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Diloreto Z, Ahmad MS, Al Saad Al-Kuwari H, Sadooni F, Bontognali TRR, Dittrich M. Raman Spectroscopic and Microbial Study of Biofilms Hosted Gypsum Deposits in the Hypersaline Wetlands: Astrobiological Perspective. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:991-1005. [PMID: 37672713 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0003] [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: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) has been identified at the surface of Mars, by both orbiters and rovers. Because gypsum mostly forms in the presence of liquid water as an essential element for sustaining microbial life and has a low porosity, which is ideal for preserving organic material, it is a promising target to look for signs of past microbial life. In this article, we studied organic matter preservation within gypsum that precipitates in a salt flat or a so-called coastal sabkha located in Qatar. Sabkha's ecosystem is considered a modern analog to evaporitic environments that may have existed on early Mars. We collected the sediment cores in the areas where gypsum is formed and performed DNA analysis to characterize the community of extremophilic microorganisms that is present at the site of gypsum formation. Subsequently, we applied Raman spectroscopy, a technique available on several rovers that are currently exploring Mars, to evaluate which organic molecules can be detected through the translucent gypsum crystals. We showed that organic material can be encapsulated into evaporitic gypsum and detected via Raman microscopy with simple, straightforward sample preparation. The molecular biology data proved useful for assessing to what extent complex Raman spectra can be linked to the original microbial community, dominated by Halobacteria and methanogenic archaea, providing a reference for a signal that may be detected on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Diloreto
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mirza Shaharyar Ahmad
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Tomaso R R Bontognali
- Space Exploration Institute, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Dittrich
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Huidobro J, Aramendia J, Arana G, Madariaga JM. Reviewing in situ analytical techniques used to research Martian geochemistry: From the Viking Project to the MMX future mission. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1197:339499. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Marina-Montes C, Pérez-Arribas LV, Anzano J, de Vallejuelo SFO, Aramendia J, Gómez-Nubla L, de Diego A, Manuel Madariaga J, Cáceres JO. Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region using Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 266:120452. [PMID: 34624816 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The non-destructive spectroscopic characterization of airborne particulate matter (PM) was performed to gain better knowledge of the internal structures of atmospheric aerosols at the particle level in the Antarctic region, along with their potential sources. PM and soil samples were collected during the 2016-2017 austral summer season at the surroundings of the Spanish Antarctic Research Station "Gabriel de Castilla" (Deception Island, South Shetland Islands). PM was deposited in a low-volume sampler air filter. Raman spectroscopy (RS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were used to determine the elemental and molecular composition of the individual aerosol and soil particles. Filter spectra measured by these techniques revealed long-range atmospheric transport of organic compounds (polystyrene and bacteria), local single and cluster particles made of different kinds of black carbon (BC), exotic minerals (polyhalite, arcanite, niter, ammonium nitrate, syngenite and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer), and natural PM (sea salts, silicates, iron oxides, etc.). In addition to the filter samples, forsterite and plagioclase were discovered in the soil samples together with magnetite. This is the first report of the presence of a microplastic fiber in the Antarctic air. This fact, together with the presence of other pollutants, reflects that even pristine and remote regions are influenced by anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Marina-Montes
- Laser Lab, Chemistry & Environment Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Luis V Pérez-Arribas
- Laser Chemistry Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ciencias 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Anzano
- Laser Lab, Chemistry & Environment Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Fdez-Ortiz de Vallejuelo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Julene Aramendia
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Leticia Gómez-Nubla
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Alberto de Diego
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Madariaga
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
| | - Jorge O Cáceres
- Laser Chemistry Research Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Plaza de Ciencias 1, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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