Investigating the organic record of early Mars
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 and paired stones are unique martian meteorites that provide us with our first and only samples of the martian surface regolith. These samples contain a variety of magmatic, impact-related, and sedimentary clasts as old as ca. 4.4 billion years old that were consolidated sometime around 1.5 billion years ago. The NWA 7034 clan of meteorites thus provides us with a window into the geological evolution of Mars over several billion years. NWA 7034 contains macromolecular carbon (MMC) inclusions in mineral phases; preliminary observations of these inclusions suggest they might have a similar origin than abiogenic MMC observed in other basaltic martian meteorites. However the fact that NWA 7034 contains a record of martian (sub)surface conditions and components from 4.4 billion years ago, at a time when Mars was likely a habitable world, warrants a thorough investigation of its organic material inventory to assess its origins.
This project will investigate the organic record of martian meteorites from the NWA 7034 family using a wide array of analytical facilities, including bulk analysis and techniques such as confocal and scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), (pyr)-GC-MS, NMR, inorganic (LA-ICP-MS, NanoSIMS) mass spectrometry, and X-ray micro- and nanotomography. This project thus provides a great opportunity to receive training in a wide range of techniques aimed at developing a clearer understanding of the organic record of the early Mars epoch.
Such a combined approach is crucial to characterise as thoroughly as possible the range of organic compounds produced on Mars at that time, and investigate their likely origin. This also requires studying terrestrial analogues; by applying these techniques to sedimentary rocks known to record early terrestrial life (e.g., fossil-bearing horizons in the Torridonian Supergroup, UK and sediments from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa), we can identify key markers supporting biogenicity, and assess the preservation potential of organics that have undergone burial for prolonged periods of time.
This project will investigate the organic record of martian meteorites from the NWA 7034 family using a wide array of analytical facilities, including bulk analysis and techniques such as confocal and scanning electron microscopy, spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), (pyr)-GC-MS, NMR, inorganic (LA-ICP-MS, NanoSIMS) mass spectrometry, and X-ray micro- and nanotomography. This project thus provides a great opportunity to receive training in a wide range of techniques aimed at developing a clearer understanding of the organic record of the early Mars epoch.
Such a combined approach is crucial to characterise as thoroughly as possible the range of organic compounds produced on Mars at that time, and investigate their likely origin. This also requires studying terrestrial analogues; by applying these techniques to sedimentary rocks known to record early terrestrial life (e.g., fossil-bearing horizons in the Torridonian Supergroup, UK and sediments from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa), we can identify key markers supporting biogenicity, and assess the preservation potential of organics that have undergone burial for prolonged periods of time.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/T50628X/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2488421 | Studentship | ST/T50628X/1 | 01/01/2021 | 30/09/2024 | Arthur Goodwin |
| ST/V506886/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2024 | |||
| 2488421 | Studentship | ST/V506886/1 | 01/01/2021 | 30/09/2024 | Arthur Goodwin |
| Description | Characterisation of the martian analogue, Stac Fada, which is a hypervelocity asteroid impact ejecta deposit which outcrops in northwest scotland, finding the first evidence for diamond created in the high-pressures and temperatures. Also identified the alteration of insoluble amorphous carbon from high temperatures that occured during the impact. Using x-ray computed tomography (xCT) to model in 3D the grain sizes and orientations within samples of martian regolith breccia NWA 11220 to support an origin within an impact ejecta horizon, meaning direct comparisons can be made between our martian samples and the impact layer from Scotland. Abstracts presented at conferences: (1) Comparing the Stac Fada Impactite and NWA 11220 Martian Meteorite to Ascertain where Carbon is Preserved within Martian Regolith; Forming and Exploring Habitable Worlds Meeting, Edinburgh (2022). (2) Using Multiscale X-Ray Computed Tomography to Characterise the Lithological Variability within the Northwest Africa 11220 "Black Beauty" Martian Regolith Breccia; Metsoc, Glasgow (2022). (3) Diagenetic Alteration of Carbon: Stac Fada as a Martian Analogue; Metsoc, Glasgow (2022). (4) Preservation of Organics in Altered Impact Glasses Identified by Raman Spectroscopy: Stac Fada as a Martian Analogue; AbSciCon, Remote (2022). |
| Exploitation Route | aCharacterising the martian regolith breccia is important for future research that will be conducted within the context of studying an impact rock. Studying carbon in Stac Fada has developed methodology and computer software for applying Raman spectroscopy to amorphous carbon modified by high pressures and temperatures, which can be applied by other researchers to other impact rocks. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |