Publication

Potential for analysis of carbonaceous matter on Mars using Raman spectroscopy

Hutchinson, I.B.
; 
Parnell, J.
; 
Edwards, Howell G.M.
; 
Jehlička, J.
; 
Marshall, C.P.
; 
Harris, L.V.
; 
Ingley, R.
Publication Date
2014
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Keywords
Raman spectroscopy, Carbonaceous material, Mars, Planetary exploration, Organic-walled microfossils, Barberton Greenstone belt, Earth's earliest fossils, Structural characterisation, Exomars mission, Beta-carotene, South-Africa, Micro-raman, Apex chert, Life
Rights
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
closedAccess
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Life Sciences Publications
Show all metadata
Additional title
Abstract
The ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars rover will be launched in 2018. The primary aim of the mission will be to find evidence of extinct or extant life by extracting samples from the subsurface of Mars. The rover will incorporate a drill that is capable of extracting cores from depths of up to 2 m, a Sample Preparation and Distribution System (SPDS) that will crush the core into small grains and a suite of analytical instruments. A key component of the analytical suite will be the Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) that will be used to probe the molecular and mineralogical composition of the samples. In this work we consider the capability of the proposed Raman spectrometer to detect reduced carbon (possibly associated with evidence for extinct life) and to identify the level of thermal alteration/maturity. The Raman analysis of 21 natural samples of shale (originating from regions exhibiting different levels of thermal maturity) is described and it is shown that reduced carbon levels as low as 0.08% can be readily detected. It is also demonstrated that the Raman spectra obtained with the instrument can be used to distinguish between samples exhibiting high and low levels of thermal maturity and that reduced carbon can be detected in samples exposed to significant levels of oxidation (as expected on the surface of Mars). (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10454/10462
Version
No full-text in the repository
Citation
Hutchinson IB, Parnell J, Edwards HGM et al (2014) Potential for analysis of carbonaceous matter on Mars using Raman spectroscopy. Planetary and Space Science. 103: 184-190.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2014.07.006
Type
Article
Qualification name
Notes