Role of limonite as the Martian soil analog at the experiments on biomolecular synthesis

Details Role of limonite as the Martian soil analog at the experiments on biomolecular synthesis Role of limonite as the Martian soil analog at the experiments on biomolecular synthesis

Apr 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003eaeja......754g&link_type=abstract

EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly, Abstracts from the meeting held in Nice, France, 6 - 11 April 2003, abstract #754

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Biomolecules

Scientific paper

The question of possible prebiotic solid phase synthesis on the Martian surface is of special importance in terms of planning of the forthcoming missions to this planet and the search for traces of life on and near its upper soil layer. Since the research task was to find out whether main organic substances (aminoacids and nucleosides) are able to survive and to form more complicated ones in the absence of water, our experimental dry films were exposed to the radiation of two most important wave types (145 nm and 254 nm) abundant on Mars at present time. Mineral beds impregnated with biological molecules were used to approach the model of Martian surrounding. Limonite was taken as the analogous material obtaining parameters similar to those of Martian soil. Experimental samples were placed into an isolated chamber containing three types of gases CO2, N2 and air to figure out the most favorable environment for organic processes. CO2 atmosphere was found to be the most suitable both for the survival of initial molecules and for the formation of new ones. Data obtained after applying mass spectrometry and chromatography techniques for samples analyzing revealed that the presence of limonite bed stabilized degradation processes occurring within the radiation period and increased the reaction yield both in cases of aminoacids and nucleosides. Further calculation made to extrapolate experimental results to more extended time period showed that organic molecules could possibly survive long- duration exposure to cosmic UV radiation. These results coincide with our previous experiments representing the system where minerals of extraterrestrial origin such as meteorites Allende, Murchison and lunar soil were tested with respect to their influence over biological synthesis and decay in similar conditions. Hence it seems quite plausible that biomolecules can be found in Martian surface.

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