Morphological biosignatures from relict fossilised sedimentary geological specimens: a Raman spectroscopic study

Morphological biosignatures (features related to life) and associated terrestrial sedimentary structures that provide possible sampling targets for the remote astrobiological exploration of planets have been analysed using Raman spectroscopic techniques. The spectral data from a suite of samples com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Raman spectroscopy 2007-10, Vol.38 (10), p.1352-1361
Main Authors: Edwards, Howell G. M., Jorge Villar, Susana E., Pullan, Derek, Hargreaves, Michael D., Hofmann, Beda A., Westall, Frances
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biogeological modification
Biomolecules
ExoMars instrumentation
Geology
Mars analogues
Mathematical analysis
Microorganisms
Raman spectroscopy
Spectra
spectral biosignatures
Spectroscopic analysis
Spectroscopy
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Summary:Morphological biosignatures (features related to life) and associated terrestrial sedimentary structures that provide possible sampling targets for the remote astrobiological exploration of planets have been analysed using Raman spectroscopic techniques. The spectral data from a suite of samples comprising crypto‐chasmoendoliths, preserved microbial filaments and relict sedimentary structures comprise a preliminary database for the establishment of key Raman biosignatures. This will form the basis for the evaluation of prototype miniaturised instrumentation for the proposed ESA ExoMars mission scheduled for 2013. The Raman spectral biosignatures of carotenoids and scytonemin, organic biomolecules characteristic of the cyanobacterial colonisation of geological matrices and biogeologically modified minerals are also identifiable in the sedimentary specimen materials. The results of this study demonstrate the basis of the molecular recognition of extinct and extant exobiology that will feed into the elemental structural analyses of morphological structures provided by associated SEM, XRD and laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) techniques on robotic analytical landers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0377-0486
1097-4555
DOI:10.1002/jrs.1775