1
|
Rucker HR, Ely TD, LaRowe DE, Giovannelli D, Price RE. Quantifying the Bioavailable Energy in an Ancient Hydrothermal Vent on Mars and a Modern Earth-Based Analog. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:431-445. [PMID: 36862508 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0064] [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: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Putative alkaline hydrothermal systems on Noachian Mars were potentially habitable environments for microorganisms. However, the types of reactions that could have fueled microbial life in such systems and the amount of energy available from them have not been quantitatively constrained. In this study, we use thermodynamic modeling to calculate which catabolic reactions could have supported ancient life in a saponite-precipitating hydrothermal vent system in the Eridania basin on Mars. To further evaluate what this could mean for microbial life, we evaluated the energy potential of an analog site in Iceland, the Strytan Hydrothermal Field. Results show that, of the 84 relevant redox reactions that were considered, the highest energy-yielding reactions in the Eridania hydrothermal system were dominated by methane formation. By contrast, Gibbs energy calculations carried out for Strytan indicate that the most energetically favorable reactions are CO2 and O2 reduction coupled to H2 oxidation. In particular, our calculations indicate that an ancient hydrothermal system within the Eridania basin could have been a habitable environment for methanogens using NH4+ as an electron acceptor. Differences in Gibbs energies between the two systems were largely determined by oxygen-its presence on Earth and absence on Mars. However, Strytan can serve as a useful analog for Eridania when studying methane-producing reactions that do not involve O2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly R Rucker
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Tucker D Ely
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- 39Alpha Research, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Douglas E LaRowe
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Donato Giovannelli
- Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Roy E Price
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muñoz-Iglesias V, Sánchez-García L, Carrizo D, Molina A, Fernández-Sampedro M, Prieto-Ballesteros O. Raman spectroscopic peculiarities of Icelandic poorly crystalline minerals and their implications for Mars exploration. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5640. [PMID: 35379897 PMCID: PMC8979959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09684-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we have analyzed natural samples collected at three hydrothermal areas of Iceland by Raman spectroscopy. The studied high-latitude regions are considered environmentally and mineralogically appropriate Martian analogues since they are rich in weathered basalts that have been altered by hydrothermalism to mineral phases such as silica, clay minerals, sulfates, oxides, and sulfur. The main objective of this work was to assess the relation of the spectroscopic signatures of alteration to hydrothermal processes and biomediation, considering previous studies focused on the detection of lipid biomarkers in the same samples. The recorded Raman spectra, taken with optical parameters similar to the ExoMars 2022 Raman spectrometer, showed structural modifications in all secondary minerals in the form of peak shifts (in the case of sulfur and clay minerals), changes in the relative ratio intensity (in anatase) and/or shape broadening (in sulfates and hematite). These results reveal the suitability of Raman spectroscopy to examine areas rich in water-altered minerals, where a mixture of crystalline and amorphous phases can co-exist. The detection of silica is singularly interesting since, on the one hand, it can imply the past existence of hydrothermal hot springs rich in nutrient and redox gradients and, on the other hand, provides excellent matrix for biosignature preservation. The data can be helpful as an astrobiological database for the forthcoming missions to Mars, where potential upwelling groundwater systems could have altered the mineral phases in a similar way to that observed in this work.
Collapse
|
3
|
Authigenic Green Mica in Interflow Horizons within Late Cretaceous Deccan Volcanic Province, India and Its Genetic Implications. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12020198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Green authigenic mica, i.e., celadonite, is commonly associated with submarine alteration of basic igneous rock. However, very few studies have reported the formation of celadonite under nonmarine conditions. An integrated study involving field investigation, petrography, mineralogy, and mineral chemistry highlighted the origin of celadonite in two clay-rich horizons (green boles) of the Late Cretaceous Deccan volcanic province. Within the Salher green bole, the celadonite occurred as the dissolution and alteration of plagioclase, volcanic glass, and pore-filling cement. In the case of the Pune green bole, the celadonite was formed by the alteration of plagioclase, pyroxene, and precipitation as film within intergranular pores, along with zeolite. The celadonite in the Salher green bole exhibited slightly lower K2O and Fe2O3 and higher Al2O3 than in the Pune. The mineral chemistry of the former showed a composition closer to ferro-aluminoceladonite. Although the mineral chemistry of celadonite overlaps with glauconite, the distinct 10 Å and 15 Å reflections in XRD, euhedral lath and honeycomb morphology under SEM, and characteristic absorption bands in VNIR spectroscopy (0.4–2.5 µm) and FTIR spectroscopy (400–4000 cm−1) identified celadonite and Fe-smectite within green boles. The green boles were formed either by the alteration of a volcaniclastic deposit in local pools of water or by the in situ alteration of the fragmentary flow top. The present study is significant due to the occurrence of celadonite in a nonmarine environment, as it otherwise forms under submarine conditions.
Collapse
|
4
|
Novel hybrid multifunctional composite of chitosan and altered basalt for barium adsorption: Experimental and theoretical studies. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.124613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
|
5
|
Veneranda M, Manrique-Martinez JA, Lopez-Reyes G, Medina J, Torre-Fdez I, Castro K, Madariaga JM, Lantz C, Poulet F, Krzesińska AM, Hellevang H, Werner SC, Rull F. Spectroscopic study of olivine-bearing rocks and its relevance to the ExoMars rover mission. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2019; 223:117360. [PMID: 31319272 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present the compositional analysis of three terrestrial analogues of Martian olivine-bearing rocks derived from both laboratory and flight-derived analytical instruments. In the first step, state-of-the-art spectroscopic (XRF, NIR and Raman) and diffractometric (XRD) laboratory systems were complementary used. Besides providing a detailed mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the samples, results comparison shed light on the advantages ensured by the combined use of Raman and NIR techniques, being these the spectroscopic instruments that will soon deploy (2021) on Mars as part of the ExoMars/ESA rover payload. In order to extrapolate valuable indicators of the mineralogical data that could derive from the ExoMars/Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS), laboratory results were then compared with the molecular data gathered through the RLS ExoMars Simulator. Beside correctly identifying all major phases (feldspar, pyroxene and olivine), the RLS ExoMars Simulator confirmed the presence of additional minor compounds (i.e. hematite and apatite) that were not detected by complementary techniques. Furthermore, concerning the in-depth study of olivine grains, the RLS ExoMars simulator was able to effectively detect the shifting of the characteristic double peak around 820 and 850 cm-1, from which the FeMg content of the analyzed crystals can be extrapolated. Considering that olivine is one of the main mineral phases of the ExoMars landing site (Oxia Planum), this study suggests that the ExoMars/RLS system has the potential to provide detailed information about the elemental composition of olivine on Mars.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Veneranda
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Ave. Francisco Vallés, 8, Boecillo 47151, Spain.
| | - Jose Antonio Manrique-Martinez
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Ave. Francisco Vallés, 8, Boecillo 47151, Spain
| | - Guillermo Lopez-Reyes
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Ave. Francisco Vallés, 8, Boecillo 47151, Spain
| | - Jesús Medina
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Ave. Francisco Vallés, 8, Boecillo 47151, Spain
| | - Imanol Torre-Fdez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Kepa Castro
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Cateline Lantz
- Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, France
| | - Francois Poulet
- Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS/Université Paris-Sud, France
| | - Agata M Krzesińska
- Department of Geosciences, Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Helge Hellevang
- Department of Geosciences, Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephanie C Werner
- Department of Geosciences, Centre for Earth Evolution and Dynamics, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Fernando Rull
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Ave. Francisco Vallés, 8, Boecillo 47151, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Clay mineral formation under oxidized conditions and implications for paleoenvironments and organic preservation on Mars. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1230. [PMID: 29089493 PMCID: PMC5663933 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01235-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Clay mineral-bearing locations have been targeted for martian exploration as potentially habitable environments and as possible repositories for the preservation of organic matter. Although organic matter has been detected at Gale Crater, Mars, its concentrations are lower than expected from meteoritic and indigenous igneous and hydrothermal reduced carbon. We conducted synthesis experiments motivated by the hypothesis that some clay mineral formation may have occurred under oxidized conditions conducive to the destruction of organics. Previous work has suggested that anoxic and/or reducing conditions are needed to synthesize the Fe-rich clay mineral nontronite at low temperatures. In contrast, our experiments demonstrated the rapid formation of Fe-rich clay minerals of variable crystallinity from aqueous Fe3+ with small amounts of aqueous Mg2+. Our results suggest that Fe-rich clay minerals such as nontronite can form rapidly under oxidized conditions, which could help explain low concentrations of organics within some smectite-containing rocks or sediments on Mars. In the Gale Crater on Mars, organic matter has been detected, but in much lower concentrations than expected. Here, the authors conduct clay mineral synthesis experiments which suggest that clay minerals may rapidly form under oxidized conditions and thus explain the low organic concentrations in Gale Crater.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Spectral remote sensing in the visible/near-infrared (VNIR) and mid-IR (MIR) regions has enabled detection and characterisation of multiple clays and clay minerals on Earth and in the Solar System. Remote sensing on Earth poses the greatest challenge due to atmospheric absorptions that interfere with detection of surface minerals. Still, a greater variety of clay minerals have been observed on Earth than other bodies due to extensive aqueous alteration on our planet. Clay minerals have arguably been mapped in more detail on the planet Mars because they are not masked by vegetation on that planet and the atmosphere is less of a hindrance. Fe/Mg-smectite is the most abundant clay mineral on the surface of Mars and is also common in meteorites and comets where clay minerals are detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Bishop
- SETI Institute, Carl Sagan Center, 189 Bernardo Ave, Suite 200, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | | | - John Carter
- Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS/Paris-Sud University, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Volcanogenic fluvial-lacustrine environments in iceland and their utility for identifying past habitability on Mars. Life (Basel) 2015; 5:568-86. [PMID: 25692905 PMCID: PMC4390869 DOI: 10.3390/life5010568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for once-habitable locations on Mars is increasingly focused on environments dominated by fluvial and lacustrine processes, such as those investigated by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover. The availability of liquid water coupled with the potential longevity of such systems renders these localities prime targets for the future exploration of Martian biosignatures. Fluvial-lacustrine environments associated with basaltic volcanism are highly relevant to Mars, but their terrestrial counterparts have been largely overlooked as a field analogue. Such environments are common in Iceland, where basaltic volcanism interacts with glacial ice and surface snow to produce large volumes of meltwater within an otherwise cold and dry environment. This meltwater can be stored to create subglacial, englacial, and proglacial lakes, or be released as catastrophic floods and proglacial fluvial systems. Sedimentary deposits produced by the resulting fluvial-lacustrine activity are extensive, with lithologies dominated by basaltic minerals, low-temperature alteration assemblages (e.g., smectite clays, calcite), and amorphous, poorly crystalline phases (basaltic glass, palagonite, nanophase iron oxides). This paper reviews examples of these environments, including their sedimentary deposits and microbiology, within the context of utilising these localities for future Mars analogue studies and instrument testing.
Collapse
|
9
|
Marlow JJ, Larowe DE, Ehlmann BL, Amend JP, Orphan VJ. The potential for biologically catalyzed anaerobic methane oxidation on ancient Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2014; 14:292-307. [PMID: 24684241 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2013.1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the potential for the biologically mediated anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to sulfate reduction on ancient Mars. Seven distinct fluids representative of putative martian groundwater were used to calculate Gibbs energy values in the presence of dissolved methane under a range of atmospheric CO2 partial pressures. In all scenarios, AOM is exergonic, ranging from -31 to -135 kJ/mol CH4. A reaction transport model was constructed to examine how environmentally relevant parameters such as advection velocity, reactant concentrations, and biomass production rate affect the spatial and temporal dependences of AOM reaction rates. Two geologically supported models for ancient martian AOM are presented: a sulfate-rich groundwater with methane produced from serpentinization by-products, and acid-sulfate fluids with methane from basalt alteration. The simulations presented in this study indicate that AOM could have been a feasible metabolism on ancient Mars, and fossil or isotopic evidence of this metabolic pathway may persist beneath the surface and in surface exposures of eroded ancient terrains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J Marlow
- 1 Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology , Pasadena, California
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Arvidson RE, Squyres SW, Bell JF, Catalano JG, Clark BC, Crumpler LS, de Souza PA, Fairen AG, Farrand WH, Fox VK, Gellert R, Ghosh A, Golombek MP, Grotzinger JP, Guinness EA, Herkenhoff KE, Jolliff BL, Knoll AH, Li R, McLennan SM, Ming DW, Mittlefehldt DW, Moore JM, Morris RV, Murchie SL, Parker TJ, Paulsen G, Rice JW, Ruff SW, Smith MD, Wolff MJ. Ancient Aqueous Environments at Endeavour Crater, Mars. Science 2014; 343:1248097. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1248097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
11
|
Greenberger RN, Mustard JF, Kumar PS, Dyar MD, Breves EA, Sklute EC. Low temperature aqueous alteration of basalt: Mineral assemblages of Deccan basalts and implications for Mars. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2012je004127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|