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Maldanis L, Hickman-Lewis K, Verezhak M, Gueriau P, Guizar-Sicairos M, Jaqueto P, Trindade RIF, Rossi AL, Berenguer F, Westall F, Bertrand L, Galante D. Nanoscale 3D quantitative imaging of 1.88 Ga Gunflint microfossils reveals novel insights into taphonomic and biogenic characters. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8163. [PMID: 32424216 PMCID: PMC7235231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65176-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Precambrian cellular remains frequently have simple morphologies, micrometric dimensions and are poorly preserved, imposing severe analytical and interpretational challenges, especially for irrefutable attestations of biogenicity. The 1.88 Ga Gunflint biota is a Precambrian microfossil assemblage with different types and qualities of preservation across its numerous geological localities and provides important insights into the Proterozoic biosphere and taphonomic processes. Here we use synchrotron-based ptychographic X-ray computed tomography to investigate well-preserved carbonaceous microfossils from the Schreiber Beach locality as well as poorly-preserved, iron-replaced fossil filaments from the Mink Mountain locality, Gunflint Formation. 3D nanoscale imaging with contrast based on electron density allowed us to assess the morphology and carbonaceous composition of different specimens and identify the minerals associated with their preservation based on retrieved mass densities. In the Mink Mountain filaments, the identification of mature kerogen and maghemite rather than the ubiquitously described hematite indicates an influence from biogenic organics on the local maturation of iron oxides through diagenesis. This non-destructive 3D approach to microfossil composition at the nanoscale within their geological context represents a powerful approach to assess the taphonomy and biogenicity of challenging or poorly preserved traces of early microbial life, and may be applied effectively to extraterrestrial samples returned from upcoming space missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Maldanis
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Av. Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro, 10000, 13083-100, Campinas, Brazil. .,Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador são-carlense, 400, 13566-590, São Carlos, Brazil. .,ISterre, UGA, CNRS, Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers, CS 40700, 38058, Grenoble, France.
| | - K Hickman-Lewis
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071, Orléans, France.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), Università di Bologna, via Zamboni 67, I-40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - M Verezhak
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - P Gueriau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ministère de la culture, UVSQ, IPANEMA, 91192, Saint-Aubin, France.,Institute of Earth Sciences (ISTE), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Guizar-Sicairos
- Paul Scherrer Institut, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - P Jaqueto
- Department of Geophysics, Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - R I F Trindade
- Department of Geophysics, Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão, 1226, 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A L Rossi
- Brazilian Center for Research in Physics (CBPF), R. Dr. Xavier Sigaud, 150, 22290-180, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - F Berenguer
- Synchrotron Soleil, Saint-Aubin, L'Orme des Merisiers, BP 48 Saint-Aubin, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - F Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Rue Charles Sadron, 45071, Orléans, France
| | - L Bertrand
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, ministère de la culture, UVSQ, IPANEMA, 91192, Saint-Aubin, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, 91190, Saint-Aubin, France
| | - D Galante
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Av. Giuseppe Maximo Scolfaro, 10000, 13083-100, Campinas, Brazil
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Westall F, Hickman-Lewis K, Hinman N, Gautret P, Campbell KA, Bréhéret JG, Foucher F, Hubert A, Sorieul S, Dass AV, Kee TP, Georgelin T, Brack A. A Hydrothermal-Sedimentary Context for the Origin of Life. Astrobiology 2018; 18:259-293. [PMID: 29489386 PMCID: PMC5867533 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Critical to the origin of life are the ingredients of life, of course, but also the physical and chemical conditions in which prebiotic chemical reactions can take place. These factors place constraints on the types of Hadean environment in which life could have emerged. Many locations, ranging from hydrothermal vents and pumice rafts, through volcanic-hosted splash pools to continental springs and rivers, have been proposed for the emergence of life on Earth, each with respective advantages and certain disadvantages. However, there is another, hitherto unrecognized environment that, on the Hadean Earth (4.5-4.0 Ga), would have been more important than any other in terms of spatial and temporal scale: the sedimentary layer between oceanic crust and seawater. Using as an example sediments from the 3.5-3.33 Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, analogous at least on a local scale to those of the Hadean eon, we document constant permeation of the porous, carbonaceous, and reactive sedimentary layer by hydrothermal fluids emanating from the crust. This partially UV-protected, subaqueous sedimentary environment, characterized by physical and chemical gradients, represented a widespread system of miniature chemical reactors in which the production and complexification of prebiotic molecules could have led to the origin of life. Key Words: Origin of life-Hadean environment-Mineral surface reactions-Hydrothermal fluids-Archean volcanic sediments. Astrobiology 18, 259-293.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Westall
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
| | - K Hickman-Lewis
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
- 2 Dipartmento di Scienze biologiche, geologiche e ambientale, Università di Bologna , Bologna, Italy
| | - N Hinman
- 3 Geosciences, University of Montana , Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - P Gautret
- 4 University of Orléans , ISTO, UMR 7327, Orléans, France, and CNRS, ISTO, UMR 7327, Orléans, France, and BRGM, ISTO, UMR 7327, Orléans, France
| | - K A Campbell
- 5 School of Environment, The University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand
| | - J G Bréhéret
- 6 GéoHydrosytèmes Continentaux, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université François-Rabelais de Tours , Tours, France
| | - F Foucher
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
| | - A Hubert
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
| | - S Sorieul
- 7 University of Bordeaux , CNRS, IN2P3, CENBG, UMR5797, Gradignan, France
| | - A V Dass
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
| | - T P Kee
- 8 School of Chemistry, University of Leeds , Leeds, UK
| | - T Georgelin
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
- 9 Sorbonne Universités , UPMC Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7197, Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, Paris, France
| | - A Brack
- 1 CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire , Orléans, France
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Gaboyer F, Le Milbeau C, Bohmeier M, Schwendner P, Vannier P, Beblo-Vranesevic K, Rabbow E, Foucher F, Gautret P, Guégan R, Richard A, Sauldubois A, Richmann P, Perras AK, Moissl-Eichinger C, Cockell CS, Rettberg P, Marteinsson, Monaghan E, Ehrenfreund P, Garcia-Descalzo L, Gomez F, Malki M, Amils R, Cabezas P, Walter N, Westall F. Mineralization and Preservation of an extremotolerant Bacterium Isolated from an Early Mars Analog Environment. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8775. [PMID: 28821776 PMCID: PMC5562696 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08929-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The artificial mineralization of a polyresistant bacterial strain isolated from an acidic, oligotrophic lake was carried out to better understand microbial (i) early mineralization and (ii) potential for further fossilisation. Mineralization was conducted in mineral matrixes commonly found on Mars and Early-Earth, silica and gypsum, for 6 months. Samples were analyzed using microbiological (survival rates), morphological (electron microscopy), biochemical (GC-MS, Microarray immunoassay, Rock-Eval) and spectroscopic (EDX, FTIR, RAMAN spectroscopy) methods. We also investigated the impact of physiological status on mineralization and long-term fossilisation by exposing cells or not to Mars-related stresses (desiccation and radiation). Bacterial populations remained viable after 6 months although the kinetics of mineralization and cell-mineral interactions depended on the nature of minerals. Detection of biosignatures strongly depended on analytical methods, successful with FTIR and EDX but not with RAMAN and immunoassays. Neither influence of stress exposure, nor qualitative and quantitative changes of detected molecules were observed as a function of mineralization time and matrix. Rock-Eval analysis suggests that potential for preservation on geological times may be possible only with moderate diagenetic and metamorphic conditions. The implications of our results for microfossil preservation in the geological record of Earth as well as on Mars are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gaboyer
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans, France.
| | - C Le Milbeau
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans, UMR 7327, CNRS-Université d'Orléans, 1A Rue de la Férollerie, 45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - M Bohmeier
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - P Schwendner
- UK Center for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - P Vannier
- MATIS - Prokaria, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - K Beblo-Vranesevic
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - E Rabbow
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - F Foucher
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans, France
| | - P Gautret
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans, UMR 7327, CNRS-Université d'Orléans, 1A Rue de la Férollerie, 45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - R Guégan
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans, UMR 7327, CNRS-Université d'Orléans, 1A Rue de la Férollerie, 45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - A Richard
- Centre de Microscopie Electronique, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - A Sauldubois
- Centre de Microscopie Electronique, Université d'Orléans, Orléans, France
| | - P Richmann
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans, UMR 7327, CNRS-Université d'Orléans, 1A Rue de la Férollerie, 45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - A K Perras
- University Regensburg, Department of Microbiology, Regensburg, Germany.,Medical University of Graz, Department of Internal Medicine, Graz, Austria
| | | | - C S Cockell
- UK Center for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - P Rettberg
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | | | - E Monaghan
- Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - P Ehrenfreund
- Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - L Garcia-Descalzo
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial - Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Madrid, Spain
| | - F Gomez
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial - Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Madrid, Spain
| | - M Malki
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - R Amils
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Cabezas
- European Science Foundation (ESF), Strasbourg, France
| | - N Walter
- European Science Foundation (ESF), Strasbourg, France
| | - F Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans, France
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Bridges JC, Schwenzer SP, Leveille R, Westall F, Wiens RC, Mangold N, Bristow T, Edwards P, Berger G. Diagenesis and clay mineral formation at Gale Crater, Mars. J Geophys Res Planets 2015; 120:1-19. [PMID: 26213668 PMCID: PMC4508961 DOI: 10.1002/2014je004757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity found host rocks of basaltic composition and alteration assemblages containing clay minerals at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater. On the basis of the observed host rock and alteration minerals, we present results of equilibrium thermochemical modeling of the Sheepbed mudstones of Yellowknife Bay in order to constrain the formation conditions of its secondary mineral assemblage. Building on conclusions from sedimentary observations by the Mars Science Laboratory team, we assume diagenetic, in situ alteration. The modeling shows that the mineral assemblage formed by the reaction of a CO2-poor and oxidizing, dilute aqueous solution (Gale Portage Water) in an open system with the Fe-rich basaltic-composition sedimentary rocks at 10-50°C and water/rock ratio (mass of rock reacted with the starting fluid) of 100-1000, pH of ∽7.5-12. Model alteration assemblages predominantly contain phyllosilicates (Fe-smectite, chlorite), the bulk composition of a mixture of which is close to that of saponite inferred from Chemistry and Mineralogy data and to that of saponite observed in the nakhlite Martian meteorites and terrestrial analogues. To match the observed clay mineral chemistry, inhomogeneous dissolution dominated by the amorphous phase and olivine is required. We therefore deduce a dissolving composition of approximately 70% amorphous material, with 20% olivine, and 10% whole rock component.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Bridges
- Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of LeicesterLeicester, UK
- Correspondence to: J. C. Bridges,,
| | - S P Schwenzer
- Department of Physical Sciences, Open UniversityMilton Keynes, UK
| | - R Leveille
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, McGill UniversityMontreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - F Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRSOrléans CEDEX2, France
| | - R C Wiens
- Space Remote Sensing, Los Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - N Mangold
- Laboratoire Planétologie et Géodynamique de Nantes, LPGN/CNRS UMR6112 and Université de NantesNantes, France
| | - T Bristow
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research CenterMoffett Field, California, USA
| | - P Edwards
- Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of LeicesterLeicester, UK
| | - G Berger
- IRAP (CNRS-Univ. P. Sabatier)Toulouse, France
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5
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Grotzinger JP, Sumner DY, Kah LC, Stack K, Gupta S, Edgar L, Rubin D, Lewis K, Schieber J, Mangold N, Milliken R, Conrad PG, DesMarais D, Farmer J, Siebach K, Calef F, Hurowitz J, McLennan SM, Ming D, Vaniman D, Crisp J, Vasavada A, Edgett KS, Malin M, Blake D, Gellert R, Mahaffy P, Wiens RC, Maurice S, Grant JA, Wilson S, Anderson RC, Beegle L, Arvidson R, Hallet B, Sletten RS, Rice M, Bell J, Griffes J, Ehlmann B, Anderson RB, Bristow TF, Dietrich WE, Dromart G, Eigenbrode J, Fraeman A, Hardgrove C, Herkenhoff K, Jandura L, Kocurek G, Lee S, Leshin LA, Leveille R, Limonadi D, Maki J, McCloskey S, Meyer M, Minitti M, Newsom H, Oehler D, Okon A, Palucis M, Parker T, Rowland S, Schmidt M, Squyres S, Steele A, Stolper E, Summons R, Treiman A, Williams R, Yingst A, Team MS, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Cremers D, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Li S, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Farley K, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Manning H, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wray J, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Bish D, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Sutter B, Cabane M, Coscia D, Szopa C, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Nachon M, Buch A, Stalport F, Coll P, Francois P, Raulin F, Teinturier S, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Fay D, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Miller K, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Floyd M, Freissinet C, Garvin J, Glavin D, Harpold D, Martin DK, McAdam A, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Stern J, Tan F, Trainer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Aubrey A, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Christensen L, DeFlores L, Feldman J, Feldman S, Flesch G, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Webster CR, Yen A, Archer PD, Cucinotta F, Jones JH, Morris RV, Niles P, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Vicenzi E, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Kortmann O, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Owen T, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Franz H, Bower H, Brunner A, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Atreya S, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Wong M, Pepin R, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. A Habitable Fluvio-Lacustrine Environment at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars. Science 2013; 343:1242777. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1242777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 578] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Vaniman DT, Bish DL, Ming DW, Bristow TF, Morris RV, Blake DF, Chipera SJ, Morrison SM, Treiman AH, Rampe EB, Rice M, Achilles CN, Grotzinger JP, McLennan SM, Williams J, Bell JF, Newsom HE, Downs RT, Maurice S, Sarrazin P, Yen AS, Morookian JM, Farmer JD, Stack K, Milliken RE, Ehlmann BL, Sumner DY, Berger G, Crisp JA, Hurowitz JA, Anderson R, Des Marais DJ, Stolper EM, Edgett KS, Gupta S, Spanovich N, Agard C, Alves Verdasca JA, Anderson R, Archer D, Armiens-Aparicio C, Arvidson R, Atlaskin E, Atreya S, Aubrey A, Baker B, Baker M, Balic-Zunic T, Baratoux D, Baroukh J, Barraclough B, Bean K, Beegle L, Behar A, Bender S, Benna M, Bentz J, Berger J, Berman D, Blanco Avalos JJ, Blaney D, Blank J, Blau H, Bleacher L, Boehm E, Botta O, Bottcher S, Boucher T, Bower H, Boyd N, Boynton B, Breves E, Bridges J, Bridges N, Brinckerhoff W, Brinza D, Brunet C, Brunner A, Brunner W, Buch A, Bullock M, Burmeister S, Cabane M, Calef F, Cameron J, Campbell JI, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Caride Rodriguez J, Carmosino M, Carrasco Blazquez I, Charpentier A, Choi D, Clark B, Clegg S, Cleghorn T, Cloutis E, Cody G, Coll P, Conrad P, Coscia D, Cousin A, Cremers D, Cros A, Cucinotta F, d'Uston C, Davis S, Day MK, de la Torre Juarez M, DeFlores L, DeLapp D, DeMarines J, Dietrich W, Dingler R, Donny C, Drake D, Dromart G, Dupont A, Duston B, Dworkin J, Dyar MD, Edgar L, Edwards C, Edwards L, Ehresmann B, Eigenbrode J, Elliott B, Elliott H, Ewing R, Fabre C, Fairen A, Farley K, Fassett C, Favot L, Fay D, Fedosov F, Feldman J, Feldman S, Fisk M, Fitzgibbon M, Flesch G, Floyd M, Fluckiger L, Forni O, Fraeman A, Francis R, Francois P, Franz H, Freissinet C, French KL, Frydenvang J, Gaboriaud A, Gailhanou M, Garvin J, Gasnault O, Geffroy C, Gellert R, Genzer M, Glavin D, Godber A, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Golovin D, Gomez Gomez F, Gomez-Elvira J, Gondet B, Gordon S, Gorevan S, Grant J, Griffes J, Grinspoon D, Guillemot P, Guo J, Guzewich S, Haberle R, Halleaux D, Hallet B, Hamilton V, Hardgrove C, Harker D, Harpold D, Harri AM, Harshman K, Hassler D, Haukka H, Hayes A, Herkenhoff K, Herrera P, Hettrich S, Heydari E, Hipkin V, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Hudgins J, Huntress W, Hviid S, Iagnemma K, Indyk S, Israel G, Jackson R, Jacob S, Jakosky B, Jensen E, Jensen JK, Johnson J, Johnson M, Johnstone S, Jones A, Jones J, Joseph J, Jun I, Kah L, Kahanpaa H, Kahre M, Karpushkina N, Kasprzak W, Kauhanen J, Keely L, Kemppinen O, Keymeulen D, Kim MH, Kinch K, King P, Kirkland L, Kocurek G, Koefoed A, Kohler J, Kortmann O, Kozyrev A, Krezoski J, Krysak D, Kuzmin R, Lacour JL, Lafaille V, Langevin Y, Lanza N, Lasue J, Le Mouelic S, Lee EM, Lee QM, Lees D, Lefavor M, Lemmon M, Malvitte AL, Leshin L, Leveille R, Lewin-Carpintier E, Lewis K, Li S, Lipkaman L, Little C, Litvak M, Lorigny E, Lugmair G, Lundberg A, Lyness E, Madsen M, Mahaffy P, Maki J, Malakhov A, Malespin C, Malin M, Mangold N, Manhes G, Manning H, Marchand G, Marin Jimenez M, Martin Garcia C, Martin D, Martin M, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Mauchien P, McAdam A, McCartney E, McConnochie T, McCullough E, McEwan I, McKay C, McNair S, Melikechi N, Meslin PY, Meyer M, Mezzacappa A, Miller H, Miller K, Minitti M, Mischna M, Mitrofanov I, Moersch J, Mokrousov M, Molina Jurado A, Moores J, Mora-Sotomayor L, Mueller-Mellin R, Muller JP, Munoz Caro G, Nachon M, Navarro Lopez S, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Nealson K, Nefian A, Nelson T, Newcombe M, Newman C, Nikiforov S, Niles P, Nixon B, Noe Dobrea E, Nolan T, Oehler D, Ollila A, Olson T, Owen T, de Pablo Hernandez MA, Paillet A, Pallier E, Palucis M, Parker T, Parot Y, Patel K, Paton M, Paulsen G, Pavlov A, Pavri B, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pepin R, Peret L, Perez R, Perrett G, Peterson J, Pilorget C, Pinet P, Pla-Garcia J, Plante I, Poitrasson F, Polkko J, Popa R, Posiolova L, Posner A, Pradler I, Prats B, Prokhorov V, Purdy SW, Raaen E, Radziemski L, Rafkin S, Ramos M, Raulin F, Ravine M, Reitz G, Renno N, Richardson M, Robert F, Robertson K, Rodriguez Manfredi JA, Romeral-Planello JJ, Rowland S, Rubin D, Saccoccio M, Salamon A, Sandoval J, Sanin A, Sans Fuentes SA, Saper L, Sautter V, Savijarvi H, Schieber J, Schmidt M, Schmidt W, Scholes DD, Schoppers M, Schroder S, Schwenzer S, Sebastian Martinez E, Sengstacken A, Shterts R, Siebach K, Siili T, Simmonds J, Sirven JB, Slavney S, Sletten R, Smith M, Sobron Sanchez P, Spray J, Squyres S, Stalport F, Steele A, Stein T, Stern J, Stewart N, Stipp SLS, Stoiber K, Sucharski B, Sullivan R, Summons R, Sun V, Supulver K, Sutter B, Szopa C, Tan F, Tate C, Teinturier S, ten Kate I, Thomas P, Thompson L, Tokar R, Toplis M, Torres Redondo J, Trainer M, Tretyakov V, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, VanBommel S, Varenikov A, Vasavada A, Vasconcelos P, Vicenzi E, Vostrukhin A, Voytek M, Wadhwa M, Ward J, Webster C, Weigle E, Wellington D, Westall F, Wiens RC, Wilhelm MB, Williams A, Williams R, Williams RBM, Wilson M, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Wolff M, Wong M, Wray J, Wu M, Yana C, Yingst A, Zeitlin C, Zimdar R, Zorzano Mier MP. Mineralogy of a Mudstone at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars. Science 2013; 343:1243480. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1243480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 433] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Leshin LA, Mahaffy PR, Webster CR, Cabane M, Coll P, Conrad PG, Archer PD, Atreya SK, Brunner AE, Buch A, Eigenbrode JL, Flesch GJ, Franz HB, Freissinet C, Glavin DP, McAdam AC, Miller KE, Ming DW, Morris RV, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Niles PB, Owen T, Pepin RO, Squyres S, Steele A, Stern JC, Summons RE, Sumner DY, Sutter B, Szopa C, Teinturier S, Trainer MG, Wray JJ, Grotzinger JP, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Minitti M, Cremers D, Bell JF, Edgar L, Farmer J, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Schmidt M, Li S, Milliken R, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Ehlmann B, Farley K, Griffes J, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Rice M, Siebach K, Stack K, Stolper E, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Manning H, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Kemppinen O, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Gupta S, Bish D, Schieber J, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Maurice S, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Oehler D, Coscia D, Israel G, Dromart G, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Mangold N, Nachon M, Stalport F, Francois P, Raulin F, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Wiens RC, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Treiman A, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Edgett K, Fay D, Hardgrove C, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, Malin M, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Blake DF, Bristow T, DesMarais D, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Wilhelm MB, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Floyd M, Garvin J, Harpold D, Jones A, Martin DK, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Tan F, Meyer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Anderson RC, Aubrey A, Beegle LW, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Calef F, Christensen L, Crisp JA, DeFlores L, Ehlmann B, Feldman J, Feldman S, Hurowitz J, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Maki J, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Parker T, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Vasavada AR, Yen A, Cucinotta F, Jones JH, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Vaniman D, Williams RME, Yingst A, Lewis K, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Grant J, Vicenzi E, Wilson SA, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, McLennan S, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Anderson RB, Herkenhoff K, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Dietrich W, Kortmann O, Palucis M, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Rubin D, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Gellert R, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Rowland S, Atlaskin E, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Bower H, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Wong M, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Newsom H, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Kah LC, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Kocurek G, Hallet B, Sletten R, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Kuzmin R, Arvidson R, Fraeman A, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. Volatile, Isotope, and Organic Analysis of Martian Fines with the Mars Curiosity Rover. Science 2013; 341:1238937. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1238937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 327] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Mahaffy PR, Webster CR, Atreya SK, Franz H, Wong M, Conrad PG, Harpold D, Jones JJ, Leshin LA, Manning H, Owen T, Pepin RO, Squyres S, Trainer M, Kemppinen O, Bridges N, Johnson JR, Minitti M, Cremers D, Bell JF, Edgar L, Farmer J, Godber A, Wadhwa M, Wellington D, McEwan I, Newman C, Richardson M, Charpentier A, Peret L, King P, Blank J, Weigle G, Schmidt M, Li S, Milliken R, Robertson K, Sun V, Baker M, Edwards C, Ehlmann B, Farley K, Griffes J, Grotzinger J, Miller H, Newcombe M, Pilorget C, Rice M, Siebach K, Stack K, Stolper E, Brunet C, Hipkin V, Leveille R, Marchand G, Sanchez PS, Favot L, Cody G, Steele A, Fluckiger L, Lees D, Nefian A, Martin M, Gailhanou M, Westall F, Israel G, Agard C, Baroukh J, Donny C, Gaboriaud A, Guillemot P, Lafaille V, Lorigny E, Paillet A, Perez R, Saccoccio M, Yana C, Armiens-Aparicio C, Rodriguez JC, Blazquez IC, Gomez FG, Gomez-Elvira J, Hettrich S, Malvitte AL, Jimenez MM, Martinez-Frias J, Martin-Soler J, Martin-Torres FJ, Jurado AM, Mora-Sotomayor L, Caro GM, Lopez SN, Peinado-Gonzalez V, Pla-Garcia J, Manfredi JAR, Romeral-Planello JJ, Fuentes SAS, Martinez ES, Redondo JT, Urqui-O'Callaghan R, Mier MPZ, Chipera S, Lacour JL, Mauchien P, Sirven JB, Fairen A, Hayes A, Joseph J, Sullivan R, Thomas P, Dupont A, Lundberg A, Melikechi N, Mezzacappa A, DeMarines J, Grinspoon D, Reitz G, Prats B, Atlaskin E, Genzer M, Harri AM, Haukka H, Kahanpaa H, Kauhanen J, Kemppinen O, Paton M, Polkko J, Schmidt W, Siili T, Fabre C, Wray J, Wilhelm MB, Poitrasson F, Patel K, Gorevan S, Indyk S, Paulsen G, Gupta S, Bish D, Schieber J, Gondet B, Langevin Y, Geffroy C, Baratoux D, Berger G, Cros A, d'Uston C, Forni O, Gasnault O, Lasue J, Lee QM, Maurice S, Meslin PY, Pallier E, Parot Y, Pinet P, Schroder S, Toplis M, Lewin E, Brunner W, Heydari E, Achilles C, Oehler D, Sutter B, Cabane M, Coscia D, Israel G, Szopa C, Dromart G, Robert F, Sautter V, Le Mouelic S, Mangold N, Nachon M, Buch A, Stalport F, Coll P, Francois P, Raulin F, Teinturier S, Cameron J, Clegg S, Cousin A, DeLapp D, Dingler R, Jackson RS, Johnstone S, Lanza N, Little C, Nelson T, Wiens RC, Williams RB, Jones A, Kirkland L, Treiman A, Baker B, Cantor B, Caplinger M, Davis S, Duston B, Edgett K, Fay D, Hardgrove C, Harker D, Herrera P, Jensen E, Kennedy MR, Krezoski G, Krysak D, Lipkaman L, Malin M, McCartney E, McNair S, Nixon B, Posiolova L, Ravine M, Salamon A, Saper L, Stoiber K, Supulver K, Van Beek J, Van Beek T, Zimdar R, French KL, Iagnemma K, Miller K, Summons R, Goesmann F, Goetz W, Hviid S, Johnson M, Lefavor M, Lyness E, Breves E, Dyar MD, Fassett C, Blake DF, Bristow T, DesMarais D, Edwards L, Haberle R, Hoehler T, Hollingsworth J, Kahre M, Keely L, McKay C, Wilhelm MB, Bleacher L, Brinckerhoff W, Choi D, Dworkin JP, Eigenbrode J, Floyd M, Freissinet C, Garvin J, Glavin D, Jones A, Martin DK, McAdam A, Pavlov A, Raaen E, Smith MD, Stern J, Tan F, Meyer M, Posner A, Voytek M, Anderson RC, Aubrey A, Beegle LW, Behar A, Blaney D, Brinza D, Calef F, Christensen L, Crisp JA, DeFlores L, Ehlmann B, Feldman J, Feldman S, Flesch G, Hurowitz J, Jun I, Keymeulen D, Maki J, Mischna M, Morookian JM, Parker T, Pavri B, Schoppers M, Sengstacken A, Simmonds JJ, Spanovich N, Juarez MDLT, Vasavada AR, Yen A, Archer PD, Cucinotta F, Ming D, Morris RV, Niles P, Rampe E, Nolan T, Fisk M, Radziemski L, Barraclough B, Bender S, Berman D, Dobrea EN, Tokar R, Vaniman D, Williams RME, Yingst A, Lewis K, Cleghorn T, Huntress W, Manhes G, Hudgins J, Olson T, Stewart N, Sarrazin P, Grant J, Vicenzi E, Wilson SA, Bullock M, Ehresmann B, Hamilton V, Hassler D, Peterson J, Rafkin S, Zeitlin C, Fedosov F, Golovin D, Karpushkina N, Kozyrev A, Litvak M, Malakhov A, Mitrofanov I, Mokrousov M, Nikiforov S, Prokhorov V, Sanin A, Tretyakov V, Varenikov A, Vostrukhin A, Kuzmin R, Clark B, Wolff M, McLennan S, Botta O, Drake D, Bean K, Lemmon M, Schwenzer SP, Anderson RB, Herkenhoff K, Lee EM, Sucharski R, Hernandez MADP, Avalos JJB, Ramos M, Kim MH, Malespin C, Plante I, Muller JP, Navarro-Gonzalez R, Ewing R, Boynton W, Downs R, Fitzgibbon M, Harshman K, Morrison S, Dietrich W, Kortmann O, Palucis M, Sumner DY, Williams A, Lugmair G, Wilson MA, Rubin D, Jakosky B, Balic-Zunic T, Frydenvang J, Jensen JK, Kinch K, Koefoed A, Madsen MB, Stipp SLS, Boyd N, Campbell JL, Gellert R, Perrett G, Pradler I, VanBommel S, Jacob S, Rowland S, Atlaskin E, Savijarvi H, Boehm E, Bottcher S, Burmeister S, Guo J, Kohler J, Garcia CM, Mueller-Mellin R, Wimmer-Schweingruber R, Bridges JC, McConnochie T, Benna M, Bower H, Brunner A, Blau H, Boucher T, Carmosino M, Elliott H, Halleaux D, Renno N, Elliott B, Spray J, Thompson L, Gordon S, Newsom H, Ollila A, Williams J, Vasconcelos P, Bentz J, Nealson K, Popa R, Kah LC, Moersch J, Tate C, Day M, Kocurek G, Hallet B, Sletten R, Francis R, McCullough E, Cloutis E, ten Kate IL, Kuzmin R, Arvidson R, Fraeman A, Scholes D, Slavney S, Stein T, Ward J, Berger J, Moores JE. Abundance and Isotopic Composition of Gases in the Martian Atmosphere from the Curiosity Rover. Science 2013; 341:263-6. [PMID: 23869014 DOI: 10.1126/science.1237966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Bourbin M, Gourier D, Derenne S, Binet L, Le Du Y, Westall F, Kremer B, Gautret P. Dating carbonaceous matter in archean cherts by electron paramagnetic resonance. Astrobiology 2013; 13:151-162. [PMID: 23397956 PMCID: PMC3582280 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Ancient geological materials are likely to be contaminated through geological times. Thus, establishing the syngeneity of the organic matter embedded in a mineral matrix is a crucial step in the study of very ancient rocks. This is particularly the case for Archean siliceous sedimentary rocks (cherts), which record the earliest traces of life. We used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) for assessing the syngeneity of organic matter in cherts that have a metamorphic grade no higher than greenschist. A correlation between the age of Precambrian samples and the shape of their EPR signal was established and statistically tested. As thermal treatments impact organic matter maturity, the effect of temperature on this syngeneity proxy was studied; cyanobacteria were submitted to cumulative short thermal treatment at high temperatures followed by an analysis of their EPR parameters. The resulting carbonaceous matter showed an evolution similar to that of a thermally treated young chert. Furthermore, the possible effect of metamorphism, which is a longer thermal event at lower temperatures, was ruled out for cherts older than 2 Gyr, based on the study of Silurian cherts of the same age and same precursors but various metamorphic grades. We determined that even the most metamorphosed sample did not exhibit the lineshape of an Archean sample. In the hope of detecting organic contamination in Archean cherts, a "contamination-like" mixture was prepared and studied by EPR. It resulted that the lineshape analysis alone does not allow contamination detection and that it must be performed along with cumulative thermal treatments. Such treatments were applied to three Archean chert samples, making dating of their carbonaceous matter possible. We concluded that EPR is a powerful tool to study primitive organic matter and could be used in further exobiology studies on low-metamorphic grade samples (from Mars for example).
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Bourbin
- Biogéochimie et Ecologie des Milieux Continentaux, UMR CNRS 7618, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - D. Gourier
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, UMR CNRS 7574, Paris, France
| | - S. Derenne
- Biogéochimie et Ecologie des Milieux Continentaux, UMR CNRS 7618, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
| | - L. Binet
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, UMR CNRS 7574, Paris, France
| | - Y. Le Du
- Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, UMR CNRS 7574, Paris, France
| | - F. Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, UPR CNRS 4301, Orléans, France
| | - B. Kremer
- Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - P. Gautret
- CNRS/INSU, ISTO, UMR 7327, Orléans, France
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Bourbin M, Derenne S, Gourier D, Rouzaud JN, Gautret P, Westall F. Electron paramagnetic resonance study of a photosynthetic microbial mat and comparison with Archean cherts. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2012; 42:569-85. [PMID: 23254854 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-012-9320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Organic radicals in artificially carbonized biomass dominated by oxygenic and non-oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, Microcoleus chthonoplastes-like and Chloroflexus-like bacteria respectively, were studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The two bacteria species were sampled in mats from a hypersaline lake. They underwent accelerated ageing by cumulative thermal treatments to induce progressive carbonization of the biological material, mimicking the natural maturation of carbonaceous material of Archean age. For thermal treatments at temperatures higher than 620 °C, a drastic increase in the EPR linewidth is observed in the carbonaceous matter from oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria and not anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. This selective EPR linewidth broadening reflects the presence of a catalytic element inducing formation of radical aggregates, without affecting the molecular structure or the microstructure of the organic matter, as shown by Raman spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy. For comparison, we carried out an EPR study of organic radicals in silicified carbonaceous rocks (cherts) from various localities, of different ages (0.42 to 3.5 Gyr) and having undergone various degrees of metamorphism, i.e. various degrees of natural carbonization. EPR linewidth dispersion for the most primitive samples was quite significant, pointing to a selective dipolar broadening similar to that observed for carbonized bacteria. This surprising result merits further evaluation in the light of its potential use as a marker of past bacterial metabolisms, in particular oxygenic photosynthesis, in Archean cherts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bourbin
- Biogéochimie et Ecologie des Milieux Continentaux, UMR CNRS 7618, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France
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Bertrand M, Chabin A, Brack A, Cottin H, Chaput D, Westall F. The PROCESS experiment: exposure of amino acids in the EXPOSE-E experiment on the international space station and in laboratory simulations. Astrobiology 2012; 12:426-435. [PMID: 22680689 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
To understand the chemical behavior of organic molecules in the space environment, amino acids and a dipeptide in pure form and embedded in meteorite powder were exposed in the PROCESS experiment in the EXPOSE-E facility mounted on the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) platform on board the International Space Station (ISS). After exposure to space conditions for 18 months, the samples were returned to Earth and analyzed in the laboratory for reactions caused by solar UV and cosmic radiation. Chemical degradation and possible racemization and oligomerization, the main reactions caused by photochemistry in the vacuum ultraviolet domain (VUV, wavelength range 100-200 nm for photon energy from 6.2 to 12.4 eV) were examined in particular. The molecules were extracted and derivatized by silylation and analyzed by gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) to quantify the rate of the degradation of the compounds. Laboratory exposure in several wavelength ranges from UV to VUV was carried out in parallel in the Cologne Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) Center and Centre de biophysique moléculaire (CBM) laboratories. The results show that resistance to irradiation is a function of the chemical nature of the exposed molecules and the wavelengths of the UV light. The most altered compounds were the dipeptide, aspartic acid, and aminobutyric acid. The most resistant were alanine, valine, glycine, and aminoisobutyric acid. Our results also demonstrate the protective effect of meteorite powder, which reemphasizes the importance of exogenic contribution to the inventory of prebiotic organics on early Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bertrand
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, rue Charles Sadron, Orléans cedex 2, France.
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Orange F, Westall F, Disnar JR, Prieur D, Bienvenu N, Le Romancer M, Défarge C. Experimental silicification of the extremophilic Archaea Pyrococcus abyssi and Methanocaldococcus jannaschii: applications in the search for evidence of life in early Earth and extraterrestrial rocks. Geobiology 2009; 7:403-18. [PMID: 19656214 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2009.00212.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal activity was common on the early Earth and associated micro-organisms would most likely have included thermophilic to hyperthermophilic species. 3.5-3.3 billion-year-old, hydrothermally influenced rocks contain silicified microbial mats and colonies that must have been bathed in warm to hot hydrothermal emanations. Could they represent thermophilic or hyperthermophilic micro-organisms and if so, how were they preserved? We present the results of an experiment to silicify anaerobic, hyperthermophilic micro-organisms from the Archaea Domain Pyrococcus abyssi and Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, that could have lived on the early Earth. The micro-organisms were placed in a silica-saturated medium for periods up to 1 year. Pyrococcus abyssi cells were fossilized but the M. jannaschii cells lysed naturally after the exponential growth phase, apart from a few cells and cell remains, and were not silicified although their extracellular polymeric substances were. In this first simulated fossilization of archaeal strains, our results suggest that differences between species have a strong influence on the potential for different micro-organisms to be preserved by fossilization and that those found in the fossil record represent probably only a part of the original diversity. Our results have important consequences for biosignatures in hydrothermal or hydrothermally influenced deposits on Earth, as well as on early Mars, as environmental conditions were similar on the young terrestrial planets and traces of early Martian life may have been similarly preserved as silicified microfossils.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Orange
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, CNRS, Orléans cedex, France
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Cockell CS, Léger A, Fridlund M, Herbst TM, Kaltenegger L, Absil O, Beichman C, Benz W, Blanc M, Brack A, Chelli A, Colangeli L, Cottin H, Coudé du Foresto F, Danchi WC, Defrère D, den Herder JW, Eiroa C, Greaves J, Henning T, Johnston KJ, Jones H, Labadie L, Lammer H, Launhardt R, Lawson P, Lay OP, LeDuigou JM, Liseau R, Malbet F, Martin SR, Mawet D, Mourard D, Moutou C, Mugnier LM, Ollivier M, Paresce F, Quirrenbach A, Rabbia YD, Raven JA, Rottgering HJA, Rouan D, Santos NC, Selsis F, Serabyn E, Shibai H, Tamura M, Thiébaut E, Westall F, White GJ. Darwin--a mission to detect and search for life on extrasolar planets. Astrobiology 2009; 9:1-22. [PMID: 19203238 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2007.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of extrasolar planets is one of the greatest achievements of modern astronomy. The detection of planets that vary widely in mass demonstrates that extrasolar planets of low mass exist. In this paper, we describe a mission, called Darwin, whose primary goal is the search for, and characterization of, terrestrial extrasolar planets and the search for life. Accomplishing the mission objectives will require collaborative science across disciplines, including astrophysics, planetary sciences, chemistry, and microbiology. Darwin is designed to detect rocky planets similar to Earth and perform spectroscopic analysis at mid-infrared wavelengths (6-20 mum), where an advantageous contrast ratio between star and planet occurs. The baseline mission is projected to last 5 years and consists of approximately 200 individual target stars. Among these, 25-50 planetary systems can be studied spectroscopically, which will include the search for gases such as CO(2), H(2)O, CH(4), and O(3). Many of the key technologies required for the construction of Darwin have already been demonstrated, and the remainder are estimated to be mature in the near future. Darwin is a mission that will ignite intense interest in both the research community and the wider public.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Cockell
- CEPSAR, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
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Abstract
Defining locations where conditions may have been favorable for life is a key objective for the exploration of Mars. Of prime importance are sites where conditions may have been favorable for the preservation of evidence of prebiotic or biotic processes. Areas displaying significant concentrations of the mineral hematite (alpha-Fe2O3), recently identified by thermal emission spectrometry, may have significance in the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. Since iron oxides can form as aqueous mineral precipitates, the potential exists to preserve microscopic evidence of life in iron oxide-depositing ecosystems. Terrestrial hematite deposits proposed as possible analogs for hematite deposits on Mars include massive (banded) iron formations, iron oxide hydrothermal deposits, iron-rich laterites and ferricrete soils, and rock varnish. We report the potential for long-term preservation of microfossils by iron oxide mineralization in specimens of the approximately 2,100-Ma banded iron deposit of the Gunflint Formation, Canada. Scanning and analytical electron microscopy reveals micrometer-scale rods, spheres, and filaments consisting predominantly of iron and oxygen with minor carbon. We interpret these objects as microbial cells permineralized by an iron oxide, presumably hematite. The confirmation of ancient martian microbial life in hematite deposits will require the return of samples to terrestrial laboratories. A hematite-rich deposit composed of aqueous iron oxide precipitates may thus prove to be a prime site for future sample return.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Allen
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Allen CC, Albert FG, Chafetz HS, Combie J, Graham CR, Kieft TL, Kivett SJ, McKay DS, Steele A, Taunton AE, Taylor MR, Thomas-Keprta KL, Westall F. Microscopic physical biomarkers in carbonate hot springs: implications in the search for life on Mars. Icarus 2000; 147:49-67. [PMID: 11543582 DOI: 10.1006/icar.2000.6435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Physical evidence of life (physical biomarkers) from the deposits of carbonate hot springs were documented at the scale of microorganisms--submillimeter to submicrometer. The four moderate-temperature (57 to 72 degrees C), neutral pH springs reported on in this study, support diverse communities of bacteria adapted to specific physical and chemical conditions. Some of the microbes coexist with travertine deposits in endolithic communities. In other cases, the microbes are rapidly coated and destroyed by precipitates but leave distinctive mineral fabrics. Some microbes adapted to carbonate hot springs produce an extracellular polymeric substance which forms a three-dimensional matrix with living cells and cell remains, known as a biofilm. Silicon and iron oxides often coat the biofilm, leading to long-term preservation. Submicrometer mineralized spheres composed of calcium fluoride or silica are common in carbonate hot spring deposits. Sphere formation is biologically mediated, but the spheres themselves are apparently not fossils or microbes. Additionally, some microbes selectively weather mineral surfaces in distinctive patterns. Hot spring deposits have been cited as prime locations for exobiological exploration of Mars. The presence of preserved microscopic physical biomarkers at all four sites supports a strategy of searching for evidence of life in hot spring deposits on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- C C Allen
- Lockheed Martin Space Operations, Houston, Texas 77058, USA.
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Brack A, Clancy P, Fitton B, Hoffmann B, Horneck G, Kurat G, Maxwell J, Ori G, Pillinger C, Raulin F, Thomas N, Westall F. Search for life on Mars. Biol Sci Space 1998; 12:119-23. [PMID: 11541878 DOI: 10.2187/bss.12.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A multi-user integrated suite of instruments designed to optimize the search for evidence of life on Mars is described. The package includes: -Surface inspection and surface environment analysis to identify the potential Mars landing sites, to inspect the surface geology and mineralogy, to search for visible surficial microbial macrofossils, to study the surface radiation budget and surface oxidation processes, to search for niches for extant life. -Subsurface sample acquisition by core drilling -Analysis of surface and subsurface minerals and organics to characterize the surface mineralogy, to analyse the surface and subsurface oxidants, to analyse the mineralogy of subsurface aliquots, to analyse the organics present in the subsurface aliquots (elemental and molecular composition, isotopes, chirality). -Macroscopic and microscopic inspection of subsurface aliquots to search for life's indicators (paleontological, biological, mineralogical) and to characterize the mineralogy of the subsurface aliquots. The study is led by ESA Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity Directorate.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Brack
- Centre de Biophysique Moleculaire, CNRS, Orleans, France.
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Suzzi G, Romano P, Westall F, Vannini L. The flocculation of wine yeasts: biochemical and morphological characteristics in Kloeckera apiculata. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 1996; 69:273-7. [PMID: 8740910 DOI: 10.1007/bf00399616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The floc-forming ability of flocculent strains of Kloeckera apiculata, isolated from musts, was tested for susceptibility to proteinase and sugar treatments. Three different flocculation phenotypes were discriminated by protease digestion, whereas the inhibition of flocculation by sugars distinguished two definite patterns: one mechanism of flocculation involved a galactose-specific protein and the other a broad-specificity lectin. SEM and TEM observation of the cell surface of two different Kloeckera strains revealed fine fibrils and a diffuse structure at the point of contact in one strain, and thick masses of mucus on the cell wall of the other strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Suzzi
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Difesa e Biotecnologie Agroforestali, Univeristà della Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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