The K and Th concentration in the Martian crust: insights from
multi-scale analyses
Abstract
The univariate statistics of potassium (K) and thorium (Th)
concentrations in the oceanic and continental crust of the Earth has
been recently investigated from geochemical databases and airborne
radiometric surveys [1]. This study demonstrates that the frequency
distributions of these elements are scale-dependent. There are
right-skewed for small-scale samples (typical volume of rocks analyzed
for an individual sample in a dataset) but tend to be more symmetric for
large-scale samples. The right-skewed behavior of K and Th is attributed
to their incompatible behavior during partial melting or fractional
crystallization. The scale-dependence and evolution toward normal
distributions are a direct consequence of the central limit theorem
applied to K and Th concentrations. The results of the results of this
study may be applied to Mars, using the Mars Odyssey global maps of K
and Th concentrations [2]. In light of available K, Th
concentrations at the rock-scale (in-situ samples and martian
meteorites), we infer that each “pixel” of these maps reflect a
right-skewed distribution of K and Th concentrations at smaller-scales,
where K and Th-poor rocks, such as basalts, are spatially dominant. In
turn, K, and Th-rich rocks, such as those found by Curiosity at Gale
crater [3], may occur globally, though their spatial extension must
be limited to account for the values reported by Mars Odyssey. The
global, but sparse occurrence of K, Th-rich rocks at the surface is
consistent with a buried felsic crust, outcropping at the favor of
tectonic or impact events. These conclusions will be discussed in the
context of the inferred constraints about the structure of the martian
crust from Insight data [4]. [1] Baratoux, et al., Earth and
Space Science, in press. [2] Boynton et al. JRGP,
doi:10.1029/2007JE002887. [3] Sautter et al. doi:10.1038/NGEO2474.
[4] Knapmeyer-Endrun et al., Science, doi: 10.1126/science.abf8966