On the ability of the Viking gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer to detect organic matter

Biemann, K.

doi:10.1073/pnas.0703732104

Cited by 59 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Through the ages, this bombardment should have enriched the martian soil with organic carbon. Contrary to these expectations, the Viking probes sent to Mars in 1976 found no traces (<1 ppb) of organic molecules in the upper soil, which initiated the controversy about martian soil chemistry (Oyama et al, 1978;Biemann, 1979Biemann, , 2007Huguenin et al, 1979;Hunten, 1979;Oro and Holzer, 1979;Mancinelli, 1989;McDonald et al, 1998;Bullock et al, 1994;Schuerger and Clark, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…All three of these issues relate to a particular aspect of martian chemistry, which is the photocatalysis by oxide nano-and microparticles present in martian soil. We suggest that photocatalytically active iron(III) oxides can be the elusive ''oxidizer'' responsible for the degradation of the organic component of the regolith (Biemann, 1979;Zent and McKay, 1994;Benner et al, 2000;Biemann, 2007). Furthermore, the photooxidation of acetates (currently thought to be the terminal product of stepwise oxidation of the aliphatic component of meteoritic kerogen, see Benner et al, 2000) that release methyl radicals could be responsible for abiogenic methane production on Mars.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Photocatalytic Decomposition of Carboxylated Molecules on Light-Exposed Martian Regolith and Its Relation to Methane Production on Mars

2010

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We propose that the paucity of organic compounds in martian soil can be accounted for by efficient photocatalytic decomposition of carboxylated molecules due to the occurrence of the photo-Kolbe reaction at the surface of particulate iron(III) oxides that are abundant in the martian regolith. This photoreaction is initiated by the absorption of UVA light, and it readily occurs even at low temperature. The decarboxylation is observed for miscellaneous organic carboxylates, including the nonvolatile products of kerogen oxidation (that are currently thought to accumulate in the soil) as well as alpha-amino acids and peptides. Our study indicates that there may be no "safe haven" for these organic compounds on Mars; oxidation by reactive radicals, such as hydroxyl, is concerted with photocatalytic reactions on the oxide particles. Acting together, these two mechanisms result in mineralization of the organic component. The photooxidation of acetate (the terminal product of radical oxidation of the aliphatic component of kerogen) on the iron(III) oxides results in the formation of methane; this reaction may account for seasonably variable production of methane on Mars. The concomitant reduction of Fe(III) in the regolith leads to the formation of highly soluble ferrous ions that contribute to weathering of the soil particles.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Carboxylated Molecules on Light-Exposed Martian Regolith and Its Relation to Methane Production on Mars

2010

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“…An instrument analogous to SAM flew on the Viking mission and did not detect organics via pyrolytic analysis. All evidence suggests that the Viking technical approach and instrument worked according to its design (Biemann, 1979, Biemann, 2007 so these Viking results do not exclude the potential presence of abundant IOM, if the IOM was derived predominantly from OCs. IOM in OCs has already been subjected to extensive natural pyrolysis in the OC parent body (Cody et al, 2008).…”

Section: Interstellar Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Preservation of Martian Organic and Environmental Records: Final Report of the Mars Biosignature Working Group

Summons

Amend²,

Bish³

et al. 2011

Astrobiology

265

207

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International audienceThe Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) has an instrument package capable of making measurements of past and present environmental conditions. The data generated may tell us if Mars is, or ever was, able to support life. However, the knowledge of Mars' past history and the geological processes most likely to preserve a record of that history remain sparse and, in some instances, ambiguous. Physical, chemical, and geological processes relevant to biosignature preservation on Earth, especially under conditions early in its history when microbial life predominated, are also imperfectly known. Here, we present the report of a working group chartered by the Co-Chairs of NASA's MSL Project Science Group, John P. Grotzinger and Michael A. Meyer, to review and evaluate potential for biosignature formation and preservation on Mars. Orbital images confirm that layered rocks achieved kilometer-scale thicknesses in some regions of ancient Mars. Clearly, interplays of sedimentation and erosional processes govern present-day exposures, and our understanding of these processes is incomplete. MSL can document and evaluate patterns of stratigraphic development as well as the sources of layered materials and their subsequent diagenesis. It can also document other potential biosignature repositories such as hydrothermal environments. These capabilities offer an unprecedented opportunity to decipher key aspects of the environmental evolution of Mars' early surface and aspects of the diagenetic processes that have operated since that time. Considering the MSL instrument payload package, we identified the following classes of biosignatures as within the MSL detection window: organism morphologies (cells, body fossils, casts), biofabrics (including microbial mats), diagnostic organic molecules, isotopic signatures, evidence of biomineralization and bioalteration, spatial patterns in chemistry, and biogenic gases. Of these, biogenic organic molecules and biogenic atmospheric gases are considered the most definitive and most readily detectable by MSL

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“…A series of studies (Navarro-González et al, 2006, 2011NavarroGonzalez and McKay, 2011) suggested that the presence of perchlorate and other oxidants in the martian regolith renders the Viking results difficult to interpret because of the high probability of either oxidizing or chlorinating indigenous organic molecules during heating. These observations have been contested (Biemann, 2007). As a result of these complications, the Panel did not rely on the earlier non-detections of organics in Mars regolith.…”

Section: Considerations Related To Specific Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planning Considerations Related to the Organic Contamination of Martian Samples and Implications for the Mars 2020 Rover

et al. 2014

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On the ability of the Viking gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer to detect organic matter

Cited by 59 publications

References 19 publications

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Carboxylated Molecules on Light-Exposed Martian Regolith and Its Relation to Methane Production on Mars

Photocatalytic Decomposition of Carboxylated Molecules on Light-Exposed Martian Regolith and Its Relation to Methane Production on Mars

Preservation of Martian Organic and Environmental Records: Final Report of the Mars Biosignature Working Group

Planning Considerations Related to the Organic Contamination of Martian Samples and Implications for the Mars 2020 Rover

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