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Alteration

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

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Definition

Alteration in geochemistry refers to processes by which the mineralogy, composition, and texture of a rock are changed as a result of re-equilibration under conditions of lower temperature and pressure or through interaction with aqueous or CO2-rich fluids. The minerals of the original rock, which may be magmatic, sedimentary, or metamorphic, are transformed into an assemblage of low-temperature, usually finer-grained minerals. A typical example is the replacement of magmatic minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and feldspar by chlorite, clay minerals, or carbonates. Weathering is a type of alteration that takes place close to the surface through interaction of rock with the atmosphere and with ground- or surface waters. Alteration is also used in chemistry and biology (e.g., DNA alterations).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maison des Géosciences, LGCA, Université J. Fourier, 1381, rue de la Piscine, 38400, St-Martin d’Hères, France

    Nicholas Arndt

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  1. Nicholas Arndt
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Correspondence to Nicholas Arndt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  2. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  3. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

    William M. Irvine

  6. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Arndt, N. (2014). Alteration. In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_56-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_56-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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