Scholarly record
WATER PRODUCTION FROM HYDRATED SULFATES ON MARS. A GEOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT
Abstract
The extraction and utilization of planetary materials in situ are of utmost importance to establish a sustainable human presence on Mars. Among these resources, water stands out as the most valuable due to its potential for producing rocket propellants and supporting life systems for astronauts. This research delves into the water resources in Meridiani Planum, an equatorial region where the presence of hydrated sulfates has been confirmed. Leveraging data from the Opportunity Rover and its advanced instruments- the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) and the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES)-chemical and mineralogical information were processed and classified using statistical methods. The authors go beyond data analysis, presenting a comprehensive high-level concept for acquiring the ore, mineral processing, and water extraction through dehydration techniques. Excavation and physical preparation are examined, incorporating crushing and beneficiation stages. Furthermore, the work includes calculating the temperature, enthalpy, Gibbs energy and kinetic for sulfates dehydration. The outcomes are highlighted through a conceptual architecture, offering estimations regarding mineral throughput for a pilot plant capable of supplying sufficient water to sustain six astronauts throughout an entire Martian year. This study sets a foundation for future endeavours in realizing the ambitious goal of establishing a selfsustaining human presence on Mars.
Publication Impact Profile
- Citations
- CrossRef - Citation Indexes: 2
- Scopus - Citation Indexes: 1
- Captures
- Mendeley - Readers: 4
Publication details
References14
Nazari-Sharabian M., Aghababaei M., Karakouzian M., and Karami M., �Water on Mars�A literature review,� Galaxies, vol. 8, no. 2, p. 40, 2020. DOI: 10.3390/galaxies8020040
Squyres S. W. and Knoll A. H., �Sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum: Origin, diagenesis, and implications for life on Mars,� Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., vol. 240, no. 1, pp. 1�10, 2005. DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.09.038
Mittlefehldt, D. W., Gellert, R., vanBommel, S., Arvidson, R. E., Ashley, J. W., Clark, B. C., Crumpler, L. S., Farrand, W. H., Golombek, M. P., Grant, J. A., Morris, R. V., & Schroder, C., �Geology and geochemistry of noachian bedrock and alteration events, meridiani planum, mars: MER opportunity observations,� J. Geophys. Res. Planets, vol. 126, no. 9, 2021. DOI: 10.1029/2021je006915
Hynek, B. M., & Di Achille, G. Geologic map of Meridiani Planum, Mars. In Scientific Investigations Map. US Geological Survey, 2017. DOI: 10.3133/sim3356
Drake Bret G. and Watts Kevin D. (2009). Human Exploration of Mars Design Reference Architecture 5.0 Addendum #2. DOI: 10.1109/aero.2010.5446736
Hynek, B. M., & Phillips, R. J. The stratigraphy of Meridiani Planum, Mars, and implications for the layered deposits� origin. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 274(1� 2), 214�220, 2008. DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2008.07.025
Grotzinger, J. P., Arvidson, R. E., Bell, J. F., III, Calvin, W., Clark, B. C., Fike, D. A., Golombek, M., Greeley, R., Haldemann, A., Herkenhoff, K. E., Jolliff, B. L., Knoll, A. H., Malin, M., McLennan, S. M., Parker, T., Soderblom, L., Sohl-Dickstein, J. N., Squyres, S. W., Tosca, N. J., & Watters, W. A. Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a dry to wet eolian depositional system, Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 240(1), pp. 11�72, 2005. DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.09.039
Flahaut, J., Carter, J., Poulet, F., Bibring, J.-P., van Westrenen, W., Davies, G. R., & Murchie, S. L. Embedded clays and sulfates in Meridiani Planum, Mars. Icarus, 248,pp 269�288, 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.10.046
MER Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer oxide abundance data. (2005). Washington University in St. Louis. https://an.rsl.wustl.edu/merb/merxbrowser/an3.aspx?it=RE&ii=REDS&AspxAutoDetec tCookieSupport=1
Christensen, P. R., Wyatt, M. B., Glotch, T. D., Rogers, A. D., Anwar, S., Arvidson, R. E., Bandfield, J. L., Blaney, D. L., Budney, C., Calvin, W. M., Fallacaro, A., Fergason, R. L., Gorelick, N., Graff, T. G., Hamilton, V. E., Hayes, A. G., Johnson, J. R., Knudson, A. T., McSween, H. Y., Jr, � Wolff, M. J. Mineralogy at Meridiani Planum from the Mini-TES experiment on the Opportunity rover. Science (New York, N.Y.), 306(5702), 1733�1739, 2004. DOI: 10.1126/science.1104909
Khalil, A. A. A. Kinetics of gypsum dehydration. Thermochimica Acta, 55(2), pp. 201�208, 1982. DOI: 10.1016/0040-6031(82)85154-x
Nahm, A. L., & Schultz, R. A. Outcrop-scale physical properties of Burns Formation at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, 34(20), 2007. DOI: 10.1029/2007gl031005
Mueller, R. P., Smith, J. D., Schuler, J. M., Nick, A. J., Gelino, N. J., Leucht, K. W., Townsend, I. I., & Dokos, A. G. Design of an excavation robot: Regolith advanced surface systems operations robot (RASSOR) 2.0. Earth and Space 2016. DOI: 10.1061/9780784479971.018
Santosh, T., Eswaraiah, C., Soni, R. K., & Kumar, S. (2023). Size reduction performance evaluation of HPGR/ball mill and HPGR/stirred mill for PGE bearing chromite ore. Advanced Powder Technology: The International Journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan, 34(1), 103907, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2022.103907
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.