How Desert Varnish Forms
EMSL Project ID
2500
Abstract
The objective is to see if desert varnish is microbially mediated or an organic process. Desert varnish has not been investigated on a micro scale. Careful characterization of varnish structure, inorganic and organic chemistry, and presence of microbes and/or spores will prove useful in understanding the process of formation. Understanding how varnish forms is important for several reasons: as a biomarker for Martian analogues; understanding iron redox chemistry as influenced by microbes; and as a potential biomineralization process. The approach will be to use XPS, TOF-SIMS, and TEM/SEM to characterize the structure of varnish. If applicable, we'll use the XSW synchrotron. In addition, we might use Auger, Mossbauer, laser desorption, XRD, and RBS.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2002-04-15
End Date
2005-04-17
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator