Elemental analysis as a first step towards 'following the nitrogen' on Mars.

摘要

Elemental analysis was shown to be a useful if rudimentary tool in taking the first steps towards "Following the nitrogen" as an approach to astrobiology on Mars. By determining sensitivity towards a variety of nitrogen species, key assumptions were challenged regarding the role of clays relative to other sediments in storing nitrogen in the rock record. A high threshold was set for the number of microbes needed to generate a nitrogen signature sufficient for elemental analysis. The presence of nitrogen was used to conclusively differentiate between biological and abiotic samples in a Mars analogue environment.