1) Do bound water or hydrous minerals exist on the surface of Mars?

2) Does the intense ultraviolet light flux at the Martian surface dehydrate hydrous minerals?

1) Imfrared spectra obtained from orbiting space craft and from Earth indicate that there is a comparitively strong absorption in the OH-stretching region coming from the Martian surface.  Thermal release experiments conducted with Martian landers also indicate that there is bound water in the Martian surface.  Our laboratory infrared data are consistent with hydrated sulphates, but not with FeO(OH) or clay minerals.

2) Dehydration of hydrous minerals on the Martian surface has been proposed. Yen placed hydrous minerals in a high-vacuum chamber and followed the release of water from minerals subjected to high-intensity, modulated ultraviolet light.  Indications from this experiment are that this is a low-probability event. 

Future spacecraft will address the problem of 'water' on Mars.  Yen is working on instruments which will be able to analyze the water content of the Martian surface.  He is also interpreting existing spacecraft reflectance data in the 3 micrometer IR region in comparison with laboratory data of hydrated potential Martian minerals to obtain an estimate for the amount of water which we can anticipate to find at a future lander site.

What causes the color of the Martian surface?

These are synthetic phases devoid of any significant impurities. The grain size is about 1 micrometer in each case.

Studies of the Martian Meteorites are conducted by John Eiler's, Joe Kirschvink's, and Ed Stolper's groups.