectively. ASTER land surface emissivity in addition to GOES, MODIS and Landsat-8 land surface temperature (LST) were also used. Results showed that the spectral features of the Atacama soil and the characteristics of this geographical zone, which is featured as the most hyper-arid and cloudless place in the world, make this area a potential target for surface reflectance characterization. Day and night LST comparison between field and remote sensing data are lower than 2?K and the Root Mean Square Error for land surface emissivity is close to 2%. This work opens the possibilities to consider the Atacama Desert as a reference target for calibration and validation activities for earth observation missions’ purposes.     

Empirical relationships between macroseimic intensity and instrumental ground motion parameters for the intermediate-depth earthquakes of Vrancea region,Romania

Natural Hazards - Empirical relationships between MSK macroseismic intensity and several engineering ground motion parameters are developed using the macroseismic and instrumental data available...     

A Validation of MODIS Snowcover Products in Romania: Challenges and Future Directions

The MODIS snowcover product is one of many geophysical products derived from MODIS data. A cross‐validation of the MODIS snowcover daily products with data obtained from the meteorological network stations was conducted for the entire territory of Romania. The validation time interval covered the period between 29 October, 2004 and 1 May, 2005. The overall accuracy for the whole set of cloud‐free useful data proved to be 95%. The validation time interval included the three common snow situations: (1) late autumn months where 37.1% of the initial set of the data was used, and the overall accuracy was 98.6%; (2) the “winter” months where the clouds reduced the set of useful data – 31.75%– and the overall accuracy was 93.7%; and (3) the months of February and March which returned the highest accuracy (> 95%). Additionally, a cross‐validation using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) high‐resolution imagery was carried out. Furthermore, the MODIS, meteorological data and ASTER data were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment to perform flexible and comprehensive cross‐checking followed by a thematic analysis based on additional sets of data such as digital elevation models (DEMs) and land‐cover datasets.     

Sequential Separation of Uranium,Hafnium and Neodymium from Natural Waters Concentrated by Iron Coprecipitation

A new ion exchange chromatography method is presented for the isolation of high field‐strength elements (HFSE) from freshwater and seawater samples that have undergone iron coprecipitation. Large volumes of water can be condensed through the application of iron coprecipitation, but clean separation of elements from the precipitate proves difficult. The technique described is a five‐column process designed to separate the HFSE, including rare earth elements such as neodymium and hafnium, before removing the iron and isolating uranium. Subsequent isolation of Nd and Hf was achieved using established ion exchange chromatography methods. The efficacy of our chemistry was verified by measurements of analytical reference materials – both reference solutions and seawater samples – subjected to the chemical separation methods described. Elution results indicate high yields (> 90%) determined by concentration measurements of a known reference material added to each column. Measurement results for isotopic compositions of seawater (U, Nd) and reference solutions (NIST SRM 960, U) were identical within uncertainty to previously published values. Compositions were identical between solutions (Spex CLMS3, Spex PLND2) that underwent different iron coprecipitation procedures. Isotopic determinations for reference materials JNdi‐1 and NIST SRM 960 measured with the mass spectrometers used in this study were in agreement with universally accepted values for these materials, and indicate high precision.     

New assessment of organic mercury formation in highly polluted sediments in the Lenga estuary,Chile

Anomalously high levels of mercury in sediment in the Lenga estuary, Chile are comparable to the most contaminated sites previously reported elsewhere. Total mercury (Hg_total) concentrations range from 0.5 to 129 mg kg⁻¹ and organic mercury (Hg_org) from 11 to 53 μg kg⁻¹. The highest levels are in areas near the previous wastewater outfall of a chlo-alkali plant. The results show that the proportion of Hg_org/Hg_total in the sediment varies by more than two orders of magnitude (0.02–5.7%) according to the concentration of Hg_total. No correlation between the concentration of Hg_org and Hg_total was found. The lack of correlation does contrast with the findings of other authors in culture media. Our results indicate that even at very high concentrations of Hg_total and organic matter do not influence organic mercury formation in estuary sediments. The disparity in Hg_total and Hg_org concentrations also attests to environmental differences in the formation.     

Compositional interpretation of PFS/MEx and TES/MGS thermal infrared spectra of Phobos

The origin of the Martian satellites presents a puzzle of long standing. Addressing the composition of Phobos will help constrain theories of its formation. Visible and near-infrared spectra of Phobos lack deep absorption features, making the compositional interpretation a tricky task. PFS/MEx and TES/MGS observations in the thermal infrared show several spectral features that can be used to investigate the composition of the surface. Our results show that the majority of the spectra are consistent with the presence of phyllosilicates, particularly in the area northeast of Stickney. This area corresponds to the “blue” region as defined by Murchie et al. (1999). Analysis of PFS and TES observations in the “red” region defined by Murchie et al. (1999) are consistent with tectosilicates, especially feldspars/feldspathoids. We discuss several physical and chemical mechanisms that can act to eliminate or reduce the strength of bands in the VIS/NIR spectra, with possibly little or no effect in the mid-IR. Comparison of the TES and PFS data to the meteorites shows that no class of chondritic meteorites provide significant agreement with the spectral features observed. The lack of consistency of the PFS and TES spectra to analogs of ultraprimitive materials (organic residues) suggests that an origin via capture of a transneptunian object is not supported by these observations, although it cannot be completely ruled out. Derived surface temperatures from PFS and TES data are in very good agreement with brightness temperatures derived from Viking orbiter measurements, Earth-based observations, and values predicted by numerical models. Our results show that the surface temperature of Phobos varies with solar incidence angle and heliocentric distance, reconciling the different results.We collect and summarize the compositional clues for the origin of Phobos discussed in this paper, including our results. Currently, the most likely scenario is the in-situ formation of Phobos, although a capture of achrondrite-like meteorites is not ruled out.     

Causes and effects of the catastrophic flooding on the Siret River (Romania) in July–August 2008

Natural Hazards - As a result of the massive deforestation and windfalling in Romania last year, catastrophic floods frequently occur with historic high-water marks only to be registered every 500...