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Atmospheric oxidation drove climate change on Noachian Mars

Author

Listed:
  • Jiacheng Liu

    (The University of Hong Kong
    The University of Hong Kong)

  • Joseph R. Michalski

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Zhicheng Wang

    (The University of Hong Kong)

  • Wen-Sheng Gao

    (China University of Geosciences)

Abstract

Modern Mars is bipolar, cold, and oxidizing, while early Mars was characterized by icy highlands, episodic warmth and reducing atmosphere. The timing and association of the climate and redox transitions remain inadequately understood. Here we examine the spatiotemporal distribution of the low surface iron abundance in the ancient Martian terrains, revealing that iron abundance decreases with elevation in the older Noachian terrains but with latitude in the younger Noachian terrains. These observations suggest: (a) low-temperature conditions contribute to surface iron depletion, likely facilitated by anoxic leaching through freeze-thaw cycles under a reducing atmosphere, and (b) temperature distribution mode shifted from elevation-dominant to latitude-dominant during the Noachian period. Additionally, we find iron leaching intensity decreases from the Early to Late Noachian epoch, suggesting a gradual atmospheric oxidation coupled with temperature mode transition during the Noachian period. We think atmospheric oxidation led to Mars becoming cold and bipolar in its early history.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiacheng Liu & Joseph R. Michalski & Zhicheng Wang & Wen-Sheng Gao, 2024. "Atmospheric oxidation drove climate change on Noachian Mars," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47326-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47326-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul B. Niles & Joseph Michalski & Douglas W. Ming & D. C. Golden, 2017. "Elevated olivine weathering rates and sulfate formation at cryogenic temperatures on Mars," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-5, December.
    2. Giovanni Baccolo & Barbara Delmonte & P. B. Niles & Giannantonio Cibin & Elena Di Stefano & Dariush Hampai & Lindsay Keller & Valter Maggi & Augusto Marcelli & Joseph Michalski & Christopher Snead & M, 2021. "Jarosite formation in deep Antarctic ice provides a window into acidic, water-limited weathering on Mars," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Bethany L. Ehlmann & John F. Mustard & Scott L. Murchie & Jean-Pierre Bibring & Alain Meunier & Abigail A. Fraeman & Yves Langevin, 2011. "Subsurface water and clay mineral formation during the early history of Mars," Nature, Nature, vol. 479(7371), pages 53-60, November.
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