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Aoki S, Vandaele AC, Daerden F, Villanueva GL, Liuzzi G, Clancy RT, Lopez‐Valverde MA, Brines A, Thomas IR, Trompet L, Erwin JT, Neary L, Robert S, Piccialli A, Holmes JA, Patel MR, Yoshida N, Whiteway J, Smith MD, Ristic B, Bellucci G, Lopez‐Moreno JJ, Fedorova AA. Global Vertical Distribution of Water Vapor on Mars: Results From 3.5 Years of ExoMars-TGO/NOMAD Science Operations. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2022; 127:e2022JE007231. [PMID: 36583097 PMCID: PMC9787519 DOI: 10.1029/2022je007231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
We present water vapor vertical distributions on Mars retrieved from 3.5 years of solar occultation measurements by Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which reveal a strong contrast between aphelion and perihelion water climates. In equinox periods, most of water vapor is confined into the low-middle latitudes. In aphelion periods, water vapor sublimated from the northern polar cap is confined into very low altitudes-water vapor mixing ratios observed at the 0-5 km lower boundary of measurement decrease by an order of magnitude at the approximate altitudes of 15 and 30 km for the latitudes higher than 50°N and 30-50°N, respectively. The vertical confinement of water vapor at northern middle latitudes around aphelion is more pronounced in the morning terminators than evening, perhaps controlled by the diurnal cycle of cloud formation. Water vapor is also observed over the low latitude regions in the aphelion southern hemisphere (0-30°S) mostly below 10-20 km, which suggests north-south transport of water still occurs. In perihelion periods, water vapor sublimated from the southern polar cap directly reaches high altitudes (>80 km) over high southern latitudes, suggesting more effective transport by the meridional circulation without condensation. We show that heating during perihelion, sporadic global dust storms, and regional dust storms occurring annually around 330° of solar longitude (L S) are the main events to supply water vapor to the upper atmosphere above 70 km.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Aoki
- Department of Complexity Science and EngineeringGraduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoKashiwaJapan
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - A. C. Vandaele
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - F. Daerden
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | | | - G. Liuzzi
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbeltMDUSA
- Department of PhysicsAmerican UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | | | | | - A. Brines
- Instituto de Astrofísica de AndalucíaGlorieta de la AstronomiaGranadaSpain
| | - I. R. Thomas
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - L. Trompet
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - J. T. Erwin
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - L. Neary
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - S. Robert
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
- Institute of Condensed Matter and NanosciencesUniversité catholique de LouvainLouvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
| | - A. Piccialli
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | - J. A. Holmes
- School of Physical SciencesThe Open UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | - M. R. Patel
- School of Physical SciencesThe Open UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | | | - J. Whiteway
- Centre for Research in Earth and Space ScienceYork UniversityTorontoONCanada
| | - M. D. Smith
- NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterGreenbeltMDUSA
| | - B. Ristic
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomyBrusselsBelgium
| | | | - J. J. Lopez‐Moreno
- Instituto de Astrofísica de AndalucíaGlorieta de la AstronomiaGranadaSpain
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Seaton KM, Cable ML, Stockton AM. Analytical Chemistry Throughout This Solar System. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2022; 15:197-219. [PMID: 35300527 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061020-125416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the greatest and most long-lived scientific pursuits of humankind has been to discover and study the planetary objects comprising our solar system. Information gained from solar system observations, via both remote sensing and in situ measurements, is inherently constrained by the analytical (often chemical) techniques we employ in these endeavors. The past 50 years of planetary science missions have resulted in immense discoveries within and beyond our solar system, enabled by state-of-the-art analytical chemical instrument suites on board these missions. In this review, we highlight and discuss some of the most impactful analytical chemical instruments flown on planetary science missions within the last 20 years, including analytical techniques ranging from remote spectroscopy to in situ chemical separations. We first highlight mission-based remote and in situ spectroscopic techniques, followed by in situ separation and mass spectrometry analyses. The results of these investigations are discussed, and their implications examined, from worlds as close as Venus and familiar as Mars to as far away and exotic as Titan. Instruments currently in development for planetary science missions in the near future are also discussed, as are the promises their capabilities bring. Analytical chemistry is critical to understanding what lies beyond Earth in our solar system, and this review seeks to highlight how questions, analytical tools, and answers have intersected over the past 20 years and their implications for the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Marshall Seaton
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA;
| | - Morgan Leigh Cable
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
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Oliva F, D’Aversa E, Bellucci G, Carrozzo FG, Ruiz Lozano L, Altieri F, Thomas IR, Karatekin O, Cruz Mermy G, Schmidt F, Robert S, Vandaele AC, Daerden F, Ristic B, Patel MR, López‐Moreno J, Sindoni G. Martian CO 2 Ice Observation at High Spectral Resolution With ExoMars/TGO NOMAD. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2022; 127:e2021JE007083. [PMID: 35865508 PMCID: PMC9286783 DOI: 10.1029/2021je007083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Nadir and Occultation for MArs Discovery (NOMAD) instrument suite aboard ExoMars/Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft is mainly conceived for the study of minor atmospheric species, but it also offers the opportunity to investigate surface composition and aerosols properties. We investigate the information content of the Limb, Nadir, and Occultation (LNO) infrared channel of NOMAD and demonstrate how spectral orders 169, 189, and 190 can be exploited to detect surface CO2 ice. We study the strong CO2 ice absorption band at 2.7 μm and the shallower band at 2.35 μm taking advantage of observations across Martian Years 34 and 35 (March 2018 to February 2020), straddling a global dust storm. We obtain latitudinal-seasonal maps for CO2 ice in both polar regions, in overall agreement with predictions by a general climate model and with the Mars Express/OMEGA spectrometer Martian Years 27 and 28 observations. We find that the narrow 2.35 μm absorption band, spectrally well covered by LNO order 189, offers the most promising potential for the retrieval of CO2 ice microphysical properties. Occurrences of CO2 ice spectra are also detected at low latitudes and we discuss about their interpretation as daytime high altitude CO2 ice clouds as opposed to surface frost. We find that the clouds hypothesis is preferable on the basis of surface temperature, local time and grain size considerations, resulting in the first detection of CO2 ice clouds through the study of this spectral range. Through radiative transfer considerations on these detections we find that the 2.35 μm absorption feature of CO2 ice clouds is possibly sensitive to nm-sized ice grains.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Oliva
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS/INAF)RomeItaly
| | - E. D’Aversa
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS/INAF)RomeItaly
| | - G. Bellucci
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS/INAF)RomeItaly
| | - F. G. Carrozzo
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS/INAF)RomeItaly
| | - L. Ruiz Lozano
- Université Catholique de Louvain‐la‐Neuve (UCLouvain)Louvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
- Royal Observatory of BelgiumBrusselsBelgium
| | - F. Altieri
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS/INAF)RomeItaly
| | - I. R. Thomas
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (IASB‐BIRA)BrusselsBelgium
| | | | | | - F. Schmidt
- CNRSGEOPSUniversité Paris‐SaclayOrsayFrance
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)ParisFrance
| | - S. Robert
- Université Catholique de Louvain‐la‐Neuve (UCLouvain)Louvain‐la‐NeuveBelgium
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (IASB‐BIRA)BrusselsBelgium
| | - A. C. Vandaele
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (IASB‐BIRA)BrusselsBelgium
| | - F. Daerden
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (IASB‐BIRA)BrusselsBelgium
| | - B. Ristic
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (IASB‐BIRA)BrusselsBelgium
| | - M. R. Patel
- School of Physical SciencesThe Open UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | - J.‐J. López‐Moreno
- Instituto de Astrofìsica de Andalucia (IAA)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)GranadaSpain
| | - G. Sindoni
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)RomeItaly
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Vasavada AR. Mission Overview and Scientific Contributions from the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover After Eight Years of Surface Operations. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2022; 218:14. [PMID: 35399614 PMCID: PMC8981195 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-022-00882-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, with its Curiosity rover, has been exploring Gale crater (5.4° S, 137.8° E) since 2012 with the goal of assessing the potential of Mars to support life. The mission has compiled compelling evidence that the crater basin accumulated sediment transported by marginal rivers into lakes that likely persisted for millions of years approximately 3.6 Ga ago in the early Hesperian. Geochemical and mineralogical assessments indicate that environmental conditions within this timeframe would have been suitable for sustaining life, if it ever were present. Fluids simultaneously circulated in the subsurface and likely existed through the dry phases of lake bed exposure and aeolian deposition, conceivably creating a continuously habitable subsurface environment that persisted to less than 3 Ga in the early Amazonian. A diversity of organic molecules has been preserved, though degraded, with evidence for more complex precursors. Solid samples show highly variable isotopic abundances of sulfur, chlorine, and carbon. In situ studies of modern wind-driven sediment transport and multiple large and active aeolian deposits have led to advances in understanding bedform development and the initiation of saltation. Investigation of the modern atmosphere and environment has improved constraints on the timing and magnitude of atmospheric loss, revealed the presence of methane and the crater's influence on local meteorology, and provided measurements of high-energy radiation at Mars' surface in preparation for future crewed missions. Rover systems and science instruments remain capable of addressing all key scientific objectives. Emphases on advance planning, flexibility, operations support work, and team culture have allowed the mission team to maintain a high level of productivity in spite of declining rover power and funding. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11214-022-00882-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin R. Vasavada
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA USA
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From Atmospheric Evolution to the Search of Species of Astrobiological Interest in the Solar System—Case Studies Using the Planetary Spectrum Generator. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13030461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The study of minor chemical species in terrestrial planets’ atmospheres can teach us about the chemistry, dynamics and evolution of the atmospheres through time. Phosphine or methane on terrestrial planets are potential biosignatures, such that their detection may signify the presence of life on a planet. Therefore, the search for these species in the solar system is an important step for the subsequent application of the same techniques to exoplanetary atmospheres. To study atmospheric depletion and the evolution of water abundance in the atmospheres of terrestrial planets, the estimation of the D/H ratio and its spatial and temporal variability is used. We used the Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG), a radiative transfer suite, with the goal of simulating spectra from observations of Venus, Mars and Jupiter, searching for minor chemical species. The present study contributes to highlight that the PSG is an efficient tool for studying minor chemical species and compounds of astrobiological interest in planetary atmospheres, allowing to perform the detection and retrieval of the relevant molecular species. Regarding detection, it is effective in disentangling different molecular opacities affecting observations. In order to contribute to the scientific community that is focused on the study of minor chemical species in the solar system’s atmospheres, using this tool, in this work, we present the results from an analysis of observations of Venus, Mars and Jupiter, by comparison of observations with simulations in the infrared (IR). The first step was to clearly identify the position of molecular features using our model simulations, since the molecular absorption/emission features of different molecules tend to overlap. For this step, we used the method of the variation of abundances. The second step was to determine the molecular abundances and compare them with values from the literature using the retrieval method and the line depth ratio method. For Venus, our study of SO2-related observations by the Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (TEXES) at 7.4 μm enabled the identification of absorption lines due to sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide as well as constrain the abundance of SO2 at the cloud top. Phosphine was not detected in the comparison between the simulation and TEXES IR observations around 10.5 μm. For Mars, both a positive and a non-detection of methane were studied using PSG simulations. The related spectra observations in the IR, at approximately 3.3 μm, correspond, respectively, to the Mars Express (MEx) and ExoMars space probes. Moreover, an estimate of the deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio (D/H ratio) was obtained by comparing the simulations with observations by the Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) at approximately 7.19–7.23 μm. For Jupiter, the detection of ammonia, phosphine, deuterated methane and methane was studied, by comparing the simulations with IR observations by the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) at approximately 7–12 μm. Moreover, the retrieval of the profiles of ammonia and phosphine was performed.
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Cowan DA, Ferrari BC, McKay CP. Out of Thin Air? Astrobiology and Atmospheric Chemotrophy. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:225-232. [PMID: 35025628 PMCID: PMC8861918 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The emerging understanding of microbial trace gas chemotrophy as a metabolic strategy to support energy and carbon acquisition for microbial survival and growth has significant implications in the search for past, and even extant, life beyond Earth. The use of trace gases, including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as substrates for microbial oxidation, potentially offers a viable strategy with which to support life on planetary bodies that possess a suitable atmospheric composition, such as Mars and Titan. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge of this process and explore its potential in the field of astrobiological exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don A. Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Address correspondence to: Don A. Cowan, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Building NW2, Room 3-12, Hatfield Campus, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Belinda C. Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
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Luo Y, Mischna MA, Lin JC, Fasoli B, Cai X, Yung YL. Mars Methane Sources in Northwestern Gale Crater Inferred From Back Trajectory Modeling. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2021; 8:e2021EA001915. [PMID: 35860450 PMCID: PMC9285602 DOI: 10.1029/2021ea001915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During its first seven years of operation, the Sample Analysis at Mars Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) on board the Curiosity rover has detected seven methane spikes above a low background abundance in Gale crater. The methane spikes are likely sourced by surface emission within or around Gale crater. Here, we use inverse Lagrangian modeling techniques to identify upstream emission regions on the Martian surface for these methane spikes at an unprecedented spatial resolution. Inside Gale crater, the northwestern crater floor casts the strongest influence on the detections. Outside Gale crater, the upstream regions common to all the methane spikes extend toward the north. The contrasting results from two consecutive TLS methane measurements performed on the same sol point to an active emission site to the west or the southwest of the Curiosity rover on the northwestern crater floor. The observed spike magnitude and frequency also favor emission sites on the northwestern crater floor, unless there are fast methane removal mechanisms at work, or either the methane spikes of TLS or the non-detections of ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter cannot be trusted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y. Luo
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - M. A. Mischna
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - J. C. Lin
- Department of Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - B. Fasoli
- Department of Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUTUSA
| | - X. Cai
- Columbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Y. L. Yung
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
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Dundas CM, Becerra P, Byrne S, Chojnacki M, Daubar IJ, Diniega S, Hansen CJ, Herkenhoff KE, Landis ME, McEwen AS, Portyankina G, Valantinas A. Active Mars: A Dynamic World. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2021; 126:e2021JE006876. [PMID: 35845553 PMCID: PMC9285055 DOI: 10.1029/2021je006876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mars exhibits diverse surface changes at all latitudes and all seasons. Active processes include impact cratering, aeolian sand and dust transport, a variety of slope processes, changes in polar ices, and diverse effects of seasonal CO2 frost. The extent of surface change has been surprising and indicates that the present climate is capable of reshaping the surface. Activity has important implications for the Amazonian history of Mars: understanding processes is a necessary step before we can understand their implications and variations over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. Dundas
- U.S. Geological SurveyAstrogeology Science CenterFlagstaffAZUSA
| | | | - Shane Byrne
- Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
| | | | - Ingrid J. Daubar
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary SciencesBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Serina Diniega
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | | | | | - Margaret E. Landis
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCOUSA
| | | | - Ganna Portyankina
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space PhysicsUniversity of ColoradoBoulderCOUSA
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Transcriptional response to prolonged perchlorate exposure in the methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri and implications for Martian habitability. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12336. [PMID: 34117335 PMCID: PMC8196204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91882-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Observations of trace methane (CH4) in the Martian atmosphere are significant to the astrobiology community given the overwhelming contribution of biological methanogenesis to atmospheric CH4 on Earth. Previous studies have shown that methanogenic Archaea can generate CH4 when incubated with perchlorates, highly oxidizing chaotropic salts which have been found across the Martian surface. However, the regulatory mechanisms behind this remain completely unexplored. In this study we performed comparative transcriptomics on the methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri, which was incubated at 30˚C and 0˚C with 10-20 mM calcium-, magnesium-, or sodium perchlorate. Consistent with prior studies, we observed decreased CH4 production and apparent perchlorate reduction, with the latter process proceeding by heretofore essentially unknown mechanisms. Transcriptomic responses of M. barkeri to perchlorates include up-regulation of osmoprotectant transporters and selection against redox-sensitive amino acids. Increased expression of methylamine methanogenesis genes suggest competition for H2 with perchlorate reduction, which we propose is catalyzed by up-regulated molybdenum-containing enzymes and maintained by siphoning diffused H2 from energy-conserving hydrogenases. Methanogenesis regulatory patterns suggest Mars' freezing temperatures alone pose greater constraints to CH4 production than perchlorates. These findings increase our understanding of methanogen survival in extreme environments and confers continued consideration of a potential biological contribution to Martian CH4.
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Mitsukura Y, Sumali B, Nara R, Watanabe K, Inoue M, Ishida K, Nishiwaki M, Mimura M. Evaluation of olive oil effects on human stress response by measuring cerebral blood flow. Food Sci Nutr 2021; 9:1851-1859. [PMID: 33841804 PMCID: PMC8020963 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we evaluated the effects of olive oil on human's stress level. In recent years, mental stress from harsh working environment have been causing serious problems to human health, both mentally and physically. Symptoms of stress may include feelings of worthlessness, agitation, anxiety, lethargy, insomnia, and behavioral changes. Additionally, the harsh working environments may cause the workers to adopt unhealthy dietary habits, contributing to the health issue. On the other hand, olive oil has been known to provide stress-relieving effects both by ingestion and by inhaling the scent. Here, we examined the effects of extravirgin olive oil ingestion for mitigating stress from deskwork. Three best-selling extravirgin olive oil in Japan were tested, and typing task was selected to emulate deskwork situation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is utilized in this study to visualize the response in brain via cerebral blood flow analysis and to measure participants' stress level. Statistical analysis showed that the stress levels were lower during the olive oil ingestion experiment compared to no-oil experiment, even when measured one hour after the ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasue Mitsukura
- Faculty of Science and TechnologyKeio UniversityKanagawaJapan
- Department of NeuropsychiatryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Brian Sumali
- Graduate School of Science and TechnologyKeio UniversityKanagawaJapan
| | - Risa Nara
- Graduate School of Science and TechnologyKeio UniversityKanagawaJapan
| | | | | | | | | | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of NeuropsychiatryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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Korablev O, Olsen KS, Trokhimovskiy A, Lefèvre F, Montmessin F, Fedorova AA, Toplis MJ, Alday J, Belyaev DA, Patrakeev A, Ignatiev NI, Shakun AV, Grigoriev AV, Baggio L, Abdenour I, Lacombe G, Ivanov YS, Aoki S, Thomas IR, Daerden F, Ristic B, Erwin JT, Patel M, Bellucci G, Lopez-Moreno JJ, Vandaele AC. Transient HCl in the atmosphere of Mars. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/7/eabe4386. [PMID: 33568485 PMCID: PMC7875523 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A major quest in Mars' exploration has been the hunt for atmospheric gases, potentially unveiling ongoing activity of geophysical or biological origin. Here, we report the first detection of a halogen gas, HCl, which could, in theory, originate from contemporary volcanic degassing or chlorine released from gas-solid reactions. Our detections made at ~3.2 to 3.8 μm with the Atmospheric Chemistry Suite and confirmed with Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery instruments onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, reveal widely distributed HCl in the 1- to 4-ppbv range, 20 times greater than previously reported upper limits. HCl increased during the 2018 global dust storm and declined soon after its end, pointing to the exchange between the dust and the atmosphere. Understanding the origin and variability of HCl shall constitute a major advance in our appraisal of martian geo- and photochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin S Olsen
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Franck Lefèvre
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS/CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Franck Montmessin
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS/CNRS), Paris, France
| | | | - Michael J Toplis
- L'Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP/CNRS), Toulouse, France
| | - Juan Alday
- Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucio Baggio
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS/CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Irbah Abdenour
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS/CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Gaetan Lacombe
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS/CNRS), Paris, France
| | - Yury S Ivanov
- Main Astronomical Observatory (MAO NASU), Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Shohei Aoki
- LPAP, STAR Institute, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ian R Thomas
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Daerden
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bojan Ristic
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Justin T Erwin
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Giancarlo Bellucci
- Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS-INAF), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ann C Vandaele
- Royal Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Brussels, Belgium
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Rouquette L, Stalport F, Cottin H, Colas C, Georgelin T, Chaouche-Mechidal N, Lasne J, Mahfouf S, Raulin F, Selliez L, Szopa C, Coll P. Dimerization of Uracil in a Simulated Mars-like UV Radiation Environment. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:1363-1376. [PMID: 33179968 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The search for organic molecules at the surface of Mars is a key objective in astrobiology, given that many organic compounds are possible biosignatures and their presence is of interest with regard to the habitability of Mars. Current environmental conditions at the martian surface are harsh and affect the stability of organic molecules. For this reason, and because current and future Mars rovers collect samples from the upper surface layer, it is important to assess the fate of organic molecules under the conditions at the martian surface. Here, we present an experimental study of the evolution of uracil when exposed to UV radiation, pressure, and temperature conditions representative of the surface of Mars. Uracil was selected because it is a nucleobase that composes RNA, and it has been detected in interplanetary bodies that could be the exogenous source of this molecule by meteoritic delivery to the surface of Mars. Our results show that the experimental quantum efficiency of photodecomposition of uracil is 0.16 ± 0.14 molecule/photon. Although these results suggest that uracil is quickly photodegraded when directly exposed to UV light on Mars, such exposure produces dimers that are more stable over time than the monomer. The identified dimers could be targets of interest for current and future Mars space missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rouquette
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Fabien Stalport
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Hervé Cottin
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Cyril Colas
- Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique (ICOA), Université d'Orléans, UMR CNRS 7311, Orléans, France
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (CBM), UPR CNRS 4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - Thomas Georgelin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (CBM), UPR CNRS 4301, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
- Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, UMR CNRS 7197, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Naïla Chaouche-Mechidal
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Jerome Lasne
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Sara Mahfouf
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - François Raulin
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
| | - Laura Selliez
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de l'Environnement et de l'Espace (LPC2E), UMR CNRS7328, Université d'Orléans, Orléans Cedex, France
- Laboratoire atmosphères, milieux, observations spatiales, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, UMR 8190, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Cyril Szopa
- Laboratoire atmosphères, milieux, observations spatiales, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, UMR 8190, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Guyancourt, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Patrice Coll
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), UMR CNRS 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université de Paris, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Creteil Cedex, France
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Konatham S, Martin-Torres J, Zorzano MP. Atmospheric composition of exoplanets based on the thermal escape of gases and implications for habitability. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2020; 476:20200148. [PMID: 33061789 PMCID: PMC7544335 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2020.0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of habitable exoplanets is an exciting scientific and technical challenge. Owing to the current and most likely long-lasting impossibility of performing in situ exploration of exoplanets, their study and hypotheses regarding their capability to host life will be based on the restricted low-resolution spatial and spectral information of their atmospheres. On the other hand, with the advent of the upcoming exoplanet survey missions and technological improvements, there is a need for preliminary discrimination that can prioritize potential candidates within the fast-growing list of exoplanets. Here we estimate, for the first time and using the kinetic theory of gases, a list of the possible atmospheric species that can be retained in the atmospheres of the known exoplanets. We conclude that, based on our current knowledge of the detected exoplanets, 45 of them are good candidates for habitability studies. These exoplanets could have Earth-like atmospheres and should be able to maintain stable liquid water. Our results suggest that the current definition of a habitable zone around a star should be revisited and that the capacity of the planet to host an Earth-like atmosphere to support the stability of liquid water should be added.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Konatham
- Group of Atmospheric Science, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Javier Martin-Torres
- Group of Atmospheric Science, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.,Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Armilla, Granada, Spain.,School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Meston Building, King's College, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Maria-Paz Zorzano
- Centro de Astrobiología (CSIC-INTA), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain.,Group of Atmospheric Science, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden
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Investigating the biological potential of galactic cosmic ray-induced radiation-driven chemical disequilibrium in the Martian subsurface environment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11646. [PMID: 32724041 PMCID: PMC7387464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68715-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence suggesting the presence of aqueous environment on ancient Mars, raising the question of the possibility of life in such an environment. Subsequently, with the erosion of the Martian atmosphere resulting in drastic changes in its climate, surface water disappeared, shrinking habitable spaces on the planet, with only a limited amount of water remaining near the surface in form of brines and water-ice deposits. Life, if it ever existed, would have had to adapt to harsh modern conditions, which includes low temperatures and surface pressure, and high radiation dose. Presently, there is no evidence of any biological activity on the planet's surface, however, the subsurface environment, which is yet to be explored, is less harsh, has traces of water in form of water-ice and brines, and undergoes radiation-driven redox chemistry. I hypothesize that Galactic Cosmic Ray (GCR)-induced radiation-driven chemical disequilibrium can be used for metabolic energy by extant life, and host organisms using mechanisms seen in similar chemical and radiation environments on Earth. I propose a GCR-induced radiolytic zone, and discuss the prospects of finding such life with Rosalind Franklin rover of the ExoMars mission.
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Vance SD, Melwani Daswani M. Serpentinite and the search for life beyond Earth. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20180421. [PMID: 31902342 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2018.0421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen from serpentinization is a source of chemical energy for some life forms on Earth. It is a potential fuel for life in the subsurface of Mars and in the icy ocean worlds in the outer solar system. Serpentinization is also implicated in life's origin. Planetary exploration offers a way to investigate such theories by characterizing and ultimately searching for life in geochemical settings that no longer exist on Earth. At present, much of the current context of serpentinization on other worlds relies on inference from modelling and studies on Earth. While there is evidence from orbital spectral imaging and martian meteorites that serpentinization has occurred on Mars, the extent and duration of that activity has not been constrained. Similarly, ongoing serpentinization might explain hydrogen found in the ocean of Saturn's tiny moon Enceladus, but this raises questions about how long such activity has persisted. Titan's hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere may derive from ancient or present-day serpentinization at the bottom of its ocean. In Europa, volcanism or serpentinization may provide hydrogen as a redox couple to oxygen generated at the moon's surface. We assess the potential extent of serpentinization in the solar system's wet and rocky worlds, assuming that microfracturing from thermal expansion anisotropy sets an upper limit on the percolation depth of surface water into the rocky interiors. In this bulk geophysical model, planetary cooling from radiogenic decay implies the infiltration of water to greater depths through time, continuing to the present. The serpentinization of this newly exposed rock is assessed as a significant source of global hydrogen. Comparing the computed hydrogen and surface-generated oxygen delivered to Europa's ocean reveals redox fluxes similar to Earth's. Planned robotic exploration missions to other worlds can aid in understanding the planetary context of serpentinization, testing the predictions herein. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Serpentinite in the Earth System'.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Vance
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109-8001, USA
| | - M Melwani Daswani
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109-8001, USA
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Habitability of Mars: How Welcoming Are the Surface and Subsurface to Life on the Red Planet? GEOSCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences9090361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mars is a planet of great interest in the search for signatures of past or present life beyond Earth. The years of research, and more advanced instrumentation, have yielded a lot of evidence which may be considered by the scientific community as proof of past or present habitability of Mars. Recent discoveries including seasonal methane releases and a subglacial lake are exciting, yet challenging findings. Concurrently, laboratory and environmental studies on the limits of microbial life in extreme environments on Earth broaden our knowledge of the possibility of Mars habitability. In this review, we aim to: (1) Discuss the characteristics of the Martian surface and subsurface that may be conducive to habitability either in the past or at present; (2) discuss laboratory-based studies on Earth that provide us with discoveries on the limits of life; and (3) summarize the current state of knowledge in terms of direction for future research.
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