A survey of the signal stability and radiation dose response of sulfates in the context of adapting optical dating for Mars

► The radiation dose response and OSL signal stability of Ca- and Mg-sulfates was highly variable. ► OSL properties of Ca- and Mg-sulfates will need to be considered when developing protocols for in-situ optical dating on Mars. ► The results foreshadow the potential for gypsum to be developed as a geochronometer for Mars or the Earth.