Physical and chemical mechanisms that impact the detection, identification, and quantification of organic matter and the survival of microorganisms on the Martian surface – a review

The iconic Viking Landers that landed on Mars in 1976 demonstrated that the Martian surface is an extreme place, dominated by high UV fluxes and regolith chemistry capable of oxidizing organic molecules. From follow-on missions, we have learned that Mars was much warmer and wetter in its early histo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of astrobiology 2022-10, Vol.21 (5), p.356-379
Main Authors: Bak, Ebbe Norskov, Nørnberg, Per, Jensen, Svend J. Knak, Thøgersen, Jan, Finster, Kai
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adsorption
Atmosphere
Basalt
Decomposition
Detection
Experiments
Gamma rays
Gases
Hydrothermal activity
Ionizing radiation
Lakes
Lander vehicles
Mars
Mars climate
Mars craters
Mars missions
Mars surface
Microorganisms
Organic chemistry
Organic matter
Oxidation
Regolith
Survival
Ultraviolet radiation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The iconic Viking Landers that landed on Mars in 1976 demonstrated that the Martian surface is an extreme place, dominated by high UV fluxes and regolith chemistry capable of oxidizing organic molecules. From follow-on missions, we have learned that Mars was much warmer and wetter in its early history, and even some areas of Mars (such as crater lakes, possibly with sustained hydrothermal activity) were habitable places (e.g. Grotzinger et al. (2014). Science (New York, N.Y.) 343; Mangold et al. (2021). Science (New York, N.Y.). However, based on the Viking results we have learnt that the search for life and its remains is challenged by abiotic breakdown and alteration of organic material. In particular, the harsh radiation climate at the Martian surface that directly and indirectly could degrade organics has been held accountable for the lack of organics in the Martian regolith. Recent work simulating wind-driven erosion of basalts under Mars-like conditions has shown that this process, comparable to UV- and ionizing radiation, produces reactive compounds, kills microbes and removes methane from the atmosphere. and thereby could equally jeopardize the success of life-seeking missions to Mars. In this review, we summarize and discuss previous work on the role of physical and chemical mechanisms that affect the persistence of organics, and their consequences for the detection of life and/or its signatures in the Martian regolith and in the atmosphere.
ISSN:1473-5504
1475-3006
DOI:10.1017/S1473550421000392