Exploring habitability on Early Mars from Environmental Science Approaches

• Project/Area Number: 21H04515
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 17:Earth and planetary science and related fields
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Fukushi Keisuke 金沢大学, 環日本海域環境研究センター, 教授 (90444207)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 長 勇一郎 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 助教 (00737687) ; 関根 康人 東京工業大学, 地球生命研究所, 教授 (60431897) ; 松木 篤 金沢大学, 環日本海域環境研究センター, 准教授 (90505728)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-05 – 2024-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
• Budget Amount: ¥43,680,000 (Direct Cost: ¥33,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥10,080,000); Fiscal Year 2023: ¥6,760,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,560,000); Fiscal Year 2022: ¥7,150,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,650,000); Fiscal Year 2021: ¥29,770,000 (Direct Cost: ¥22,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥6,870,000)
• Keywords: 初期火星 / 惑星探査 / 水質復元 / 古環境 / ラマン分光 / 水質 / ラマン・赤外分光

Outline of Research at the Start

現在火星は寒冷・乾燥化した惑星であるが、約40億年前は温暖な時期があり、表面では大規模な水循環が存在していたことが明らかとなっている。NASAの火星探査車はかつての湖沼に降り立ち、初期火星に存在した水環境および生命の痕跡を探査している。本研究では、我々が独自に開発した手法をNASA火星探査車により得られる分析データに適用することで、初期火星に存在した液体の水の水質を定量的に復元する。復元した水質に基づいて初期火星に水（や生命）の存在を可能にした環境条件を解明する。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The evolution of the chemical composition of liquid water on Mars was examined by analyzing mineralogical and geochemical data obtained from Mars exploration. It has been recognized that the aqueous environment on Mars transitioned from a period of large-scale water cycles with lakes and oceans to a period of only intermittent wetting events. We quantitatively revealed that the latter was characterized by water quality that was acidic, oxidative, and highly saline. We also infer that the lake water that once existed in the Gale crater was in an environment similar to that of the Earth's alkaline lakes. In addition, this study developed methods and techniques to apply the reconstruction method of water chemistry to future Mars exploration programs and analysis of returned samples.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの火星探査から人類は火星に対して“かつて水が存在した惑星”という描像を持つに至っている。一方、水の水質や環境が不明なため、火星における生命に関する議論は推測の範疇を出ていなかった。これに対し、本研究では環境科学分野で培われた手法に基づき、過去の火星に存在した液体の水の水質を定量化するとともに、水の化学組成の進化を明らかにすることに成功した。また、本研究で開発を行った手法や技術を、将来の火星探査計画や帰還試料分析に適用することにより、より詳細な火星の古環境や生命存在可能性の議論が可能となる。

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] モンゴル国立大学(モンゴル)
• [Int'l Joint Research] モンゴル国立大学(モンゴル)
• [Journal Article] Comparing the radiolytic oxidation of sulfur and chloride within ice on Europa and Mars (2024)
  • Author(s): Tan Shuya、Sekine Yasuhito、Kikuchi Takashi、Suematsu Hisayuki、Hama Tetsuya、Takahashi Yoshio
  • Journal Title: Icarus Volume: 410 Pages: 115873-115873
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115873
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Comparative study on cavernous weathering features formed by coastal processes and acidic alteration: Implications for rounded pits on Martian rocks (2024)
  • Author(s): Sugiuchi Mitsuteru、Sekine Yasuhito、Takahashi Satoshi
  • Journal Title: Icarus Volume: 410 Pages: 115889-115889
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115889
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Fraunhofer line-based wavelength-calibration method without calibration targets for planetary lander instruments (2024)
  • Author(s): Mori, S., Cho, Y., Tabata, H., Yumoto, K., Bottger, U., Buder, M., Dietz, E., Hagelschuer, T., Hubers, H.-W., Kameda, S., Kopp, E., Prieto-Ballesteros, O., Rull, F., Ryan, C., Schroder, S., Usui, T., Sugita, S.
  • Journal Title: Planetary and Space Science Volume: 240 Pages: 105835-105835
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2023.105835
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Systematic comparison of Mg K-edge XANES spectra of magnesium-bearing clay minerals and magnesium silicate hydrates: A promising tool for identifying magnesium silicate hydrate in natural samples (2023)
  • Author(s): Inoue Kosuke、Nishiki Yuto、Fukushi Keisuke、Suma Reo、Sato Tsutomu、Sakuma Hiroshi、Tamura Kenji、Yokoyama Shingo、Shimbashi Misato、Mizukami Tomoyuki、Unami Kensuke、Noji Yohei、Kitajima Takuma、Fukaya So、Takeichi Yasuo、Yamashita Shohei、Suga Hiroki、Takahashi Yoshio
  • Journal Title: Applied Clay Science Volume: 245 Pages: 107152-107152
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2023.107152
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Dark microbiome and extremely low organics in Atacama fossil delta unveil Mars life detection limits (2023)
  • Author(s): Azua-Bustos Armando、et al.
  • Journal Title: Nature Communications Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Pages: 1-9
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36172-1
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Identification of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) in a Noachian Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001 (2023)
  • Author(s): Kajitani Iori、Koike Mizuho、Nakada Ryoichi、Tanabe Gaku、Usui Tomohiro、Matsu'ura Fumihiro、Fukushi Keisuke、Yokoyama Tetsuya
  • Journal Title: Earth and Planetary Science Letters Volume: 620 Pages: 118345-118345
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2023.118345
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Solubility of Amorphous Magnesium Carbonate at Low Temperatures: Implications for Carbonate Mineral Formation in Alkaline Lakes (2023)
  • Author(s): Kitajima Takuma、Fukushi Keisuke、Baasansuren Gankhurel、Davaadorj Davaasuren、Shuukhaaz Ganbat、Uyangaa Udaanjargal、Tuvshin Gerelmaa、Sekine Yasuhito、Takahashi Yoshio、Yoda Masahiro、Hasebe Noriko
  • Journal Title: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry Volume: 7 Issue: 6 Pages: 1227-1234
  • DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00030
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Effective formation of surface flow due to salt precipitation within soils upon repeated brine seepages on Mars (2023)
  • Author(s): Imamura Shoko、Sekine Yasuhito、Maekawa Yu、Kurokawa Hiroyuki、Sasaki Takenori
  • Journal Title: Icarus Volume: 396 Pages: 115500-115500
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115500
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Science objectives of the MMX rover (2023)
  • Author(s): Ulamec Stephan他
  • Journal Title: Acta Astronautica Volume: 210 Pages: 95-101
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2023.05.012
• [Journal Article] Deuterated PET: The new verification target of the Raman spectrometer for the MMX mission to explore Phobos (2023)
  • Author(s): Moral Andoni G.、Mora Julio、Prieto‐Ballesteros Olga、Ercilla Oscar、Lopez‐Reyes Guillermo、Canora Carlos P.、Bonales Laura J.、Fernandez‐Sampedro Maite、Sanz‐Arranz J.A.、Herrera Alejandro、Alonso Rafael、Rull Fernando、B?ttger Ute、Cho Yuichiro、Schr?der Susanne、H?bers Heinz‐Wilhelm
  • Journal Title: Journal of Raman Spectroscopy Volume: 54 Issue: 11 Pages: 1268-1279
  • DOI: 10.1002/jrs.6569
• [Journal Article] In-situ measurement of hydrogen on airless planetary bodies using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (2023)
  • Author(s): Yumoto Koki、Cho Yuichiro、Kameda Shingo、Kasahara Satoshi、Sugita Seiji
  • Journal Title: Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy Volume: － Pages: 106696-106696
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2023.106696
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Systematic comparison of the hydration and dehydration of Na+-, K+-, and NH4+-saturated montmorillonite, nontronite, hectorite, saponite, and Fe-saponite by in situ X-ray diffraction measurements (2023)
  • Author(s): Morida Koki、Fukushi Keisuke、Sakuma Hiroshi、Tamura Kenji
  • Journal Title: Applied Clay Science Volume: 237 Pages: 106898-106898
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2023.106898
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Seasonal Variation and Vertical Distribution of Inorganic Nutrients in a Small Artificial Lake, Lake Bulan, in Mongolia (2022)
  • Author(s): Baterdene Ariunsanaa、Nagao Seiya、Zorigt Baasanjav、Ochir Altansukh、Fukushi Keisuke、Davaasuren Davaadorj、Gankhurel Baasansuren、Munkhsuld Enkhuur、Tsetsgee Solongo、Yunden Ariuntungalag
  • Journal Title: Water Volume: 14 Issue: 12 Pages: 1916-1916
  • DOI: 10.3390/w14121916
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Characterization of groundwater chemistry beneath Gale Crater on early Mars by hydrothermal experiments (2022)
  • Author(s): Noda Natsumi、Sekine Yasuhito、Tan Shuya、Kikuchi Sakiko、Shibuya Takazo、Kurisu Minako、Takahashi Yoshio、Fukushi Keisuke、Rampe Elizabeth B.
  • Journal Title: Icarus Volume: 386 Pages: 115149-115149
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115149
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Arsenic and uranium contamination of Orog Lake in the Valley of Gobi Lakes, Mongolia: Field evidence of conservative accumulation of U in an alkaline, closed-basin lake during evaporation (2022)
  • Author(s): Gankhurel Baasansuren、Fukushi Keisuke、Davaasuren Davaadorj、Imai Eigo、Kitajima Takuma、Udaanjargal Uyangaa、Gerelmaa Tuvshin、Sekine Yasuhito、Takahashi Yoshio、Hasebe Noriko
  • Journal Title: Journal of Hazardous Materials Volume: 436 Pages: 129017-129017
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129017
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Recognition and classification of Martian chaos terrains using imagery machine learning: A global distribution of chaos linked to groundwater circulation, catastrophic flooding, and magmatism on Mars (2022)
  • Author(s): Shozaki, H., Y. Sekine, N. Guttenberg, G. Komatsu
  • Journal Title: Remote Sensing Volume: 14, 3883 Issue: 16 Pages: 1-32
  • DOI: 10.3390/rs14163883
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Reconstruction of pH, redox condition, and concentrations of major components in ancient liquid water from the Karasburg member, Murray formation, Gale Crater, Mars (2022)
  • Author(s): Fukushi Keisuke、Sekine Yasuhito、Rampe Elizabeth B.
  • Journal Title: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Volume: 325 Pages: 129-151
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2022.02.005
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Synthesis of Ferrian and Ferro-Saponites: Implications for the structure of (Fe,Mg)-smectites synthesized in reduced conditions (2021)
  • Author(s): H. Sakuma, K. Morida, Y. Takahashi, K. Fukushi, N. Noda, Y. Sekine, K. Tamura,
  • Journal Title: American Mineralogist Volume: in press Issue: 10 Pages: 1926-1935
  • DOI: 10.2138/am-2022-8231
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Parameterization of adsorption onto minerals by Extended Triple Layer Model (2021)
  • Author(s): Fukushi Keisuke、Okuyama Akihiro、Takeda Natsumi、Kosugi Shigeyori
  • Journal Title: Applied Geochemistry Volume: 134 Pages: 105087-105087
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2021.105087
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Anaerobic Microscopic Analysis of Ferrous Saponite and Its Sensitivity to Oxidation by Earth’s Air: Lessons Learned for Analysis of Returned Samples from Mars and Carbonaceous Asteroids (2021)
  • Author(s): Noda Natsumi、Yamashita Shohei、Takahashi Yoshio、Matsumoto Megumi、Enokido Yuma、Amano Kana、Kawai Takahiro、Sakuma Hiroshi、Fukushi Keisuke、Sekine Yasuhito、Nakamura Tomoki
  • Journal Title: Minerals Volume: 11 Issue: 11 Pages: 1244-1244
  • DOI: 10.3390/min11111244
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] An experimental study of photo-oxidation of Fe(II): Implications for the formation of Fe(III) (hydro)oxides on early Mars and Earth (2021)
  • Author(s): Tabata, H., Sekine, Y., Kanzaki, Y., Sugita, S.
  • Journal Title: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta Volume: 299 Pages: 35-51
  • DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2021.02.006
  • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 火星のヘマタイト・ゲーサイト問題：塩溶液中におけるフェリハイドライトから結晶性鉄酸化物への変質挙動 (2023)
  • Author(s): 深谷 創・福士 圭介・高橋 嘉夫
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2023年大会
• [Presentation] Hematite-Goethite Problem on Mars: Transformation of Ferrihydrite to Crystalline Fe Oxides in Salt Solutions (2023)
  • Author(s): Fukaya, S., Fukushi, K. and Takahashi, Y.
  • Organizer: Water-Rock Interaction WRI-17
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 火星のヘマタイト・ゲーサイト問題：塩溶液中におけるフェリハイドライトから結晶性鉄酸化物への変質挙動 (2023)
  • Author(s): 深谷 創・福士 圭介・高橋 嘉夫
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2023年年会
• [Presentation] 炭酸カルシウム1/2水和物を実験的に見積った溶解度に基づきアルカリ湖に探す (2023)
  • Author(s): 北島 卓磨・酢山 真衣・福士 圭介・ガンフレル バーサンスレン・ダバドルジ ダバースレン
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2023年大会
• [Presentation] Finding Calcium Carbonate Hemihydrate in Alkaline Lakes Using the Experimentally Estimated Solubility (2023)
  • Author(s): Kitajima, T., Suyama, M., Fukushi, K. Gankhurel, B. and Davaasuren, D.
  • Organizer: Water-Rock Interaction WRI-17
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] スメクタイト層間陽イオン交換選択係数の測定と分光学的キャラクタリゼーション (2023)
  • Author(s): 野路 陽平・福士 圭介・長 勇一郎・田畑 陽久
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2023年年会
• [Presentation] マンガン酸化物へのモリブデン吸着に伴う同位体分別の精密評価 (2023)
  • Author(s): 奥山 晃浩・柏原 輝彦・福士 圭介
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2023年大会
• [Presentation] Molybdenum Isotopic Fractionation Associated with Adsorption on Three Different Manganese Oxide Minerals (2023)
  • Author(s): Okuyama, A., Fukushi, K. and Kashiwabara, T.
  • Organizer: Water-Rock Interaction WRI-17
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] δ-MnO2、バーネサイトおよびトドロカイトへの吸着によるモリブデン同位体分別の比較 (2023)
  • Author(s): 奥山 晃浩・柏原 輝彦・福士 圭介
  • Organizer: 日本地球化学会第70回年会
• [Presentation] Mars landing missions by Japan: Its strategy and sciences (2023)
  • Author(s): 関根 康人・臼井 寛裕・長谷川 精・関 華奈子・福士 圭介・藤田 和央・山田 和彦・鈴木 宏二郎・永田 靖典・佐伯 孝尚・吉光 徹雄・森 治・山崎 敦
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2023年大会
• [Presentation] Nanosecond time-gated Raman spectroscopy of clay minerals for the reconstruction of water chemistry on early Mars (2023)
  • Author(s): 田畑 陽久・長 勇一郎・湯本 航生・森 晶輝・日向 輝・杉田 精司・関根 康人・松木 篤・福士 圭介
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2023年大会
• [Presentation] Formation condition of CaCO31/2H2O: Implication for water chemistry of alkaline lakes (2022)
  • Author(s): Fukushi, K. and Suyama, M.
  • Organizer: IMA2022
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 非晶質マグネシウム炭酸塩の溶解度：火星表層におけるマグネシウム炭酸塩の希少性 (2022)
  • Author(s): 北島卓磨・福士圭介
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] Arsenic and uranium contamination in Orog lake in the Valley of the Gobi lakes, Mongolia: Field evidence of conservative accumulation of U in an alkaline, closed-basin lake during evaporation (2022)
  • Author(s): Gankhurel, B., Fukushi, K., Davaasuren, D., Imai, E., Kitajima, T., Udaanjargal, U., Gerelmaa, T., Sekine Y., Takahashi, Y. and Hasebe, N.
  • Organizer: AGU annual meeting 2022
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Solubility of Amorphous Magnesium Carbonate (2022)
  • Author(s): Kitajima, T. and Fukushi, K.
  • Organizer: IMA2022
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] スメクタイト層間主要陽イオンの分光学的キャラクタリゼーション (2022)
  • Author(s): 野路陽平・福士圭介
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] スメクタイト層間主要陽イオンの分光学的キャラクタリゼーション (2022)
  • Author(s): 野路陽平・福士圭介・徳門弘都
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2022年年会
• [Presentation] 東南極昭和基地周辺露岩域の火星アナログサイトとしての利用可能性評価 (2022)
  • Author(s): 野口里奈・臼井寛裕・庄司大悟・福士圭介・依田優大・三平舜
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2022年大会
• [Presentation] サポナイトによるアンモニウム取り込み挙動 (2022)
  • Author(s): 徳門弘都・福士圭介・関根康人
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2022年年会
• [Presentation] 2:1型層状ケイ酸塩の構造中の鉄による酸化還元反応: 環境中の電池としての役割 (2022)
  • Author(s): 高橋嘉夫・ 清水優希・河合敬宏・蓬田匠・竹田早英桂・板井啓明・田中啓資・孫静・福士圭介・田中雅人
  • Organizer: 2022年度日本地球化学会第69回年会
• [Presentation] 火星ゲールクレータ湖沼堆積物の間隙水水質復元：Murray 層 Quela サイトへの適用 (2021)
  • Author(s): 福士圭介・関根 康人・Rampe, E.B.
  • Organizer: 日本地球化学会第68回年会, オンライン
• [Presentation] Reconstruction of water chemistry in ancient liquid water from the Murray formation, Gale Crater, Mars (2021)
  • Author(s): Fukushi, K., Sekine, Y., and Rampe, E.B.
  • Organizer: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, オンライン
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 非晶質マグネシウム炭酸塩の溶解度：初期火星の閉塞湖におけるMg炭酸塩の希少性. (2021)
  • Author(s): 北島卓磨・福士圭介・関根康人・依田優大・ガンフレル バーサンスレン・ダバースレン ダバードルジ
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2021年大会，オンライン
• [Presentation] 低温条件における非晶質マグネシウム炭酸塩の溶解度 (2021)
  • Author(s): 北島卓磨・福士圭介・関根康人・依田優大・ガンフレル バーサンスレン・ダバースレン ダバードルジ・高橋嘉夫
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2021年年会, オンライン
• [Presentation] Solubility of amorphous magnesium carbonate: Implication for Mg-carbonate formation on Early Mars. (2021)
  • Author(s): Kitajima, T., Fukushi, T., and Sekine, Y.,
  • Organizer: AGU Fall Meeting 2021, オンライン
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] サポナイト層間における陽イオン交換選択係数の測定 (2021)
  • Author(s): 野路陽平・福士圭介・徳門弘都
  • Organizer: 日本鉱物科学会2021年年会, オンライン
• [Presentation] 鉄サポナイトの合成と酸化・還元の可逆性 (2021)
  • Author(s): 佐久間博・森田康暉・福士圭介・高橋嘉夫・野田夏実・関根康人・田村堅志
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2021年大会，オンライン
• [Presentation] Field investigations on salt partitioning in frozen closed-basin lakes in Mongolia as terrestrial analogues of subsurface brine reservoirs on Solar System icy bodies (2021)
  • Author(s): 依田優大・関根康人・福士圭介・北島卓磨・Gankhurel, B.・Davaasuren, D.・Gerelmaa, T.・Ganbat, S.・庄司大悟・高橋嘉夫
  • Organizer: 日本地球惑星科学連合2021年大会, オンライン