Selisa RollinsMentor: Dr. Everett Shock

School of Earth and Space Exploration

Transport of Elements in the Yellowstone Hydrothermal

System

Silica on Mars

• Silica deposits dug up by the Spirit.– Evidence of past

microbial life.

• Hydrothermal vents are probable cause of silica enrichment.

Figure 1 [1]

Why Yellowstone?

• Hydrothermal Systems:– Excellent locations for abundant nutrient

supply. – Affect how rocks are altered.– Harbor life and determine which

microorganisms live where.

– Concentrations of SiO2 are detected in some areas.

Hot Spring Locations and Other Present Elements

• Locations:– GOPA– Lower Geyser Basin– Sylvan Spring– Washburn

• Elements:– Antimony (Sb)– Arsenic (As)– Boron (B)– Molybdenum (Mo)– Tungsten (W)

Strong CorrelationsSylvan Spring

0.0E+00

5.0E-06

1.0E-05

1.5E-05

2.0E-05

2.5E-05

3.0E-05

3.5E-05

4.0E-05

4.5E-05

5.0E-05

0.0E+00 2.0E-04 4.0E-04 6.0E-04 8.0E-04 1.0E-03

B (M)

As

(M

)

200420052006

Poor CorrelationsLGB

0.0E+00

5.0E-06

1.0E-05

1.5E-05

2.0E-05

2.5E-05

3.0E-05

3.5E-05

4.0E-05

4.5E-05

5.0E-05

0.0E+00 2.0E-04 4.0E-04 6.0E-04 8.0E-04 1.0E-03

B (M)

As

(M

)

200420052006

Complex CorrelationsGOPA

0.0E+00

5.0E-06

1.0E-05

1.5E-05

2.0E-05

2.5E-05

3.0E-05

3.5E-05

4.0E-05

4.5E-05

5.0E-05

0.0E+00 2.0E-04 4.0E-04 6.0E-04 8.0E-04 1.0E-03

B (M)

As

(M

)

200420052006

Observations and Summary

• Molybdenum Concentrations:– Higher at GOPA– Lower at LGB and Sylvan Springs

• Arsenic Concentrations– Lower at GOPA– Higher at LGB and Sylvan Springs

• Basic solutions present at lower elevations.

• Acidic solutions present at higher elevations.  

Acknowledgements

• Dr. Everett Shock• GEOPIG Lab:

– Tracy Lund– Jeff Havig– Mateo Hernandez– Panjai Prapaipong

References

• [1] Astronomy Now Online: http://www.astronomynow.com/080522Spiritfindshotspring-

likedepositsonMars.html

• [2] Squyres S W; Arvidson R E; Ruff S. Detection of silica-rich deposits on Mars. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2008; 320(5879): 1063-7.

Questions?