Assessment of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for the non-destructive identification of organic minerals and biomolecules for Mars studies |
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| Authors: | J Jehlička HGM Edwards P Vítek |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, Irvine Building, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL, UK;2. Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais e Ambiente, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;3. Centro de Química-Física Molecular - Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CQFM-IN), Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (iBB), Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal;1. Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, PO Box 15001, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil;2. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, PO Box 15001, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil;3. Instituto de Física UFRGS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves 9500, PO Box 15051, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil;4. Faculty of Physics, University of Sofia, 5J. Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria |
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| Abstract: | Several characteristic geological features found on the surface of Mars by planetary rovers suggest that a possible extinct biosphere could exist based on similar sources of energy as occurred on Earth. For this reason, analytical instrumental protocols for the detection of biomarkers in suitable geological matrices unequivocally have to be elaborated for future unmanned explorations including the forthcoming ESA ExoMars mission. As part of the Pasteur suite of analytical instrumentation on ExoMars, the Raman/LIBS instrument will seek elemental and molecular information about geological, biological and biogeological markers in the Martian record. A key series of experiments on terrestrial Mars analogues, of which this paper addresses a particularly important series of compounds, is required to obtain the Raman spectra of key molecules and crystals, which are characteristic for each biomarker. Here, we present Raman spectra of several examples of organic compounds which have been recorded non-destructively—higher n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carotenoids, salts of organic acids, pure crystalline terpenes as well as oxygen-containing organic compounds. In addition, the lower limit of β-carotene detection in sulphate matrices using Raman microspectroscopy was estimated. |
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