On Earth, carbonate minerals are used to study past climates and the history of life. They can provide information on temperature, precipitation, and aridity. Similarly, silica phases are formed when water interacts with rocks or sediments. The composition and crystallinity of silica can reveal the extent of water interaction, including the intensity of weathering and the pressure/temperature conditions during formation.
Studying carbonate minerals from the rock record can help researchers reconstruct ancient climates and the history of life. The presence of carbonate in a sample indicates that water, carbon dioxide, and elements from rocks in a particular environment once reacted to form carbonate. This reaction provides valuable insights into past climate conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and aridity. Silica phases are also important indicators of past interactions between water and rocks or sediments. By studying these minerals, researchers can better understand how water has influenced the environments in which they were formed.