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1. First Detection of Non-Chlorinated Organic Molecules Indigenous to a Martian Sample

Author

Freissinet, C, Glavin, D. P, Buch, A, Szopa, C, Summons, R. E, Eigenbrode, J. L, Archer, P. D., Jr, Brinckerhoff, W. B, Brunner, A. E, Cabane, M, Franz, H. B, Kashyap, S, Malespin, C. A, Martin, M, Millan, M, Miller, K, Navarro-González, R, Prats, B. D, Steele, A, Teinturier, S, and Mahaffy, P. R

Subjects
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard Curiosity can perform pyrolysis of martian solid samples, and analyze the volatiles by direct mass spectrometry in evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, or separate the components in the GCMS mode (coupling the gas chromatograph and the mass spectrometer instruments). In addition, SAM has a wet chemistry laboratory designed for the extraction and identification of complex and refractory organic molecules in the solid samples. The chemical derivatization agent used, N-methyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl- trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA), was sealed inside seven Inconel metal cups present in SAM. Although none of these foil-capped derivatization cups have been punctured on Mars for a full wet chemistry experiment, an MTBSTFA leak was detected and the resultant MTBSTFA vapor inside the instrument has been used for a multi-sol MTBSTFA derivatization (MD) procedure instead of direct exposure to MTBSTFA liquid by dropping a solid sample directly into a punctured wet chemistry cup. Pyr-EGA, Pyr-GCMS and Der-GCMS experiments each led to the detection and identification of a variety of organic molecules in diverse formations of Gale Crater.

Published
2016

2. Detection of Nitric Oxide by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument Implications for the Presence of Nitrates

Author

Navarro-Gonzalez, R, Stern, J, Freissinet, C, Franz, H. B, Eigenbrode, J. L, McKay, C. P, Coll, P, Sutter, B, Archer, D, McAdam, A, Cabane, M, Ming, D. W, Glavin, D, Leshin, L, Wong, M, Atreya, S, Wray, J. J, Steele, A, Buch, A, Prats, B. D, Szopa, C, Coscia, D, Teinturier, S, Conrad, P, Owen, T. C, Mahaffy, P, and Grotzinger, J. P

Subjects
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Abstract

One of the main goals of the Mars Science Laboratory is to determine whether the planet ever had environmental conditions able to support microbial life. Nitrogen is a fundamental element for life, and is present in structural (e.g., proteins), catalytic (e.g., enzymes and ribozymes), energy transfer (e.g., ATP) and information storage (RNA and DNA) biomolecules. Planetary models suggest that molecular nitrogen was abundant in the early Martian atmosphere, but was rapidly lost to space by photochemistry, sputtering impact erosion, and oxidized and deposited to the surface as nitrate. Nitrates are a fundamental source for nitrogen to terrestrial microorganisms. Therefore, the detection of nitrates in soils and rocks is important to assess the habitability of a Martian environment. SAM is capable of detecting nitrates by their thermal decomposition into nitric oxide, NO. Here we analyze the release of NO from soils and rocks examined by the SAM instrument at Gale crater, and discuss its origin.

Published
2014

3. Possible Detection of Nitrates on Mars by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument

Author

Navarro-Gonzalez, R, Stern, J, Sutter, B, Archer, D, McAdam, A, Franz, H. B, McKay, C. P, Coll, P, Cabane, M, Ming, D. W, Brunner, A. E, Glavin, D, Eigenbrode, J. L, Jones, J. H, Freissinet, C, Leshin, L, Wong, M, Atreya, S, Wray, J. J, Steele, A, Buch, A, Prats, B. D, Szopa, C, Conrad, P, and Mahaffy, P

Subjects
Geophysics
Abstract

Planetary models suggest that nitrogen was abundant in the early Martian atmosphere as dinitrogen (N2). However, it has been lost by sputtering and photochemical loss to space [1, 2], impact erosion [3], and chemical oxidation to nitrates [4]. Nitrates, produced early in Mars history, are later decomposed back into N2 by the current impact flux [5], making possible a nitrogen cycle on Mars. It is estimated that a layer of about 3 m of pure NaNO3 should be distributed globally on Mars [5]. Nitrates are a fundamental source for nitrogen to terrestrial microorganisms. Therefore, the detection of soil nitrates is important to assess habitability in the Martian environment. The only previous mission that was designed to search for soil nitrates was the Phoenix mission but was unable to detect evolved N-containing species by TEGA and the MECA WCL [6]. Nitrates have been tentatively identified in the Nakhla meteorite [7]. The purpose of this work is to determine if nitrates were detected in first solid sample (Rocknest) in Gale Crater examined by the SAM instrument.

Published
2013

4. Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

Author

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Miller, Kristen, Summons, Roger E, Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Eigenbrode, J. L., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., McAdam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Zorzano, M.-P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Miller, Kristen, Summons, Roger E, Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Eigenbrode, J. L., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., McAdam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., and Zorzano, M.-P.

Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on board the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover is designed to conduct inorganic and organic chemical analyses of the atmosphere and the surface regolith and rocks to help evaluate the past and present habitability potential of Mars at Gale Crater. Central to this task is the development of an inventory of any organic molecules present to elucidate processes associated with their origin, diagenesis, concentration, and long-term preservation. This will guide the future search for biosignatures. Here we report the definitive identification of chlorobenzene (150–300 parts per billion by weight (ppbw)) and C2 to C4 dichloroalkanes (up to 70 ppbw) with the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) and detection of chlorobenzene in the direct evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, in multiple portions of the fines from the Cumberland drill hole in the Sheepbed mudstone at Yellowknife Bay. When combined with GCMS and EGA data from multiple scooped and drilled samples, blank runs, and supporting laboratory analog studies, the elevated levels of chlorobenzene and the dichloroalkanes cannot be solely explained by instrument background sources known to be present in SAM. We conclude that these chlorinated hydrocarbons are the reaction products of Martian chlorine and organic carbon derived from Martian sources (e.g., igneous, hydrothermal, atmospheric, or biological) or exogenous sources such as meteorites, comets, or interplanetary dust particles.

Published
2017

5. Preservation of organics at Mars' near-surface

Author

Freissinet, Caroline, Glavin, Daniel P., Buch, Arnaud, Szopa, Cyril, Archer Jr., P. D., Brinckerhoff, William B., Brunner, Anna E., Eigenbrode, Jennifer L., Franz, Heather B., Kashyap, S., Malespin, Charles A., Millan, Maeva, Miller, Kristen E., Navarro-González, Rafael, Prats, B. D., Summons, Roger E., Teinturier, Samuel, Mahaffy, Paul R., Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST), University of Maryland [Baltimore County] (UMBC), University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Laboratoire de Génie des Procédés et Matériaux - EA 4038 (LGPM), CentraleSupélec, Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Ministère de l'Education nationale, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (M.E.N.E.S.R.), PLANETO - LATMOS, Laboratoire Atmosphères, Milieux, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Jacobs Technology ESCG, Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology [GSFC] (CRESST), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares [Mexico], Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences [MIT, Cambridge] (EAPS), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México = National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and Cardon, Catherine

Subjects
[SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], [SDU.ASTR] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
Abstract

International audience; One of the biggest concerns for the in situ detection of organic molecules onextraterrestrial environment is the preservation potential of the molecules at the surface and subsurface given the harsh radiative environment and oxidants they are exposed to.The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission hosts Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), a 40 kg suite of instruments which is devoted to make the inventory of organic and inorganic compounds in Mars’ atmosphere and subsurface, and understanding their processes of preservation.To date, SAM has detected and identified several organic molecules in the Martian subsuface, such as chloroalkanes, chlorobenzene at various states of chlorination, sulphur-containaing molecules and functionalized aromatic hydrocarbons.The presence of organic molecules opens up habitability to another level, where the building blocks of life were available. Understanding their windows of preservation of organics will help in the search for prebiotic or biological signature on Mars.

Published
2016

6. Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

Author

Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Miller, K. E., Eigenbrode, J. L., Summons, R. E., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., Mcadam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Zorzano, M. P., the MSL Science Team, Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Miller, K. E., Eigenbrode, J. L., Summons, R. E., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., Mcadam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Zorzano, M. P., and the MSL Science Team

Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on board the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover is designed to conduct inorganic and organic chemical analyses of the atmosphere and the surface regolith and rocks to help evaluate the past and present habitability potential of Mars at Gale Crater. Central to this task is the development of an inventory of any organic molecules present to elucidate processes associated with their origin, diagenesis, concentration, and long-term preservation. This will guide the future search for biosignatures. Here we report the definitive identification of chlorobenzene (150-300 parts per billion by weight (ppbw)) and C2 to C4 dichloroalkanes (up to 70ppbw) with the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) and detection of chlorobenzene in the direct evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, in multiple portions of the fines from the Cumberland drill hole in the Sheepbed mudstone at Yellowknife Bay. When combined with GCMS and EGA data from multiple scooped and drilled samples, blank runs, and supporting laboratory analog studies, the elevated levels of chlorobenzene and the dichloroalkanes cannot be solely explained by instrument background sources known to be present in SAM. We conclude that these chlorinated hydrocarbons are the reaction products of Martian chlorine and organic carbon derived from Martian sources (e.g., igneous, hydrothermal, atmospheric, or biological) or exogenous sources such as meteorites, comets, or interplanetary dust particles.

Published
2015

7. Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

Author

Petrology, Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Miller, K. E., Eigenbrode, J. L., Summons, R. E., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., Mcadam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Zorzano, M. P., the MSL Science Team, Petrology, Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Mahaffy, P. R., Miller, K. E., Eigenbrode, J. L., Summons, R. E., Brunner, A. E., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Archer, P. D., Franz, H. B., Atreya, S. K., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Cabane, M., Coll, P., Conrad, P. G., Des Marais, D. J., Dworkin, J. P., Fairén, A. G., François, P., Grotzinger, J. P., Kashyap, S., ten Kate, I. L., Leshin, L. A., Malespin, C. A., Martin, M. G., Martin-Torres, F. J., Mcadam, A. C., Ming, D. W., Navarro-González, R., Pavlov, A. A., Prats, B. D., Squyres, S. W., Steele, A., Stern, J. C., Sumner, D. Y., Sutter, B., Zorzano, M. P., and the MSL Science Team

Published
2015

8. IN SITU WET CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT ON MARS USING THE SAMPLE ANALYSIS AT MARS (SAM) INSTRUMENT: "OPPORTUNISTIC DERIVATIZATION" TO INVESTIGATE ORGANICS IN A MARTIAN MUDSTONE.

Author

Freissinet, C., Glavin, D. P., Buch, A., Szopa, C., Kashyap, S., Franz, H. B., Eigenbrode, J. L., Brinckerhoff, W. B., Navarro-González, R., Teinturier, S., Malespin, C. A., Prats, B. D., and Mahaffy, P. R.

Subjects
CHEMISTRY experiments, MARS (Planet), ORGANIC compounds, GAS chromatography, GAS chromatography/Mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Published
2017

10. Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars.

Author

Freissinet C, Glavin DP, Mahaffy PR, Miller KE, Eigenbrode JL, Summons RE, Brunner AE, Buch A, Szopa C, Archer PD, Franz HB, Atreya SK, Brinckerhoff WB, Cabane M, Coll P, Conrad PG, Des Marais DJ, Dworkin JP, Fairén AG, François P, Grotzinger JP, Kashyap S, Ten Kate IL, Leshin LA, Malespin CA, Martin MG, Martin-Torres FJ, McAdam AC, Ming DW, Navarro-González R, Pavlov AA, Prats BD, Squyres SW, Steele A, Stern JC, Sumner DY, Sutter B, and Zorzano MP

Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on board the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover is designed to conduct inorganic and organic chemical analyses of the atmosphere and the surface regolith and rocks to help evaluate the past and present habitability potential of Mars at Gale Crater. Central to this task is the development of an inventory of any organic molecules present to elucidate processes associated with their origin, diagenesis, concentration, and long-term preservation. This will guide the future search for biosignatures. Here we report the definitive identification of chlorobenzene (150-300 parts per billion by weight (ppbw)) and C 2 to C 4 dichloroalkanes (up to 70 ppbw) with the SAM gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GCMS) and detection of chlorobenzene in the direct evolved gas analysis (EGA) mode, in multiple portions of the fines from the Cumberland drill hole in the Sheepbed mudstone at Yellowknife Bay. When combined with GCMS and EGA data from multiple scooped and drilled samples, blank runs, and supporting laboratory analog studies, the elevated levels of chlorobenzene and the dichloroalkanes cannot be solely explained by instrument background sources known to be present in SAM. We conclude that these chlorinated hydrocarbons are the reaction products of Martian chlorine and organic carbon derived from Martian sources (e.g., igneous, hydrothermal, atmospheric, or biological) or exogenous sources such as meteorites, comets, or interplanetary dust particles., Key Points: First in situ evidence of nonterrestrial organics in Martian surface sediments Chlorinated hydrocarbons identified in the Sheepbed mudstone by SAM Organics preserved in sample exposed to ionizing radiation and oxidative condition.

Published
2015
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