Quote:
Originally Posted by InAwe
Jon,
Thank you for your informative response. I assumed my surprise was due in large part to my own ignorance.
Do you have a guess as to what type of substance might supply the oxygen? Is it CO2? And what consumes the electrons?
Do you know if there is any experimental evidence of such a reaction occurring under Martian conditions?
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G'day
I don't know of any studies of how perchlorate forms on Mars. It is hard enough understanding how it forms here on Earth!
There are many potential oxygen sources for such reactions, I suspect. There is oxygen in sulphates silicates, water and CO2 ice. Also the atmosphere contains traces of O2 as 01101001 pointed out.
Jon