Brines Across the Solar System:  Modern Brines

October 25–28, 2021

 

Program and Abstracts

 

Times listed are Central Daylight Time (CDT).  Time Zone Converter

7:30 a.m. PDT

8:30 a.m. MDT

9:30 a.m. CDT

10:30 a.m. EDT

4:30 p.m. CEST

11:30 p.m. JST

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

9:30 a.m.

Speaker Check-in

9:45 a.m.

Virtual Coffee Social

10:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker:  Brines

11:00 a.m.

Finding Brines:  Spectroscopy is Friend!

1:30 p.m.

Deliquescence and Brine Stability:  Just Add Salt

3:00 p.m.

Terrestrial Analogs:  ET Brines Phone Home

4:00 p.m.

Poster Session:  Brines Across the Solar System

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

9:30 a.m.

Speaker Check-in

9:45 a.m.

Virtual Coffee Social

10:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker:  Geology

11:00 a.m.

Regolith-Brine Systems:  It's Complicated

1:30 p.m.

Brine Composition:  We're All Made of Salt Stuff

3:00 p.m.

Brine Discovery:  Explore Your Worlds!

4:00 p.m.

Poster Session:  Brine Facilitated Geology

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

9:30 a.m.

Speaker Check-in

9:45 a.m.

Virtual Coffee Social

10:00 a.m.

Invited Talks:  Mission Debriefs

11:00 a.m.

Brine Distribution:  Pass the Salt, Please!

1:30 p.m.

Brine Geochemistry:  Brines, on the Rocks

3:00 p.m.

I Saw the Sign:  Biosignatures in Brines

4:00 p.m.

Poster Session:  Living with Brines

 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

9:30 a.m.

Speaker Check-in

9:45 a.m.

Virtual Coffee Social

10:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker:  Astrobiology

11:00 a.m.

Brine Analogs: You Live Where?!

1:30 p.m.

Life in the Lab:  You Live Here Now

3:00 p.m.

Habitability:  Brines are Juuust Right!

4:15 p.m.

Invited Talk:  Meeting Wrap Up

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  BRINES

10:00 a.m.

Chair:  Ed Rivera-Valentín

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

10:00 a.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G. *

Welcome and Introduction

10:05 a.m.

Hanley J. *

Fantastic Brines and Where to Find Them   [Presentation]

10:40 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION

10:50 a.m.

 

Break

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

FINDING BRINES:  SPECTROSCOPY IS FRIEND!

11:00 a.m.

Chairs:  Raina Gough and David Stillman

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

11:00 a.m.

Primm K. M. *   Stillman D. E.

Macroscopic Deliquescence as Monitored by Dielectric Spectroscopy [#6033]   [Presentation]
Measurements of permittivity and conductivity show that macroscopic sample of 1wt% magnesium perchlorate with quartz sand deliquesces at a much lower relative humidity (~19%) than previously found (~48%) at –21C.

11:15 a.m.

Fischer E. *   Martinez G. M.   Renno N. O.

Raman Spectroscopy as a Tool to Identify Brine Formation [#6051]   [Presentation]
Here, we quantify the changes in the Raman spectrum of a sample under martian conditions as it changes from crystalline salt to brine and back. Our results show that Raman spectroscopy is a useful tool for liquid water detection on Mars.

11:30 a.m.

Mason D. P.   Elwood Madden M. E. *

Using Raman Spectroscopy to Detect and Monitor Freezing and Melting Processes in Near-Saturated Water-Salt Mixtures at Mars-Analogue Temperatures [#6013]   [Presentation]
Raman spectroscopy is an ideal tool for studying modern brines in situ on other planets. Melting/freezing processes, as well as brine composition can be readily observed without touching the sample, maintaining planetary protection protocols.

11:45 a.m.

Hanley J. *   Bandelier Z.   Murphy C.   Carmack R.   Horgan B.

Strategies for Remotely Detecting Chlorine Salts on Mars [#6058]
Salty liquids form / Across Mars still very tough. / Please don’t drink these brines.

12:00 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

12:10 p.m.

 

Lunch Break

 

BACK TO TOP

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

DELIQUESCENCE AND BRINE STABILITY:  JUST ADD SALT

1:30 p.m.

Chairs:  Megan Elwood Madden and Rachel Slank

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

1:30 p.m.

Tu S. *   Parise J. B.   Lars E.   Rogers A. D.

Stability Diagrams of Aqueous Chlorate Solutions Under Martian Relevant Temperatures and Relative Humidities [#6043]
To better understand the water cycle on Mars, we constructed the T-RH phase diagram of chlorate-H2O binary system based on the water activity of their solutions derived from measured heat capacity at varying m and T.

1:45 p.m.

Fitting A. *   Chevrier V. F.   Rivera- Valentín E. G.   Soto A.

Modeling the Deliquescence of Complex Salt Mixtures at the Phoenix Landing Site [#6042]   [Presentation]
Summary of our work to determine the deliquescence relative humidity of salt mixtures at the Phoenix landing site as a function of temperature, using Geochemist’s Workbench to model the evaporation of individual brine solutions at fixed temperatures.

2:00 p.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G. *   Chevrier V. F.   Soto A.   Martínez G.

Formation of (Meta)Stable Brines on Present-Day Mars:  Implications for Habitability [#6040]   [Presentation]
Brines all over Mars / Metastable but still rare. / Drink responsibly.

2:15 p.m.

Soto A. *   Rivera-Valentín E. G.   Chevrier V.

Stability of Surficial Brines on Mars During Recent Orbital Cycles [#6015]   [Presentation]
We investigate how the martian climate response to varying orbital configurations may have controlled the distribution and habitability of brines in Mars’ modern history.

2:30 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

2:40 p.m.

 

Break

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

TERRESTRIAL ANALOGS:  ET BRINES PHONE HOME

3:00 p.m.

Chairs:  Larry Anovitz and Jennifer Scully

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

3:00 p.m.

Buffo J. J. *   Brown E. K.   Pontefract A.   Schmidt B. E.   Klempay B.   Lawrence J.   Bowman J.   Grantham M.   Glass J. B.   Plattner T.   Chivers C.   Doran P.   Meyer C. R.   Barklage M. E.   Fluegel B.

British Columbia’s Unassuming Planetary Laboratory:  How a Handful of Frozen Saline Lakes can Help Us Understand Brines Across the Solar System [#6020]   [Presentation]
The physicochemical properties of compositionally diverse ice-brine analog systems - constraining their habitability, their essential role in validating numerical models, and implications for the geophysics and astrobiology of planetary ice-brine environments.

3:15 p.m.

Pontefract A. *   Carr C. E.   Doran P. T.   Ratliff L.   McNulty K. E.   Odenheimer A. B.   Bowman J.   Som S.   Plattner T.   Lawrence J. D.   Schmidt B. E.

A New Approach to Inferring Habitability Metrics in Hypersaline Environments [#6041]
The OAST team presents data revealing a strong relationship between total dissolved solids (TDS), density (p), chlorinity (Cl-), and water activity (aw), which we use to provide guidelines towards standard sampling metrics in hypersaline systems.

3:30 p.m.

Bose M. *   Reynoso L. R.   Castillo-Rogez J.

Carbon Preservation within Ceres Regolith Minerals:  A Need for Analog Work to aid in Successful Sample Return. [#6036]  
Laboratory work on Ceres analog minerals needs to be undertaken for a safe, viable sample collection from the cerean surface. We will discuss potential and ongoing laboratory measurements to assess trace amounts of carbonaceous matter in salts.

3:45 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Monday, October 25, 2021

POSTER SESSION:  BRINES ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM

4:00 p.m.

Chair:  Sean O’Hara

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

4:00 p.m.

Bowman J. S.   Bastuba A.   Som S.   Plattner T.   Pontefract A.   Doran P.   Buffo J.   Lawrence J.   Schmidt B.   Team O. A. S. T.

An Objective Definition of Habitable Space and Application to Modeling Water Activity from Geochemistry [#6047]   [Presentation]
We developed an approach based on a self-organizing map to objectively characterize habitability. We extended this approach to develop a model for predicting water activity from physico-chemical parameters.

4:05 p.m.

Fries M.   Steele A.   Zolensky M.

Martian Brines in Ancient Salt Lake Beds — A High Priority Target for Mars Sample Return [#6054]   [Presentation]
Mars has over 600 chloride deposits including those resembling dry lake beds. Mars sample return here may sample present-day brines from ancient martian surface fluids for study of fluids, atmosphere, and prebiological state of the ancient surface.

4:10 p.m.

Rodriguez A. J.   Elwood Madden M. E.   Mason D. P.

Raman Spectroscopy:  Quantitative Analyses of Modern Brines on Mars [#6038]   [Presentation]
The Raman spectrometer is able to identify polyatomic ion salts in a near saturated solution of another salt. The relative peak height and area of the ions can be used to calculate the concentration of the salt in question relative to water peak.

4:15 p.m.

Hopkins R. J.   Rogers A. D.   Ehm L.   Sklute E. C.

FTIR-ATR Spectra and XRD Analysis of Amorphous Sulfate-Chloride Brine Desiccation Products after Multiple Consecutive Deliquescence-Desiccation Cycles [#6031]   [Presentation]
This study mixed ferric sulfate with various chlorides and put the mixtures through multiple deliquescence-desiccation cycles. The desiccation products at the end of each cycle were analyzed with FTIR spectroscopy and XRD.

4:20 p.m.

Bryson F. E.   Ingall E. D.   Hanna A. M.   Cardelino M.   Plattner T.   Meister M. R.   Lawrence J. D.   Mullen A.   Dichek D.   Schmidt B. E.

Development and Testing of a Miniature Robotic Electrodialysis (MR ED) System to Remove Salts for Ocean World Sampling [#6032]
Astrobiological missions that investigate ocean worlds could encounter high salinity brines. To address complications with salts, we are developing a miniature robotic electrodialysis system to desalt samples with dissolved organic carbon recovery.

4:25 p.m.

Castillo-Rogez J. C.   Melwani Daswani M.   Glein C.   Vance S.   Cochrane C.

Role of Non-Water Ices in Driving Salinity and Electrical Conductivity in Ocean Worlds [#6035]   [Presentation]
Oceans expected in icy moons and dwarf planets could have high electrical conductivities due to abundant non-water ices, even if rock leaching during differentiation was limited and chlorine and sulfur were at CI carbonaceous chondritic levels.

4:30 p.m.

 

POSTER AND SCIENCE DISCUSSION

 

BACK TO TOP

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  GEOLOGY

10:00 a.m.

Chair:  Ed Rivera-Valentín

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

10:00 a.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G. *

Introduction and Welcome

10:05 a.m.

Castillo-Rogez J. *

Role of Brines in the Geological Evolution of Icy Bodies:  Observations and Predictions   [Presentation]

10:40 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION

10:50 a.m.

 

Break

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

REGOLITH-BRINE SYSTEMS:  IT’S COMPLICATED

11:00 a.m.

Chairs:  Erik Fischer and Katie Primm

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

11:00 a.m.

Shumway A. O. *   Catling D. C.   Toner J. D.

Soils Increase the Stability of Magnesium Perchlorate Brines on Mars [#6005]   [Presentation]
On Mars, liquid water could exist in thin films of adsorbed brine in soil. We study the formation and stability of magnesium perchlorate brines in Mars soil simulant, and find that soils reduce the availability of water and freezing point in brines.

11:15 a.m.

Hughes E. B. *   Gilmore M. S.   Eleazer M.

Experimental Evaporation of Multicomponent Brines Demonstrates Variability in Salt Identification [#6030]   [Presentation]
We experimentally evaporated multicomponent brines under martian and terrestrial conditions and characterized the results using spectroscopy. For mixed salt assemblages, instrumental analysis technique has a large bearing on identifiable salt.

11:30 a.m.

Anovitz L. M. *   Treiman A. H.   Mamontov E.   Kolesnikov A. I.   Stack A. G.   Cole D. R.   Wesolowski D. J.

Cryogeochemistry:  Liquid Water in Unexpected Places [#6060] 
Nanoscale confinement can increase the stability of liquids such that liquid water is present in extraterrestrial systems under conditions where it would otherwise be frozen, leading to the possibility of cryochemical reactions.

11:45 a.m.

Slank R. A. *   Rivera-Valentín E. G.   Chevrier V. F.

Experimental Investigation of the Near-Surface Martian Water Cycle with a Salty Regolith:  Implications for Brine Formation [#6026]   [Presentation]
Experiments under Mars-relevant combinations of temperature and humidity with different concentrations of calcium perchlorate mixed with JSC Mars-1 regolith to better constrain our understanding of brines and deliquescence.

12:00 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

12:10 p.m.

 

Break

 

BACK TO TOP

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

BRINE COMPOSITION:  WE’RE ALL MADE OF SALT STUFF

1:30 p.m.

Chairs:  Jennifer Hanley and Maitrayee Bose

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

1:30 p.m.

Wang A. *

Salts and Brines:  Active Intergradient in Modern-Day Martian Geochemistry [#6016]
We report a systematic study using mission observations and the results from analog site studies and from laboratory simulations, to address five big questions about the modern-day salts and brines on Mars.

1:45 p.m.

Baccolo G. *   Niles P. B.   Delmonte B.   Cibin G.   Di Stefano E.   Hampai D.   Keller L.   Maggi V.   Marcelli A.   Michalski J.   Snead C.   Frezzotti M.

Acidic Brines in Deep Antarctic Ice Promote the Englacial Precipitation of Jarosite and Support the Ice Weathering Model for Jarosite Formation on Mars [#6011]   [Presentation]
Jarosite can form in deep ice. This implies that deep ice hosts acidic brines where dust interact with liquid water and acids, changing our perspective on the geochemical role of the englacial environment, both on Earth and in the solar system.

2:00 p.m.

Melwani Daswani M. *   Castillo-Rogez J. C.

Timing and Metamorphic Temperature Yield Different Brine Compositions at Dwarf Planet Ceres [#6034]   [Presentation]
Brines generated / In metamorphic Ceres / Evolving in time.

2:15 p.m.

Stillman D. E. *   Pettinelli E.   Primm K. M.   Caprarelli G.   Mattei E.   Lauro S. E.   Cosciotti B.

Perchlorate and Chloride Brines as the Cause of the MARSIS Bright Basal Reflections:  Laboratory Measurements [#6028]   [Presentation]
The apparent permittivity of brines is much larger than other materials; Metastable brines can exist for long periods of time below their eutectic temperature; Brines are the likely cause of the MARSIS bright basal reflections.

2:30 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

2:40 p.m.

 

Break

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

BRINE DISCOVERY:  EXPLORE YOUR WORLDS!

3:00 p.m.

Chairs:  Carol Raymond and Jacob Buffo

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

3:00 p.m.

De Sanctis M. C. *   Ammannito E.   Ciarniello M.   Raponi A.   Carrozzo G. F.   Frigeri A.   Formisano M.   Rousseau B.   Ferrari M.   De Angelis S.   Fonte S.   Giardino M.   Ehlmann B. L.   Marchi S.   Raymond C. A.   Russell C. T.

Modern Brines at Ceres:  Hints from VIR Imaging Spectrometer on Dawn Mission [#6002]   [Presentation]
Dawn mission indicates that Ceres has been an ocean-world and here we will review the indicators for the presence of modern brines inferred primarily by the VIR spectrometer on board of the mission.

3:15 p.m.

Scully J. E. C. *   Baker S. R.   Poston M. J.   Carey E. M.   Castillo-Rogez J. C.   Raymond C. A.

Initial Results Suggest that Short-Lived Flows Mobilized by Brines, Immediately Following an Impact, Formed Curvilinear Gullies, Lobate Deposits and Pitted Terrain on Vesta and Ceres [#6004]   [Presentation]
We use lab experiments (the behavior of brine/liquid water under low transient atmospheric pressures) and geomorphologic analyses to investigate if specific geomorphologic features on Vesta/Ceres were formed by short-lived debris-flow-like processes.

3:30 p.m.

Bishop J. L. *   Seelos K. D.   Murchie S. L.   Arvidson R. E.

Anomalous Terrains West of Olympus Mons may be Result of Cold Spring Flows Percolating Through Near-Surface Permafrost [#6001]   [Presentation]
Goethite-bearing anomalous terrains observed at the Amazonian-aged bright-toned maculae near Olympus Mons could result from near-surface acid brines percolating through permafrost to produce transient cold spring flows at the surface.

3:45 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

POSTER SESSION:  BRINE FACILITATED GEOLOGY

4:00 p.m.

Chair:  Sean O’Hara

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

4:00 p.m.

Geyer C.   Elwood Madden M. E.   Mason D. P.   Rodriguez A. J.   Elwood Madden A. S.

Investigating Clay-Brine Interactions to Inform Interpretations of Mineral Assemblages on Mars [#6049]   [Presentation]
A series of short-term experiments mixing montmorillonite or kaolinite with near-saturated Mars analog brines and analyzing the reaction products with Raman spectroscopy and powder XRD to study the effects of brines on clay minerals.

4:06 p.m.

Pedone M.   Ammannito E.   Plainaki C.   De Sanctis M. C.   Raponi A.   De Angelis S.   Ciarniello M.   Ferrari M.   Frigeri A.   Carrozzo F. G.

Chemical Processes Occurring in Brines Freezing Under Ceres Surface:  The Case of Juling and Kupalo Craters [#6010]   [Presentation]
We constrained the physiochemical properties of initial brines, characterizing potential reservoirs on Ceres, under two craters:  Kupalo and Juling. Their distinct mineralogy at surface may be the result of freezing at different T-P initial conditions.

4:12 p.m.

Tu V. M.   Ming D. W.   Sletten R. S.

The Mineralogy and Cation Exchange of Sediments in Don Juan Pond, Antarctica Dry Valley:  Implications for Mars [#6021]   [Presentation]
The mineralogy of sediments from the CaCl2-rich brine Don Juan Pond, one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth located in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, reveals that cation exchange with smectites may have delivered ions to Don Juan Pond brines.

4:18 p.m.

Shi E. B.

Gamma-CaSO4 with Abnormally High Stability from Hyperarid Region on Earth and from Mars [#6023]  
γ-CaSO4 from Atacama desert and in MIL 03346 were studied using the multiple micro-analysis techniques. The infilling of Si, P, and methyl into their tunnel structure was found to be the reason causing their abnormal stability.

4:24 p.m.

Sklute E. C.   Geist A. E.   Koretke B.   King J. F.   Hopkins R. J.   Rogers A. D.   Clark R.   Dyar M. D.

Alteration of Common Regolith Analogues and Precipitation Products from Rapidly Dehydrated Ferric Sulfate Saturated Brines in the Presence and Absence of NaCl — A Story of Amorphous Mars [#6039]   [Presentation]
Understanding how brines not common to Earth interact with regolith components is an important first step in understanding salt weathering. Ferric sulfate-regolith-(NaCl) dehydration products are monitored by VNIR, MIR, XRD, and Raman over 641 days.

4:30 p.m.

 

POSTER AND SCIENCE DISCUSSION

 

BACK TO TOP

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

INVITED TALKS:  MISSION DEBRIEFS

10:00 a.m.

Chair:  Ed Rivera-Valentín

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

10:00 a.m.

Martínez G. *

Brine Studies Enabled Through Surface-Based Measurements on Mars   [Presentation]

10:20 a.m.

Grima C. *

The Europa Clipper Mission and the Search for Brine   [Presentation]

10:40 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION

10:50 a.m.

 

Break

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

BRINE DISTRIBUTION:  PASS THE SALT, PLEASE!

11:00 a.m.

Chairs:  Mohit Melwani Daswani and Julie Castill-Rogez

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

11:00 a.m.

Naseem M. *   Neveu M.

Salt Distributions in Icy Shells of Ocean Worlds [#6003]   [Presentation]
Investigation of ice shell compositions and how these affect transport processes, by determining possible spatial distributions of impurities in ice shells resulting from freezing of liquid intrusions by leveraging improvements in geochemical models.

11:15 a.m.

Wolfenbarger N. S. *   Fox-Powell M. G.   Buffo J. J.   Soderlund K. M.   Blankenship D. D.

A Framework for Modeling the Distribution of Brine and Salt in an Ice Shell [#6029]   [Presentation]
We present a framework for modeling the volume fraction of ice, brine, and solid salts in an ice shell inspired by models developed for terrestrial sea ice. We apply the framework to Europa’s ice shell to evaluate potential habitats.

11:30 a.m.

Hesse M. A. *   Wolfenbarger N. S.   McCarthy C.

To Percolate or Not to Percolate? When are Brines in Planetary Ice Shells Mobile? [#6044]   [Presentation]
We discuss the evidence for an against brine mobility in ice.

11:45 a.m.

Raymond C.  A. *   Castillo-Rogez J.  C.   Ermakov A.  I.   Scully J. E. C.   Park R. S.   Fu R. R.   Quick L. C.   Ruesch O.

Brines on Ceres:  Origins and Transport Processes [#6057]  
Data from the Dawn mission at Ceres show evidence for extensive aqueous alteration of Ceres resulting in a global subsurface brine layer in its past. The data also document the presence of modern effusion of residual brines.

12:00 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

12:10 p.m.

 

Lunch Break

 

BACK TO TOP

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

BRINE GEOCHEMISTRY:  BRINES, ON THE ROCKS

1:30 p.m.

Chairs:  Alian Wang and Natalie Wolfenbarger

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

1:30 p.m.

Baharier B. *   Semprich J.   Filiberto J.   Potter-McIntyre S. L.   Olsson-Francis K.   Perl S.   Crandall J. R.   Schwenzer S. P.

Sulphate-Rich Sediments in Direct Contact with a Magmatic Intrusion Potential to Form a Habitable Geothermal Brine on Earth and Mars [#6027]   [Presentation]
The formation of sulphate rich geothermal brines (SRGB) by a magmatic intrusion into sulfate-rich sediments from the San Raphael Swell was reconstructed to understand SRGB habitability constraints.

1:45 p.m.

Filiberto J. *   Cogliati S.   Crandall J. R.   Schwenzer S. P.

Geochemical Modeling of Magma-Sediment Interaction Induced Hydrothermal Systems [#6014]  
Here we use temperature, fluid:rock ratio, and oxidation state constraints from a Mars analog as inputs to model how differences in bulk dike composition affect brine chemistry and subsequent alteration mineralogy.

2:00 p.m.

Sevgen S. *   Suttle A.   Som S. M.

Brines Reacting with Rock:  How Brine Composition Affects Hydrogen Generation During Serpentinization [#6022]
We computationally investigated how brine composition affects hydrogen generation during serpentinization by using EQ3/6. We found salts provides a sink for ferrous iron, thus limiting high-temperature hydrogen generation available for biology.

2:15 p.m.

Nellessen M. A. *   Crossey L.   Gasda P. J.   Peterson E.   Lanza N.   Reyes-Newell A.   Delapp D.   Yeager C.   Labouriau A.   Wiens R. C.   Clegg S.   Legett S.   Das D.

Geochemical Modeling and Experimental Results of Boron Adsorption onto Martian Clay Minerals from Martian Brines [#6055]   [Presentation]
Boron adsorption onto martian clay minerals and their implications for prebiotic chemistry and the effect of brines on martian clay chemistry.

2:30 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

2:40 p.m.

 

Break

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

I SAW THE SIGN:  BIOSIGNATURES IN BRINES

3:00 p.m.

Chairs:  Alex Pontefract and Jie Xu

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

3:00 p.m.

Birmingham M. A. *   Lockamy D.   Goldstein R. H.   Olcott A. N.   Oceans Across Space and Time Science Team

Exploration of Biosignature Preservation Potential of Ancient and Modern Evaporites [#6053]  
Here, we use multiple microscopy techniques and GC/MS to characterize evaporite samples of various ages precipitated in various depositional environments. These approaches reveal chemical and physical signs of life preserved within the minerals.

3:15 p.m.

Perl S. M. *   Celestian A. J.   Cockell C. S.   Basu C.   Filiberto J.   Potter-McIntyre S.   Olsson-Francis K.   Schwenzer S. P.   Crandall J. R.   Baxter B. K.   Onstott T. C.   Bowman J.   Bywaters K.   Winzler M.   Valera J.   Cooper Z.   Nisson D.   Garner M.   Baharier B.   Tasoff P.

Preservation of Dynamic Biological Processes from Extant Halophilic Life:  In-Situ Lessons Learned from Planetary Analogue Brines and Evaporites [#6048]  
The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, we will discuss the modern preservation of halophilic microorganisms. Secondarily, we review methodologies for in-situ and laboratory measurements and we conclude with an assessment of brine ecologies.

3:30 p.m.

Cogliati S. *   Curtis-Harper E.   Schwenzer S. P.   Pearson V. K.   Olsson-Francis K.

Identification of Fluids Accompanying Bio-Signature Formation in Martian Analogue Experiments [#6018]   [Presentation]
We investigate chemical variations of brines under biotic and abiotic conditions. We combine laboratory experiments and thermochemical modeling in order to identify bio-signature forming in analogue martian environments.

3:45 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

POSTER SESSION:  LIVING WITH BRINES

4:00 p.m.

Chair:  Sean O’Hara

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

4:00 p.m.

Tarasashvili M. V.   Aleksidze N. G.   Doborjginidze N. G.   Gharibashvili N. G.

Iron-Sulfur Brines as Hypothetical Ecosystem Analogues of Early Mars and Icy Worlds [#6059]  
The problem of the habitability of brains remains disputable, which underlines an importance of the further scientific discussions regarding brines as biomarkers and/or biosignatures.

4:06 p.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G.   Méndez A.   Lynch K. L.   Soto A.

Special Regions Based Habitat Suitability Index Model for Brine Environments on Mars [#6025]   [Presentation]
Briney habitats / From ecology let’s learn / Compare across Mars.

4:12 p.m.

Mitchell S.   Sklute E. C.   Boles B.   Holbrook K.   Jarratt A.   Shaffer J.   Smith L.   Lee P. A.   Dyar M. D.   Mikucki J. A.

Biosignatures at the Surface Interface Deposited by Subglacial Brine [#6046]   [Presentation]
We use the Blood Falls ecosystem to study how microorganisms may interact with subterranean liquid environments, alter mineralogy, and produce metabolic biosignatures that may be detectable as subsurface brines emerge.

4:18 p.m.

Fisher L. A.   Bovee A. R.   Klempay B.   Weng M. M.   Som S. M.   Doran P. T.   Carr C. E.   Glass J. B.   Pontefract A.   Schmidt B. E.   Bowman J. S.   Bartlett D. H.

Comprehensive Analysis of DNA Degradation and Cell Viability of Model Microbes in Magnesium Chloride Brine [#6019]  
16S sequencing from a saltern in Southern California shows that DNA in MgCl2 brines are dominated by Haloquadratum. We seek to better understand this finding by studying the preservative effects of MgCl2 on purified DNA and cells of model halophiles.

4:24 p.m.

Xu J.   Baxter B.

Environmental Functions of Purple Sulfur Bacteria in the Great Salt Lake, Utah Under Changing Climatic Conditions [#6008]
We study the mechanisms of interaction among anoxygenic photosynthetic sulfur-oxidizers (especially purple sulfur bacteria), sulfate-reducers, dissolved metal species, and metal sulfide precipitates within GSL under various salinities.

4:30 p.m.

 

POSTER AND SCIENCE DISCUSSION

 

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Thursday, October 28, 2021

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:  ASTROBIOLOGY

10:00 a.m.

Chair:  Ed Rivera-Valentín

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

10:00 a.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G. *

Introduction and Welcome

10:05 a.m.

Voytek M. *

Halophiles as Models for Extraterrestrial Life

10:40 a.m.

 

DISCUSSION

10:50 a.m.

 

Break

 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

BRINE ANALOGS: YOU LIVE WHERE?!

11:00 a.m.

Chairs:  Michael Werner and Andrew Shumway

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

11:00 a.m.

Evilia C. *   Cahoon T.   Guerrero A.   Rosentreter J.

It Takes a (Halophilic) Community:  How to Survive in the Great Salt Lake [#6052]   [Presentation]
An analysis of the microbial community of the Great Salt Lake was performed to understand this poly-extreme environment. Correlating this with water and computational analyses, we determined that life needs a minimal “survival toolkit” to survive.

11:15 a.m.

Jung J.   Loschko T.   Werner M. S. *

Multicellular Life in Brine:  Nematodes in the Great Salt Lake [#6012]   [Presentation]
It was previously thought that only halophilic microbes, brine shrimp and brine flies can tolerate hypersaline lakes (>50 ppt). Here, we describe the presence, ecology and evolution of new species of nematode in the Great Salt Lake, UT (150–300 ppt).

11:30 a.m.

Klempay B. *   Dutta A.   Weng M. M.   Doran P. T.   Fisher L. A.   Rundell S. M.   Bartlett D. H.   Carr C. E.   Elbon C. E.   Glass J. B.   Pontefract A.   Schmidt B. E.   Bowman J. S.

Patterns of Horizontal Gene Transfer Within Microbial Community Succession in Evaporative Brine Systems [#6037]   [Presentation]
Evaporative hypersaline brines are characterized by an explosion of archaeal diversity before they eventually become uninhabitable. The initial stages of this surge of diversity are likely driven by rampant horizontal gene transfer.

11:45 a.m.

Winzler M. L. *   Perl S. M.   Cockell C. S.   Pailing S.

Evaluation of Brine Concentration Efficacies for Nucleic Acid Preservation [#6050]   [Presentation]
The purpose of this paper is to establish the efficacy of concentrating brine for nucleic acid extraction within three planetary analogue field sites. This research will guide parameters to optimize sample concentration onboard landed missions.

12:00 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

12:10 p.m.

 

Lunch Break

 

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Thursday, October 28, 2021

LIFE IN THE LAB:  YOU LIVE HERE NOW

1:30 p.m.

Chairs:  Kennda Lynch and Scott Perl

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

1:30 p.m.

Xu J. *   Lajoie B. N.   Brunner B.   Afrin H.   Langford R.   Fernandez Delgado O.   Cantando E.   Arnold G.

Potential Bioavailability of Crystallization Water in Sulfate Minerals Under Water-Restricted Conditions — A Case Study of Gypsum Interdunes in the Tularosa Basin, New Mexico [#6007]
We conducted systematic field work at five sites of gypsum interdunes in the Tularosa Basin, NM. Through this work, we aim to understand if microbial life may capitalize on the structural water in gypsum under water-restricted conditions.

1:45 p.m.

Smith S. M. *   Poulson S. R.

Searching for Life in Salts: Freezing/Geochemical Modeling to Investigate Stability and Microbial Habitability of Modern Martian Brines [#6045]   [Presentation]
This study evaluated water chemistries in equilibrium with a number of possible martian mineral assemblages using the program FREZCHEM to help determine geochemical constraints on microbial life in a cold, hyperarid martian environment.

2:00 p.m.

Schneegurt M. A. *   Zbeeb H. Z.   Cesur R. M.   Joad Md.   Zayed H. H.   Ansari I. M.   Mahdi A.   Luhring T. M.   Chen F.   Clark B. C.

Bacterial Survival and Growth in Dense Brines, Deliquescent Liquids, and Crystal Fluid Inclusions [#6006]   [Presentation]
Growth of desiccated salinotolerant microbes, entrapped in salt evaporites, after rehydration to brine by deliquescence and their tolerances to diverse dense brines, identifying significant interactions with the physical qualities of ions and salts.

2:15 p.m.

Smith S. M.   Poulson S. R. *

Agar Gelation Spectrophotometric Assay of Chao- and Kosmo-Tropicity of Inorganic Salts, and Implications for Life in Terrestrial and Martian Brines [#6017]  
Agar gelation spectrophotometric assays of the chaotropicity/kosmotropicity of various pure inorganic salts (inc. nitrates, perchlorates and bicarbonates), as well as binary, ternary and quaternary mixtures of inorganic salts have been performed.

2:30 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

2:40 p.m.

 

Break

 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

HABITABILITY:  BRINES ARE JUUUST RIGHT!

3:00 p.m.

Chairs:  Sara Smith and Mark Schneegurt

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

3:00 p.m.

Lynch K. L. *   Simpson A.   Machineni S.   Santiago-Vazquez L.   Goodale C.   Lopez J.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner:  Investigating the Potential of (Per)Chlorate Supported Ecosystems on Mars [#6024]
Extensive studies of terrestrial subsurface life’s adaptability to brines and alternative energy spectrums are necessary to understand the habitability of potential of martian brines. This talk will cover efforts to understand such ecosystems.

3:15 p.m.

Méndez A. *   Rivera-Valentín E. G.

Implementing Habitat Suitability Models:  Habitability of the Martian Surface [#6056]
The habitability of the martian surface, with respect to temperature and humidity, is two to four orders of magnitude less habitable than anything on Earth.

3:30 p.m.

Fifer L. M. *   Catling D. C.   Toner J. D.

A Moderately Alkaline and Volatile-Rich Enceladus Ocean from Plume Modeling [#6009]   [Presentation]
We model fractionation effects that create compositional differences between Enceladus’ subsurface ocean and the gas phase of the erupting plumes. Using this model to derive ocean chemistry, we predict a gas-rich ocean with pH ~7.9–8.5.

3:45 p.m.

Hallsworth J. E. *

Biology of Water Activity in Terrestrial Brines [#6061]
NaCl brines permit halophile growth, but MgCl2-brine water activity is below the limit for active life (<0.585) and chaotropicity is the life-limiting parameter. Acid brines are ≥0.714 water activity (pH 2.5) yet microbes may be inactive there.

4:00 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Thursday, October 28, 2021

INVITED TALK:  MEETING WRAP UP

4:15 p.m.

Chair:  Ed Rivera-Valentín

Times

Authors (*Denotes Presenter)

Abstract Title and Summary

4:15 p.m.

Murray A. *

Charting the Course to Ocean Worlds

4:45 p.m.

 

DISCUSSION

4:50 p.m.

Rivera-Valentín E. G. *

Farewell Address

 

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