Open AccessOrganic synthesis on Mars by electrochemical reduction of CO 2
Author(s) -
A. Steele,
Liane G. Benning,
Richard Wirth,
Sandra Siljeström,
M. Fries,
E. H. Hauri,
P. G. Conrad,
K. L. Rogers,
J. L. Eigenbrode,
Anja Schreiber,
A. Needham,
Jianhua Wang,
F. M. McCubbin,
A. L. D. Kilcoyne,
Juan Diego RodriguezBlanco
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
science advances
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.928
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 2375-2548
DOI - 10.1126/sciadv.aat5118
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , electrochemistry , organic synthesis , reduction (mathematics) , astrobiology , abiotic component , chemistry , environmental science , combinatorial chemistry , nanotechnology , environmental chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , electrode , physics , catalysis , ecology , biology , mathematics , geometry
The sources and nature of organic carbon on Mars have been a subject of intense research. Steele (2012) showed that 10 martian meteorites contain macromolecular carbon phases contained within pyroxene- and olivine-hosted melt inclusions. Here, we show that martian meteorites Tissint, Nakhla, and NWA 1950 have an inventory of organic carbon species associated with fluid-mineral reactions that are remarkably consistent with those detected by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. We advance the hypothesis that interactions among spinel-group minerals, sulfides, and a brine enable the electrochemical reduction of aqueous CO to organic molecules. Although documented here in martian samples, a similar process likely occurs wherever igneous rocks containing spinel-group minerals and/or sulfides encounter brines.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom