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In this contribution, we evaluate the applicability of short-wave infrared spectroscopy to characterizing mineral assemblages in palagonitized glaciovolcanic edifices at Cracked Mountain, a basaltic volcano within the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt, and Kima Kho, a basaltic tuya within the Northern Cordilleran Volcanic Province. Second-order evaluation of the approach was established through comparison with data obtained by semi-empirical X-ray diffraction methods. Reflectance spectra show an increase in the depth of water and hydroxyl bands in samples with increasing amounts of hydrated minerals and decreasing amounts of amorphous materials (as determined through X-ray diffraction), indicating that the relative strengths of H2O- and OH-related absorption features may be used as a proxy for the degree of palagonite alteration (hydrated minerals crystallized from basaltic glass). In addition, the full width at half maximum of the OH- and H2O-related absorption bands decreased with the formation of zeolites, indicating that the full width at half maximum of OH- and H2O-related features may be used to estimate the degree of crystallinity across the progressive palagonitization process. Finally, short-wave infrared spectroscopy revealed a decrease in band depth of water-related absorption features with no change in the full width at half maximum along the devitrification or alteration process that converts analcime to chabazite to wairakite, indicating that spectroscopy may be used to identify the final dehydration and cementation stages of palagonitization. Results show that the short-wave infrared spectroscopy method is more robust in identifying poorly crystalline hydrated samples, while X-ray diffraction methods are better suited to understanding the crystalline components of palagonite. Short-wave infrared spectroscopy is a remote sensing technique that has proven to successfully characterize the state of H2O in hydrated clay-rich material and thus may serve as an invaluable tool in identifying stages of palagonitization not only on subglacial edifices on Earth but also on off-planet environs, including the Martian surface.

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<p>Peat swamps contain substantial accumulations of organic matter due to waterlogging and slower decomposition rates. Peat swamps can be underlain by sulfidic sediments where there is  abundant iron and sulfate for reduction to form a range of sulfidic minerals, primarily pyrite (FeS<sub>2</sub>). Sulfidic sediments can acidify to produce sulfuric acid, similar to acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid sulfate soil (ASS) environments when oxidised, which can occur when water levels drop due to drainage or periods of drought. Discharging surface and shallow groundwater can therefore acidify adjacent lakes and waterways. These swamps can also present significant fire hazards when drying occurs. </p><p>This study identified the chemical and mineralogical changes in sulfidic peat swamp sediments along a temperature gradient to simulate the effects of fire. We found that fire induced changes in the Fe-minerals to form a range iron (oxy)hydroxides and iron oxides such as magnetite, mghemite and haematite in increasing crystallinity  with increasing temperatures. pH initially decreased on drying a minimum of pH 3.15, before increasing with increasing temperature to 650<sup>o</sup>C to pH 4.86, which can mobilise environmentally important pH-sensitive metals. </p><p>Peat swamps are highly susceptible to the effects of fire when surface- and shallow groundwater levels decrease as a result of extended drought or drainage. Fire can irreversibly alter underlying soil properties to induce changes in soil minerals and potentially impact the surrounding environment. </p>

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