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Letter

Nature Geoscience 1, 355–358 (1 June 2008) | doi:10.1038/ngeo207

Clay minerals in delta deposits and organic preservation potential on Mars

Bethany L. Ehlmann , John F. Mustard , Caleb I. Fassett , Samuel C. Schon , James W. Head III , David J. Des Marais , John A. Grant & Scott L. Murchie

Clay-rich sedimentary deposits are often sites of organic matter preservation, and have therefore been sought in Mars exploration. However, regional deposits of hydrous minerals, including phyllosilicates and sulphates, are not typically associated with valley networks and layered sediments that provide geomorphic evidence of surface water transport on early Mars.