Spectral Characterisation of Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) in Southern Bundelkhand Craton, India: Implications for Martian Surface Exploration

Abstract. Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) are sedimentary rocks characterised by alternating bands of iron-rich layers and silica-rich layers. These formations, predominantly dating back to the Archean to Proterozoic eons, are one of the most significant lithologies in Precambrian sedimentary succession. Several studies have shown that during this time, both the planets, Earth and Mars, had similar atmospheric conditions, making BIFs a highly valuable source for future research in planetary geology. Their mineralogical and spectral properties serve as important analogues for comparing terrestrial BIFs with the iron-bearing formations on the Martian surface. The present study focuses on examining the spectral signatures of the BIFs of the southern part of the Bundelkhand Craton in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Since rocks and minerals show distinct absorption features due to their unique chemical composition, this work aims to identify and characterize the absorption features of minerals using a laboratory-based spectroradiometer. The spectral characteristics identified at the laboratory level are integrated with the hyperspectral remote sensing data analysis. The key absorption features for BIF samples were observed at 0.53 μm, 0.65 μm, 0.86 μm, primarily associated with ferric iron, and 1.4 μm, 1.9 μm, associated with the OH/H₂O group. PRISMA dataset from the study region was used to analyse and explore the BIF using advanced image analysis and spectral analysis techniques. This spectral study can provide a better understanding of Martian mineralogy, serving as a reference for future exploration with potential evidence of iron-rich mineralized microfossils embedded within the hematite deposits or silicified microfossils embedded in chert formations.