Relationships between unit-cell parameters and composition for rock-forming minerals on Earth, Mars, and other extraterrestrial bodies

  • Shaunna M. Morrison
  • , Robert T. Downs
  • , David F. Blake
  • , Anirudh Prabhu
  • , Ahmed Eleish
  • , David T. Vaniman
  • , Douglas W. Ming
  • , Elizabeth B. Rampe
  • , Robert M. Hazen
  • , Cherie N. Achilles
  • , Allan H. Treiman
  • , Albert S. Yen
  • , Richard V. Morris
  • , Thomas F. Bristow
  • , Steve J. Chipera
  • , Philippe C. Sarrazin
  • , Kim V. Fendrich
  • , John Michael Morookian
  • , Jack D. Farmer
  • , David J. DesMarais
  • Patricia I. Craig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mathematical relationships between unit-cell parameters and chemical composition were developed for selected mineral phases observed with the CheMin X-ray diffractometer onboard the Curiosity rover in Gale crater. This study presents algorithms for estimating the chemical composition of phases based solely on X-ray diffraction data. The mineral systems include plagioclase, alkali feldspar, Mg-Fe-Ca C2/c clinopyroxene, Mg-Fe-Ca P21/c clinopyroxene, Mg-Fe-Ca orthopyroxene, Mg-Fe olivine, magnetite, and other selected spinel oxides, and alunite-jarosite. These methods assume compositions of Na-Ca for plagioclase, K-Na for alkali feldspar, Mg-Fe-Ca for pyroxene, and Mg-Fe for olivine; however, some other minor elements may occur and their impact on measured unit-cell parameters is discussed. These crystal-chemical algorithms can be applied to material of any origin, whether that origin is Earth, Mars, an extraterrestrial body, or a laboratory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)848-856
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Mineralogist
Volume103
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 26 2018

Keywords

  • CheMin
  • Gale crater
  • Mars
  • Mars Science Laboratory
  • Martian Rocks and Minerals
  • Meteorites
  • Orbiters
  • Perspectives from Rovers
  • X-ray diffraction
  • alunite
  • crystal chemistry
  • jarosite
  • magnetite
  • olivine
  • plagioclase
  • pyroxene
  • spinel
  • unit-cell parameters

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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