Special Science Report


Project:
Soil Gas Analysis at MDRS as a Rapid Resource and Geologic Assessment
Tool


Personnel:
Kerry Cupit


Operations Data Collected:
Another successful EVA (EVA-19) resulted in 4 holes being drilled and
sampled, completing the field data needed for this soil gas survey
site.

With additional time left on the EVA, we further explored Mid Ridge
Planitia and found an inactive modern riverbed. Sediments around the
area contain fossils, one of which (a bivalve) was sampled for later
analysis.

------HOLE 19------
Date: Feb 12, 2008
Time: 09:37
Depth: 91cm
Easting: 0515701
Northing: 4253315

[CH4]: 0.0%
[CO2]: 0.1%
[O2]: 21.4%
[H2]: low
[CO]: 1ppm
[H2S]: 0ppm

Downhole T: 8.5°
Barometric P: 25.48mmHg
Comments: [CO] was 1-2ppm

------HOLE 20------
Date: Feb 12, 2008
Time: 10:49
Depth: 91cm
Easting: 0515478
Northing: 4253290

[CH4]: 0.0%
[CO2]: 0.0%
[O2]: 20.9%
[H2]: low
[CO]: 1ppm
[H2S]: 0ppm

Downhole T: 10.1°
Barometric P: 25.51mmHg
Comments: Sample location was on a slight hillslope.

------HOLE 21------
Date: Feb 12, 2008
Time: 10:39
Depth: 85cm
Easting: 0515572
Northing: 4253255

[CH4]: 0.0%
[CO2]: 0.0%
[O2]: 20.7%
[H2]: low
[CO]: 0ppm
[H2S]: 0ppm

Downhole T: 10.5°
Barometric P: 25.46mmHg
Comments:

------HOLE 22------
Date: Feb 12, 2008
Time: 10:06
Depth: 24cm
Easting: 0515666
Northing: 4253221

[CH4]: 0.0%
[CO2]: 0.1%
[O2]: 20.9%
[H2]: low
[CO]: 2ppm
[H2S]: 0ppm

Downhole T: 10.3°
Barometric P: 25.46 mmHg
Comments: Shallow hole due to extremely cohesive layer at depth.


Technical/Equipment Issues:
All equipment worked optimally, no issues to report.


Discussion:
Data analysis can now begin. Soil gas concentrations will be plotted
on a map and contoured to hopefully identify subsurface features and
resources.

There are many rock samples at the hab to analyze and catalogue from
the last week. When finished, they will be divided up for souvenirs
amongst the crew.

If time permits, an inventory of geology equipment at MDRS will be
performed for Mission Support.


Questions for RST:
None at this time.