 |
|
Building blocks of life formed on Mars
December 12, 2007Organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen and form the building blocks of all life on Earth. By analyzing organic material and minerals in the Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, scientists at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory have shown for the first time that building blocks of life formed on Mars early in its history. Previously, scientists have thought that organic material in ALH 84001 was brought to Mars by meteorite impacts or more speculatively originated from ancient Martian microbes.
The Carnegie-led team made a comprehensive study of the ALH 84001 meteorite and compared the results with data from related rocks found on Svalbard, Norway. The Svalbard samples occur in volcanoes that erupted in a freezing Arctic climate about 1 million years ago-possibly mimicking conditions on early Mars.
"Organic material occurs within tiny spheres of carbonate minerals in both the Martian and Earth rocks," explained Andrew Steele, lead author of the study. "We found that the organic material is closely associated with the iron oxide mineral magnetite, which is the key to understanding how these compounds formed."
The organic material in the rocks from Svalbard formed when volcanoes erupted under freezing conditions. During cooling, magnetite acted as a catalyst to form organic compounds from fluids rich in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This event occurred under conditions where no forms of life are likely to exist. The similar association of carbonate, magnetite and organic material in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001 is very compelling and shows that the organic material did not originate from Martian life forms but formed directly from chemical reactions within the rock. This is the first study to show that Mars is capable of forming organic compounds at all.
The organic material in the Allan Hills meteorite may have formed during two different events. The first, similar to the Svalbard samples, was during rapid cooling of fluids on Mars. A second event produced organic material from carbonate minerals during impact ejection of ALH 84001 from Mars.
"The results of this study show that volcanic activity in a freezing climate can produce organic compounds," remarked co-author Hans E.F. Amundsen from Earth and Planetary Exploration Services. "This implies that building blocks of life can form on cold rocky planets throughout the Universe."
"Our finding sets the stage for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission in 2009," remarked Steele, who is a member of the Sample Analysis on Mars (SAM) instrument team onboard MSL. "We now know that Mars can produce organic compounds. Part of the mission's goal is to identify organic compounds, their sources, and to detect molecules relevant to life. We know that they are there. We just have to find them."
Carnegie Institution
The organic material in the rocks from Svalbard formed when volcanoes erupted under freezing conditions. During cooling, magnetite acted as a catalyst to form organic compounds from fluids rich in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). This event occurred under conditions where no forms of life are likely to exist. The similar association of carbonate, magnetite and organic material in the Martian meteorite ALH 84001 is very compelling and shows that the organic material did not originate from Martian life forms but formed directly from chemical reactions within the rock. This is the first study to show that Mars is capable of forming organic compounds at all.
The organic material in the Allan Hills meteorite may have formed during two different events. The first, similar to the Svalbard samples, was during rapid cooling of fluids on Mars. A second event produced organic material from carbonate minerals during impact ejection of ALH 84001 from Mars.
"The results of this study show that volcanic activity in a freezing climate can produce organic compounds," remarked co-author Hans E.F. Amundsen from Earth and Planetary Exploration Services. "This implies that building blocks of life can form on cold rocky planets throughout the Universe."
"Our finding sets the stage for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission in 2009," remarked Steele, who is a member of the Sample Analysis on Mars (SAM) instrument team onboard MSL. "We now know that Mars can produce organic compounds. Part of the mission's goal is to identify organic compounds, their sources, and to detect molecules relevant to life. We know that they are there. We just have to find them."
Carnegie Institution
Organic Material News and Current Organic Material Events RSSThawing permafrost likely to boost global warming
The thawing of permafrost in northern latitudes, which greatly increases microbial decomposition of carbon compounds in soil, will dominate other effects of warming in the region and could become a major force promoting the release of carbon dioxide and thus further warming, according to a new assessment in the September 2008 issue of BioScience.
Heavy metal link to mutations, low growth and fertility among crustaceans in Sydney Harbor tributary
Heavy metal pollutants are linked to genetic mutations, stunted growth and declining fertility among small crustaceans in the Parramatta River, the main tributary of Sydney Harbour, new research shows.
Saharan dust storms sustain life in Atlantic Ocean
Research at the University of Liverpool has found how Saharan dust storms help sustain life over extensive regions of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Massive greenhouse gases may be released as destruction, drying of world wetlands worsens: UN
Leading world scientists convene in Brazil July 21-25 amid growing concern that evaporation and ongoing destruction of world wetlands, which hold a volume of carbon similar to that in the atmosphere today, could cause them to exhale billows of greenhouse gases.
Research team draws 150-meter ice core from McCall Glacier
A 150-meter ice core pulled from the McCall Glacier in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this summer may offer researchers their first quantitative look at up to two centuries of climate change in the region.
Iowa State researchers study ground cover to reduce impact of biomass harvest
Ground cover may be one workable method to reduce the effects of erosion that future biomass harvests are predicted to bring.
Metals Shape Up with a Little Help from Friends
For 5,000 years the only way to shape metal has been by the "heat and beat" technique. Even with modern nanotechnology, metalworking involves carving metals with electron beams or etching them with acid.
Laser fluorescence could find life on Mars
A team of scientists from the United States and the United Kingdom has developed a technique using ultraviolet light to identify organic matter in soils that they say could be used to document the existence of life on Mars.
Iowa State researchers use fungus to improve corn-to-ethanol process
Growing a fungus in some of the leftovers from ethanol production can save energy, recycle more water and improve the livestock feed that's a co-product of fuel production.
Brown Scientists Say Biodiversity Is Crucial to Ecosystem Productivity
In the first experiment involving a natural environment, scientists at Brown University have shown that richer plant diversity significantly enhances an ecosystem's productivity.
More Organic Material News Articles
 | The Art of Writing Reasonable Organic Reaction Mechanisms by Robert B. Grossman Intended for students of intermediate organic chemistry, this text shows how to write a reasonable mechanism for an organic chemical transformation. The discussion is organized by types of mechanisms and the conditions under which the reaction is executed, rather than by the overall reaction as is the case in most textbooks. The treatment emphasizes unifying principles, showing how common... |
 | Fundamentals of Polymer Science: An Introductory Text, Second Edition by Paul C. Painter, Michael M. Coleman Now in its second edition, this widely used text provides a unique presentation of today's polymer science. It is both comprehensive and readable. The authors are leading educators in this field with extensive background in industrial and academic polymer research. The text starts with a description of the types of microstructures found in polymer materials. This forms the basis of... |
 | Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Materials, Third Edition by J.M.G. Cowie, Valeria Arrighi Underscoring the multidisciplinary nature of polymer science, this third edition provides a broad-based and comprehensive text at an introductory, reader-friendly level. With nearly 50 percent new or updated material, this edition presents new polymerization methods, characterization techniques, and applications in electronic, biological, and medical settings. new topics include controlled... |
 | Patio: Garden Design & Inspiration by Jamie Durie Packed with design instruction and horticulture tips, this paperback version of Jamie Durie's bestselling gardening-design book provides all the necessary information and inspiration to create glamorous garden and patio spaces. Stunning photographs highlight stylish, award-winning landscape designs created in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Each photograph is accompanied by a... |
| Organic Chemistry Instructor's Edition by Leroy G. Wade In a highly accessible and unintimidating fashion, this book bridges the gap between conceptual understanding and actual application while strongly emphasizing the development of problem-solving skills. All aspects of spectroscopy have been updated and enhanced, relevant photographs have been added, and many applications to polymer chemistry have been integrated throughout. Increased focus on... | |
 | Drug Delivery: Engineering Principles for Drug Therapy (Topics in Chemical Engineering) by W. Mark Saltzman Synthetic materials are a tremendous potential resource for treating human disease. For the rational design of many of these biomaterials it is necessary to have an understanding of polymer chemistry and polymer physics. Equally important to those two fields is a quantitative understanding of the principles that govern rates of drug transport, reaction, and disappearance in physiological and... |
 | Back to the Earth: An Introduction to Archaeology by John Staeck A brief overview of archaeology that provides a ready understanding of the basic concepts and core issues in contemporary archaeological theory, methods of excavation and analysis, and... |
 | Organic Coatings: Science and Technology (Society of Plastics Engineers Monographs) by Zeno W., Jr. Wicks, Frank N. Jones, S. Peter Pappas, Douglas A. Wicks Third Edition brings acclaimed textthoroughly up to date with the latestorganic coatings technology Organic Coatings, Third Edition is an unparalleled reference and text for organic coatings technology and its myriad applications. It begins with discussions of key principles of coatings, then thoroughly explores raw materials, physical concepts, formulations, and applications. Scientists,... |
 | Future of Glycerol: New Usages for a Versatile Raw Material (RSC Green Chemistry Series) by Mario Pagliaro, Michele Rossi This book aims to inform chemistry professionals, including managers and technologists, on the large potential of glycerol as versatile biofeedstock for the production of a variety of chemicals, polymers and fuels. Whilst filling a gap in the current literature, this nicely illustrated book is written in a clear, concise style and presents the numerous uses of glycerol as a new raw material which... |
 | Polymer Synthesis: Theory and Practice: Fundamentals, Methods, Experiments by D. Braun, H. Cherdron, M. Rehahn, H. Ritter, B. Voit The basic concept of this new edition remains unchanged: Emphasis is again put on a broader description of the general methods and processes for the synthesis, modification and characterization of macromolecules. These more fundamental chapters will be supplemented by 115 selected and detailed experiments. In addition to the preparative aspects the book also gives the reader an impression on the... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |