Martian sub-surface ionising radiation: biosignatures and geology

Author:

Dartnell L. R.,Desorgher L.,Ward J. M.,Coates A. J.

Abstract

Abstract. The surface of Mars, unshielded by thick atmosphere or global magnetic field, is exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation. This ionising radiation field is deleterious to the survival of dormant cells or spores and the persistence of molecular biomarkers in the subsurface, and so its characterisation is of prime astrobiological interest. Here, we present modelling results of the absorbed radiation dose as a function of depth through the Martian subsurface, suitable for calculation of biomarker persistence. A second major implementation of this dose accumulation rate data is in application of the optically stimulated luminescence technique for dating Martian sediments. We present calculations of the dose-depth profile in the Martian subsurface for various scenarios: variations of surface composition (dry regolith, ice, layered permafrost), solar minimum and maximum conditions, locations of different elevation (Olympus Mons, Hellas basin, datum altitude), and increasing atmospheric thickness over geological history. We also model the changing composition of the subsurface radiation field with depth compared between Martian locations with different shielding material, determine the relative dose contributions from primaries of different energies, and discuss particle deflection by the crustal magnetic fields.

Publisher

Copernicus GmbH

Subject

Earth-Surface Processes,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Reference63 articles.

1. Acuna, M H., Connerney, J. E P., Ness, N F., Lin, R P., Mitchell, D., Carlson, C W., McFadden, J., Anderson, K A., Reme, H., Mazelle, C., Vignes, D., Wasilewski, P., and Cloutier, P.: Global Distribution of Crustal Magnetization Discovered by the Mars Global Surveyor MAG/ER Experiment, Science, 284, 790–793, 1999.

2. Agostinelli, S., Allison, J., Amako, K., Apostolakis, J., Araujo, H., Arce, P., Asai, M., Axen, D., Banerjee, S., Barrand, G., Behner, F., Bellagamba, L., Boudreau, J., Broglia, L., Brunengo, A., Burkhardt, H., Chauvie, S., Chuma, J., Chytracek, R., Cooperman, G., Cosmo, G., Degtyarenko, P., Dell'Acqua, A., Depaola, G., Dietrich, D., Enami, R., Feliciello, A., Ferguson, C., Fesefeldt, H., Folger, G., Foppiano, F., Forti, A., Garelli, S., Giani, S., Giannitrapani, R., Gibin, D., Cadenas, J. J G., Gonzalez, I., Abril, G G., Greeniaus, G., Greiner, W., Grichine, V., Grossheim, A., Guatelli, S., Gumplinger, P., Hamatsu, R., Hashimoto, K., Hasui, H., Heikkinen, A., Howard, A., Ivanchenko, V., Johnson, A., Jones, F W., Kallenbach, J., Kanaya, N., Kawabata, M., Kawabata, Y., Kawaguti, M., Kelner, S., Kent, P., Kimura, A., Kodama, T., Kokoulin, R., Kossov, M., Kurashige, H., Lamanna, E., Lampen, T., Lara, V., Lefebure, V., Lei, F., Liendl, M., Lockman, W., Longo, F., Magni, S., Maire, M., Medernach, E., Minamimoto, K., de~Freitas, P M., Morita, Y., Murakami, K., Nagamatu, M., Nartallo, R., Nieminen, P., Nishimura, T., Ohtsubo, K., Okamura, M., O'Neale, S., Oohata, Y., Paech, K., Perl, J., Pfeiffer, A., Pia, M G., Ranjard, F., Rybin, A., Sadilov, S., Di~Salvo, E., Santin, G., Sasaki, T., Savvas, N., Sawada, Y., et~al.: GEANT4 – A simulation toolkit, Nuclear Instruments and Methods In Physics Research Section A – Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors And Associated Equipment, 506, 250–303, iSI Document Delivery No.: 696WP, 2003.

3. Amako, K., Guatelli, S., Ivanchenko, V N., Maire, M., Mascialino, B., Murakami, K., Nieminen, P., Pandola, L., Parlati, S., Pia, M G., Piergentili, M., Sasaki, T., and Urban, L.: Comparison of Geant4 Electromagnetic Physics Models Against the NIST Reference Data, Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on, 52, 910–918, 0018-9499, 2005.

4. Ambrosi, R M., Talboys, D L., Sims, M R., Bannister, N P., Makarewicz, M., Stevenson, T., Hutchinson, I B., Watterson, J. I W., Lanza, R C., and Richter, L.: Neutron activation analysis, gamma ray spectrometry and radiation environment monitoring instrument concept: GEORAD, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 539, 198–216, 2005.

5. Audette, M., Chen, X., Houee-Levin, C., Potier, M., and Maire, M L.: Protein gamma-radiolysis in frozen solutions is a macromolecular surface phenomenon: fragmentation of lysozyme, citrate synthase and alpha-lactalbumin in native or denatured states, Int. J. Radiation Biol., 76, 673, https://doi.org/10.1080/095530000138349, 2000.

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3