Physicochemical transformation in Mars analogue materials

Instruments onboard the NASA Curiosity rover have revealed that organic matter (OM) is present on Mars; these chlorohydrocarbons are thought to originate from a reaction of OM with Martian perchlorates. We hypothesise the reaction may occur in the Mars near-surface, induced by the harsh radiative environment. Our team is thus investigating the influence of radiation on organic molecules under simulated Mars surface conditions. The Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron allows us to tune the energy of X-rays to the same energies as fluorescence photons released by Fe, Cl, and Si, common elements in Martian surface materials, simulating these radiation sources on Mars. We can expose our samples of OM and simulated Mars regolith to bright beams of X-rays at CLS that allow us to simulate millions of years of exposure in timespans of minutes to hours. We will use this approach to investigate the degradation and chlorination of organic compounds in simulating Martian environments. After X-ray exposure, we will characterize these samples using GC-MS and FTIR. We expect our results will contribute to understanding long-term preservation of OM in Mars’ near-surface, and the chemistry of these compounds as they are generated and degraded through our identification of degradation by-products.

Faculty Supervisor:

Joyce McBeth

Student:

Partner:

Université Paris-Saclay

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: