玄武岩风化过程中黏土矿物的形成机制研究：对火星黏土成因的指示意义

火星地质环境演变历史与生物宜居性是火星探测最主要任务中的两个。玄武岩风化壳是开展上述研究最重要的区域之一。本项目拟以矿物学、晶体化学理论与方法为指导，借鉴比较行星学方法，开展火星黏土成因及其蕴含的地质过程与环境演变规律研究。项目拟以风化产物中黏土矿物等次生矿物组合与晶体结构特征为着手点，开展地表风化剖面与火星代表性黏土富集区样品的对比研究。同时，以室内风化模拟与矿物转变实验为桥梁，最大可能地逼近与揭示真实火星环境条件。进而，通过对中间产物与最终产物微束、微区测试结果的对比，厘清黏土矿物形成与转化的关键环境控制因素和主要途径。最终，基于地表野外考察、火星探测分析、室内模拟实验三位一体、互为支撑的研究结论，建立以黏土矿物组合、晶体结构特征为主要判断依据，指示火星黏土成因、反演火星地质环境演变历史的方法。本研究还可为未来中国火星探测任务着陆区和样品采集区的选取提供借鉴与理论指导。

The evolution process of Martian geological environment and biological habitability are two of the main missions of Mars exploration. The weathering crust of basalt is one of the most important areas for these studies. Based upon the theories and methods of Mineralogy and Crystal Chemistry, this project aims at to disclose the genesis of clay minerals on Mars and the related laws of geological processes and environmental evolution therein, with reference to the method of Comparative Planetology. Starting with the characteristics of the secondary minerals assemblage, such as clay minerals, in the weathering products and their crystal structures, this project will make a comparison between the test results of samples from the earth’s basalt weathering profile with those from the representative clay enrichment area on Mars. To approach and reveal the true geological process and environmental conditions of Mars as much as possible, the laboratory simulation experiments will be carried out as the bridge, on basalt weathering and mineral transformations. Furthermore, the key control factors and main approaches of clay formation and transformation on Mars will be clarified, through the comprehensive analysis of the intermediate and the final products of the simulation experiments using microbeam and microregion techniques. The final goal of this project, on the basis of the trinity and mutual supported conclusions drawn by a combination of field study on earth, Mars exploration and laboratory simulation experiment, is to establish a method to indicate the genesis of Martian clay and inverting the geological and environmental evolution history of Mars, using clay mineral assemblage and their crystal structures characteristics as determination criteria. This study can also provide theoretical basis and guidance for the landing and sampling areas selection of China's Mars exploration in the future.