In situ analysis of the martian soil

Computer Science

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

Mars is presently the most likely planet on which there is a possibility of finding extinct and/or extant life. The next exploratory missions to Mars will focus on key organic molecules such as carboxylic and amino acids. In the frame of the Sample Analysis on Mars (SAM) GC/MS-based experiment aiming at performing in situ chemical analysis of the Martian soil, an automated extraction process coupled to chemical derivatization is under development. The extraction efficiency of various organic solvents has been tested (and compared to that of water), first on standard soil samples and then, on Martian soil analogues such as the Akatama desert (Chili) soil. It was shown that propanol is the best solvent, allowing high extraction yields for both amino and carboxylic acids with space compatible extraction time (15 to 30 min) when the extraction procedure is assisted by sonication. A highly sensititive and quantitative single-step derivatization reaction using as N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-trifluoroacétanamide (MTBSTFA) as silylation agent was then used, prior to GC/MS analysis. The extraction and the derivatization process will take place in an automated miniaturized reactor, which is currently under investigation.

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