I noted there was not a perfect match in the spectra. I was wondering if perhaps the spectra
could be better matched by chlorates or perchlorates.
Naturally occurring perchlorate deposits have been found in the Atacama
desert, which has been used as a model for Mars:
A Perchlorate Puzzle.
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/downloads/Aperchloratepuzzle.pdf
Do you know where I could find visual or infrared spectra of perchlorate, chlorate, sodium chlorate, etc?
It is notable as well that certain species of bateria are able to metabolize
(per)chlorates:
Ubiquity and Diversity of Dissimilatory (Per)chlorate-Reducing Bacteria.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 1999, p. 5234-5241, Vol. 65,
No. 12
http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/65/12/5234
Presto! Bacteria Turn Toxic Wastes into Salt Component and Oxygen.
http://www.microbeworld.org/news/articles/microbial_magic.aspx
Newly Discovered Bacteria Can Generate Oxygen.
http://www.siu.edu/backissues/001004/
Bob Clark