Diverse organic-mineral associations in Jezero crater, Mars
Author:
Sharma SunandaORCID, Roppel Ryan D., Murphy Ashley E., Beegle Luther W.ORCID, Bhartia RohitORCID, Steele AndrewORCID, Hollis Joseph Razzell, Siljeström Sandra, McCubbin Francis M.ORCID, Asher Sanford A., Abbey William J., Allwood Abigail C., Berger Eve L., Bleefeld Benjamin L., Burton Aaron S., Bykov Sergei V.ORCID, Cardarelli Emily L., Conrad Pamela G., Corpolongo AndreaORCID, Czaja Andrew D.ORCID, DeFlores Lauren P., Edgett Kenneth, Farley Kenneth A., Fornaro TeresaORCID, Fox Allison C.ORCID, Fries Marc D., Harker David, Hickman-Lewis Keyron, Huggett Joshua, Imbeah SamaraORCID, Jakubek Ryan S., Kah Linda C.ORCID, Lee Carina, Liu Yang, Magee Angela, Minitti Michelle, Moore Kelsey R., Pascuzzo Alyssa, Rodriguez Sanchez-Vahamonde CarolinaORCID, Scheller Eva L., Shkolyar SvetlanaORCID, Stack Kathryn M., Steadman Kim, Tuite Michael, Uckert KyleORCID, Werynski Alyssa, Wiens Roger C.ORCID, Williams Amy J.ORCID, Winchell Katherine, Kennedy Megan R.ORCID, Yanchilina Anastasia
Abstract
AbstractThe presence and distribution of preserved organic matter on the surface of Mars can provide key information about the Martian carbon cycle and the potential of the planet to host life throughout its history. Several types of organic molecules have been previously detected in Martian meteorites1 and at Gale crater, Mars2–4. Evaluating the diversity and detectability of organic matter elsewhere on Mars is important for understanding the extent and diversity of Martian surface processes and the potential availability of carbon sources1,5,6. Here we report the detection of Raman and fluorescence spectra consistent with several species of aromatic organic molecules in the Máaz and Séítah formations within the Crater Floor sequences of Jezero crater, Mars. We report specific fluorescence-mineral associations consistent with many classes of organic molecules occurring in different spatial patterns within these compositionally distinct formations, potentially indicating different fates of carbon across environments. Our findings suggest there may be a diversity of aromatic molecules prevalent on the Martian surface, and these materials persist despite exposure to surface conditions. These potential organic molecules are largely found within minerals linked to aqueous processes, indicating that these processes may have had a key role in organic synthesis, transport or preservation.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Multidisciplinary
Reference61 articles.
1. Steele, A., McCubbin, F. M. & Fries, M. D. The provenance, formation, and implications of reduced carbon phases in Martian meteorites. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 51, 2203–2225 (2016). 2. Eigenbrode, J. L. et al. Organic matter preserved in 3-billion-year-old mudstones at Gale crater, Mars. Science 360, 1096–1101 (2018). 3. Millan, M. et al. Organic molecules revealed in Mars’s Bagnold dunes by Curiosity’s derivatization experiment. Nature Astronomy 6, 129–140 (2022). 4. Freissinet, C. et al. Organic molecules in the sheepbed mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. Planets 120, 495–514 (2015). 5. Steele, A. et al. Organic synthesis associated with serpentinization and carbonation on early Mars. Science 375, 172–177 (2022).
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