Using MARSIS signal attenuation to assess the presence of South Polar Layered Deposit subglacial brines.

Knowledge of the physical and thermal properties of the South Polar Layer Deposits (SPLD) is key to constrain the source of bright basal reflections at Ultimi Scopuli detected by the MARSIS (Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding) radar sounder. Here we present a detailed analysis of attenuation, based on data acquired by MARSIS at 3, 4, and 5 MHz. We show that attenuation is frequency dependent, and that its behavior is consistent throughout the entire region.

Constraining the Potential Liquid Water Environment at Gale Crater, Mars.

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) has now made continuous in situ meteorological measurements for several Martian years at Gale crater, Mars. Of importance in the search for liquid formation are REMS' measurements of ground temperature and in-air measurements of temperature and relative humidity, which is with respect to ice. Such data can constrain the surface and subsurface stability of brines.

Solute-solvent halogen bonding during adsorption on silver nanostructures.

We offer here evidence for halogen bonding induced by silver nanoparticles (SNPs) in a multilayer containing 4-iodobenzoate ion (4IBI) and CCl(4). SERS experiments show in the monolayer that CCl(4) does not adsorb and 4-iodobenzoic acid (4IBA) adsorbs as 4IBI. SEIRA experiments reveal that 4IBI forms in the multilayer during deposition from CCl(4) on SNPs.