Astrobiological applications of μ-mapping X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

In situ elemental imaging of planetary surface regolith at a spatial resolution of 100s to 1000s of microns can provide evidence of the provenance of rocks or sediments and their habitability, and can identify post-depositional diagenetic alteration affecting preservation. We use high-resolution ele...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of astrobiology 2024-01, Vol.23, Article e8
Main Authors: Blake, David Frederick, Walroth, Richard C., Bristow, Thomas F., Sarrazin, Philippe, Gailhanou, Marc, Thompson, Kathleen, Downs, Robert Terrance, Yen, Albert Shi-Yuen, Marchis, Franck, Webb, Samuel, Chalumeau, Clement, Solé, Vincente Armando, Walter, Philippe, Chen, Jianxin, Henderson, Roger, Lafuente, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrobiology
Atoms & subatomic particles
Carbonates
Chemistry
Concretions
Diagenesis
Evaporites
Fluorescence
Habitability
Imaging techniques
Mars
Mineralogy
Optics
Planetary surfaces
Prototypes
Regolith
Rock
Rocks
Scientific imaging
Sedimentary structures
Sediments
Sensors
Spatial discrimination
Spatial resolution
Spectrometry
Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning
X ray imagery
X rays
X-ray fluorescence
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Summary:In situ elemental imaging of planetary surface regolith at a spatial resolution of 100s to 1000s of microns can provide evidence of the provenance of rocks or sediments and their habitability, and can identify post-depositional diagenetic alteration affecting preservation. We use high-resolution elemental maps and XRF spectra from MapX, a flight prototype in situ X-ray imaging instrument, to demonstrate this technology in rock types relevant to astrobiology. Examples are given for various petrologies and depositional/diagenetic environments, including ultramafic/mafic rocks, serpentinites, hydrothermal carbonates, evaporites, stromatolitic cherts and diagenetic concretions.
ISSN:1473-5504
1475-3006
DOI:10.1017/S147355042400003X