Projects per year
Abstract
Detection of organic matter is one of the core objectives of future Mars exploration. The ability to probe rocks, soils, and other geological substrates for organic targets is a high priority for in situ investigation, sample caching, and sample return. UV luminescence – the emission of visible light following UV irradiation – is a tool that is beginning to be harnessed for planetary exploration. We conducted UV photoluminescence analyses of (i) Mars analogue sediments doped with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs; <15 ppm), (ii) carbonaceous CM chondrites and terrestrial kerogen (Type IV), and (iii) synthetic salt crystals doped with PAHs (2 ppm). We show that that detection of PAHs is possible within synthetic and natural gypsum, and synthetic halite. These substrates show the most apparent spectral modifications, suggesting that the most transparent minerals are more conducive to UV photoluminescence detection of trapped organic matter. Iron oxide, ubiquitously present on Mars surface, hampers but does not completely quench the UV luminescence emission. Finally, the maturity of organic carbonaceous material influences the luminescence response, resulting in a reduced signal for UV excitation wavelengths down to 225 nm. This study demonstrates the utility of UV luminescence spectroscopy for the analysis of mixed organic-inorganic materials applicable to Mars exploration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 929-937 |
Journal | Icarus |
Volume | 321 |
Early online date | 18 Dec 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Mar 2019 |
Keywords
- UV luminescence
- Mars
- Analogue
- Spectroscopy
- Organic
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Dive into the research topics of 'UV luminescence characterisation of organics in Mars-analogue substrates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Looking for life in the UV: Looking for life in the UV: fluorescence as a tool for planetary exploration
Cousins, C. R. (PI) & Finch, A. A. (CoI)
6/01/16 → 5/01/19
Project: Standard
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Searching for life on Mars: Searching for life on Mars: analogue and technology-based approaches
Cousins, C. R. (PI)
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
1/05/15 → 30/09/18
Project: Fellowship