Experimental clues for detecting biosignatures ...
Document type :
Article dans une revue scientifique: Article original
DOI :
Permalink :
Title :
Experimental clues for detecting biosignatures on Mars
Author(s) :
Viennet, J.-C. [Auteur]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Bernard, S. [Auteur]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Le Guillou, Corentin [Auteur]
Unité Matériaux et Transformations - UMR 8207 [UMET]
Jacquemot, P. [Auteur]
Balan, E. [Auteur]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Delbes, L. [Auteur]
Rigaud, B. [Auteur]
Georgelin, T. [Auteur]
Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface [LRS]
Jaber, M. [Auteur]
Laboratoire d'Archéologie Moléculaire et Structurale [LAMS]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Bernard, S. [Auteur]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Le Guillou, Corentin [Auteur]

Unité Matériaux et Transformations - UMR 8207 [UMET]
Jacquemot, P. [Auteur]
Balan, E. [Auteur]
Institut de minéralogie, de physique des matériaux et de cosmochimie [IMPMC]
Delbes, L. [Auteur]
Rigaud, B. [Auteur]
Georgelin, T. [Auteur]
Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface [LRS]
Jaber, M. [Auteur]
Laboratoire d'Archéologie Moléculaire et Structurale [LAMS]
Journal title :
Geochemical Perspectives Letters
Abbreviated title :
Geochem. Persp. Let.
Pages :
28-33
Publisher :
European Association of Geochemistry
Publication date :
2019-11
ISSN :
2410-3403
HAL domain(s) :
Chimie/Matériaux
Chimie/Polymères
Chimie/Polymères
English abstract : [en]
Forthcoming exploration of Mars aims at identifying fossil biosignatures within
ancient clay-rich formations. The subsurface of Mars has mostly acted as a giant
freezer for the last 4 Gyr, thereby preserving potential ...
Show more >Forthcoming exploration of Mars aims at identifying fossil biosignatures within ancient clay-rich formations. The subsurface of Mars has mostly acted as a giant freezer for the last 4 Gyr, thereby preserving potential remains of martian life. Yet, volcanism and impactors have periodically triggered the circulation of hydrothermal fluids, inevitably causing alteration of potentially fossilised biogenic organic materials. It thus appears crucial to quantify the impact of hydrothermal processes on organic biogeochemical signals in the presence of clay minerals. Here, we submitted RNA to hydrothermal conditions in the presence of Mg-smectites. Results show heterogeneous organo-mineral residues, with sub-micrometric phosphates, carbonates and amorphous silica particles together with Mg-smectites with interlayer spaces saturated by N-rich organic compounds. Although the chemical structure of RNA did not withstand hydrothermal conditions, clay minerals efficiently trapped organic carbon, confirming the relevance of drilling for organic carbon in ancient martian sediments. In addition, the degradation of RNA in the presence of Mg-smectites led to the precipitation of a quite uncommon mineral assemblage that could be seen as a biosignature per se. Martian targets exhibiting this mineral assemblage will thus constitute high priority and highly relevant candidates for sample return.Show less >
Show more >Forthcoming exploration of Mars aims at identifying fossil biosignatures within ancient clay-rich formations. The subsurface of Mars has mostly acted as a giant freezer for the last 4 Gyr, thereby preserving potential remains of martian life. Yet, volcanism and impactors have periodically triggered the circulation of hydrothermal fluids, inevitably causing alteration of potentially fossilised biogenic organic materials. It thus appears crucial to quantify the impact of hydrothermal processes on organic biogeochemical signals in the presence of clay minerals. Here, we submitted RNA to hydrothermal conditions in the presence of Mg-smectites. Results show heterogeneous organo-mineral residues, with sub-micrometric phosphates, carbonates and amorphous silica particles together with Mg-smectites with interlayer spaces saturated by N-rich organic compounds. Although the chemical structure of RNA did not withstand hydrothermal conditions, clay minerals efficiently trapped organic carbon, confirming the relevance of drilling for organic carbon in ancient martian sediments. In addition, the degradation of RNA in the presence of Mg-smectites led to the precipitation of a quite uncommon mineral assemblage that could be seen as a biosignature per se. Martian targets exhibiting this mineral assemblage will thus constitute high priority and highly relevant candidates for sample return.Show less >
Language :
Anglais
Peer reviewed article :
Oui
Audience :
Non spécifiée
Administrative institution(s) :
Université de Lille
CNRS
INRA
ENSCL
CNRS
INRA
ENSCL
Collections :
Research team(s) :
Matériaux Terrestres et Planétaires
Submission date :
2019-11-29T14:53:44Z
2019-12-17T09:08:10Z
2020-07-18T13:26:55Z
2019-12-17T09:08:10Z
2020-07-18T13:26:55Z