UoP2 Mars Consortium

Lead Research Organisation: University of Portsmouth
Department Name: Sch of the Env, Geography & Geosciences

Abstract

The question of whether Mars could have supported life has driven intensive exploration of the planet's surface through satellite and robotic missions. Complementary research has focused on identifying and understanding meteorites from Mars, which offer the only direct samples of the crust available to science. Together, these studies have not only sought signs of extraterrestrial life and habitable environments, but tried to understand how the planet has changed through time: from an ancient world of oceans and landforms remarkably familiar to Earth, to the cold, dry, barren planet that we see today. Why Mars has followed a dramatically different path to Earth is a major issue in our understanding of terrestrial planet evolution. How has Mars lost heat? Has volcanism and volcanic outgassing changed through time? Is volcanism and seismic activity ongoing? How has impact cratering shaped the planet through time?

It has become clear that much of the surface of Mars is very ancient, and that its rocks retain direct evidence of the planet's separation into a crust and mantle. As a result, volcanism is thought to be driven by mantle plumes, rather by tectonic forces at plate boundaries as on Earth, and to have reduced rapidly in intensity to a minimum as the planet has cooled. This relatively simple geological model compared to the Earth suggests declining rates of exchange between the surface, atmosphere and interior through time, including the cycling of potential nutrients, heat loss and volcanism.

This view has been challenged by recent evidence for considerable diversity in volcanic and sedimentary rocks and processes on Mars. However, new understanding of the planet is hindered by a mismatch between Martian meteorites and rock types seen on the surface, as well as a lack of reliable age information that can be used to test how the crust, mantle and atmosphere have evolved and interacted through time. Addressing these issues is a primary aim of ongoing and new Mars exploration missions, including NASA InSight and Mars 2020 and the ESA ExoMars Rover, and also requires resolution of conundrums in the Martian meteorite collection.

The UoP2 Mars Consortium brings together internationally leading expertise in Martian meteorites, radiometric dating and planetary geology to address these challenges. Two related projects will capitalize on conceptual and analytical advances in the laboratory analysis of planetary materials led by the applicants, as well as the rapidly growing inventory of Martian meteorites in collections around the world, to generate new datasets and knowledge.

Project 1, entitled "Secular evolution of Martian magmatism" focuses on placing robust new age constraints on Martian volcanic processes. Previously, this has been very difficult because the samples have experience extreme compression and heating during impact events, which disturb the isotopic systems used for dating. We will overcome this using advances led by Darling in identifying nanoscale deformation features in dateable crystals that can be avoided or targeted for radiometric dating using the latest techniques in mass spectrometry.

Project 2, entitled 'Martian Breccias; the missing link in the search for Meteorite Source Regions on Mars?' focuses on linking the meteoritic and remote sensing records to build a more complete picture of the Martian crust. This will be achieved by resolving the origin and spectral signature of newly discovered brecciated rocks that offer uniquely broad sampling of Martian crustal rocks through clasts of different origin, in combination with new and compiled data on the mineralogy and geochemistry for other Martian meteorite groupings.

The results will lead to new holistic models for Martian geological evolution. This new knowledge will help to address one of the four Science Challenges of the STFC Science Roadmap1: How do stars and planetary systems develop and is life unique to our planet?

Planned Impact

This project will advance our understanding of the origin and diversity of Martian meteorites alongside the evolution of the Martian surface. The research will contribute to two main themes; 1) meteoritics and the necessity to revisit classification schemes, source regions and formation ages for the Martian meteorites as the collection grows and 2) planetary science and the coupling of meteorites to spacecraft data in order to better understand the evolution of the Martian surface through time. Publication of this research in internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals will highlight the importance to planetary science and the interdisciplinary nature of space exploration. The addition of new petrological, geochemical and Martian-specific mineral spectroscopic data to global online databases will ensure the science is widely accessible by the planetary community for future work and the generation of new robust ages will provide a new framework with which to evaluate the magmatic, weathering and atmospheric evolution of Mars. The resulting datasets and conceptual advances will benefit a range of scientists, from planetary geologists, astrobiologists and meteoriticists trying to understand planetary evolution and its controls on habitability, to isotope geochemists and spectroscopists who will benefit from analytical and conceptual advances in the laboratory analysis of complex planetary materials. The results will directly inform ongoing and future Mars exploration missions, including InSight (new constraints on the thermal evolution of Mars), Curiosity, ExoMars and Mars 2020 (new understanding of surface rock types, habitability and geological evolution), as well as targeting of future sample return missions (constraints on meteorite source craters and crustal diversity).

It is a particularly exciting time to be involved with planetary science; several recent missions have generated a huge public following (e.g. Curiosity/MSL, Rosetta/Philae, Juno etc.) as well as private companies inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists (e.g. SpaceX). The return of British astronaut Tim Peake from the International Space Station also generated a significant amount of interest in all things space, and we hope to continue this work by raising awareness of the forthcoming ExoMars, Mars 2020 and InSight missions, alongside other active Martian missions, in addition to providing a physical component to this mix by way of the meteorite samples themselves, in order to capture the public's imagination. The most direct benefit in this regard will be improved understanding of these meteorites that can be communicated through museum collections and exhibits around the world, such as our project partner the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto and collaborators at the Natural History Museum, London. Impact will be generated by involving the wider community in various outreach activities, including university or facility open days, public talks or demonstrations at local venues (City Museums, Astronomical Societies etc.) or focused engagement activities such as the award-winning 'Girls into Geoscience'. The project also aims to make the formalised research as accessible as possible; publishing the data in open-access journals making the work accessible to the public will ensure the research gains wide exposure.

The PDRAs themselves, along with collaborators on the projects will benefit from being equipped with unique research approaches and experience to go on and drive forward planetary science. The PDRAs will be encouraged to network at workshops and meetings and develop their own collaborations with other laboratories/research institutions in order to extend their skill set and develop future career prospects. The Applicants will also benefit from this new Consortium, which provides new collaborative opportunities and growth of research networks going forward.

Publications

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Walton C (2023) In-situ phosphate U-Pb ages of the L chondrites in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

 
Description Enhanced understanding of the history of volcanism on Mars, and hence how the planet has evolved through time. The award has also led to significant technological advances in our ability to resolve and date planetary processes.
Exploitation Route Enhanced understanding of Mars. New analytical approaches for the geochronology of planetary materials, and new mineralogical tools that are uniquely capable of resolving planetary processes (e.g. endogenic magmatism from exogenic impact melt sheet processes).
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Environment

 
Description The findings have helped launch new projects focusing on battery technology metals, and our ability to analyse lithium and other key elements at the microscale. Recent work with industrial partners is helping to translate these findings into industrial processes.
First Year Of Impact 2024
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology
Impact Types Economic

 
Description Improving the robustness of apatite U-Th-Pb geochronology
Amount £48,825 (GBP)
Funding ID 2452.1021 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 01/2022 
 
Description Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the battery technology metal lifecycle
Amount £117,502 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/X005283/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 08/2023 
End 09/2027
 
Description Purchase of a tandem LALIBS femtosecond laser system for the UK
Amount £955,380 (GBP)
Funding ID NE/V016911/1 
Organisation Natural Environment Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2021 
End 12/2021
 
Description UK leadership in extraterrestrial sample return
Amount £74,931 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/T002328/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 03/2022
 
Description g fro
Amount £26,100 (GBP)
Funding ID ST/T002239/1 
Organisation Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 03/2022
 
Title FIB-TIMS 
Description Novel application of focused ion beam (FIB) technology for grain extraction for high precision geochemical analysis, in this case using isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry analysis (ID-TIMS). 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Paper only recently made available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2019-17 
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2019-17
 
Title Isotopic analysis by atom probe tomography 
Description Definition and application of new research tools for isotopic analysis at the nanoscale using atom probe tomography. Specifically, we have defined a new approach for chlorine isotope analysis from nanoscale volumes of chlorapatite. 
Type Of Material Technology assay or reagent 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact New research tool that is being applied to other studies 
 
Title Tandem femtosecond laser ablation and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis of Earth & planetary materials 
Description NERC Capital Equipment funding has enabled us to install a unique fs-LA-LIBS system for the UK research community. We have developed approaches for simultaneous major, trace, non-metal and isotopic analyses from microscale volumes of polymers, minerals and alloys. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
Impact Ongoing. New collaborations initiated with the University of Southampton, University of Leeds, Open University, University of Cambridge and more. 
 
Description CAMECA APT Partnership 
Organisation Ametek
Department CAMECA
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Conceptual advances in the application of atom probe tomography (APT) for Earth and planetary science applications. Advancements in isotopic analysis and error propagation in APT.
Collaborator Contribution Access to propriety atom probe tomography (APT) software, and laboratory access at their Wisconsin APT facility.
Impact This is a new collaboration, but has already led to research advances that are being reported in conference abstracts and manuscripts.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Heidelberg Ion Probe Laboratory 
Organisation Heidelberg University
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Initiation of collaboration focused on the application of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) technology to planetary material. We have developed project ideas, characterised samples and designed analytical experiments.
Collaborator Contribution Assistance with SIMS sample preparation, data collection and interpretation, as well as procedural development across these themes.
Impact Abstracts submitted to LPSC, EGU and Goldschmidt. Manuscripts in preparation
Start Year 2020
 
Description Herd Group, University of Alberta 
Organisation University of Alberta
Country Canada 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Initiation of new collaborative projects studying martian meteorites, and organization of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Collaborator Contribution Staff time to work on collaborative projects and new project proposals, access to rare martian meteorite specimens, co-hosting of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Impact Co-hosting of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Start Year 2020
 
Description Herd Group, University of Alberta 
Organisation University of Alberta
Country Canada 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Initiation of new collaborative projects studying martian meteorites, and organization of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Collaborator Contribution Staff time to work on collaborative projects and new project proposals, access to rare martian meteorite specimens, co-hosting of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Impact Co-hosting of a related workshop that links to the NASA 2020 Perseverence Rover and Mars Sample return (https://www.minersoc.org/mars-chron.html).
Start Year 2020
 
Description Lapen Group, University of Houston 
Organisation University of Houston
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We have identified that NWA 13467 is a new petrological type of martian meteorite, with some similarities to rare ~2.4 Ga augite-rich basalts. We have initiated a new collaboration with Prof. Tom Lapen's group at the University of Houston, who are experts in high-precision Sm-Nd, Lu-Hf and Rb-Sr isotopic analysis of martian metoerites. We are providing the characterised sample for analysis, and Leanne Staddon will be undertaking measurements at the Houston lab.
Collaborator Contribution Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd & Rb-Sr isotopic analysis of new martian meteorite NWA 13467
Impact Paper presented at LPSC in March 2022
Start Year 2022
 
Description NordSIM Laboratory 
Organisation Swedish Museum of Natural History
Department NordSIM
Country Sweden 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Initiation of collaboration focused on the application of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) technology to planetary material. We have developed project ideas, characterised samples and designed analytical experiments.
Collaborator Contribution Assistance with SIMS sample preparation, data collection and interpretation, as well as procedural development across these themes.
Impact Darling et al., (2021; GCA). Ongoing research project design, including a component of a 2021 AGP:PL proposal.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Royal Ontario Museum 
Organisation Royal Ontario Museum
Country Canada 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Expertise in planetary material characterization, radiometric dating and analysis of shock deformation.
Collaborator Contribution The loan of rare martian meteorite and mineral specimens for analysis. Funding of pilot analyses at the University of Toronto, which have led to a publication.
Impact Paper published in Geochronology: http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/gchron-2019-17
Start Year 2019
 
Description UoP2 Mars Consortium 
Organisation University of Plymouth
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Conceptual advances in the study of shock metamorphism and geochronology. Characterization of martian meteorite samples by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).
Collaborator Contribution Collaboration on state of the art nanostructural analysis of planetary materials by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Access to martian meteorites specimens.
Impact The UoP2 Mars Consortium Grant itself was an outcome of this collaboration. We have recently begun submitting conference abstracts and journal manuscripts based on this collaboration.
Start Year 2019
 
Description EBSD Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Participation in an industry led electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) workshop in Germany. Presentation of our advances in natural materials analysis and following discussion has led to new industry contacts and engagement with technical advances in the field.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.oxinst.com/events/european-ebsd-user-meeting
 
Description Geochemistry Group laser ablation workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact We hosted a 1-day training workshop for participants of the Geochemistry Group Research In Progress Meeting 2019. The focus was on the application of laser ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in Earth and planetary sciences. Following the full day of training, questions and discussion, the participants all reported an increased knowledge of the technique and interest in developing new projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/geochemistry
 
Description MSG laser ablation workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact We hosted a 1-day training workshop for participants of the Metamorphic Studies Group Research In Progress Meeting 2019. The focus was on the application of laser ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in Earth and planetary sciences. Following the full day of training, questions and discussion, the participants all reported an increased knowledge of the technique and interest in developing new projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://metamorphicstudiesgroup.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/2019-msg-rip-portsmouth/
 
Description RAS specialist discussion workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Participation in sample return workshop organised by the Royal Astronomical Society; increased interest in chronology of returned samples.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://ras.ac.uk/events-and-meetings/ras-meetings/analysis-returned-extraterrestrial-materials-curr...
 
Description School visit (Barton Peveril) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact 30 pupils visited the School for a geological research taster day. Following several activities and discussion sessions, the school reported an increased interest in geological sciences from the A-level Geography pupils.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020