Ferric hydroxysulfate

Ferric hydroxysulfate
Ferric hydroxysulfate
	Aram Chaos
General
Category	Minerals
Formula	Fe3+SO4OH

Ferric hydroxysulfate (Fe³⁺SO₄OH) is a mineral located on Mars. It was discovered in the year 2025 by Bishop et al (2025) on Mars in the Aram Chaos crater and on the plateau above Juventae Chasma.^[1]

This mineral is formed by hydrous Fe²⁺ sulfates being heated to 100 °C or above which was provided from the deposition of ash and lava or by hydrothermal processes. Then hydrated ferrous sulfates are oxidated.^[1] The sulfates this mineral contains were likely left behind by sulfate-rich pools of water slowly drying up.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Bishop, J. L.; Meusburger, J. M.; Weitz, C. M.; Parente, M.; Gross, C.; Talla, D.; Saranathan, A. M.; Itoh, Y.; Gruendler, M. R. D.; Howells, A. E. G.; Yeşilbaş, M.; Hiroi, T.; Schmitt, B.; Maturilli, A.; Al-Samir, M. (2025-08-05). "Characterization of ferric hydroxysulfate on Mars and implications of the geochemical environment supporting its formation". Nature Communications. 16 (1): 7020. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 12326016.
^ "Unique mineral sheds light on Mars' past". Planetary Science Institute. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2025-10-20.

[:0-1] Bishop, J. L.; Meusburger, J. M.; Weitz, C. M.; Parente, M.; Gross, C.; Talla, D.; Saranathan, A. M.; Itoh, Y.; Gruendler, M. R. D.; Howells, A. E. G.; Yeşilbaş, M.; Hiroi, T.; Schmitt, B.; Maturilli, A.; Al-Samir, M. (2025-08-05). "Characterization of ferric hydroxysulfate on Mars and implications of the geochemical environment supporting its formation". Nature Communications. 16 (1): 7020. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-61801-2. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 12326016.

[2] "Unique mineral sheds light on Mars' past". Planetary Science Institute. 2025-08-05. Retrieved 2025-10-20.

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