Water soluble ions in the Nakhla martian meteorite

Abstract— Water‐soluble ion concentrations from the martian achondrite Nakhla and three asteroidal achon drites are reported. The Nakhla sample contains significant concentrations of chloride, sulfate, Mg, Na, Ca, and K ions. The results are interpreted to indicate that this rock has been in contact with a seawater‐like brine on the martian surface.