Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures
Polygonal structures, some of which are formed in salt deposits, have been documented at numerous locations on the surface of Mars, clearly visible from orbit with high-resolution imaging systems and spectral techniques. Based on a terrestrial analog, these deposits are potential locations to harbor...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | The Planetary Science Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ade3d1 |
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| author | Luca N. Knecht Salome Gruchola Charles S. Cockell Scott M. Perl Mary Beth Wilhelm Peter Keresztes Schmidt Coenraad P. de Koning Marek Tulej Nicolas Thomas Peter Wurz Andreas Riedo |
| author_facet | Luca N. Knecht Salome Gruchola Charles S. Cockell Scott M. Perl Mary Beth Wilhelm Peter Keresztes Schmidt Coenraad P. de Koning Marek Tulej Nicolas Thomas Peter Wurz Andreas Riedo |
| author_sort | Luca N. Knecht |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polygonal structures, some of which are formed in salt deposits, have been documented at numerous locations on the surface of Mars, clearly visible from orbit with high-resolution imaging systems and spectral techniques. Based on a terrestrial analog, these deposits are potential locations to harbor biomarkers, which play a key role in the search for extraterrestrial life. This study examines the measurement capabilities of a laser-based mass spectrometer for the chemical composition analysis of such polygonal structures found in the Boulby Mine, United Kingdom, a Mars analog site. A space-prototype laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry system was used to measure the elemental composition of the material. The analysis for potentially habitable conditions and the presence of preserved biomarkers is based on the abundance of the CHNOPS elements in the halite host. In total, six samples, three from the edge and interior, respectively, of various polygons were investigated. The chemical analysis showed that the edges of polygonal structured salt deposits are preferential sites for element accumulation, with a higher abundance in CHNOPS elements and other trace elements necessary for the formation and maintenance of life. Polygonal structures might be alternative landing sites for future in situ space exploration missions devoted to life detection. The availability and ability to interpret imaging data from orbit enable an easy targeting of polygon structures, thus improving the selection for a landing site with higher potential to detect biosignatures and reducing mission costs by deploying dedicated instrumentation for in situ analysis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-38e2e2f3a41a4b08a4e257be756e905c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2632-3338 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Planetary Science Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-38e2e2f3a41a4b08a4e257be756e905c2025-08-20T03:27:29ZengIOP PublishingThe Planetary Science Journal2632-33382025-01-016716710.3847/PSJ/ade3d1Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon StructuresLuca N. Knecht0https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2548-6501Salome Gruchola1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9757-1402Charles S. Cockell2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3662-0503Scott M. Perl3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9228-9996Mary Beth Wilhelm4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7208-0212Peter Keresztes Schmidt5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4519-8861Coenraad P. de Koning6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2540-7689Marek Tulej7https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9823-6510Nicolas Thomas8https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0146-0071Peter Wurz9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2603-1169Andreas Riedo10https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9007-5791Space Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chUK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh, UKEarth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles , CA, USA; Mineral Sciences, Los Angeles Natural History Museum , Los Angeles, CA, USA; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science , Seattle, WA, USASpace Science and Astrobiology Division, NASA Ames Research Center , Moffett Field, CA, USASpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.chSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.ch; NCCR PlanetS, University of Bern , Bern, SwitzerlandSpace Research and Planetary Sciences, Physics Institute, University of Bern , Bern, Switzerland ; luca.knecht@unibe.ch; NCCR PlanetS, University of Bern , Bern, SwitzerlandPolygonal structures, some of which are formed in salt deposits, have been documented at numerous locations on the surface of Mars, clearly visible from orbit with high-resolution imaging systems and spectral techniques. Based on a terrestrial analog, these deposits are potential locations to harbor biomarkers, which play a key role in the search for extraterrestrial life. This study examines the measurement capabilities of a laser-based mass spectrometer for the chemical composition analysis of such polygonal structures found in the Boulby Mine, United Kingdom, a Mars analog site. A space-prototype laser ablation ionization mass spectrometry system was used to measure the elemental composition of the material. The analysis for potentially habitable conditions and the presence of preserved biomarkers is based on the abundance of the CHNOPS elements in the halite host. In total, six samples, three from the edge and interior, respectively, of various polygons were investigated. The chemical analysis showed that the edges of polygonal structured salt deposits are preferential sites for element accumulation, with a higher abundance in CHNOPS elements and other trace elements necessary for the formation and maintenance of life. Polygonal structures might be alternative landing sites for future in situ space exploration missions devoted to life detection. The availability and ability to interpret imaging data from orbit enable an easy targeting of polygon structures, thus improving the selection for a landing site with higher potential to detect biosignatures and reducing mission costs by deploying dedicated instrumentation for in situ analysis.https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ade3d1BiosignaturesLaser ablationSpectrometersExperimental techniquesTime-of-flight mass spectrometryMass spectrometers |
| spellingShingle | Luca N. Knecht Salome Gruchola Charles S. Cockell Scott M. Perl Mary Beth Wilhelm Peter Keresztes Schmidt Coenraad P. de Koning Marek Tulej Nicolas Thomas Peter Wurz Andreas Riedo Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures The Planetary Science Journal Biosignatures Laser ablation Spectrometers Experimental techniques Time-of-flight mass spectrometry Mass spectrometers |
| title | Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures |
| title_full | Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures |
| title_fullStr | Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures |
| title_short | Laser-based Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Potential Biomarkers and Habitability Indicators on Polygon Structures |
| title_sort | laser based mass spectrometry for the identification of potential biomarkers and habitability indicators on polygon structures |
| topic | Biosignatures Laser ablation Spectrometers Experimental techniques Time-of-flight mass spectrometry Mass spectrometers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ade3d1 |
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