POTENTIAL HIGH PRIORITY SUBAERIAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR MARS SAMPLE RETURN.

Abstract

Subaerial environments of interest for Mars Sample Return include surface or near-surface sites not covered by a body of water, but having direct access to water from precipitation, snow melt, or ambient-temperature groundwater [1]. This includes soils, wetlands, ephemeral ponds, cold springs, and periglacial/glacial environments, with paleosol profiles as a high priority collection site. Such soils can be topped by aqueously deposited sediments and precipitates from wetlands, ephemeral ponds, and springs. The composition and morphology of paleosols preserve evidence of past climate, aqueous conditions, and life.