Martian Data and PANalytical X-Ray Analysis Help Confirm New Mineral Species
Share:
Inspired by data sent from NASA robots on Mars, Dr. Ronald Peterson, Professor of Geology at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, has observed a new mineral species on Earth, and predicts that it also exists on Mars. The mineral, meridianiite (MgSO411H2O), was named in acknowledgement of the cratered plain of Meridiani Planum on Mars, where one of the NASA robots is operating. Integral to Dr. Peterson's work was the PANalytical X'Pert PRO X-ray diffractometer, which provided the necessary speed and flexibility for such highly sensitive analysis. X'Pert PRO is equipped with the X'Celerator detector for rapid analysis, and the unique PreFIX mounting method that enables optics and stages to be reconfigured in minutes.
Dr. Peterson and his colleagues made their discovery at a frozen pond in British Columbia, Canada. From collection through to analysis, mineral samples had to be maintained at the sub-zero temperatures at which they were found. Even a small temperature rise would have altered the material completely. Dr. Peterson commented:
"The fast scan of the X'Celerator detector and the fast sample stage change of the PreFIX system allowed this analysis. The Anton Paar chamber with the high thermal mass was also important, to ensure the sample did not warm up too much before we could measure the diffraction pattern. I loaded the sample into the stage that was already cold from being outside, then quickly took it into the lab, rapidly mounted the stage using the PreFIX system, and did a fast scan."
The powder diffraction data, chemical analysis and physical properties were submitted to the International Mineralogical Association who approved the material as a valid new mineral species, and accepted the name meridianiite. It is expected that Meridianiite is the magnesium sulfate mineral in equilibrium with ice in the polar caps of Mars.
The search for the new mineral began with data from two NASA Mars Exploration Rovers (MER). MER images of euhedral molds in sedimentary rock, together with data showing magnesium rich soil, led Dr. Peterson to suspect that the observed crystal molds could be formed by MgSO411H2O crystals precipitated from a MgSO4 rich solution. Such crystals were only known to form synthetically on Earth. With this information, Dr. Peterson set out to find sites where the material could occur naturally.
Frozen ponds in British Columbia, which were once mined for magnesium sulfate, were identified as a potential location. Here Dr. Peterson found a tree trunk protruding from the ice that had drawn up the pond solution and allowed it to evaporate in air, at colder temperatures than below the ice. This resulted in the deposition of off-white crystals, which later proved to be meridianiite.
About PANalytical
PANalytical is the world's leading supplier of analytical instrumentation and software for X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), with more than half a century of experience. The materials characterization equipment is used for scientific research and development, for industrial process control applications and for semiconductor metrology.
PANalytical, founded in 1948 as part of Philips, employs around 900 people worldwide. Its headquarters are in Almelo, the Netherlands. Fully equipped application laboratories are established in Japan, China, the USA, and the Netherlands. PANalytical's research activities are based in Almelo (NL) and on the campus of the University of Sussex in Brighton (UK). Supply and competence centers are located on two sites in the Netherlands: Almelo (development and production of X-ray instruments) and Eindhoven (development and production of X-ray tubes). A sales and service network in more than 60 countries ensures unrivalled levels of customer support.
The company is certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.
The product portfolio includes a broad range of XRD and XRF systems and software widely used for the analysis and materials characterization of products such as cement, metals and steel, nanomaterials, plastics, polymers and petrochemicals, industrial minerals, glass, catalysts, semiconductors, thin films and advanced materials, pharmaceutical solids, recycled materials and environmental samples.
Visit our website at www.panalytical.com for more information about our activities.
PANalytical is part of Spectris plc, the precision instrumentation and controls company.
For press information, please contact
Richard Kent Kapler Communications
Knowledge Centre,
Wyboston Lakes, Wyboston,
Bedfordshire MK44 3BY UK
T: +44 (0) 1480 479280;
F: +44 (0) 1480 470343
richard@kapleronline.com
For more press and product information:
PANalytical, Branding and Communications Dept.
T: +31 (0) 546 534444;
F: +31 (0) 546 534592
amec.info@panalytical.com
