Objective
This study will explore the origin of Fe/Mg-rich clay minerals on Mars. Clays, recently discovered on Mars using near-infrared spectroscopy, show for the first time unambiguous evidence for sustained aqueous activity on Mars. Understanding the environmental conditions of formation of these materials, which are dominated by Fe/Mg-rich clays, is central to revealing Mars climate history and past habitability. Studies linking the infrared properties of clays to mineralogical properties and geologic context are therefore very important for understanding alteration minerals on Mars.
Submarine hydrothermal fields on Earth produce abundant Mg- and Fe-rich clays (talc, saponite and nontronite). These clays are often intimately mixed either by coprecipitation, mixed-layering or atom-substitution. Thus, these or similar settings may have generated the Fe/Mg-clays on Mars. Moreover, some spectral features from these Martian clays have unaccounted for characteristics probably due to mixed-layering and/or atom substitution as in their Earth counterparts.
Mg/Fe-rich clays (series talc/saponite-nontronite) from several submarine hydrothermal fields will be studied using advanced microscopy, chemical, spectroscopic, structural and isotope analytical techniques to fully characterise their crystal-chemistry and determine/constrain their formation environment (temperature, fluids, mineral assemblages). Mid- and near-IR spectra will be compared with those from Mars Fe/Mg-clays and added to the spectral library for Mars studies.
This study will (1) produce new results that will constrain the mineralogical properties and formation conditions of clays on Mars; (2) increase the spectral library for Mars studies with well-characterised, complex clays; (3) enhance the European profile in planetary studies; and (4) provide the fellow with new, advanced skills in mineralogy and analytical techniques that will prepare him for new opportunities and a sustained research career in Europe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- humanities history and archaeology history
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geology mineralogy
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
SW7 5BD London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.