A recent study has analyzed a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain from the Martian meteorite NWA7034, known as Black Beauty, uncovering geochemical 'fingerprints' indicative of water-rich fluids. The research, co-authored by Dr. Aaron Cavosie from Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, suggests that ancient Martian hydrothermal systems were present, potentially linked to the planet's habitability.
Dr. Cavosie noted, "We used nano-scale geochemistry to detect elemental evidence of hot water on Mars 4.45 billion years ago." This finding implies that hydrothermal systems, which were crucial for life on Earth, also existed on Mars during its early crust formation.
Through advanced imaging and spectroscopy techniques, the research team identified elemental patterns in the zircon, including iron, aluminum, yttrium, and sodium, suggesting that water was present during early Martian magmatic activity. Despite significant meteorite impacts that altered the Martian surface, the study indicates that water existed during the Pre-Noachian period, prior to about 4.1 billion years ago.
Dr. Gillespie, lead author from the University of Lausanne, emphasized that this study marks a significant advancement in understanding early Mars by identifying geochemical markers of water in the oldest known Martian crust. The research was supported by various institutions, including the Australian Research Council and the Swiss National Science Foundation.