SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF THE CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE MARTIAN REGOLITH

摘要

The analysis of the Martian upper surface layer by NASA's Viking lander and theoretical studies of the Martian atmosphere-surface-interaction suggest that the soil is highly chemical reactive. Based on laboratory-experiments these should be a result of intense interactions between the regolith and the atmosphere under solar UV radiation. Of particular importance in this context are oxidants, adsorbed on Martian mineral-surfaces. These species are important for oxidising reactions at the Martian surface (oxidising inorganic but also organic matter) and for the evolution of the Martian water cycle - now, and in the past. We present a very effective way to detect these oxidant-species and adsorbed water-films, in the application of Infrared and Raman spectroscopy.