Direct detection of hydrogen reveals a new macroscopic crustal water reservoir on early Mars

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that neutron and X-ray computed tomography can non-destructively detect hydrogen-rich phases in Martian crustal samples, revealing a potential widespread water reservoir on early Mars.

Contribution

It introduces a combined neutron and X-ray tomography method for mapping hydrogen in Martian meteorite samples, revealing a new macroscopic crustal water reservoir.

Findings

Hydrogen-rich iron oxyhydroxides identified in meteorite samples.

Similar hydrated phases found in rover-collected samples from Jezero crater.

Potential widespread near-surface water reservoir on early Mars.

Abstract

The next great leap in Martian exploration will be the return of samples to Earth. To ensure the maximum scientific return from studying these samples, the development and utilisation of nondestructive analytical techniques are essential to enable early three-dimensional characterisation of their interiors. Neutron computed tomography is a powerful method in this context: it is highly sensitive to hydrogen and complements the more conventional X-ray computed tomography. Because the distribution and nature of hydrous phases are central to understanding the habitability, the climatic and geological evolution, and potential biosignatures of Mars, identifying hydrogenbearing phases in Martian crustal rocks is of particular importance. Using the only Martian crustal material available on Earth, the NWA 7034 meteorite and its pairs, we show that combined neutron and X-ray computed tomography enables non-destructive sample-wide mapping of hydrogen and reveals the distribution and petrographic contexts of hydrous phases. We identify hydrogen-rich iron oxyhydroxides within ancient igneous clasts, forming a macroscopic mineralogical water reservoir within the meteorite. These alteration assemblages closely resemble those observed in samples collected by the Perseverance rover in Jezero crater, where hydrated iron oxyhydroxides are also present. This similarity suggests that such phases may represent a widespread near-surface water reservoir on early Mars.