Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

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

doi:10.1002/2014JE004737

Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

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

Geology and Geophysics

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Abstract

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument [Mahaffy et al., 2012] onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 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 [Grotzinger et al., 2012]. 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 [Summons et al., 2011]. 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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	495-514
Number of pages	20
Journal	Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets
Volume	120
Issue number	3
Early online date	21 Mar 2015
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JE004737
Publication status	Published - Mar 2015

Bibliographical note

Acknowledgements
This work could not have been conducted without the continuous support of the
SAM and MSL operations, engineering, and scientific teams. NASA provided
support for the development and operation of SAM. SAM-GC was supported by funds from the French Space Agency (CNES). C.F. acknowledges the NPP program. C.F., D.P.G., K.E.M., J.L.E., R.E.S., J.P.D., and M.G.M. acknowledge support from the MSL Participating Scientist Program. Data from these SAM experiments are archived in the Planetary Data System (pds.nasa.gov)

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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 Jr, 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., ... Team, MSL. S. (2015). Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, 120(3), 495-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JE004737

Freissinet, C, Glavin, DP, Mahaffy, PR, Miller, KE, Eigenbrode, JL, Summons, RE, Brunner, AE, Buch, A, Szopa, C, Archer Jr, 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, JF, McAdam, AC, Ming, DW, Navarro-González, R, Pavlov, AA, Prats, BD, Squyres, SW, Steele, A, Stern, JC, Sumner, DY, Sutter, B, Zorzano, M-P & Team, MSLS 2015, 'Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars', Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets, vol. 120, no. 3, pp. 495-514. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JE004737

@article{62296eb79c094d0ab42aa998eee46dff,

title = "Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars",

abstract = "The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument [Mahaffy et al., 2012] onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 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 [Grotzinger et al., 2012]. 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 [Summons et al., 2011]. 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.",

author = "C. Freissinet and Glavin, {D. P.} and Mahaffy, {P. R.} and Miller, {K. E.} and Eigenbrode, {J. L.} and Summons, {R. E.} and Brunner, {A. E.} and A. Buch and C. Szopa and {Archer Jr}, P.D. and Franz, {H. B.} and Atreya, {S. K.} and Brinckerhoff, {W. B.} and M. Cabane and P. Coll and Conrad, {P. G.} and {Des Marais}, {D. J.} and Dworkin, {J. P.} and Fair{\'e}n, {A. G.} and P. Fran{\c c}ois and Grotzinger, {J. P.} and S. Kashyap and {ten Kate}, {I. L.} and Leshin, {L. A.} and Malespin, {C. A.} and Martin, {M. G.} and Martin-Torres, {J. F.} and McAdam, {A. C.} and Ming, {D. W.} and R. Navarro-Gonz{\'a}lez and Pavlov, {A. A.} and Prats, {B. D.} and Squyres, {S. W.} and A. Steele and Stern, {J. C.} and Sumner, {D. Y.} and B. Sutter and Zorzano, {M. -P.} and Team, {MSL Science}",

note = "Acknowledgements This work could not have been conducted without the continuous support of the SAM and MSL operations, engineering, and scientific teams. NASA provided support for the development and operation of SAM. SAM-GC was supported by funds from the French Space Agency (CNES). C.F. acknowledges the NPP program. C.F., D.P.G., K.E.M., J.L.E., R.E.S., J.P.D., and M.G.M. acknowledge support from the MSL Participating Scientist Program. Data from these SAM experiments are archived in the Planetary Data System (pds.nasa.gov)",

year = "2015",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1002/2014JE004737",

language = "English",

volume = "120",

pages = "495--514",

journal = "Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets",

issn = "2169-9097",

publisher = "John Wiley & Sons",

number = "3",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

AU - Freissinet, C.

AU - Glavin, D. P.

AU - Mahaffy, P. R.

AU - Miller, K. E.

AU - Eigenbrode, J. L.

AU - Summons, R. E.

AU - Brunner, A. E.

AU - Buch, A.

AU - Szopa, C.

AU - Archer Jr, P.D.

AU - Franz, H. B.

AU - Atreya, S. K.

AU - Brinckerhoff, W. B.

AU - Cabane, M.

AU - Coll, P.

AU - Conrad, P. G.

AU - Des Marais, D. J.

AU - Dworkin, J. P.

AU - Fairén, A. G.

AU - François, P.

AU - Grotzinger, J. P.

AU - Kashyap, S.

AU - ten Kate, I. L.

AU - Leshin, L. A.

AU - Malespin, C. A.

AU - Martin, M. G.

AU - Martin-Torres, J. F.

AU - McAdam, A. C.

AU - Ming, D. W.

AU - Navarro-González, R.

AU - Pavlov, A. A.

AU - Prats, B. D.

AU - Squyres, S. W.

AU - Steele, A.

AU - Stern, J. C.

AU - Sumner, D. Y.

AU - Sutter, B.

AU - Zorzano, M. -P.

AU - Team, MSL Science

N1 - Acknowledgements This work could not have been conducted without the continuous support of the SAM and MSL operations, engineering, and scientific teams. NASA provided support for the development and operation of SAM. SAM-GC was supported by funds from the French Space Agency (CNES). C.F. acknowledges the NPP program. C.F., D.P.G., K.E.M., J.L.E., R.E.S., J.P.D., and M.G.M. acknowledge support from the MSL Participating Scientist Program. Data from these SAM experiments are archived in the Planetary Data System (pds.nasa.gov)

PY - 2015/3

Y1 - 2015/3

N2 - The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument [Mahaffy et al., 2012] onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 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 [Grotzinger et al., 2012]. 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 [Summons et al., 2011]. 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.

AB - The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument [Mahaffy et al., 2012] onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) 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 [Grotzinger et al., 2012]. 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 [Summons et al., 2011]. 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.

U2 - 10.1002/2014JE004737

DO - 10.1002/2014JE004737

M3 - Article

SN - 2169-9097

VL - 120

SP - 495

EP - 514

JO - Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets

JF - Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets

IS - 3

ER -

Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars

Abstract

Bibliographical note

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