[Origin of the oxygen detected by the Viking stations in an analysis of Mars soil].
Reactions between the mineral limonite and hydrogen peroxide were studied and gases produced thereupon were analysed by gas chromatography. Oxygen did not evolve if limonite was added to hydrogen peroxide frozen at a temperature of dry ice. However, at room temperature, a vigorous chemical reaction occurred and a large amount of oxygen evolved. Apparently, the ground of Mars contains not only hydrated iron oxides but also frozen hydrogen peroxide whose thawing in the incubation chamber of Viking resulted in its catalytic degradation under the action of iron ions. The evidence thus obtained and its comparison with the data of American scientists account for considerable evolution of oxygen detected by Viking upon analysis of the Mars ground.
D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003470:Culture Media; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D013026:Space Flight; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D003470:Culture Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D012987:Soil; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010100:Oxygen
O proiskhozhdenii kisloroda, obnaruzhennogo stantsiiami Viking pri analize grunta Marsa.