Coordinated spectral and XRD analyses of magnesite-nontronite-forsterite mixtures and implications for carbonates on Mars

Mineral detection on Mars largely relies on laboratory data of minerals and mineral mixtures. The objective of this study is to provide reflectance spectra in the visible/near‐infrared (VNIR) and mid‐IR regions, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) data and Mössbauer spectra of a suite of carbonate, phyllosilicate and olivine mixtures in order to facilitate identification and characterization of these minerals on Mars. Remote sensing observations indicate that combinations of these minerals are present in ancient rocks on Mars around the Isidis Basin and in Gusev crater. Magnesite, nontronite, and forsterite size fractions