Evaporite assemblages represent the ultimate phase of aqueous mineral formation on Mars prior to its transition to a hyper-arid state. This makes them critical records of its final paleoenvironmental conditions. Additionally, these deposits archive evidence for episodic wet and dry cycles, a process critically linked to the origin and evolution of life. On Earth, extreme environment analogs reveal evaporites as stubborn bastions of habitability, capable of protecting microorganisms and organic molecules from harsh UV radiation and desiccation. This dual role, as a recorder of climate and a protector of life, makes evaporite systems a primary target in the search for past or present life on Mars. This session will explore these unique deposits as both geochemical archives and potential habitats. We seek to advance comparative planetary science and guide future missions targeting biosignatures and invite contributions that (a) Examine evaporite-bearing regions on the Martian surface; (b) Characterize the microbial and organic molecule diversity in evaporite systems; (c) Explore limits of life and organic/mineral interactions essential for preservation of biosignatures; (d) Model the influence of evaporites on volatile cycling, habitability potential, and biosignature preservation.

Evaporite assemblages represent the ultimate phase of aqueous mineral formation on Mars prior to its transition to a hyper-arid state. This makes them critical records of its final paleoenvironmental conditions. Additionally, these deposits archive evidence for episodic wet and dry cycles, a process critically linked to the origin and evolution of life. On Earth, extreme environment analogs reveal evaporites as stubborn bastions of habitability, capable of protecting microorganisms and organic molecules from harsh UV radiation and desiccation. This dual role, as a recorder of climate and a protector of life, makes evaporite systems a primary target in the search for past or present life on Mars. This session will explore these unique deposits as both geochemical archives and potential habitats. We seek to advance comparative planetary science and guide future missions targeting biosignatures and invite contributions that (a) Examine evaporite-bearing regions on the Martian surface; (b) Characterize the microbial and organic molecule diversity in evaporite systems; (c) Explore limits of life and organic/mineral interactions essential for preservation of biosignatures; (d) Model the influence of evaporites on volatile cycling, habitability potential, and biosignature preservation.