Raman spectroscopy as a screening tool for ancient life detection on Mars

The search for sp2-bonded carbonaceous material is one of the major life detection strategies of the astrobiological exploration programmes of National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency (ESA). The ESA ExoMars rover scheduled for launch in 2018 will include a Raman spectr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A: Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences Vol. 372; no. 2030; pp. 1 - 11
Main Authors Marshall, Craig P., Marshall, Alison Olcott
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Royal Society 13.12.2014
Subjects
Astrobiology
Biological markers
Carbon
Carbonaceous materials
Carbonates
Hydrocarbons
Marl
Raman scattering
Raman spectroscopy
Shales
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The search for sp2-bonded carbonaceous material is one of the major life detection strategies of the astrobiological exploration programmes of National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency (ESA). The ESA ExoMars rover scheduled for launch in 2018 will include a Raman spectrometer with the goal of detecting sp2-bonded carbonaceous material as potential evidence of ancient life. However, sp2-bonded carbonaceous material will yield the same Raman spectra of well-developed G and D bands whether they are synthesized biologically or non-biologically. Therefore, the origin and source of sp2-bonded carbonaceous material cannot be elucidated by Raman spectroscopy alone. Here, we report the combined approach of Raman spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry biomarker analysis to Precambrian sedimentary rocks, which taken together, provides a promising new methodology for readily detecting and rapidly screening samples for immature organic material amenable to successful biomarker analysis.
ISSN:1364-503X
1471-2962