The Origins of Perchlorate in the Martian Soil
Abstract
Perchlorate (ClO 4−) has been detected on Mars, but its production and distribution are unclear. Mechanisms requiring atmospheric chlorine are insufficient for measured concentrations. We conducted studies under Mars conditions using halite (NaCl) alone, soil simulants consisting of silica (SiO 2), Fe 2 O 3, Al 2 O 3, and TiO 2. After 170 h irradiation, samples analyzed by ion chromatography (IC) showed ClO 4− and ClO 3− present in all samples. When SiO 2 was added, yield increased from 2 to 42 nmol and 0.4 to 2.6 nmol, respectively. We attribute this to SiO 2 and metal oxides acting as photocatalysts, generating O 2− radicals from O 2 which react with chloride. Results show ClO 4− and ClO 3− can be produced photochemically on Cl minerals without atmospheric chlorine or aqueous conditions, and explain high concentration of ClO 4− and ClO 4−/Cl− ratios detected by Phoenix. They provide evidence that its distribution on Mars is dictated by distribution of chlorine and provide insight into the oxidizing nature of the soil and its potential effects on organics.
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Perchlorate salts are hypothesized to be present over the entire surface of Mars due to atmospheric circulation and wind transport of sediments.
“With atmospheric circulation and wind transport of sediments, perchlorate salts are hypothesized to be present over the entire surface of Mars [16][17][18].”
From Perchlorate and Agriculture on Mars (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
Cites
Detection of perchlorate and the soluble chemistry of martian soil at the phoenix lander site
Hecht, M. H., Kounaves, S. P., Quinn, R. C., West, S. J., Young, S. M. M., Ming, D. W., Catling, D. C., Clark, B. C., Boynton, W. V., Hoffman, J., et al. (2009) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1172466 · Cited by 1,166 · see citing works
Self-citationChemical composition of Martian fines
Clark, B. C., Baird, A. K., Weldon, R. J., Tsusaki, D. M., Schnabel, L., & Candelaria, M. P. (1982) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth · doi:10.1029/jb087ib12p10059 · Cited by 409 · see citing works
Reanalysis of the Viking results suggests perchlorate and organics at midlatitudes on Mars
Navarro‐González, R., Vargas, E., de la Rosa, J., Raga, A. C., & McKay, C. P. (2010) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets · doi:10.1029/2010je003599 · Cited by 384 · see citing works
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Perchlorate and Agriculture on Mars
Oze, C., Beisel, J., Dabsys, E., Dall, J., North, G., Scott, A., Lopez, A. M., Holmes, R., & Fendorf, S. (2021) · Soil Systems · doi:10.3390/soilsystems5030037 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Simple and effective remediation strategies of Martian perchlorates
Coker, H. R., Denvir, A. C., & Howe, J. A. (2026) · Soil Science Society of America Journal · doi:10.1002/saj2.70201 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Carrier, B. L., & Kounaves, S. P.
- Affiliations
- Tufts University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kounaves, Samuel P.
- Venue
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Publisher
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- Published
- 2015-05-22
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 3739-3745
- ISSN
- 0094-8276 (ISSN-L)
- 1944-8007
- OpenAlex
- W2159876814
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 3
- FWCI
- 8.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Geophysical Research Letters (publishedVersion)
- Spiral (Imperial College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (EXOB-NNX10AT27G, MFRPNNX14AG40G)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Chemical Analysis and Environmental Impact
- Keywords
- perchlorate, chlorate, Martian soil, perchlorate formation, photooxidation, metal oxides, halite, Phoenix lander
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