1
|
Hoog TG, Pawlak MR, Gaut NJ, Baxter GC, Bethel TA, Adamala KP, Engelhart AE. Emergent ribozyme behaviors in oxychlorine brines indicate a unique niche for molecular evolution on Mars. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3863. [PMID: 38769315 PMCID: PMC11106070 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48037-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Mars is a particularly attractive candidate among known astronomical objects to potentially host life. Results from space exploration missions have provided insights into Martian geochemistry that indicate oxychlorine species, particularly perchlorate, are ubiquitous features of the Martian geochemical landscape. Perchlorate presents potential obstacles for known forms of life due to its toxicity. However, it can also provide potential benefits, such as producing brines by deliquescence, like those thought to exist on present-day Mars. Here we show perchlorate brines support folding and catalysis of functional RNAs, while inactivating representative protein enzymes. Additionally, we show perchlorate and other oxychlorine species enable ribozyme functions, including homeostasis-like regulatory behavior and ribozyme-catalyzed chlorination of organic molecules. We suggest nucleic acids are uniquely well-suited to hypersaline Martian environments. Furthermore, Martian near- or subsurface oxychlorine brines, and brines found in potential lifeforms, could provide a unique niche for biomolecular evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanner G Hoog
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Matthew R Pawlak
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Gaut
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Gloria C Baxter
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas A Bethel
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 140 Gortner Laboratory, 1479 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Katarzyna P Adamala
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Aaron E Engelhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, 6-160 Jackson Hall, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, 321 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mulder SJ, van Ruitenbeek FJA, Foing BH, Sánchez-Román M. Multitechnique characterization of secondary minerals near HI-SEAS, Hawaii, as Martian subsurface analogues. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22603. [PMID: 38114584 PMCID: PMC10730813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48923-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary minerals in lava tubes on Earth provide valuable insight into subsurface processes and the preservation of biosignatures on Mars. Inside lava tubes near the Hawaii-Space Exploration and Analog Simulation (HI-SEAS) habitat on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, a variety of secondary deposits with distinct morphologies were observed consisting of mainly sodium sulphate powders, gypsum crystalline crusts, and small coralloid speleothems that comprise opal and calcite layers. These secondary deposits formed as a result of hydrological processes shortly after the formation and cooling of the lava tubes and are preserved over long periods of time in relatively dry conditions. The coralloid speleothem layers are likely related to wet and dry periods in which opal and calcite precipitates in cycles. Potential biosignatures seem to have been preserved in the form of porous stromatolite-like layers within the coralloid speleothems. Similar secondary deposits and lava tubes have been observed abundantly on the Martian surface suggesting similar formation mechanisms compared to this study. The origin of secondary minerals from tholeiitic basalts together with potential evidence for microbial processes make the lava tubes near HI-SEAS a relevant analog for Martian surface and subsurface environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J Mulder
- Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, 9746 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Earth Sciences Department, Science Faculty, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frank J A van Ruitenbeek
- Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard H Foing
- LUNEX/ILEWG EuroMoonMars & Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 CA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mónica Sánchez-Román
- Earth Sciences Department, Science Faculty, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hart R, Cardace D. Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2349. [PMID: 38137950 PMCID: PMC10744562 DOI: 10.3390/life13122349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We provide new support for habitable microenvironments in the near-subsurface of Mars, hosted in Fe- and Mg-rich rock units, and present a list of minerals that can serve as indicators of specific water-rock reactions in recent geologic paleohabitats for follow-on study. We modeled, using a thermodynamic basis without selective phase suppression, the reactions of published Martian meteorites and Jezero Crater igneous rock compositions and reasonable planetary waters (saline, alkaline waters) using Geochemist's Workbench Ver. 12.0. Solid-phase inputs were meteorite compositions for ALH 77005, Nakhla, and Chassigny, and two rock units from the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover sites, Máaz and Séítah. Six plausible Martian groundwater types [NaClO4, Mg(ClO4)2, Ca(ClO4)2, Mg-Na2(ClO4)2, Ca-Na2(ClO4)2, Mg-Ca(ClO4)2] and a unique Mars soil-water analog solution (dilute saline solution) named "Rosy Red", related to the Phoenix Lander mission, were the aqueous-phase inputs. Geophysical conditions were tuned to near-subsurface Mars (100 °C or 373.15 K, associated with residual heat from a magmatic system, impact event, or a concentration of radionuclides, and 101.3 kPa, similar to <10 m depth). Mineral products were dominated by phyllosilicates such as serpentine-group minerals in most reaction paths, but differed in some important indicator minerals. Modeled products varied in physicochemical properties (pH, Eh, conductivity), major ion activities, and related gas fugacities, with different ecological implications. The microbial habitability of pore spaces in subsurface groundwater percolation systems was interrogated at equilibrium in a thermodynamic framework, based on Gibbs Free Energy Minimization. Models run with the Chassigny meteorite produced the overall highest H2 fugacity. Models reliant on the Rosy Red soil-water analog produced the highest sustained CH4 fugacity (maximum values observed for reactant ALH 77005). In general, Chassigny meteorite protoliths produced the best yield regarding Gibbs Free Energy, from an astrobiological perspective. Occurrences of serpentine and saponite across models are key: these minerals have been observed using CRISM spectral data, and their formation via serpentinization would be consistent with geologically recent-past H2 and CH4 production and sustained energy sources for microbial life. We list index minerals to be used as diagnostic for paleo water-rock models that could have supported geologically recent-past microbial activity, and suggest their application as criteria for future astrobiology study-site selections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Hart
- Department of Physics and Engineering, Community College of Rhode Island, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Dawn Cardace
- Department of Geosciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rempfert KR, Kraus EA, Nothaft DB, Dildar N, Spear JR, Sepúlveda J, Templeton AS. Intact polar lipidome and membrane adaptations of microbial communities inhabiting serpentinite-hosted fluids. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1198786. [PMID: 38029177 PMCID: PMC10667739 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1198786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The generation of hydrogen and reduced carbon compounds during serpentinization provides sustained energy for microorganisms on Earth, and possibly on other extraterrestrial bodies (e.g., Mars, icy satellites). However, the geochemical conditions that arise from water-rock reaction also challenge the known limits of microbial physiology, such as hyperalkaline pH, limited electron acceptors and inorganic carbon. Because cell membranes act as a primary barrier between a cell and its environment, lipids are a vital component in microbial acclimation to challenging physicochemical conditions. To probe the diversity of cell membrane lipids produced in serpentinizing settings and identify membrane adaptations to this environment, we conducted the first comprehensive intact polar lipid (IPL) biomarker survey of microbial communities inhabiting the subsurface at a terrestrial site of serpentinization. We used an expansive, custom environmental lipid database that expands the application of targeted and untargeted lipodomics in the study of microbial and biogeochemical processes. IPLs extracted from serpentinite-hosted fluid communities were comprised of >90% isoprenoidal and non-isoprenoidal diether glycolipids likely produced by archaeal methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Phospholipids only constituted ~1% of the intact polar lipidome. In addition to abundant diether glycolipids, betaine and trimethylated-ornithine aminolipids and glycosphingolipids were also detected, indicating pervasive membrane modifications in response to phosphate limitation. The carbon oxidation state of IPL backbones was positively correlated with the reduction potential of fluids, which may signify an energy conservation strategy for lipid synthesis. Together, these data suggest microorganisms inhabiting serpentinites possess a unique combination of membrane adaptations that allow for their survival in polyextreme environments. The persistence of IPLs in fluids beyond the presence of their source organisms, as indicated by 16S rRNA genes and transcripts, is promising for the detection of extinct life in serpentinizing settings through lipid biomarker signatures. These data contribute new insights into the complexity of lipid structures generated in actively serpentinizing environments and provide valuable context to aid in the reconstruction of past microbial activity from fossil lipid records of terrestrial serpentinites and the search for biosignatures elsewhere in our solar system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin R. Rempfert
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Emily A. Kraus
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Daniel B. Nothaft
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Nadia Dildar
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - John R. Spear
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
- Department of Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
| | - Julio Sepúlveda
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Alexis S. Templeton
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aerts JW, Sarbu SM, Brad T, Ehrenfreund P, Westerhoff HV. Microbial Ecosystems in Movile Cave: An Environment of Extreme Life. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2120. [PMID: 38004260 PMCID: PMC10672346 DOI: 10.3390/life13112120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Movile Cave, situated in Romania close to the Black Sea, constitutes a distinct and challenging environment for life. Its partially submerged ecosystem depends on chemolithotrophic processes for its energetics, which are fed by a continuous hypogenic inflow of mesothermal waters rich in reduced chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and methane. We sampled a variety of cave sublocations over the course of three years. Furthermore, in a microcosm experiment, minerals were incubated in the cave waters for one year. Both endemic cave samples and extracts from the minerals were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The sequence data show specific community profiles in the different subenvironments, indicating that specialized prokaryotic communities inhabit the different zones in the cave. Already after one year, the different incubated minerals had been colonized by specific microbial communities, indicating that microbes in Movile Cave can adapt in a relatively short timescale to environmental opportunities in terms of energy and nutrients. Life can thrive, diversify and adapt in remote and isolated subterranean environments such as Movile Cave.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joost W. Aerts
- Molecular Cell Biology, A-LIFE, 01-E-57, Faculty of Science, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorstraat 3, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Serban M. Sarbu
- “Emil Racoviţă” Institute of Speleology, Str. Frumoasă 31, 010986 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, CA 95929, USA
| | - Traian Brad
- “Emil Racoviţă” Institute of Speleology, Clinicilor 5-7, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Pascale Ehrenfreund
- Laboratory for Astrophysics, Leiden Observatory, Leiden University, 2333 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Hans V. Westerhoff
- Molecular Cell Biology, A-LIFE, 01-E-57, Faculty of Science, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorstraat 3, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tarasashvili MV, Elbakidze K, Doborjginidze ND, Gharibashvili ND. Carbonate precipitation and nitrogen fixation in AMG (Artificial Martian Ground) by cyanobacteria. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 37:65-77. [PMID: 37087180 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This article describes experiments performed to study the survival, growth, specific adaptations and bioremediation potential of certain extreme cyanobacteria strains within a simulation of the atmospheric composition, temperature and pressure expected in a future Martian greenhouse. Initial species have been obtained from Mars-analogue sites in Georgia. The results clearly demonstrate that specific biochemical adaptations allow these autotrophs to metabolize within AMG (Artificial Martian Ground) and accumulate biogenic carbon and nitrogen. These findings may thus contribute to the development of future Martian agriculture, as well as other aspects of the life-support systems at habitable Mars stations. The study shows that carbonate precipitation and nitrogen fixation, performed by cyanobacterial communities thriving within the simulated Martian greenhouse conditions, are cross-linked biological processes. At the same time, the presence of the perchlorates (at low concentrations) in the Martian ground may serve as the initial source of oxygen and, indirectly, hydrogen via photo-Fenton reactions. Various carbonates, ammonium and nitrate salts were obtained as the result of these experiments. These affect the pH, salinity and solubility of the AMG and its components, and so the AMG's scanty biogenic properties improved, which is essential for the sustainable growth of the agricultural crops. Therefore, the use of microorganisms for the biological remediation and continuous in situ fertilization of Artificial Martian Ground is possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M V Tarasashvili
- BTU - Business and Technology University, 82 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, 0179, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| | - Kh Elbakidze
- BTU - Business and Technology University, 82 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, 0179, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - N D Doborjginidze
- GSRA - Georgian Space Research Agency, 4 Vasil Petriashvili Street, 0179, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - N D Gharibashvili
- GSRA - Georgian Space Research Agency, 4 Vasil Petriashvili Street, 0179, Tbilisi, Georgia; SpaceFarms Ltd, 14 Kostava Street, 0108, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Morrison SM, Prabhu A, Eleish A, Hazen RM, Golden JJ, Downs RT, Perry S, Burns PC, Ralph J, Fox P. Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad110. [PMID: 37200799 PMCID: PMC10187660 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad110] [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: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The locations of minerals and mineral-forming environments, despite being of great scientific importance and economic interest, are often difficult to predict due to the complex nature of natural systems. In this work, we embrace the complexity and inherent "messiness" of our planet's intertwined geological, chemical, and biological systems by employing machine learning to characterize patterns embedded in the multidimensionality of mineral occurrence and associations. These patterns are a product of, and therefore offer insight into, the Earth's dynamic evolutionary history. Mineral association analysis quantifies high-dimensional multicorrelations in mineral localities across the globe, enabling the identification of previously unknown mineral occurrences, as well as mineral assemblages and their associated paragenetic modes. In this study, we have predicted (i) the previously unknown mineral inventory of the Mars analogue site, Tecopa Basin, (ii) new locations of uranium minerals, particularly those important to understanding the oxidation-hydration history of uraninite, (iii) new deposits of critical minerals, specifically rare earth element (REE)- and Li-bearing phases, and (iv) changes in mineralization and mineral associations through deep time, including a discussion of possible biases in mineralogical data and sampling; furthermore, we have (v) tested and confirmed several of these mineral occurrence predictions in nature, thereby providing ground truth of the predictive method. Mineral association analysis is a predictive method that will enhance our understanding of mineralization and mineralizing environments on Earth, across our solar system, and through deep time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ahmed Eleish
- Tetherless World Constellation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 Eighth Street, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Robert M Hazen
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, 5241 Broad Branch Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA
| | - Joshua J Golden
- Department of Geosciences, University Of Arizona, 1040 E 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Robert T Downs
- Department of Geosciences, University Of Arizona, 1040 E 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Samuel Perry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Peter C Burns
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Jolyon Ralph
- Mindat.org, 1113 Cambridge Hill Lane, Keswick, VA 22947-2749, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Burnie TM, Power IM, Paulo C, Alçiçek H, Falcón LI, Lin Y, Wilson SA. Environmental and Mineralogical Controls on Biosignature Preservation in Magnesium Carbonate Systems Analogous to Jezero Crater, Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:513-535. [PMID: 36944136 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Jezero Crater on Mars is a paleolacustrine environment where Mg-carbonates may host evidence of ancient life. To elucidate the environmental and mineralogical controls on biosignature preservation, we examined samples from five terrestrial analogs: Lake Salda (Turkey), Lake Alchichica (Mexico), Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (China), Mg-carbonate playas (British Columbia, Canada), and a mine with fine-grained ultramafic tailings (Yukon, Canada). The mineralogical compositions of the samples varied, yet were often dominated by either aragonite (CaCO3) or hydromagnesite [Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O]. Aragonite-rich samples from Alchichica, Mg-carbonate playas, and the ultramafic mine contained an abundance of entombed microbial biomass, including organic structures that resembled cells, whereas hydromagnesite-rich samples were devoid of microfossils. Aragonite often precipitates subaqueously where microbes thrive, thereby increasing the likelihood of biomass entombment, while hydrated Mg-carbonates typically form by evaporation in subaerial settings where biofilms are less prolific. Magnesite (MgCO3), the most stable Mg-carbonate, forms extremely slowly, which may limit the capture of biosignatures. Hydrated Mg-carbonates are prone to transformation via coupled dissolution-precipitation reactions that may expose biosignatures to degradation. Although less abundant, aragonite is commonly found in Mg-carbonate environments and is a better medium for biosignature preservation due to its fast precipitation rates and relative stability, as well as its tendency to form subaqueously and lithify. Consequently, we propose that aragonite be considered a valuable exploration target on Mars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teanna M Burnie
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian M Power
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Carlos Paulo
- Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hülya Alçiçek
- Department of Geology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Luisa I Falcón
- Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, México DF, Mexico
| | - Yongjie Lin
- Key Laboratory of Saline Lake Resources and Environments of Ministry of Natural Resources, Institute of Mineral Resource, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Siobhan A Wilson
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Perron A, Stalport F, Dupraz S, Person A, Coll P, Szopa C, Navarro-González R, Glavin D, Vaulay MJ, Ménez B. Thermal Stability of (Bio)Carbonates: A Potential Signature for Detecting Life on Mars? ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:359-371. [PMID: 37017440 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The environmental conditions that prevail on the surface of Mars (i.e., high levels of radiation and oxidants) are not favorable for the long-term preservation of organic compounds on which all strategies for finding life on Mars have been based to date. Since life commonly produces minerals that are considered more resilient, the search for biominerals could constitute a promising alternative approach. Carbonates are major biominerals on Earth, and although they have not been detected in large amounts at the martian surface, recent observations show that they could constitute a significant part of the inorganic component in the martian soil. Previous studies have shown that calcite and aragonite produced by eukaryotes thermally decompose at temperatures 15°C lower than those of their abiotic counterparts. By using carbonate concretions formed by microorganisms, we find that natural and experimental carbonates produced by prokaryotes decompose at 28°C below their abiotic counterparts. The study of this sample set serves as a proof of concept for the differential thermal analysis approach to distinguish abiotic from bio-related carbonates. This difference in carbonate decomposition temperature can be used as a first physical evidence of life on Mars to be searched by in situ space exploration missions with the resolution and the technical constraints of the available onboard instruments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Perron
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), CNRS UMR 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université Paris Cité, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), Créteil, France
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Stalport
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), CNRS UMR 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université Paris Cité, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), Créteil, France
| | - Sébastien Dupraz
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France
| | - Alain Person
- Laboratoire de Biominéralisations et Paléoenvironnements, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Patrice Coll
- Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (LISA), CNRS UMR 7583, Université Paris Est Créteil et Université Paris Cité, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), Créteil, France
| | - Cyril Szopa
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), CNRS UMR 8190, UVSQ Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, Guyancourt, France
| | - Rafael Navarro-González
- Laboratorio de Química de Plasmas y Estudios Planetarios, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Daniel Glavin
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Marie Josèphe Vaulay
- Laboratoire Interfaces Traitements Organisation et DYnamique des Systèmes (ITODYS), CNRS UMR 7086, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Bénédicte Ménez
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS UMR 7154, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Scheller EL, Razzell Hollis J, Cardarelli EL, Steele A, Beegle LW, Bhartia R, Conrad P, Uckert K, Sharma S, Ehlmann BL, Abbey WJ, Asher SA, Benison KC, Berger EL, Beyssac O, Bleefeld BL, Bosak T, Brown AJ, Burton AS, Bykov SV, Cloutis E, Fairén AG, DeFlores L, Farley KA, Fey DM, Fornaro T, Fox AC, Fries M, Hickman-Lewis K, Hug WF, Huggett JE, Imbeah S, Jakubek RS, Kah LC, Kelemen P, Kennedy MR, Kizovski T, Lee C, Liu Y, Mandon L, McCubbin FM, Moore KR, Nixon BE, Núñez JI, Rodriguez Sanchez-Vahamonde C, Roppel RD, Schulte M, Sephton MA, Sharma SK, Siljeström S, Shkolyar S, Shuster DL, Simon JI, Smith RJ, Stack KM, Steadman K, Weiss BP, Werynski A, Williams AJ, Wiens RC, Williford KH, Winchell K, Wogsland B, Yanchilina A, Yingling R, Zorzano MP. Aqueous alteration processes in Jezero crater, Mars-implications for organic geochemistry. Science 2022; 378:1105-1110. [PMID: 36417498 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo5204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, in February 2021. We used the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument to perform deep-ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy of three rocks within the crater. We identify evidence for two distinct ancient aqueous environments at different times. Reactions with liquid water formed carbonates in an olivine-rich igneous rock. A sulfate-perchlorate mixture is present in the rocks, which probably formed by later modifications of the rocks by brine. Fluorescence signatures consistent with aromatic organic compounds occur throughout these rocks and are preserved in minerals related to both aqueous environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva L Scheller
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Razzell Hollis
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | - Emily L Cardarelli
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Steele
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Luther W Beegle
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Pamela Conrad
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kyle Uckert
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sunanda Sharma
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Bethany L Ehlmann
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - William J Abbey
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sanford A Asher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen C Benison
- Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Eve L Berger
- Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA.,Jacobs Johnson Space Center Engineering, Technology and Science Contract, Houston, TX, USA.,NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Olivier Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Tanja Bosak
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Sergei V Bykov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ed Cloutis
- Geography, The University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Alberto G Fairén
- Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Lauren DeFlores
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth A Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Teresa Fornaro
- Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Marc Fries
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Keyron Hickman-Lewis
- Department of Earth Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Linda C Kah
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Peter Kelemen
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA
| | | | - Tanya Kizovski
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Carina Lee
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Lucia Mandon
- Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Diderot, 92195 Meudon, France
| | | | - Kelsey R Moore
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Jorge I Núñez
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | | | - Ryan D Roppel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mitchell Schulte
- Mars Exploration Program, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mark A Sephton
- Earth Science and Engineering, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Shiv K Sharma
- Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Svetlana Shkolyar
- Department of Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.,NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - David L Shuster
- Earth and Planetary Science, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Rebecca J Smith
- Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn M Stack
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kim Steadman
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin P Weiss
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Amy J Williams
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Roger C Wiens
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA.,Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Kenneth H Williford
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Brittan Wogsland
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Maria-Paz Zorzano
- Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nikitczuk MP, Bebout GE, Geiger CA, Ota T, Kunihiro T, Mustard JF, Halldórsson SA, Nakamura E. Nitrogen Incorporation in Potassic and Micro- and Meso-Porous Minerals: Potential Biogeochemical Records and Targets for Mars Sampling. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1293-1309. [PMID: 36074082 PMCID: PMC9618379 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We measured the N concentrations and isotopic compositions of 44 samples of terrestrial potassic and micro- and meso-porous minerals and a small number of whole-rocks to determine the extent to which N is incorporated and stored during weathering and low-temperature hydrothermal alteration in Mars surface/near-surface environments. The selection of these minerals and other materials was partly guided by the study of altered volcanic glass from Antarctica and Iceland, in which the incorporation of N as NH4+ in phyllosilicates is indicated by correlated concentrations of N and the LILEs (i.e., K, Ba, Rb, Cs), with scatter likely related to the presence of exchanged, occluded/trapped, or encapsulated organic/inorganic N occurring within structural cavities (e.g., in zeolites). The phyllosilicates, zeolites, and sulfates analyzed in this study contain between 0 and 99,120 ppm N and have δ15Nair values of -34‰ to +65‰. Most of these minerals, and the few siliceous hydrothermal deposits that were analyzed, have δ15N consistent with the incorporation of biologically processed N during low-temperature hydrothermal or weathering processes. Secondary ion mass spectrometry on altered hyaloclastites demonstrates the residency of N in smectites and zeolites, and silica. We suggest that geological materials known on Earth to incorporate and store N and known to be abundant at, or near, the surface of Mars should be considered targets for upcoming Mars sample return with the intent to identify any signs of ancient or modern life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P. Nikitczuk
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gray E. Bebout
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Misasa, Japan
| | - Charles A. Geiger
- Universität Salzburg, Fachbereich Chemie und Physik der Materialien, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tsutomu Ota
- Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Misasa, Japan
| | - Takuya Kunihiro
- Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Misasa, Japan
| | - John F. Mustard
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sæmundur A. Halldórsson
- Nordic Volcanological Center, Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Eizo Nakamura
- Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University, Misasa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Osterhout JT, Schopf JW, Kudryavtsev AB, Czaja AD, Williford KH. Deep-UV Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Precambrian Microfossils: Insights into the Search for Past Life on Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1239-1254. [PMID: 36194869 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The current strategy for detecting evidence of ancient life on Mars-a primary goal of NASA's ongoing Mars 2020 mission-is based largely on knowledge of Precambrian life and of its preservation in Earth's early rock record. The fossil record of primitive microorganisms consists mainly of stromatolites and other microbially influenced sedimentary structures, which occasionally preserve microfossils or other geochemical traces of life. Raman spectroscopy is an invaluable tool for identifying such signs of life and is routinely performed on Precambrian microfossils to help establish their organic composition, degree of thermal maturity, and biogenicity. The Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance, is equipped with a deep-ultraviolet (UV) Raman spectrometer as part of the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals) instrument, which will be used in part to characterize the preservation of organic matter in the ancient sedimentary rocks of Jezero crater and therein search for possible biosignatures. To determine the deep-UV Raman spectra characteristic of ancient microbial fossils, this study analyzes individual microfossils from 14 Precambrian cherts using deep-UV (244 nm) Raman spectroscopy. Spectra obtained were measured and calibrated relative to a graphitic standard and categorized according to the morphology and depositional environment of the fossil analyzed and its Raman-indicated thermal maturity. All acquired spectra of the fossil kerogens include a considerably Raman-enhanced and prominent first-order Raman G-band (∼1600 cm-1), whereas its commonly associated D-band (∼1350 cm-1) is restricted to specimens of lower thermal maturity (below greenschist facies) that thus have the less altered biosignature indicative of relatively well-preserved organic matter. If comparably preserved, similar characteristics would be expected to be exhibited by microfossils or ancient organic matter in rock samples collected and cached on Mars in preparation for future sample return to Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T Osterhout
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - J William Schopf
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Anatoliy B Kudryavtsev
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andrew D Czaja
- Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Kenneth H Williford
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wiens RC, Udry A, Beyssac O, Quantin-Nataf C, Mangold N, Cousin A, Mandon L, Bosak T, Forni O, McLennan SM, Sautter V, Brown A, Benzerara K, Johnson JR, Mayhew L, Maurice S, Anderson RB, Clegg SM, Crumpler L, Gabriel TSJ, Gasda P, Hall J, Horgan BHN, Kah L, Legett C, Madariaga JM, Meslin PY, Ollila AM, Poulet F, Royer C, Sharma SK, Siljeström S, Simon JI, Acosta-Maeda TE, Alvarez-Llamas C, Angel SM, Arana G, Beck P, Bernard S, Bertrand T, Bousquet B, Castro K, Chide B, Clavé E, Cloutis E, Connell S, Dehouck E, Dromart G, Fischer W, Fouchet T, Francis R, Frydenvang J, Gasnault O, Gibbons E, Gupta S, Hausrath EM, Jacob X, Kalucha H, Kelly E, Knutsen E, Lanza N, Laserna J, Lasue J, Le Mouélic S, Leveille R, Lopez Reyes G, Lorenz R, Manrique JA, Martinez-Frias J, McConnochie T, Melikechi N, Mimoun D, Montmessin F, Moros J, Murdoch N, Pilleri P, Pilorget C, Pinet P, Rapin W, Rull F, Schröder S, Shuster DL, Smith RJ, Stott AE, Tarnas J, Turenne N, Veneranda M, Vogt DS, Weiss BP, Willis P, Stack KM, Williford KH, Farley KA. Compositionally and density stratified igneous terrain in Jezero crater, Mars. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo3399. [PMID: 36007007 PMCID: PMC9410274 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo3399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Before Perseverance, Jezero crater's floor was variably hypothesized to have a lacustrine, lava, volcanic airfall, or aeolian origin. SuperCam observations in the first 286 Mars days on Mars revealed a volcanic and intrusive terrain with compositional and density stratification. The dominant lithology along the traverse is basaltic, with plagioclase enrichment in stratigraphically higher locations. Stratigraphically lower, layered rocks are richer in normative pyroxene. The lowest observed unit has the highest inferred density and is olivine-rich with coarse (1.5 millimeters) euhedral, relatively unweathered grains, suggesting a cumulate origin. This is the first martian cumulate and shows similarities to martian meteorites, which also express olivine disequilibrium. Alteration materials including carbonates, sulfates, perchlorates, hydrated silicates, and iron oxides are pervasive but low in abundance, suggesting relatively brief lacustrine conditions. Orbital observations link the Jezero floor lithology to the broader Nili-Syrtis region, suggesting that density-driven compositional stratification is a regional characteristic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger C. Wiens
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Arya Udry
- Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Olivier Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Cathy Quantin-Nataf
- Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint Etienne, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nicolas Mangold
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, CNRS UMR 6112, Nantes Université, Université d’Angers, Université du Mans, Nantes, France
| | - Agnès Cousin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Lucia Mandon
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | - Tanja Bosak
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Olivier Forni
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Violaine Sautter
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey R. Johnson
- Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Mayhew
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Sylvestre Maurice
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Ryan B. Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - Samuel M. Clegg
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Larry Crumpler
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | - Patrick Gasda
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - James Hall
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Briony H. N. Horgan
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Linda Kah
- Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Carey Legett
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | | | - Pierre-Yves Meslin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Ann M. Ollila
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Francois Poulet
- Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Clement Royer
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | | | | | - Justin I. Simon
- Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - S. Michael Angel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Gorka Arana
- University of Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Pierre Beck
- Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvain Bernard
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Tanguy Bertrand
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | - Bruno Bousquet
- Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, CNRS, CEA, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Kepa Castro
- University of Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Baptiste Chide
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Elise Clavé
- Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, CNRS, CEA, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Ed Cloutis
- University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | - Erwin Dehouck
- Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint Etienne, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Gilles Dromart
- Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint Etienne, CNRS, Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Thierry Fouchet
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | - Raymond Francis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Olivier Gasnault
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Xavier Jacob
- Institut de Mécanique des Fluides, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Evan Kelly
- University of Hawai‘i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Elise Knutsen
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, CNRS, Université Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, Sorbonne Université, Guyancourt, France
| | - Nina Lanza
- Space and Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | | | - Jeremie Lasue
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Le Mouélic
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, CNRS UMR 6112, Nantes Université, Université d’Angers, Université du Mans, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Ralph Lorenz
- Space Exploration Sector, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Noureddine Melikechi
- Department of Physics and Applied Physics, Kennedy College of Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - David Mimoun
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Franck Montmessin
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, CNRS, Université Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Université Paris Saclay, Sorbonne Université, Guyancourt, France
| | | | - Naomi Murdoch
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Paolo Pilleri
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Cedric Pilorget
- Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Patrick Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - William Rapin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, CNES, Toulouse, France
| | - Fernando Rull
- Research Group ERICA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Susanne Schröder
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - David L. Shuster
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Alexander E. Stott
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jesse Tarnas
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Marco Veneranda
- Research Group ERICA, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - David S. Vogt
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin P. Weiss
- Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peter Willis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Stack
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Williford
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Farley KA, Stack KM, Shuster DL, Horgan BHN, Hurowitz JA, Tarnas JD, Simon JI, Sun VZ, Scheller EL, Moore KR, McLennan SM, Vasconcelos PM, Wiens RC, Treiman AH, Mayhew LE, Beyssac O, Kizovski TV, Tosca NJ, Williford KH, Crumpler LS, Beegle LW, Bell JF, Ehlmann BL, Liu Y, Maki JN, Schmidt ME, Allwood AC, Amundsen HEF, Bhartia R, Bosak T, Brown AJ, Clark BC, Cousin A, Forni O, Gabriel TSJ, Goreva Y, Gupta S, Hamran SE, Herd CDK, Hickman-Lewis K, Johnson JR, Kah LC, Kelemen PB, Kinch KB, Mandon L, Mangold N, Quantin-Nataf C, Rice MS, Russell PS, Sharma S, Siljeström S, Steele A, Sullivan R, Wadhwa M, Weiss BP, Williams AJ, Wogsland BV, Willis PA, Acosta-Maeda TA, Beck P, Benzerara K, Bernard S, Burton AS, Cardarelli EL, Chide B, Clavé E, Cloutis EA, Cohen BA, Czaja AD, Debaille V, Dehouck E, Fairén AG, Flannery DT, Fleron SZ, Fouchet T, Frydenvang J, Garczynski BJ, Gibbons EF, Hausrath EM, Hayes AG, Henneke J, Jørgensen JL, Kelly EM, Lasue J, Le Mouélic S, Madariaga JM, Maurice S, Merusi M, Meslin PY, Milkovich SM, Million CC, Moeller RC, Núñez JI, Ollila AM, Paar G, Paige DA, Pedersen DAK, Pilleri P, Pilorget C, Pinet PC, Rice JW, Royer C, Sautter V, Schulte M, Sephton MA, Sharma SK, Sholes SF, Spanovich N, St Clair M, Tate CD, Uckert K, VanBommel SJ, Yanchilina AG, Zorzano MP. Aqueously altered igneous rocks sampled on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars. Science 2022; 377:eabo2196. [PMID: 36007009 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo2196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, to investigate ancient lake and river deposits. We report observations of the crater floor, below the crater's sedimentary delta, finding the floor consists of igneous rocks altered by water. The lowest exposed unit, informally named Séítah, is a coarsely crystalline olivine-rich rock, which accumulated at the base of a magma body. Fe-Mg carbonates along grain boundaries indicate reactions with CO2-rich water, under water-poor conditions. Overlying Séítah is a unit informally named Máaz, which we interpret as lava flows or the chemical complement to Séítah in a layered igneous body. Voids in these rocks contain sulfates and perchlorates, likely introduced by later near-surface brine evaporation. Core samples of these rocks were stored aboard Perseverance for potential return to Earth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K A Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - K M Stack
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - D L Shuster
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - B H N Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - J A Hurowitz
- Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - J D Tarnas
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J I Simon
- Center for Isotope Cosmochemistry and Geochronology, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - V Z Sun
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - E L Scheller
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - K R Moore
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - S M McLennan
- Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - P M Vasconcelos
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - R C Wiens
- Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - A H Treiman
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - L E Mayhew
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - O Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - T V Kizovski
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - N J Tosca
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK
| | - K H Williford
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - L S Crumpler
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, NM 8710, USA
| | - L W Beegle
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J F Bell
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - B L Ehlmann
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Y Liu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J N Maki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - M E Schmidt
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - A C Allwood
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - H E F Amundsen
- Center for Space Sensors and Systems, University of Oslo, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
| | - R Bhartia
- Photon Systems Inc., Covina, CA 91725, USA
| | - T Bosak
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - A J Brown
- Plancius Research, Severna Park, MD 21146, USA
| | - B C Clark
- Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - A Cousin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - O Forni
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - T S J Gabriel
- Astrogeology Science Center, US Geological Survey, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA
| | - Y Goreva
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - S Gupta
- Department of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S-E Hamran
- Center for Space Sensors and Systems, University of Oslo, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
| | - C D K Herd
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - K Hickman-Lewis
- Department of Earth Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - J R Johnson
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USA
| | - L C Kah
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - P B Kelemen
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY 10964, USA
| | - K B Kinch
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Mandon
- Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Diderot, 92195 Meudon, France
| | - N Mangold
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Nantes Université, Université Angers, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - C Quantin-Nataf
- Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon: Terre, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint Etienne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - M S Rice
- Department of Geology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 USA
| | - P S Russell
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - S Sharma
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - S Siljeström
- Department of Methodology, Textiles and Medical Technology, Research Institutes of Sweden, 11486 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Steele
- Earth and Planetary Laboratory, Carnegie Science, Washington, DC 20015, USA
| | - R Sullivan
- Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - M Wadhwa
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - B P Weiss
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA.,Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - A J Williams
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - B V Wogsland
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - P A Willis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - T A Acosta-Maeda
- Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - P Beck
- Institut de Planétologie et Astrophysique de Grenoble, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - K Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - S Bernard
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - A S Burton
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - E L Cardarelli
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - B Chide
- Planetary Exploration Team, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - E Clavé
- Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Université de Bordeaux, 33400 Bordeaux, France
| | - E A Cloutis
- Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - B A Cohen
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - A D Czaja
- Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - V Debaille
- Laboratoire G-Time, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - E Dehouck
- Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon: Terre, Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet Saint Etienne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - A G Fairén
- Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, 28850 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - D T Flannery
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - S Z Fleron
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Fouchet
- Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Diderot, 92195 Meudon, France
| | - J Frydenvang
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - B J Garczynski
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - E F Gibbons
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E8, Canada
| | - E M Hausrath
- Department of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - A G Hayes
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - J Henneke
- National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - J L Jørgensen
- National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - E M Kelly
- Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - J Lasue
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - S Le Mouélic
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Nantes Université, Université Angers, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - J M Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - S Maurice
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - M Merusi
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - P-Y Meslin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - S M Milkovich
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - R C Moeller
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J I Núñez
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USA
| | - A M Ollila
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA
| | - G Paar
- Institute for Information and Communication Technologies, Joanneum Research, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - D A Paige
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - D A K Pedersen
- National Space Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - P Pilleri
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - C Pilorget
- Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - P C Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre National d'Etude Spatiale, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - J W Rice
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - C Royer
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - V Sautter
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 75005 Paris, France
| | - M Schulte
- Mars Exploration Program, Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, USA
| | - M A Sephton
- Department of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - S K Sharma
- Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - S F Sholes
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - N Spanovich
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - M St Clair
- Million Concepts, Louisville, KY 40204, USA
| | - C D Tate
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - K Uckert
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - S J VanBommel
- McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences and Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | | | - M-P Zorzano
- Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu Y, Tice MM, Schmidt ME, Treiman AH, Kizovski TV, Hurowitz JA, Allwood AC, Henneke J, Pedersen DAK, VanBommel SJ, Jones MWM, Knight AL, Orenstein BJ, Clark BC, Elam WT, Heirwegh CM, Barber T, Beegle LW, Benzerara K, Bernard S, Beyssac O, Bosak T, Brown AJ, Cardarelli EL, Catling DC, Christian JR, Cloutis EA, Cohen BA, Davidoff S, Fairén AG, Farley KA, Flannery DT, Galvin A, Grotzinger JP, Gupta S, Hall J, Herd CDK, Hickman-Lewis K, Hodyss RP, Horgan BHN, Johnson JR, Jørgensen JL, Kah LC, Maki JN, Mandon L, Mangold N, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Moore K, Nachon M, Nemere P, Nothdurft LD, Núñez JI, O'Neil L, Quantin-Nataf CM, Sautter V, Shuster DL, Siebach KL, Simon JI, Sinclair KP, Stack KM, Steele A, Tarnas JD, Tosca NJ, Uckert K, Udry A, Wade LA, Weiss BP, Wiens RC, Williford KH, Zorzano MP. An olivine cumulate outcrop on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars. Science 2022; 377:1513-1519. [PMID: 36007094 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo2756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The geological units on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars, are part of a wider regional stratigraphy of olivine-rich rocks, which extends well beyond the crater. We investigate the petrology of olivine and carbonate-bearing rocks of the Séítah formation in the floor of Jezero. Using multispectral images and x-ray fluorescence data, acquired by the Perseverance rover, we performed a petrographic analysis of the Bastide and Brac outcrops within this unit. We find that these outcrops are composed of igneous rock, moderately altered by aqueous fluid. The igneous rocks are mainly made of coarse-grained olivine, similar to some Martian meteorites. We interpret them as an olivine cumulate, formed by settling and enrichment of olivine through multi-stage cooling of a thick magma body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y Liu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - M M Tice
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - M E Schmidt
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - A H Treiman
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, Universities Space Research Association, Houston TX 77058, USA
| | - T V Kizovski
- Department of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - J A Hurowitz
- Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - A C Allwood
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J Henneke
- Department of Space, Measurement and Instrumentation, Technical University of Denmark,, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - D A K Pedersen
- Department of Space, Measurement and Instrumentation, Technical University of Denmark,, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - S J VanBommel
- McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - M W M Jones
- Central Analytical Research Facility, and School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - A L Knight
- McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - B J Orenstein
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - B C Clark
- Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO 80301, USA
| | - W T Elam
- Applied Physics Lab and Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98052, USA
| | - C M Heirwegh
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - T Barber
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - L W Beegle
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - K Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - S Bernard
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - O Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - T Bosak
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - E L Cardarelli
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - D C Catling
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195, USA
| | - J R Christian
- McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - E A Cloutis
- Department of Geography, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - B A Cohen
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
| | - S Davidoff
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - A G Fairén
- Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Madrid 28850, Spain.,Dept. of Astronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - K A Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - D T Flannery
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - A Galvin
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - J P Grotzinger
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - S Gupta
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - J Hall
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - C D K Herd
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - K Hickman-Lewis
- Department of Earth Sciences, The Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD, UK.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, via Zamboni 67, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - R P Hodyss
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - B H N Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - J R Johnson
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel, MD 20723, USA
| | - J L Jørgensen
- Department of Space, Measurement and Instrumentation, Technical University of Denmark,, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - L C Kah
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN 37996, USA
| | - J N Maki
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - L Mandon
- Laboratoire d'Etudes Spatiales et d'Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris-Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris Cité, Meudon 92190, France
| | - N Mangold
- Laboratoire Planetologie et Geosciences, Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques, Universite Nantes, Universite Angers, Unite Mixte de Recherche 6112, Nantes 44322, France
| | - F M McCubbin
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - S M McLennan
- Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - K Moore
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - M Nachon
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - P Nemere
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - L D Nothdurft
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - J I Núñez
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Laurel, MD 20723, USA
| | - L O'Neil
- Applied Physics Lab and Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98052, USA
| | - C M Quantin-Nataf
- Laboratoire de Geologie de Lyon-Terre Planetes Environnement, Univ Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Superieure Lyon, Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - V Sautter
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris 75005, France
| | - D L Shuster
- Dept. Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - K L Siebach
- Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - J I Simon
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - K P Sinclair
- Applied Physics Lab and Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98052, USA
| | - K M Stack
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - A Steele
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC 20015, USA
| | - J D Tarnas
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - N J Tosca
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UK
| | - K Uckert
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - A Udry
- Department of Geosciences University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - L A Wade
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - B P Weiss
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - R C Wiens
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA
| | - K H Williford
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 600 1st Ave. Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - M-P Zorzano
- Centro de Astrobiología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aeroespacial, Madrid 28850, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Understanding redox processes during iron precipitation in standing water: implications in formation of iron oxides minerals in the terrestrial planetary environment (especially Mars). PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s43538-022-00092-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
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
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Velbel MA, Cockell CS, Glavin DP, Marty B, Regberg AB, Smith AL, Tosca NJ, Wadhwa M, Kminek G, Meyer MA, Beaty DW, Carrier BL, Haltigin T, Hays LE, Agee CB, Busemann H, Cavalazzi B, Debaille V, Grady MM, Hauber E, Hutzler A, McCubbin FM, Pratt LM, Smith CL, Summons RE, Swindle TD, Tait KT, Udry A, Usui T, Westall F, Zorzano MP. Planning Implications Related to Sterilization-Sensitive Science Investigations Associated with Mars Sample Return (MSR). ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:S112-S164. [PMID: 34904892 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return (MSR) Campaign seeks to establish whether life on Mars existed where and when environmental conditions allowed. Laboratory measurements on the returned samples are useful if what is measured is evidence of phenomena on Mars rather than of the effects of sterilization conditions. This report establishes that there are categories of measurements that can be fruitful despite sample sterilization and other categories that cannot. Sterilization kills living microorganisms and inactivates complex biological structures by breaking chemical bonds. Sterilization has similar effects on chemical bonds in non-biological compounds, including abiotic or pre-biotic reduced carbon compounds, hydrous minerals, and hydrous amorphous solids. We considered the sterilization effects of applying dry heat under two specific temperature-time regimes and the effects of γ-irradiation. Many measurements of volatile-rich materials are sterilization sensitive-they will be compromised by either dehydration or radiolysis upon sterilization. Dry-heat sterilization and γ-irradiation differ somewhat in their effects but affect the same chemical elements. Sterilization-sensitive measurements include the abundances and oxidation-reduction (redox) states of redox-sensitive elements, and isotope abundances and ratios of most of them. All organic molecules, and most minerals and naturally occurring amorphous materials that formed under habitable conditions, contain at least one redox-sensitive element. Thus, sterilization-sensitive evidence about ancient life on Mars and its relationship to its ancient environment will be severely compromised if the samples collected by Mars 2020 rover Perseverance cannot be analyzed in an unsterilized condition. To ensure that sterilization-sensitive measurements can be made even on samples deemed unsafe for unsterilized release from containment, contingency instruments in addition to those required for curation, time-sensitive science, and the Sample Safety Assessment Protocol would need to be added to the Sample Receiving Facility (SRF). Targeted investigations using analogs of MSR Campaign-relevant returned-sample types should be undertaken to fill knowledge gaps about sterilization effects on important scientific measurements, especially if the sterilization regimens eventually chosen are different from those considered in this report. Executive Summary A high priority of the planned NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign is to establish whether life on Mars exists or existed where and when allowed by paleoenvironmental conditions. To answer these questions from analyses of the returned samples would require measurement of many different properties and characteristics by multiple and diverse instruments. Planetary Protection requirements may determine that unsterilized subsamples cannot be safely released to non-Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4) terrestrial laboratories. Consequently, it is necessary to determine what, if any, are the negative effects that sterilization might have on sample integrity, specifically the fidelity of the subsample properties that are to be measured. Sample properties that do not survive sterilization intact should be measured on unsterilized subsamples, and the Sample Receiving Facility (SRF) should support such measurements. This report considers the effects that sterilization of subsamples might have on the science goals of the MSR Campaign. It assesses how the consequences of sterilization affect the scientific usefulness of the subsamples and hence our ability to conduct high-quality science investigations. We consider the sterilization effects of (a) the application of dry heat under two temperature-time regimes (180°C for 3 hours; 250°C for 30 min) and (b) γ-irradiation (1 MGy), as provided to us by the NASA and ESA Planetary Protection Officers (PPOs). Measurements of many properties of volatile-rich materials are sterilization sensitive-they would be compromised by application of either sterilization mode to the subsample. Such materials include organic molecules, hydrous minerals (crystalline solids), and hydrous amorphous (non-crystalline) solids. Either proposed sterilization method would modify the abundances, isotopes, or oxidation-reduction (redox) states of the six most abundant chemical elements in biological molecules (i.e., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulphur, CHNOPS), and of other key redox-sensitive elements that include iron (Fe), other first-row transition elements (FRTE), and cerium (Ce). As a result of these modifications, such evidence of Mars' life, paleoenvironmental history, potential habitability, and potential biosignatures would be corrupted or destroyed. Modifications of the abundances of some noble gases in samples heated during sterilization would also reset scientifically important radioisotope geochronometers and atmospheric-evolution measurements. Sterilization is designed to render terminally inactive (kill) all living microorganisms and inactivate complex biological structures (including bacterial spores, viruses, and prions). Sterilization processes do so by breaking certain pre-sterilization chemical bonds (including strong C-C, C-O, C-N, and C-H bonds of predominantly covalent character, as well as weaker hydrogen and van der Waals bonds) and forming different bonds and compounds, disabling the biological function of the pre-sterilization chemical compound. The group finds the following: No sterilization process could destroy the viability of cells whilst still retaining molecular structures completely intact. This applies not only to the organic molecules of living organisms, but also to most organic molecular biosignatures of former life (molecular fossils). As a matter of biological principle, any sterilization process would result in the loss of biological and paleobiological information, because this is the mechanism by which sterilization is achieved. Thus, almost all life science investigations would be compromised by sterilizing the subsample by either mode. Sterilization by dry heat at the proposed temperatures would lead to changes in many of the minerals and amorphous solids that are most significant for the study of paleoenvironments, habitability, potential biosignatures, and the geologic context of life-science observations. Gamma-(γ-)irradiation at even sub-MGy doses induces radiolysis of water. The radiolysis products (e.g., free radicals) react with redox-sensitive chemical species of interest for the study of paleoenvironments, habitability, and potential biosignatures, thereby adversely affecting measurements of those species. Heat sterilization and radiation also have a negative effect on CHNOPS and redox-sensitive elements. MSPG2 was unable to identify with confidence any measurement of abundances or oxidation-reduction states of CHNOPS elements, other redox-sensitive elements (e.g., Fe and other FRTE; Ce), or their isotopes that would be affected by only one, but not both, of the considered sterilization methods. Measurements of many attributes of volatile-rich subsamples are sterilization sensitive to both heat and γ-irradiation. Such a measurement is not useful to Mars science if what remains in the subsample is evidence of sterilization conditions and effects instead of evidence of conditions on Mars. Most measurements relating to the detection of evidence for extant or extinct life are sterilization sensitive. Many measurements other than those for life-science seek to retrieve Mars' paleoenvironmental information from the abundances or oxidation-reduction states of CHNOPS elements, other redox-sensitive elements, or their isotopes (and some noble gases) in returned samples. Such measurements inform scientific interpretations of (paleo)atmosphere composition and evolution, (paleo)surface water origin and chemical evolution, potential (paleo)habitability, (paleo)groundwater-porewater solute chemistry, origin and evolution, potential biosignature preservation, metabolic element or isotope fractionation, and the geologic, geochronological, and geomorphic context of life-sciences observations. Most such measurements are also sterilization sensitive. The sterilization-sensitive attributes cannot be meaningfully measured in any such subsample that has been sterilized by heat or γ-irradiation. Unless such subsamples are deemed biohazard-safe for release to external laboratories in unsterilized form, all such measurements must be made on unsterilized samples in biocontainment. An SRF should have the capability to carry out scientific investigations that are sterilization-sensitive to both PPO-provided sterilization methods (Figure SE1). The following findings have been recognized in the Report. Full explanations of the background, scope, and justification precede the presentation of each Finding in the Section identified for that Finding. One or more Findings follow our assessment of previous work on the effects of each provided sterilization method on each of three broad categories of measurement types-biosignatures of extant or ancient life, geological evidence of paleoenvironmental conditions, and gases. Findings are designated Major if they explicitly refer to both PPO-provided sterilization methods or have specific implications for the functionalities that need to be supported within an SRF. FINDING SS-1: More than half of the measurements described by iMOST for investigation into the presence of (mostly molecular) biosignatures (iMOST Objectives 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3) in returned martian samples are sterilization-sensitive and therefore cannot be performed with acceptable analytical precision or sensitivity on subsamples sterilized either by heat or by γ-irradiation at the sterilization parameters supplied to MSPG2. That proportion rises to 86% of the measurements specific to the investigation of extant or recent life (iMOST Objective 2.3) (see Section 2.5). This Finding supersedes Finding #4 of the MSPG Science in Containment report (MSPG, 2019). FINDING SS-2: Almost three quarters (115 out of 160; 72%) of the measurements described by iMOST for science investigations not associated with Objective 2 but associated with Objectives concerning geological phenomena that include past interactions with the hydrosphere (Objectives 1 and 3) and the atmosphere (Objective 4) are sterilization-tolerant and therefore can (generally) be performed with acceptable analytical precision or sensitivity on subsamples sterilized either by heat or by γ-irradiation at the sterilization parameters supplied to MSPG2 (see Section 2.5). This Finding supports Finding #6 of the MSPG Science in Containment report (MSPG, 2019). MSPG2 endorses the previously proposed strategy of conducting as many measurements as possible outside the SRF where the option exists. FINDING SS-3: Suggested strategies for investigating the potential for extant life in returned martian samples lie in understanding biosignatures and, more importantly, the presence of nucleic acid structures (DNA/RNA) and possible agnostic functionally similar information-bearing polymers. A crucial observation is that exposure of microorganisms to temperatures associated with sterilization above those typical of a habitable surface or subsurface environment results in a loss of biological information. If extant life is a target for subsample analysis, sterilization of material via dry heat would likely compromise any such analysis (see Section 3.2). FINDING SS-4: Suggested strategies for investigating the potential for extant life in returned martian samples lie in understanding biosignatures, including the presence of nucleic acid structures (DNA/RNA) and possible agnostic functionally similar information-bearing polymers. A crucial observation is that exposure of microorganisms to γ-radiation results in a loss of biological information through molecular damage and/or destruction. If extant life is a target for subsample analysis, sterilization of material via γ-radiation would likely compromise any such analysis (see Section 3.3). FINDING SS-5: Suggested strategies for investigating biomolecules in returned martian samples lie in detection of a variety of complex molecules, including peptides, proteins, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), as well as compounds associated with cell membranes such as lipids, sterols, and fatty acids and their geologically stable reaction products (hopanes, steranes, etc.) and possible agnostic functionally similar information-bearing polymers. Exposure to temperatures above MSR Campaign-Level Requirements for sample temperature, up to and including sterilization temperatures, results in a loss of biological information. If the presence of biosignatures is a target for subsample analysis, sterilization of material via dry heat would likely compromise any such analysis (see Section 4.2). FINDING SS-6: Suggested strategies for investigating biomolecules in returned martian samples lie in detection of a variety of complex molecules, including peptides, proteins, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), and compounds associated with cell membranes such as lipids, sterols and fatty acids and their geologically stable reaction products (hopanes, steranes, etc.) and possible agnostic functionally similar information-bearing polymers. Exposure to radiation results in a loss of biological information. If the presence of biosignatures is a target for subsample analysis, sterilization of material via γ-irradiation would likely compromise any such analysis (see Section 4.3). [Figure: see text] MAJOR FINDING SS-7: The use of heat or γ-irradiation sterilization should be avoided for subsamples intended to be used for organic biosignature investigations (for extinct or extant life). Studies of organic molecules from extinct or extant life (either indigenous or contaminants, viable or dead cells) or even some organic molecules derived from abiotic chemistry cannot credibly be done on subsamples that have been sterilized by any means. The concentrations of amino acids and other reduced organic biosignatures in the returned martian samples may also be so low that additional heat and/or γ-irradiation sterilization would reduce their concentrations to undetectable levels. It is a very high priority that these experiments be done on unsterilized subsamples inside containment (see Section 4.4). FINDING SS-8: Solvent extraction and acid hydrolysis at ∼100°C of unsterilized martian samples will inactivate any biopolymers in the extract and would not require additional heat or radiation treatment for the subsamples to be rendered sterile. Hydrolyzed extracts should be safe for analysis of soluble free organic molecules outside containment and may provide useful information about their origin for biohazard assessments; this type of approach, if approved, is strongly preferred and endorsed (see Section 4.4). FINDING SS-9: Minerals and amorphous materials formed by low temperature processes on Mars are highly sensitive to thermal alteration, which leads to irreversible changes in composition and/or structure when heated. Exposure to temperatures above MSR Campaign-Level Requirements for sample temperature, up to and including sterilization temperatures, has the potential to alter them from their as-received state. Sterilization by dry heat at the proposed sterilization temperatures would lead to changes in many of the minerals that are most significant for the study of paleoenvironments, habitability, and potential biosignatures or biosignature hosts. It is crucial that the returned samples are not heated to temperatures above which mineral transitions occur (see Section 5.3). FINDING SS-10: Crystal structure, major and non-volatile minor element abundances, and stoichiometric compositions of minerals are unaffected by γ-irradiation of up to 0.3-1 MGy, but crystal structures are completely destroyed at 130 MGy. Measurements of these specific properties cannot be acquired from subsamples γ-irradiated at the notional 1 MGy dose-they are sterilization-sensitive (see Section 5.4). FINDING SS-11: Sterilization by γ-irradiation (even at sub-MGy doses) results in significant changes to the redox state of elements bound within a mineral lattice. Redox-sensitive elements include Fe and other first-row transition elements (FRTE) as well as C, H, N, O, P and S. Almost all minerals and naturally occurring amorphous materials that formed under habitable conditions, including the ambient paleotemperatures of Mars' surface or shallow subsurface, contain at least one of these redox-sensitive elements. Therefore, measurements and investigations of the listed properties of such geological materials are sterilization sensitive and should not be performed on γ-irradiated subsamples (see Section 5.4). FINDING SS-12: A significant fraction of investigations that focus on high-temperature magmatic and impact-related processes, their chronology, and the chronology of Mars' geophysical evolution are sterilization-tolerant. While there may be a few analyses involved in such investigations that could be affected to some degree by heat sterilization, most of these analyses would not be affected by sterilization involving γ-irradiation (see Section 5.6). MAJOR FINDING SS-13: Scientific investigations of materials containing hydrous or otherwise volatile-rich minerals and/or X-ray amorphous materials that formed or were naturally modified at low (Mars surface-/near-surface) temperature are sterilization-sensitive in that they would be compromised by changes in the abundances, redox states, and isotopes of CHNOPS and other volatiles (e.g., noble gases for chronometry), FRTE, and Ce, and cannot be performed on subsamples that have been sterilized by either dry heat or γ-irradiation (see Section 5.7). MAJOR FINDING SS-14: It would be far preferable to work on sterilized gas samples outside of containment, if the technical issues can all be worked out, than to build and operate a large gas chemistry laboratory inside containment. Depending on their reactivity (or inertness), gases extracted from sample tubes could be sterilized by dry heat or γ-irradiation and analyzed outside containment. Alternatively, gas samples could be filtered through an inert grid and the filtered gas analyzed outside containment (see Section 6.5). MAJOR FINDING SS-15: It is fundamental to the campaign-level science objectives of the Mars Sample Return Campaign that the SRF support characterization of samples returned from Mars that contain organic matter and/or minerals formed under habitable conditions that include the ambient paleotemperatures of Mars' surface or subsurface (<∼200°C)-such as most clays, sulfates, and carbonates-in laboratories on Earth in their as-received-at-the-SRF condition (see Section 7.1). MAJOR FINDING SS-16: The search for any category of potential biosignature would be adversely affected by either of the proposed sterilization methods (see Section 7.1). MAJOR FINDING SS-17: Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other volatiles would be released from a subsample during the sterilization step. The heat and γ-ray sterilization chambers should be able to monitor weight loss from the subsample during sterilization. Any gases produced in the sample headspace and sterilization chamber during sterilization should be captured and contained for future analyses of the chemical and stable isotopic compositions of the evolved elements and compounds for all sterilized subsamples to characterize and document fully any sterilization-induced alteration and thereby recover some important information that would otherwise be lost (see Section 7.2). This report shows that most of the sterilization-sensitive iMOST measurement types are among either the iMOST objectives for life detection and life characterization (half or more of the measurements for life-science sub-objectives are critically sterilization sensitive) or the iMOST objectives for inferring paleoenvironments, habitability, preservation of potential biosignatures, and the geologic context of life-science observations (nearly half of the measurements for sub-objectives involving geological environments, habitability, potential biosignature preservation, and gases/volatiles are critically sterilization sensitive) (Table 2; see Beaty et al., 2019 for the full lists of iMOST objectives, goals, investigations, and sample measurement types). Sterilization-sensitive science about ancient life on Mars and its relationship to its ancient environment will be severely impaired or lost if the samples collected by Perseverance cannot be analyzed in an unsterilized condition. Summary: ○The SRF should have the capability to carry out or otherwise support scientific investigations that are sensitive to both PPO-provided sterilization methods. ○Measurements of most life-sciences and habitability-related (paleoenvironmental) phenomena are sensitive to both PPO-provided sterilization modes. (Major Finding SS-7, SS-15, SS-16 and Finding SS-1, SS-3, SS-4, SS-5, SS-6, SS-9, SS-11, SS-13) If subsamples for sterilization-sensitive measurement cannot be deemed safe for release, then additional contingency analytical capabilities are needed in the SRF to complete MSR Campaign measurements of sterilization-sensitive sample properties on unsterilized samples in containment (Figure SE1, below). ○Measurements of high-temperature (low-volatile) phenomena are tolerant of both PPO-provided sterilization modes (Finding SS-12). Subsamples for such measurements may be sterilized and released to laboratories outside containment without compromising the scientific value of the measurements. ○Capturing, transporting, and analyzing gases is important and will require careful design of apparatus. Doing so for volatiles present as headspace gases and a dedicated atmosphere sample will enable important atmospheric science (Major Finding SS-14). Similarly, capturing and analyzing gases evolved during subsample sterilization (i.e., gas from the sterilization chamber) would compensate for some sterilization-induced loss of science data from volatile-rich solid (geological) subsamples (Finding SS-14, SS-17; other options incl. SS-8).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Velbel
- Michigan State University, Earth and Environmental Sciences, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Smithsonian Institution, Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Charles S Cockell
- University of Edinburgh, Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Daniel P Glavin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Solar System Exploration Division, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Aaron B Regberg
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alvin L Smith
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Nicholas J Tosca
- University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge, UK
| | - Meenakshi Wadhwa
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
- Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Michael A Meyer
- NASA Headquarters, Mars Sample Return Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David W Beaty
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Brandi Lee Carrier
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | | | - Lindsay E Hays
- NASA Headquarters, Mars Sample Return Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carl B Agee
- University of New Mexico, Institute of Meteoritics, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Henner Busemann
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Geochemistry and Petrology, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Cavalazzi
- Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Ernst Hauber
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Francis M McCubbin
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lisa M Pratt
- Indiana University Bloomington, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Caroline L Smith
- Natural History Museum, Department of Earth Sciences, London, UK
- University of Glasgow, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Glasgow, UK
| | - Roger E Summons
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Timothy D Swindle
- University of Arizona, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Kimberly T Tait
- Royal Ontario Museum, Department of Natural History, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arya Udry
- University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Tomohiro Usui
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Chofu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Frances Westall
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Orléans, France
| | - Maria-Paz Zorzano
- Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC-INTA), Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain
- University of Aberdeen, Department of Planetary Sciences, School of Geosciences, King's College, Aberdeen, UK
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
In this work, we study the kinetics of thermal decomposition of MgCO3 in the form of particles of known size. In the experiments, the material is heated to a known temperature in a vacuum oven, and it is characterized, both before and after heating, by infrared spectroscopy and gravimetry. The agreement between the results of the two techniques is excellent. These results are rationalized by means of a model based on Languir’s law, and the comparison with the experiments allows us to estimate the activation energy of the process. The reabsorption of atmospheric water by the oxide is shown spectroscopically, finding that is strongly influenced by the temperature of the process.
Collapse
|
20
|
Singh D, Sinha RK, Singh P, Roy N, Mukherjee S. Astrobiological Potential of Fe/Mg Smectites with Special Emphasis on Jezero Crater, Mars 2020 Landing Site. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:579-597. [PMID: 35171004 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Life is known to adapt in accordance with its surrounding environment and sustainable resources available to it. Since harsh conditions would have precluded any possible aerobic evolution of life at the martian surface, it is plausible that martian life, should it exist, would have evolved in such a way as to derive energy from more optimum resources. Iron is one of the most abundant elements present in the martian crust and occurs at about twice the amount present on Earth. Clay minerals contribute to about half the iron found in soils and sediments. On Earth, clay acts as an electron donor as well as an acceptor in the carbon cycles and thereby supports a wide variety of metabolic reactions. In this context, we consider the potential of Fe/Mg smectites, one of the most widely reported hydrated minerals on Mars, for preservation of macro- and microscopic biosignatures. We proceed by understanding the environmental conditions during the formation of smectites and various microbes and metabolic processes associated with them as indicated in Earth-based studies. We also explore the possibility of biosignatures and their identification within the Mars 2020 landing site (Jezero Crater) by using the astrobiological payloads on board the Perseverance rover.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Singh
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Priyadarshini Singh
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Nidhi Roy
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Saumitra Mukherjee
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Royer C, Pilorget C, Hamm V, Bibring JP, Poulet F. A new concept of acousto-optic tunable filter-based near-infrared hyperspectral imager for planetary surface exploration. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2022; 93:044501. [PMID: 35489938 DOI: 10.1063/5.0075256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In the past two decades, near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging instruments have revolutionized our conception of planetary surfaces in terms of evolution, geology, mineralogy, and alteration processes. The cornerstone of this remote analysis technique is the synergy between imagery, giving the geomorphological context of the observations, and NIR spectroscopy whose spectral range is sensitive to the main absorption features of most of the minerals present on planetary surfaces. The development of a generation of space instrument based on Acousto-Optic Tunable Filters (AOTFs) increases the capacity of these spectrometers to be set up in a variety of space probes. The ExoCam concept, developed at Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale and profiting from the lab's previous experience (MicrOmega onboard Phobos-Grunt, Hayabusa 2 and ExoMars), thus, proposes for the first time to do hyperspectral imagery through a wide aperture AOTF (15 × 15 mm2) in the 0.95-3.6 µm spectral range. The characterization of this instrumental concept, led on a representative breadboard built for this purpose, showed that the acousto-optic diffraction preserves the image quality up to the diffraction/resolution limit over the whole field of view. The spectral resolution (from 2 to 25 nm over the spectral range) and accuracy of the instrument are also consistent with the identification of planetary surface minerals. This paper describes the ExoCam concept and objectives, the setup of an optical breadboard representative of a space instrument based on this concept, and the results of performance characterizations realized on the breadboard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clément Royer
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - C Pilorget
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - V Hamm
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - J-P Bibring
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - F Poulet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Loizeau D, Pilorget C, Poulet F, Lantz C, Bibring JP, Hamm V, Royer C, Dypvik H, Krzesińska AM, Rull F, Werner SC. Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library Project: 3. Characterization of Samples With MicrOmega. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:263-292. [PMID: 35263189 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library (PTAL) project aims at building and exploiting a database involving several analytical techniques, to help characterize the mineralogical evolution of terrestrial bodies, starting with Mars. Around 100 natural Earth rock samples have been collected from selected locations to gather a variety of analogs for martian geology, from volcanic to sedimentary origin with different levels of alteration. All samples are to be characterized within the PTAL project with different mineralogical and elemental analysis techniques, including techniques brought on actual and future instruments at the surface of Mars (near infrared [NIR] spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy). This article presents the NIR measurements and interpretations acquired with the ExoMars MicrOmega spare instrument. MicrOmega is an NIR hyperspectral microscope, mounted in the analytical laboratory of the ExoMars rover Rosalind Franklin. All PTAL samples have been observed at least once with MicrOmega using a dedicated setup. For all PTAL samples, data description and interpretation are presented. For some chosen examples, color composite images and spectra are presented as well. A comparison with characterizations by NIR and Raman spectrometry is discussed for some of the samples. In particular, the spectral imaging capacity of MicrOmega allows detections of mineral components and potential organic molecules that were not possible with other one-spot techniques. In addition, it enables estimation of heterogeneities in the spatial distribution of various mineral species. The MicrOmega/PTAL data shall support the future observations and analyses performed by MicrOmega/Rosalind Franklin instrument.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien Loizeau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - Cédric Pilorget
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - François Poulet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - Cateline Lantz
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Bibring
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - Vincent Hamm
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | - Clément Royer
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Orsay, France
| | | | | | - Fernando Rull
- Cristalografia y Mineralogia, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Stephanie C Werner
- Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mandon L, Beck P, Quantin‐Nataf C, Dehouck E, Thollot P, Loizeau D, Volat M. ROMA: A Database of Rock Reflectance Spectra for Martian In Situ Exploration. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2022; 9:e2021EA001871. [PMID: 35844834 PMCID: PMC9285354 DOI: 10.1029/2021ea001871] [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: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ROMA database (ROck reflectance for MArtian in situ exploration, https://roma.univ-lyon1.fr) provides the reflectance spectra between 0.4 and 3-4 μm of various terrestrial, Martian, and synthetic samples, as a means to document reference measurements for comparison with data acquired by visible and near-infrared spectrometers on planetary surfaces, with a focus on current and future Martian observations by the Perseverance (Mars 2020 mission) and Rosalind Franklin (ExoMars) rovers. The main specificity of this database is to include a significant fraction of spectra of unprocessed rock, which are more realistic analogs and often have different spectral features than the fine powders more commonly analyzed in reflectance spectroscopy. Additionally, these measurements were acquired with a spectrometer whose spot size is similar to those of the SuperCam instrument (Mars 2020 mission) at a few meters from a target. Supplementary information are provided in the ROMA database: higher-level data (such as absorption band parameters) as well as sample mineralogy estimated by whole-rock X-ray diffraction analyses. Future comparisons with this database will help improve the interpretation of spectral measurements acquired on the Martian surface. This work introduces the aim of the library and its current state, but additional data on intact natural rock surfaces will likely be added in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Mandon
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL‐TPEVilleurbanneFrance
- Now at LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de ParisMeudonFrance
| | - P. Beck
- Université Grenoble‐Alpes, CNRS, IPAG, UMR 5274GrenobleFrance
- Institut Universitaire de FranceParisFrance
| | | | - E. Dehouck
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL‐TPEVilleurbanneFrance
| | - P. Thollot
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL‐TPEVilleurbanneFrance
| | - D. Loizeau
- Université Paris‐Saclay, CNRS, Institut d’Astrophysique SpatialeOrsayFrance
| | - M. Volat
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL‐TPEVilleurbanneFrance
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kong X, Zhu S, Shavorskiy A, Li J, Liu W, Corral Arroyo P, Signorell R, Wang S, Pettersson JBC. Surface solvation of Martian salt analogues at low relative humidities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: ATMOSPHERES 2022; 2:137-145. [PMID: 35419521 PMCID: PMC8929290 DOI: 10.1039/d1ea00092f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Salt aerosols play important roles in many processes related to atmospheric chemistry and the climate systems on both Earth and Mars. Complicated and still poorly understood processes occur on the salt surfaces when interacting with water vapor. In this study, ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is used to characterize the surface chemical environment of Martian salt analogues originating from saline lakes and playas, as well as their responses to varying relative humidities. Generally, APXPS shows similar ionic compositions to those observed by ion chromatography (IC). However, XPS is a surface-sensitive method while IC is bulk-sensitive and differences are observed for species that preferentially partition to the surface or the bulk. Element-selective surface enhancement of Cl− is observed, likely caused by the presence of SO42−. In addition, Mg2+ is concentrated on the surface while Na+ is relatively depleted in the surface layer. Hence, the cations (Na+ and Mg2+) and the anions (Cl− and SO42−) show competitive correlations. At elevated relative humidity (RH), no major spectral changes were observed in the XPS results, except for the growth of an oxygen component originating from condensed H2O. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements show that the magnesium and sodium spectra are sensitive to the presence of water, and the results imply that the surface is fully solvated already at RH = 5%. The surface solvation is also fully reversible as the RH is reduced. No major differences are observed between sample types and sample locations, indicating that the salts originated from saline lakes commonly have solvated surfaces under the environmental conditions on Earth. Salt aerosols play important roles in many processes related to atmospheric chemistry and the climate systems on both Earth and Mars.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrui Kong
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Atmospheric Science, University of Gothenburg, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Suyun Zhu
- MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, SE221-00 Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Jun Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Wanyu Liu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Pablo Corral Arroyo
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Signorell
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sen Wang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Jan B. C. Pettersson
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Atmospheric Science, University of Gothenburg, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Goodwin A, Papineau D. Biosignatures Associated with Organic Matter in Late Paleoproterozoic Stromatolitic Dolomite and Implications for Martian Carbonates. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:49-74. [PMID: 34664990 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The documentation of biosignatures in Precambrian rocks is an important requirement in the search for evidence of life on other ancient planetary surfaces. Three major kinds of biosignatures are crucially important: primary microbial sedimentary textures, diagenetic organomineral assemblages, and stable isotope compositions. This study presents new petrographic, mineralogical, and organic geochemical analyses of biosignatures in dolomitic stromatolites from the Pethei Group (N.W.T., Canada) and the Kasegalik Formation of the Belcher Group (Nunavut, Canada). Both are approximately contemporary late Paleoproterozoic stromatolite-bearing dolomitic units deposited after the Great Oxidation Event. Micro-Raman and optical microscopy are used to identify and characterize possible diagenetic biosignatures, which include close spatial association of diagenetic materials (such as ferric-ferrous oxide and anatase) with disseminated organic matter (OM), dolomitic groundmass textures, and mineralized balls. Many of these petrographic relationships point to the oxidation of OM either biotically or abiotically in association with iron reduction and chemically oscillating reactions. Oxidation of OM in these stromatolites is consistent with the widespread oxidation of biomass during the late Paleoproterozoic Shunga-Francevillian Event. Biosignatures identified in this study are also compared with possible carbonate outcrops on Mars, and thereby contribute a basis for comparison with potential biosignatures in ancient martian terrains. Similarities are drawn between the paleoenvironments of the studied units to the Isidis and Chryse planitia as locations for potential extraterrestrial dolomitic stromatolites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Goodwin
- Centre for Planetary Sciences, UCL-Birkbeck, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dominic Papineau
- Centre for Planetary Sciences, UCL-Birkbeck, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Tarnas JD, Stack KM, Parente M, Koeppel AHD, Mustard JF, Moore KR, Horgan BHN, Seelos FP, Cloutis EA, Kelemen PB, Flannery D, Brown AJ, Frizzell KR, Pinet P. Characteristics, Origins, and Biosignature Preservation Potential of Carbonate-Bearing Rocks Within and Outside of Jezero Crater. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2021; 126:e2021JE006898. [PMID: 34824965 PMCID: PMC8597593 DOI: 10.1029/2021je006898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Carbonate minerals have been detected in Jezero crater, an ancient lake basin that is the landing site of the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, and within the regional olivine-bearing (ROB) unit in the Nili Fossae region surrounding this crater. It has been suggested that some carbonates in the margin fractured unit, a rock unit within Jezero crater, formed in a fluviolacustrine environment, which would be conducive to preservation of biosignatures from paleolake-inhabiting lifeforms. Here, we show that carbonate-bearing rocks within and outside of Jezero crater have the same range of visible-to-near-infrared carbonate absorption strengths, carbonate absorption band positions, thermal inertias, and morphologies. Thicknesses of exposed carbonate-bearing rock cross-sections in Jezero crater are ∼75-90 m thicker than typical ROB unit cross-sections in the Nili Fossae region, but have similar thicknesses to ROB unit exposures in Libya Montes. These similarities in carbonate properties within and outside of Jezero crater is consistent with a shared origin for all of the carbonates in the Nili Fossae region. Carbonate absorption minima positions indicate that both Mg- and more Fe-rich carbonates are present in the Nili Fossae region, consistent with the expected products of olivine carbonation. These estimated carbonate chemistries are similar to those in martian meteorites and the Comanche carbonates investigated by the Spirit rover in Columbia Hills. Our results indicate that hydrothermal alteration is the most likely formation mechanism for non-deltaic carbonates within and outside of Jezero crater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. D. Tarnas
- NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - K. M. Stack
- NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - M. Parente
- Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringUniversity of Massachusetts at AmherstAmherstMAUSA
| | - A. H. D. Koeppel
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary ScienceNorthern Arizona UniversityFlagstaffAZUSA
| | - J. F. Mustard
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary SciencesBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - K. R. Moore
- NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - B. H. N. Horgan
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary SciencesPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteINUSA
| | - F. P. Seelos
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics LabLaurelMDUSA
| | - E. A. Cloutis
- Department of GeographyUniversity of WinnipegWinnipegMBCanada
| | - P. B. Kelemen
- Lahmont‐Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia UniversityPalisadesNYUSA
| | - D. Flannery
- School of Earth and Atmospheric SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQLDAustralia
| | | | - K. R. Frizzell
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNJUSA
| | - P. Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et PlanétologieToulouseFrance
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Leask EK, Ehlmann BL, Greenberger RN, Pinet P, Daydou Y, Ceuleneer G, Kelemen P. Tracing Carbonate Formation, Serpentinization, and Biological Materials With Micro-/Meso-Scale Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy in a Mars Analog System, Samail Ophiolite, Oman. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2021; 8:e2021EA001637. [PMID: 34820479 PMCID: PMC8596454 DOI: 10.1029/2021ea001637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Visible-shortwave infrared (VSWIR) imaging spectrometers map composition remotely with spatial context, typically at many meters-scale from orbital and airborne data. Here, we evaluate VSWIR imaging spectroscopy capabilities at centimeters to sub-millimeter scale at the Samail Ophiolite, Oman, where mafic and ultramafic lithologies and their alteration products, including serpentine and carbonates, are exposed in a semi-arid environment, analogous to similar mineral associations observed from Mars orbit that will be explored by the Mars-2020 rover. At outcrop and hand specimen scales, VSWIR spectroscopy (a) identifies cross-cutting veins of calcite, dolomite, magnesite, serpentine, and chlorite that record pathways and time-order of multiple alteration events of changing fluid composition; (b) detects small-scale, partially altered remnant pyroxenes and localized epidote and prehnite that indicate protolith composition and temperatures and pressures of multiple generations of faulting and alteration, respectively; and (c) discriminates between spectrally similar carbonate and serpentine phases and carbonate solid solutions. In natural magnesite veins, minor amounts of ferrous iron can appear similar to olivine's strong 1-μm absorption, though no olivine is present. We also find that mineral identification for carbonate and serpentine in mixtures with each other is strongly scale- and texture-dependent; ∼40 area% dolomite in mm-scale veins at one serpentinite outcrop and ∼18 area% serpentine in a calcite-rich travertine outcrop are not discriminated until spatial scales of <∼1-2 cm/pixel. We found biological materials, for example bacterial mats versus vascular plants, are differentiated using wavelengths <1 μm while shortwave infrared wavelengths >1 μm are required to identify most organic materials and distinguish most mineral phases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K. Leask
- Division of Geological & Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
- Now at Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics LaboratoryLaurelMDUSA
| | - Bethany L. Ehlmann
- Division of Geological & Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Rebecca N. Greenberger
- Division of Geological & Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - Patrick Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP)Université de ToulouseCNRSUPSCNESToulouseFrance
| | - Yves Daydou
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP)Université de ToulouseCNRSUPSCNESToulouseFrance
| | - Georges Ceuleneer
- Geosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET)Université de ToulouseCNRSUPSToulouseFrance
| | - Peter Kelemen
- Department of Earth & Environmental SciencesColumbia UniversityLamont Doherty Earth ObservatoryPalisadesNYUSA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Recognition of Sedimentary Rock Occurrences in Satellite and Aerial Images of Other Worlds—Insights from Mars. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13214296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sedimentary rocks provide records of past surface and subsurface processes and environments. The first step in the study of the sedimentary rock record of another world is to learn to recognize their occurrences in images from instruments aboard orbiting, flyby, or aerial platforms. For two decades, Mars has been known to have sedimentary rocks; however, planet-wide identification is incomplete. Global coverage at 0.25–6 m/pixel, and observations from the Curiosity rover in Gale crater, expand the ability to recognize Martian sedimentary rocks. No longer limited to cases that are light-toned, lightly cratered, and stratified—or mimic original depositional setting (e.g., lithified deltas)—Martian sedimentary rocks include dark-toned examples, as well as rocks that are erosion-resistant enough to retain small craters as well as do lava flows. Breakdown of conglomerates, breccias, and even some mudstones, can produce a pebbly regolith that imparts a “smooth” appearance in satellite and aerial images. Context is important; sedimentary rocks remain challenging to distinguish from primary igneous rocks in some cases. Detection of ultramafic, mafic, or andesitic compositions do not dictate that a rock is igneous, and clast genesis should be considered separately from the depositional record. Mars likely has much more sedimentary rock than previously recognized.
Collapse
|
29
|
Baucon A, Neto de Carvalho C, Briguglio A, Piazza M, Felletti F. A predictive model for the ichnological suitability of the Jezero crater, Mars: searching for fossilized traces of life-substrate interactions in the 2020 Rover Mission Landing Site. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11784. [PMID: 34631304 PMCID: PMC8466086 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11784] [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: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ichnofossils, the fossilized products of life-substrate interactions, are among the most abundant biosignatures on Earth and therefore they may provide scientific evidence of potential life that may have existed on Mars. Ichnofossils offer unique advantages in the search for extraterrestrial life, including the fact that they are resilient to processes that obliterate other evidence for past life, such as body fossils, as well as chemical and isotopic biosignatures. The goal of this paper is evaluating the suitability of the Mars 2020 Landing Site for ichnofossils. To this goal, we apply palaeontological predictive modelling, a technique used to forecast the location of fossil sites in uninvestigated areas on Earth. Accordingly, a geographic information system (GIS) of the landing site is developed. Each layer of the GIS maps the suitability for one or more ichnofossil types (bioturbation, bioerosion, biostratification structures) based on an assessment of a single attribute (suitability factor) of the Martian environment. Suitability criteria have been selected among the environmental attributes that control ichnofossil abundance and preservation in 18 reference sites on Earth. The goal of this research is delivered through three predictive maps showing which areas of the Mars 2020 Landing Site are more likely to preserve potential ichnofossils. On the basis of these maps, an ichnological strategy for the Perseverance rover is identified, indicating (1) 10 sites on Mars with high suitability for bioturbation, bioerosion and biostratification ichnofossils, (2) the ichnofossil types, if any, that are more likely to be present at each site, (3) the most efficient observation strategy for detecting eventual ichnofossils. The predictive maps and the ichnological strategy can be easily integrated in the existing plans for the exploration of the Jezero crater, realizing benefits in life-search efficiency and cost-reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Baucon
- DISTAV, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy.,Geology Office of Idanha-a-Nova, Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark, Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
| | - Carlos Neto de Carvalho
- Geology Office of Idanha-a-Nova, Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark, Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal.,Instituto D. Luiz, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Felletti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra 'Ardito Desio', University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Scheller EL, Swindle C, Grotzinger J, Barnhart H, Bhattacharjee S, Ehlmann BL, Farley K, Fischer WW, Greenberger R, Ingalls M, Martin PE, Osorio-Rodriguez D, Smith BP. Formation of Magnesium Carbonates on Earth and Implications for Mars. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2021; 126:e2021JE006828. [PMID: 34422534 PMCID: PMC8378241 DOI: 10.1029/2021je006828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium carbonates have been identified within the landing site of the Perseverance rover mission. This study reviews terrestrial analog environments and textural, mineral assemblage, isotopic, and elemental analyses that have been applied to establish formation conditions of magnesium carbonates. Magnesium carbonates form in five distinct settings: ultramafic rock-hosted veins, the matrix of carbonated peridotite, nodules in soil, alkaline lake, and playa deposits, and as diagenetic replacements within lime-and dolostones. Dominant textures include fine-grained or microcrystalline veins, nodules, and crusts. Microbial influences on formation are recorded in thrombolites, stromatolites, crinkly, and pustular laminites, spheroids, and filamentous microstructures. Mineral assemblages, fluid inclusions, and carbon, oxygen, magnesium, and clumped isotopes of carbon and oxygen have been used to determine the sources of carbon, magnesium, and fluid for magnesium carbonates as well as their temperatures of formation. Isotopic signatures in ultramafic rock-hosted magnesium carbonates reveal that they form by either low-temperature meteoric water infiltration and alteration, hydrothermal alteration, or metamorphic processes. Isotopic compositions of lacustrine magnesium carbonate record precipitation from lake water, evaporation processes, and ambient formation temperatures. Assessment of these features with similar analytical techniques applied to returned Martian samples can establish whether carbonates on ancient Mars were formed at high or low temperature conditions in the surface or subsurface through abiotic or biotic processes. The timing of carbonate formation processes could be constrained by 147Sm-143Nd isochron, U-Pb concordia, 207Pb-206Pb isochron radiometric dating as well as 3He, 21Ne, 22Ne, or 36Ar surface exposure dating of returned Martian magnesium carbonate samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva L Scheller
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Carl Swindle
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - John Grotzinger
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Holly Barnhart
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Surjyendu Bhattacharjee
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Bethany L Ehlmann
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ken Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Woodward W Fischer
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Greenberger
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Miquela Ingalls
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Peter E Martin
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Geological Sciences Department, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Daniela Osorio-Rodriguez
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Ben P Smith
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zastrow AM, Glotch TD. Distinct Carbonate Lithologies in Jezero Crater, Mars. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 2021; 48:e2020GL092365. [PMID: 34219844 PMCID: PMC8243932 DOI: 10.1029/2020gl092365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Jezero crater is the landing site for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. The Noachian-aged crater has undergone several periods of fluvial and lacustrine activity and phyllosilicate- and carbonate-bearing rocks were formed and emplaced as a result. It also contains a portion of the regional Nili Fossae olivine-carbonate unit. In this work, we performed spectral mixture analysis of visible/near-infrared hyperspectral imagery over Jezero. We modeled carbonate abundances up to ∼35% and identified three distinct units containing different carbonate phases. Our work also shows that the olivine in Jezero is predominantly restricted to aeolian deposits overlying the carbonate rocks. The diversity of carbonate phases in Jezero points to multiple periods of carbonate formation under varying conditions.
Collapse
|
32
|
Mojarro A, Jin L, Szostak JW, Head JW, Zuber MT. In search of the RNA world on Mars. GEOBIOLOGY 2021; 19:307-321. [PMID: 33565260 PMCID: PMC8248371 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Advances in origins of life research and prebiotic chemistry suggest that life as we know it may have emerged from an earlier RNA World. However, it has been difficult to reconcile the conditions used in laboratory experiments with real-world geochemical environments that may have existed on the early Earth and hosted the origin(s) of life. This challenge is due to geologic resurfacing and recycling that have erased the overwhelming majority of the Earth's prebiotic history. We therefore propose that Mars, a planet frozen in time, comprised of many surfaces that have remained relatively unchanged since their formation > 4 Gya, is the best alternative to search for environments consistent with geochemical requirements imposed by the RNA world. In this study, we synthesize in situ and orbital observations of Mars and modeling of its early atmosphere into solutions containing a range of pHs and concentrations of prebiotically relevant metals (Fe2+ , Mg2+ , and Mn2+ ) spanning various candidate aqueous environments. We then experimentally determine RNA degradation kinetics due to metal-catalyzed hydrolysis (cleavage) and evaluate whether early Mars could have been permissive toward the accumulation of long-lived RNA polymers. Our results indicate that a Mg2+ -rich basalt sourcing metals to a slightly acidic (pH 5.4) environment mediates the slowest rates of RNA cleavage, though geologic evidence and basalt weathering models suggest aquifers on Mars would be near neutral (pH ~ 7). Moreover, the early onset of oxidizing conditions on Mars has major consequences regarding the availability of oxygen-sensitive metals (i.e., Fe2+ and Mn2+ ) due to increased RNA degradation rates and precipitation. Overall, (a) low pH decreases RNA cleavage at high metal concentrations; (b) acidic to neutral pH environments with Fe2+ or Mn2+ cleave more RNA than Mg2+ ; and (c) alkaline environments with Mg2+ dramatically cleaves more RNA while precipitates were observed for Fe2+ and Mn2+ .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angel Mojarro
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Lin Jin
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative BiologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Jack W. Szostak
- Department of Molecular Biology, and Center for Computational and Integrative BiologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - James W. Head
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary SciencesBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Maria T. Zuber
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Rolling Ironstones from Earth and Mars: Terrestrial Hydrothermal Ooids as a Potential Analogue of Martian Spherules. MINERALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/min11050460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution images of Mars from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rovers revealed mm-size loose haematite spherulitic deposits (nicknamed “blueberries”) similar to terrestrial iron-ooids, for which both abiotic and biotic genetic hypotheses have been proposed. Understanding the formation mechanism of these haematite spherules can thus improve our knowledge on the possible geologic evolution and links to life development on Mars. Here, we show that shape, size, fabric and mineralogical composition of the Martian spherules share similarities with corresponding iron spherules currently forming on the Earth over an active submarine hydrothermal system located off Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Mediterranean Sea). Hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanic activity enable these terrestrial spheroidal grains to form and grow. The recent exceptional discovery of a still working iron-ooid source on the Earth provides indications that past hydrothermal activity on the Red Planet is a possible scenario to be considered as the cause of formation of these enigmatic iron grains.
Collapse
|
34
|
Seaton KM, Cable ML, Stockton AM. Analytical Chemistry in Astrobiology. Anal Chem 2021; 93:5981-5997. [PMID: 33835785 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This Feature introduces and discusses the findings of key analytical techniques used to study planetary bodies in our solar system in the search for life beyond Earth, future missions planned for high-priority astrobiology targets in our solar system, and the challenges we face in performing these investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Marshall Seaton
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Avenue NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Morgan Leigh Cable
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
| | - Amanda Michelle Stockton
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, North Avenue NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ruiz-Galende P, Fernández G, Torre-Fdez I, Aramendia J, Gomez-Nubla L, García-Florentino C, Castro K, Arana G, Madariaga JM. Characterization of sedimentary and volcanic rocks in Armintza outcrop (Biscay, Spain) and its implication for Oxia Planum (Mars) exploration. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2021; 251:119443. [PMID: 33485243 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.119443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The landing site of the next planetary mission lead by ESA (ExoMars 2022) will be Oxia Planum. This location has been chosen due to different reasons, among them, the existence of sedimentary rocks that could host remains of organic matter. The fact that this type of rocks coexists with volcanic ones makes of high importance the study of the processes and the possible interactions that could happen among them. Therefore, in this research work the Armintza outcrop (Biscay, North of Spain) is proposed as an Oxia Planum analogue since it has the dichotomy of volcanic and sedimentary rock layers that is expected on the landing site of the ExoMars 2022 mission. As Raman and visible near infrared spectroscopies will be in the payload of the rover of that mission, they have been used to characterize the samples collected in the Armintza outcrop. With the help of these techniques, feldspars (albite mainly) and phyllosilicates (kaolinite and dickite, together with micas and chlorite minerals) have been identified as the major products on the samples, together with some weathering products (carbonates, sulphates, oxides) and apatite. Moreover, remains of kerogen have been detected in the sedimentary layers in contact with the interlayered lava flows, confirming the capability of similar sedimentary-volcanic layers to trap and store organic remains for millions of years. After establishing which compounds have volcanic or sedimentary origin, and which must be considered alteration phases, we can consider Armintza as a good Oxia Planum analogue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Ruiz-Galende
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - G Fernández
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - I Torre-Fdez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - J Aramendia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - L Gomez-Nubla
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - C García-Florentino
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - K Castro
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - G Arana
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - J M Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, P.O. Box 644, E-48080 Bilbao, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mandon L, Parkes Bowen A, Quantin-Nataf C, Bridges JC, Carter J, Pan L, Beck P, Dehouck E, Volat M, Thomas N, Cremonese G, Tornabene LL, Thollot P. Morphological and Spectral Diversity of the Clay-Bearing Unit at the ExoMars Landing Site Oxia Planum. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:464-480. [PMID: 33646016 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The European Space Agency and Roscosmos' ExoMars rover mission, which is planned to land in the Oxia Planum region, will be dedicated to exobiology studies at the surface and subsurface of Mars. Oxia Planum is a clay-bearing site that has preserved evidence of long-term interaction with water during the Noachian era. Fe/Mg-rich phyllosilicates have previously been shown to occur extensively throughout the landing area. Here, we analyze data from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) instruments onboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) onboard ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter to characterize, at a high spatial resolution, the morphological and spectral variability of Oxia Planum's surface deposits. Two main types of bedrocks are identified within the clay-bearing, fractured unit observed throughout the landing site: (1) an orange type in HiRISE correlated with the strongest detections of secondary minerals (dominated by Fe/Mg-rich clay minerals) with, in some locations, an additional spectral absorption near 2.5 μm, suggesting the mixture with an additional mineral, plausibly carbonate or another type of clay mineral; (2) a more bluish bedrock associated with weaker detections of secondary minerals, which exhibits at certain locations a ∼1 μm broad absorption feature consistent with olivine. Coanalysis of the same terrains with the recently acquired CaSSIS images confirms the variability in the color and spectral properties of the fractured unit. Of interest for the ExoMars mission, both types of bedrocks are extensively outcropping in the Oxia Planum region, and the one corresponding to the most intense spectral signals of clay minerals (the primary scientific target) is well exposed within the landing area, including near its center.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mandon
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL-TPE, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Adam Parkes Bowen
- Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | | | - John C Bridges
- Space Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - John Carter
- Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
| | - Lu Pan
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL-TPE, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Pierre Beck
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IPAG, UMR 5274, F-38041, Grenoble, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Erwin Dehouck
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL-TPE, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Matthieu Volat
- Univ Lyon, Univ Lyon 1, ENSL, CNRS, LGL-TPE, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Nicolas Thomas
- Physikalisches Institut, Sidlerstr. 5, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Masuda S, Furukawa Y, Kobayashi T, Sekine T, Kakegawa T. Experimental Investigation of the Formation of Formaldehyde by Hadean and Noachian Impacts. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:413-420. [PMID: 33784199 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde (FA) is an important precursor in the abiotic synthesis of major biomolecules including amino acids, sugars, and nucleobases. Thus, spontaneous formation of prebiotic FA must have been crucial for the chemical origin of life. The frequent impacts of meteorites and asteroids on Hadean Earth have been considered one of the abiotic synthetic processes of organic compounds. However, the impact-induced formation of FA from CO2 as the major atmospheric constituent has not been confirmed yet. This study investigated the formation of FA in impact-induced reactions among meteoritic minerals, bicarbonate, gaseous nitrogen, and water to simulate the abiotic process experimentally. Products were analyzed with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show the formation of FA and oxidation of metallic iron to siderite in the impact shock experiments. This indicates that this important prebiotic molecule was also synthesized by impacts of iron-bearing meteorites/asteroids on the Hadean oceans. The impact events might have generated spatially and temporally FA-enriched localized environments. Moreover, the impact-induced synthesis of FA may have also occurred on Noachian Mars given the presence of liquid water and a CO2-N2-rich atmosphere on the planet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeka Masuda
- Department of Earth Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | | | - Toshimori Sekine
- Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research, Shanghai, China
- Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Knuth JM, Potter-McIntyre SL. Stable Isotope Fractionation in a Cold Spring System, Utah, USA: Insights for Sample Selection on Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:235-245. [PMID: 33021813 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Stable δ13C isotope analysis at hot and cold springs suggests that rapid degassing overprints carbon isotopic biosignatures even when microbial activity produces biogenic textures in the minerals. Mineral precipitation and potential biosignature preservation are evaluated at a cold spring system in Ten Mile Graben, Utah, USA, with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and stable carbon isotopes. Putative biogenic mineral habits such as aragonite microspheres and botryoids, and biologic materials (EPS and diatom tests) are abundant in modern mats, but the δ13C values are between +2‰ and +7.8‰, consistent with rapid CO2 degassing reported by other researchers. Multiple factors, however, influence isotopic signatures of mineral precipitates in this spring system, including rapid degassing, preferential microbial uptake of light carbon isotopes via multiple carboxylation pathways, hydrocarbon-charged fluid, and other inherited isotopic signatures in the fluid, particularly from dissolution of older limestones; therefore, it is not likely that this narrow range of isotopic ratios definitively shows an abiotic signature. A fossil vent preserves biogenic mineral habits, but not microbial body fossils. This study highlights the need for novel biosignature detection methods-and an understanding of what an abiotic signature definitively is-as we prepare for sample caching of carbonate rocks by the Mars2020 mission and future sample return.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Knuth
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Sally L Potter-McIntyre
- School of Earth Systems and Sustainability, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Wiens RC, Maurice S, Robinson SH, Nelson AE, Cais P, Bernardi P, Newell RT, Clegg S, Sharma SK, Storms S, Deming J, Beckman D, Ollila AM, Gasnault O, Anderson RB, André Y, Michael Angel S, Arana G, Auden E, Beck P, Becker J, Benzerara K, Bernard S, Beyssac O, Borges L, Bousquet B, Boyd K, Caffrey M, Carlson J, Castro K, Celis J, Chide B, Clark K, Cloutis E, Cordoba EC, Cousin A, Dale M, Deflores L, Delapp D, Deleuze M, Dirmyer M, Donny C, Dromart G, George Duran M, Egan M, Ervin J, Fabre C, Fau A, Fischer W, Forni O, Fouchet T, Fresquez R, Frydenvang J, Gasway D, Gontijo I, Grotzinger J, Jacob X, Jacquinod S, Johnson JR, Klisiewicz RA, Lake J, Lanza N, Laserna J, Lasue J, Le Mouélic S, Legett C, Leveille R, Lewin E, Lopez-Reyes G, Lorenz R, Lorigny E, Love SP, Lucero B, Madariaga JM, Madsen M, Madsen S, Mangold N, Manrique JA, Martinez JP, Martinez-Frias J, McCabe KP, McConnochie TH, McGlown JM, McLennan SM, Melikechi N, Meslin PY, Michel JM, Mimoun D, Misra A, Montagnac G, Montmessin F, Mousset V, Murdoch N, Newsom H, Ott LA, Ousnamer ZR, Pares L, Parot Y, Pawluczyk R, Glen Peterson C, Pilleri P, Pinet P, Pont G, Poulet F, Provost C, Quertier B, Quinn H, Rapin W, Reess JM, Regan AH, Reyes-Newell AL, Romano PJ, Royer C, Rull F, Sandoval B, Sarrao JH, Sautter V, Schoppers MJ, Schröder S, Seitz D, Shepherd T, Sobron P, Dubois B, Sridhar V, Toplis MJ, Torre-Fdez I, Trettel IA, Underwood M, Valdez A, Valdez J, Venhaus D, Willis P. The SuperCam Instrument Suite on the NASA Mars 2020 Rover: Body Unit and Combined System Tests. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2021; 217:4. [PMID: 33380752 PMCID: PMC7752893 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00777-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The SuperCam instrument suite provides the Mars 2020 rover, Perseverance, with a number of versatile remote-sensing techniques that can be used at long distance as well as within the robotic-arm workspace. These include laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), remote time-resolved Raman and luminescence spectroscopies, and visible and infrared (VISIR; separately referred to as VIS and IR) reflectance spectroscopy. A remote micro-imager (RMI) provides high-resolution color context imaging, and a microphone can be used as a stand-alone tool for environmental studies or to determine physical properties of rocks and soils from shock waves of laser-produced plasmas. SuperCam is built in three parts: The mast unit (MU), consisting of the laser, telescope, RMI, IR spectrometer, and associated electronics, is described in a companion paper. The on-board calibration targets are described in another companion paper. Here we describe SuperCam's body unit (BU) and testing of the integrated instrument. The BU, mounted inside the rover body, receives light from the MU via a 5.8 m optical fiber. The light is split into three wavelength bands by a demultiplexer, and is routed via fiber bundles to three optical spectrometers, two of which (UV and violet; 245-340 and 385-465 nm) are crossed Czerny-Turner reflection spectrometers, nearly identical to their counterparts on ChemCam. The third is a high-efficiency transmission spectrometer containing an optical intensifier capable of gating exposures to 100 ns or longer, with variable delay times relative to the laser pulse. This spectrometer covers 535-853 nm ( 105 - 7070 cm - 1 Raman shift relative to the 532 nm green laser beam) with 12 cm - 1 full-width at half-maximum peak resolution in the Raman fingerprint region. The BU electronics boards interface with the rover and control the instrument, returning data to the rover. Thermal systems maintain a warm temperature during cruise to Mars to avoid contamination on the optics, and cool the detectors during operations on Mars. Results obtained with the integrated instrument demonstrate its capabilities for LIBS, for which a library of 332 standards was developed. Examples of Raman and VISIR spectroscopy are shown, demonstrating clear mineral identification with both techniques. Luminescence spectra demonstrate the utility of having both spectral and temporal dimensions. Finally, RMI and microphone tests on the rover demonstrate the capabilities of these subsystems as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvestre Maurice
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Philippe Cais
- Laboratoire d’astrophysique de Bordeaux, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pernelle Bernardi
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France
| | | | - Sam Clegg
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Olivier Gasnault
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Ryan B. Anderson
- U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ USA
| | - Yves André
- Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Gorka Arana
- University of Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | | | - Pierre Beck
- Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Bernard
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Beyssac
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Louis Borges
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Bruno Bousquet
- Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Kerry Boyd
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | | | - Kepa Castro
- University of Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Jorden Celis
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Baptiste Chide
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE), Toulouse, France
| | - Kevin Clark
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, Pasadena, CA USA
| | | | | | - Agnes Cousin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Dromart
- Univ Lyon, ENSL, Univ Lyon 1, CNRS, LGL-TPE, 69364 Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Joan Ervin
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Cecile Fabre
- GeoRessources, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Amaury Fau
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Olivier Forni
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Thierry Fouchet
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xavier Jacob
- Institut de mécanique des fluides de Toulouse (CNRS, INP, Univ. Toulouse), Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Jacquinod
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France
| | | | | | - James Lake
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Nina Lanza
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | - Jeremie Lasue
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Le Mouélic
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique, Université de Nantes, Université d’Angers, CNRS UMR 6112, Nantes, France
| | - Carey Legett
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | - Eric Lewin
- Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Ralph Lorenz
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD USA
| | - Eric Lorigny
- Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Soren Madsen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Nicolas Mangold
- Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géodynamique, Université de Nantes, Université d’Angers, CNRS UMR 6112, Nantes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pierre-Yves Meslin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | - David Mimoun
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE), Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Franck Montmessin
- Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales, Paris, France
| | | | - Naomi Murdoch
- Institut Supérieur de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE), Toulouse, France
| | | | - Logan A. Ott
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | - Laurent Pares
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Yann Parot
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Paolo Pilleri
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Patrick Pinet
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Gabriel Pont
- Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | - Benjamin Quertier
- Laboratoire d’astrophysique de Bordeaux, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - William Rapin
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Michel Reess
- Laboratoire d’Etudes Spatiales et d’Instrumentation en Astrophysique, Observatoire de Paris, Meudon, France
| | - Amy H. Regan
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | | | - Clement Royer
- Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), Orsay, France
| | | | | | | | - Violaine Sautter
- Institut de Minéralogie, Physique des Matériaux et Cosmochimie, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Susanne Schröder
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Seitz
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | | | - Bruno Dubois
- Université de Toulouse; UPS-OMP, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Michael J. Toplis
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Jacob Valdez
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Dawn Venhaus
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - Peter Willis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, Pasadena, CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Stack KM, Williams NR, Calef F, Sun VZ, Williford KH, Farley KA, Eide S, Flannery D, Hughes C, Jacob SR, Kah LC, Meyen F, Molina A, Nataf CQ, Rice M, Russell P, Scheller E, Seeger CH, Abbey WJ, Adler JB, Amundsen H, Anderson RB, Angel SM, Arana G, Atkins J, Barrington M, Berger T, Borden R, Boring B, Brown A, Carrier BL, Conrad P, Dypvik H, Fagents SA, Gallegos ZE, Garczynski B, Golder K, Gomez F, Goreva Y, Gupta S, Hamran SE, Hicks T, Hinterman ED, Horgan BN, Hurowitz J, Johnson JR, Lasue J, Kronyak RE, Liu Y, Madariaga JM, Mangold N, McClean J, Miklusicak N, Nunes D, Rojas C, Runyon K, Schmitz N, Scudder N, Shaver E, SooHoo J, Spaulding R, Stanish E, Tamppari LK, Tice MM, Turenne N, Willis PA, Yingst RA. Photogeologic Map of the Perseverance Rover Field Site in Jezero Crater Constructed by the Mars 2020 Science Team. SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS 2020; 216:127. [PMID: 33568875 DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00762-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landing site is located within Jezero crater, a ∼ 50 km diameter impact crater interpreted to be a Noachian-aged lake basin inside the western edge of the Isidis impact structure. Jezero hosts remnants of a fluvial delta, inlet and outlet valleys, and infill deposits containing diverse carbonate, mafic, and hydrated minerals. Prior to the launch of the Mars 2020 mission, members of the Science Team collaborated to produce a photogeologic map of the Perseverance landing site in Jezero crater. Mapping was performed at a 1:5000 digital map scale using a 25 cm/pixel High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) orthoimage mosaic base map and a 1 m/pixel HiRISE stereo digital terrain model. Mapped bedrock and surficial units were distinguished by differences in relative brightness, tone, topography, surface texture, and apparent roughness. Mapped bedrock units are generally consistent with those identified in previously published mapping efforts, but this study's map includes the distribution of surficial deposits and sub-units of the Jezero delta at a higher level of detail than previous studies. This study considers four possible unit correlations to explain the relative age relationships of major units within the map area. Unit correlations include previously published interpretations as well as those that consider more complex interfingering relationships and alternative relative age relationships. The photogeologic map presented here is the foundation for scientific hypothesis development and strategic planning for Perseverance's exploration of Jezero crater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Stack
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Nathan R Williams
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Fred Calef
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Vivian Z Sun
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Kenneth H Williford
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | | | - David Flannery
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Cory Hughes
- Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
| | | | - Linda C Kah
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Antonio Molina
- Centro de Astrobiología, CAB (INTA, CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Melissa Rice
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Eva Scheller
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - William J Abbey
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Hans Amundsen
- Earth and Planetary Exploration Services, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Gorka Arana
- University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - James Atkins
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Tor Berger
- Forsvarets forskingsinstitutt, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Rose Borden
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Beau Boring
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | - Brandi L Carrier
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Pamela Conrad
- Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, D.C., USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Keenan Golder
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Felipe Gomez
- Centro de Astrobiología, CAB (INTA, CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Yulia Goreva
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | | | - Taryn Hicks
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Joel Hurowitz
- State University of New York-Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | - Jeremie Lasue
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planetologie (IRAP), Université de Toulouse, Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Rachel E Kronyak
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Nicolas Mangold
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique, UMR 6112, CNRS, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | | | - Daniel Nunes
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | - Kirby Runyon
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Nicole Schmitz
- Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt E.V., Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Emily Shaver
- University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Jason SooHoo
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Evan Stanish
- University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Leslie K Tamppari
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | | | | - Peter A Willis
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Hydrogeochemical Study on Closed-Basin Lakes in Cold and Semi-Arid Climates of the Valley of the Gobi Lakes, Mongolia: Implications for Hydrology and Water Chemistry of Paleolakes on Mars. MINERALS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/min10090792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies suggested that, generally, the climate of early Mars would have been semi-arid when the surface temperatures were above freezing. On early Mars, closed-basin lakes would have been created; however, the hydrogeochemical cycles of the lake systems are poorly constrained. Here we report results of our field surveys to terrestrial analogs of closed-basin lake systems that developed in cold and semi-arid climates: The Valley of the Gobi Lakes of Mongolia. Our results show that groundwater plays a central role not only in hydrology, but also in geochemical cycles in the lake systems. We find that groundwater predominantly flows into the lakes through local seepage and regional flows in semi-arid climates. Through the interactions with calcite-containing soils, local groundwater seepage provides Ca2+ and HCO3− to the lakes. In the wetland located in between the lakes, high-salinity shallow pools would provide Cl− and Na+ to the groundwater through infiltration. If similar processes occurred on early Mars, local seepage of groundwater would have provided magnesium and alkalinity to the early Jezero lakes, possibly leading to authigenic precipitation of lacustrine carbonates. On early Mars, infiltration of surface brine may have transported salts and oxidants on the surface to lakes via regional groundwater flows. We suggest that inflows of multiple types of groundwater in semi-arid climates could have caused redox disequilibria in closed-basin lakes on early Mars.
Collapse
|
42
|
Mangold N, Dromart G, Ansan V, Salese F, Kleinhans MG, Massé M, Quantin-Nataf C, Stack KM. Fluvial Regimes, Morphometry, and Age of Jezero Crater Paleolake Inlet Valleys and Their Exobiological Significance for the 2020 Rover Mission Landing Site. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:994-1013. [PMID: 32466668 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Jezero crater has been selected as the landing site for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, because it contains a paleolake with two fan-deltas, inlet and outlet valleys. Using the data from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), we conducted a quantitative geomorphological study of the inlet valleys of the Jezero paleolake. Results show that the strongest erosion is related to a network of deep valleys that cut into the highland bedrock well upstream of the Jezero crater and likely formed before the formation of the regional olivine-rich unit. In contrast, the lower sections of valleys display poor bedrock erosion and a lack of tributaries but are characterized by the presence of pristine landforms interpreted as fluvial bars from preserved channels, the discharge rates of which have been estimated at 103-104 m3s-1. The valleys' lower sections postdate the olivine-rich unit, are linked directly to the fan-deltas, and are thus formed in an energetic, late stage of activity. Although a Late Noachian age for the fan-deltas' formation is not excluded based on crosscutting relationships and crater counts, this indicates evidence of a Hesperian age with significant implications for exobiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Mangold
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique, UMR6112 CNRS, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Gilles Dromart
- Univ Lyon, ENSL, Univ Lyon 1, CNRS, LGL-TPE, Lyon, France
| | - Veronique Ansan
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique, UMR6112 CNRS, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Francesco Salese
- Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Università Gabriele D'Annunzio, Pescara, Italy
| | | | - Marion Massé
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique, UMR6112 CNRS, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | | | - Kathryn M Stack
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
To assess Mars’ potential for both harboring life and providing useable resources for future human exploration, it is of paramount importance to comprehend the water situation on the planet. Therefore, studies have been conducted to determine any evidence of past or present water existence on Mars. While the presence of abundant water on Mars very early in its history is widely accepted, on its modern form, only a fraction of this water can be found, as either ice or locked into the structure of Mars’ plentiful water-rich materials. Water on the planet is evaluated through various evidence such as rocks and minerals, Martian achondrites, low volume transient briny outflows (e.g., dune flows, reactivated gullies, slope streaks, etc.), diurnal shallow soil moisture (e.g., measurements by Curiosity and Phoenix Lander), geomorphic representation (possibly from lakes and river valleys), and groundwater, along with further evidence obtained by probe and rover discoveries. One of the most significant lines of evidence is for an ancient streambed in Gale Crater, implying ancient amounts of “vigorous” water on Mars. Long ago, hospitable conditions for microbial life existed on the surface of Mars, as it was likely periodically wet. However, its current dry surface makes it almost impossible as an appropriate environment for living organisms; therefore, scientists have recognized the planet’s subsurface environments as the best potential locations for exploring life on Mars. As a result, modern research has aimed towards discovering underground water, leading to the discovery of a large amount of underground ice in 2016 by NASA, and a subglacial lake in 2018 by Italian scientists. Nevertheless, the presence of life in Mars’ history is still an open question. In this unifying context, the current review summarizes results from a wide variety of studies and reports related to the history of water on Mars, as well as any related discussions on the possibility of living organism existence on the planet.
Collapse
|
44
|
Costello LJ, Filiberto J, Crandall JR, Potter-McIntyre SL, Schwenzer SP, Miller MA, Hummer DR, Olsson-Francis K, Perl S. Habitability of Hydrothermal Systems at Jezero and Gusev Craters as Constrained by Hydrothermal Alteration of a Terrestrial Mafic Dike. CHEMIE DER ERDE : BEITRAGE ZUR CHEMISCHEN MINERALOGIE, PETROGRAPHIE UND GEOLOGIE 2020; 80:125613. [PMID: 33299255 PMCID: PMC7720477 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemer.2020.125613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
NASA's search for habitable environments has focused on alteration mineralogy of the Martian crust and the formation of hydrous minerals, because they reveal information about the fluid and environmental conditions from which they precipitated. Extensive work has focused on the formation of alteration minerals at low temperatures, with limited work investigating metamorphic or high-temperature alteration. We have investigated such a site as an analog for Mars: a mafic dike on the Colorado Plateau that was hydrothermally altered from contact with groundwater as it was emplaced in the porous and permeable Jurassic Entrada sandstone. Our results show evidence for fluid mobility removing Si and K but adding S, Fe, Ca, and possibly Mg to the system as alteration progresses. Mineralogically, all samples contain calcite, hematite, and kaolinite; with most samples containing minor anatase, barite, halite, and dolomite. The number of alteration minerals increase with alteration. The hydrothermal system that formed during interaction of the magma (heat source) and groundwater would have been a habitable environment once the system cooled below ~120° C. The mineral assemblage is similar to alteration minerals seen within the Martian crust from orbit, including those at Gusev and Jezero Craters. Therefore, based on our findings, and extrapolating them to the Martian crust, these sites may represent habitable environments which would call for further exploration and sample return of such hydrothermally altered igneous materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lacey J. Costello
- Southern Illinois University, Department of Geology, 1259 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Justin Filiberto
- Lunar and Planetary Institute, USRA, 3600 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Jake R. Crandall
- Eastern Illinois University, Department of Geology and Geography, Physical Science Building, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Sally L. Potter-McIntyre
- Southern Illinois University, Department of Geology, 1259 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Susanne P. Schwenzer
- School of Environment, Earth, and Ecosystems Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Michael A. Miller
- Materials Engineering Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA
| | - Daniel R. Hummer
- Southern Illinois University, Department of Geology, 1259 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Karen Olsson-Francis
- School of Environment, Earth, and Ecosystems Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Scott Perl
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Dr, Pasadena, CA 91109-8001, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Brown AJ, Viviano CE, Goudge TA. Olivine-Carbonate Mineralogy of the Jezero Crater Region. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. PLANETS 2020; 125:e2019JE006011. [PMID: 33123452 PMCID: PMC7592698 DOI: 10.1029/2019je006011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A well-preserved, ancient delta deposit, in combination with ample exposures of carbonate outcrops, makes Jezero Crater in Nili Fossae a compelling astrobiological site. We use Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) observations to characterize the surface mineralogy of the crater and surrounding watershed. Previous studies have documented the occurrence of olivine and carbonates in the Nili Fossae region. We focus on correlations between these two well-studied lithologies in the Jezero crater watershed. We map the position and shape of the olivine 1 μm absorption band and find that carbonates are found in association with olivine which displays a 1 μm band shifted to long wavelengths. We then use Thermal Emission Imaging Spectrometer (THEMIS) coverage of Nili Fossae and perform tests to investigate whether the long wavelength shifted (redshifted) olivine signature is correlated with high thermal inertia outcrops. We find that there is no consistent correlation between thermal inertia and the unique olivine signature. We discuss a range of formation scenarios for the olivine and carbonate associations, including the possibility that these lithologies are products of serpentinization reactions on early Mars. These lithologies provide an opportunity for deepening our understanding of early Mars and, given their antiquity, may provide a framework to study the timing of valley networks and the thermal history of the Martian crust and interior from the early Noachian to today.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - C. E. Viviano
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - T. A. Goudge
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
The role of primordial atmosphere composition in organic matter delivery to early Earth. RENDICONTI LINCEI. SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-020-00878-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
47
|
Preston LJ, Barcenilla R, Dartnell LR, Kucukkilic-Stephens E, Olsson-Francis K. Infrared Spectroscopic Detection of Biosignatures at Lake Tírez, Spain: Implications for Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:15-25. [PMID: 31592682 PMCID: PMC6987737 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The detection of potential biosignatures with mineral matrices is part of a multifaceted approach in the search for life on other planetary bodies. The 2020 ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover includes within its payload three IR spectrometers in the form of ISEM (Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars), MicrOmega, and Ma-MISS (Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies). The use of this technique in the detection and characterization of biosignatures is of great value. Organic materials are often co-deposited in terrestrial evaporites and as such have been proposed as relevant analogs in the search for life on Mars. This study focuses on Ca-sulfates collected from the hypersaline Tírez Lake in Spain. Mid infrared and visible near infrared analysis of soils, salt crusts, and crystals with green and red layering indicative of microbial colonization of the samples was acquired from across the lake and identified the main mineral to be gypsum with inputs of carbonate and silica. Organic functional groups that could be attributed to amides and carboxylic acids were identified as well as chlorophyll; however, due to the strong mineralogical absorptions observed, these were hard to unambiguously discern. Taxonomical assignment demonstrated that the archaeal community within the samples was dominated by the halophilic extremophile Halobacteriaceae while the bacterial community was dominated by the class Nocardiaceae. The results of this research highlight that sulfates on Mars are a mixed blessing, acting as an effective host for organic matter preservation but also a material that masks the presence of organic functional groups when analyzed with spectroscopic tools similar to those due to fly on the 2020 ExoMars rover. A suite of complementary analytical techniques therefore should be used to support the spectral identification of any candidate extraterrestrial biosignatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louisa J. Preston
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rebeca Barcenilla
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
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.
Collapse
|
49
|
Williams AJ, Eigenbrode J, Floyd M, Wilhelm MB, O'Reilly S, Johnson SS, Craft KL, Knudson CA, Andrejkovičová S, Lewis JM, Buch A, Glavin DP, Freissinet C, Williams RH, Szopa C, Millan M, Summons RE, McAdam A, Benison K, Navarro-González R, Malespin C, Mahaffy PR. Recovery of Fatty Acids from Mineralogic Mars Analogs by TMAH Thermochemolysis for the Sample Analysis at Mars Wet Chemistry Experiment on the Curiosity Rover. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:522-546. [PMID: 30869535 PMCID: PMC6459279 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The Mars Curiosity rover carries a diverse instrument payload to characterize habitable environments in the sedimentary layers of Aeolis Mons. One of these instruments is Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), which contains a mass spectrometer that is capable of detecting organic compounds via pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS). To identify polar organic molecules, the SAM instrument carries the thermochemolysis reagent tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) in methanol (hereafter referred to as TMAH). TMAH can liberate fatty acids bound in macromolecules or chemically bound monomers associated with mineral phases and make these organics detectable via gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) by methylation. Fatty acids, a type of carboxylic acid that contains a carboxyl functional group, are of particular interest given their presence in both biotic and abiotic materials. This work represents the first analyses of a suite of Mars-analog samples using the TMAH experiment under select SAM-like conditions. Samples analyzed include iron oxyhydroxides and iron oxyhydroxysulfates, a mixture of iron oxides/oxyhydroxides and clays, iron sulfide, siliceous sinter, carbonates, and shale. The TMAH experiments produced detectable signals under SAM-like pyrolysis conditions when organics were present either at high concentrations or in geologically modern systems. Although only a few analog samples exhibited a high abundance and variety of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), FAMEs were detected in the majority of analog samples tested. When utilized, the TMAH thermochemolysis experiment on SAM could be an opportunity to detect organic molecules bound in macromolecules on Mars. The detection of a FAME profile is of great astrobiological interest, as it could provide information regarding the source of martian organic material detected by SAM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy J. Williams
- Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences and Technology/University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer Eigenbrode
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa Floyd
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Shane O'Reilly
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Kathleen L. Craft
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine A. Knudson
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences and Technology/University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Slavka Andrejkovičová
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences and Technology/University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - James M.T. Lewis
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, Maryland, USA
| | - Arnaud Buch
- Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux, CentraleSupelec, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Daniel P. Glavin
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Caroline Freissinet
- CNRS–UVSQ Laboratoire Atmosphères Milieux Observations Spatiales LATMOS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Ross H. Williams
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Sciences and Technology/University of Maryland College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Cyril Szopa
- CNRS–UVSQ Laboratoire Atmosphères Milieux Observations Spatiales LATMOS, Guyancourt, France
| | - Maëva Millan
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roger E. Summons
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amy McAdam
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen Benison
- Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Rafael Navarro-González
- Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Charles Malespin
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul R. Mahaffy
- Space Science Exploration Division (Code 690), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Chan MA, Bowen BB, Corsetti FA, Farrand WH, Law ES, Newsom HE, Perl SM, Spear JR, Thompson DR. Exploring, Mapping, and Data Management Integration of Habitable Environments in Astrobiology. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:147. [PMID: 30891006 PMCID: PMC6412026 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00147] [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: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches to blending geoscience, planetary science, microbiology-geobiology/ecology, geoinformatics and cyberinfrastructure technology disciplines in a holistic effort can be transformative to astrobiology explorations. Over the last two decades, overwhelming orbital evidence has confirmed the abundance of authigenic (in situ, formed in place) minerals on Mars. On Earth, environments where authigenic minerals form provide a substrate for the preservation of microbial life. Similarly, extraterrestrial life is likely to be preserved where crustal minerals can record and preserve the biochemical mechanisms (i.e., biosignatures). The search for astrobiological evidence on Mars has focused on identifying past or present habitable environments - places that could support some semblance of life. Thus, authigenic minerals represent a promising habitable environment where extraterrestrial life could be recorded and potentially preserved over geologic time scales. Astrobiology research necessarily takes place over vastly different scales; from molecules to viruses and microbes to those of satellites and solar system exploration, but the differing scales of analyses are rarely connected quantitatively. The mismatch between the scales of these observations- from the macro- satellite mineralogical observations to the micro- microbial observations- limits the applicability of our astrobiological understanding as we search for records of life beyond Earth. Each-scale observation requires knowledge of the geologic context and the environmental parameters important for assessing habitability. Exploration efforts to search for extraterrestrial life should attempt to quantify both the geospatial context and the temporal/spatial relationships between microbial abundance and diversity within authigenic minerals at multiple scales, while assimilating resolutions from satellite observations to field measurements to microscopic analyses. Statistical measures, computer vision, and the geospatial synergy of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), can allow analyses of objective data-driven methods to locate, map, and predict where the "sweet spots" of habitable environments occur at multiple scales. This approach of science information architecture or an "Astrobiology Information System" can provide the necessary maps to guide researchers to discoveries via testing, visualizing, documenting, and collaborating on significant data relationships that will advance explorations for evidence of life in our solar system and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie A. Chan
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Brenda B. Bowen
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Frank A. Corsetti
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Emily S. Law
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Horton E. Newsom
- Department Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Scott M. Perl
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - John R. Spear
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, United States
| | - David R. Thompson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|