MSL - SAM and CHEMIN, Discussion of the science/results from these instruments |
MSL - SAM and CHEMIN, Discussion of the science/results from these instruments |
Nov 21 2012, 11:46 AM
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Senior Member Group: Admin Posts: 3108 Joined: 21-December 05 From: Canberra, Australia Member No.: 615 |
ADMIN NOTE: Hi All, a new topic for the discussion of the science from the SAM and Chemin instruments.
There has been a very important amendment to Rule 1.3 which is explained here. Please remember Rule 1.3 at all times when discussing matters in this section. |
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Dec 14 2013, 09:52 PM
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#2
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 94 Joined: 11-August 12 Member No.: 6536 |
The sample size is around 100mg so only 2mg of water would be produced. I don't think that would be feasible to collect.
The only thing that will work for MSL is a sampling strategy that collects organics while avoiding perchlorate. Since the perchlorate is falling out of the sky, a recently exposed surface at the base of a scarp may have less perchlorate than elsewhere. Another possibility would be to drill into the base of a cliff where an impermeable cap shields lower layers from perchlorate contamination. They'll just have to try different things, which is going to take time. Another issue here is that the perchlorate is part of a bigger picture that may involve other oxidants. The oxygen from John Klein and Cumberland is being released at a lower temperature than at Rocknest, and the temperature of the release doesn't match that of common perchlorate salts. The presence of iron oxides may lower the decomposition temperature of perchlorate salts, or we may be dealing with a chlorate rather than a perchlorate. For those who aren't familiar with chemistry, there is a family of these oxy-chlorine ions. Perchlorate has one chlorine bonded to 4 oxygens, while chlorate has one chlorine bonded to three oxygens. There is also chlorite with 2 oxygens, and hypochlorite with one oxygen. Household bleach is sodium hypochlorite solution. For future reference here are links to charts showing SAM results from Cumberland, John Klein 4, John Klein and Rocknest. |
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