Mineralogy of the Phoenix landing site from OMEGA observations and how that relates to in situ Phoenix measurements

We present an analysis comparing observations acquired by the Mars Express Observatoire pour la Mineralogie l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activite (OMEGA) and Phoenix lander measurements. Analysis of OMEGA data provides evidence for hydrous and ferric phases at the Phoenix landing site and the surrounding regions. The 3 mu m hydration band deepens with increasing latitude, along with the appearance and deepening of a 1.9 mu m H2O band as latitude increases similar to 60 degrees polewards. A water content of 10-11% is derived from the OMEGA data for the optical surface at the Phoenix landing site compared to 1-2% derived for subsurface soil by Phoenix lander measurements. The hydration of these regions is best explained by surface adsorbed water onto soil grains. No evidence for carbonate or perchlorate-bearing phases is evident from OMEGA data, consistent with the relatively small abundances of these phases detected by Phoenix. The identification of spectral features consistent with hydrated phases (possibly zeolites) from OMEGA data covering regions outside the landing site and the ubiquitous ferric absorption edge suggest that chemical weathering may play a role in the arctic soils. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.