Komatiites: From Earth's Geological Settings to Planetary and Astrobiological Contexts

Komatiites are fascinating volcanic rocks. They are among the most ancient lavas of the Earth following the 3.8 Ga pillow basalts at Isua and they represent some of the oldest ultramafic magmatic rocks preserved in the Earth's crust at 3.5 Ga. This fact, linked to their particular features (high magnesium content, high melting temperatures, low dynamic viscosities, etc.), has attracted the community of geoscientists since their discovery in the early sixties, who have tried to determine their origin and understand their meaning in the context of the terrestrial mantle evolution. In addition, it has been proposed that komatiites are not restricted to our planet, but they could be found in other extraterrestrial setting in our Solar System (particularly in Mars and Io). It is important to note that komatiites may be extremely significant in the study of the origins and evolution of Life on Earth. They not only preserve essential geochemical clues of the interaction between the pristine Earth rocks and atmosphere, but also may have been potential suitable sites for biological processes to develop. Thus, besides reviewing the main geodynamic, petrological and geochemical characteristics of komatiites, this paper also aims to widen their investigation beyond the classical geological prospect, calling attention to them as attracting rocks for research in planetology and astrobiology.Comment: 53 pages, submitted (Nov 22th, 2005) to Earth, Moon and Planets and accepted for publication on Jan 18th, 2007. The new version is the corrected paper after acceptance for publicatio

Astrobiological significance of minerals on Mars surface environment: UV-shielding properties of Fe (jarosite) vs. Ca (gypsum) sulphates

The recent discovery of liquid water-related sulphates on Mars is of great astrobiological interest. UV radiation experiments, using natural Ca and Fe sulphates (gypsum, jarosite), coming from two selected areas of SE Spain (Jaroso Hydrothermal System and the Sorbas evaporitic basin), were performed using a Xe Lamp with an integrated output from 220 nm to 500 nm of 1.2 Wm-2. The results obtained demonstrate a large difference in the UV protection capabilities of both minerals and also confirm that the mineralogical composition of the Martian regolith is a crucial shielding factor. Whereas gypsum showed a much higher transmission percentage, jarosite samples, with a thickness of only 500 microns, prevented transmission. This result is extremely important for the search for life on Mars as: a) jarosite typically occurs on Earth as alteration crusts and patinas, and b) a very thin crust of jarosite on the surface of Mars would be sufficient to shield microorganisms from UV radiation.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology (invited paper), special issue "Extreme Life

Spectrochimica Acta Part A 62 (2005) 176-180 Raman spectroscopy of halotrichite from Jaroso, Spain

Abstract Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared ATR spectroscopy has been used to characterise a halotrichite FeSO 4 ·Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·22H 2 O from The Jaroso Ravine, Almeria, Spain. Halotrichites form a continuous solid solution series with pickingerite and chemical analysis shows that the jarosite contains 6% Mg 2+ . Halotrichite is characterised by four infrared bands at 3569.5, 3485.7, 3371.4 and 3239.0 cm −1 . Using Libowitsky type relationships, hydrogen bond distances of 3.08, 2.876, 2.780 and 2.718Å were determined. Two intense Raman bands are observed at 987.7 and 984.4 cm −1 and are assigned to the ν 1 symmetric stretching vibrations of the sulphate bonded to the Fe 2+ and the water units in the structure. Three sulphate bands are observed at 77 K at 1000.0, 991.3 and 985.0 cm −1 suggesting further differentiation of the sulphate units. Raman spectrum of the ν 2 and ν 4 region of halotrichite at 298 K shows two bands at 445.1 and 466.9 cm −1 , and 624.2 and 605.5 cm −1 , respectively, confirming the reduction of symmetry of the sulphate in halotrichite

Influence of Type 2 Diabetes in the Association of PNPLA3 rs738409 and TM6SF2 rs58542926 Polymorphisms in NASH Advanced Liver Fibrosis

Advanced fibrosis; Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; Type 2 diabetesFibrosis avanzada; Esteatohepatitis no alcohólica; Diabetes tipo 2Fibrosi avançada; Esteatohepatitis no alcohòlica; Diabetis tipus 2Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of cirrhosis in western countries. Insulin resistance (IR), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the polymorphisms patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) rs58542926 are independent risk factors of NASH. Nevertheless, little is known about the interaction between IR and T2D with these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of NASH and the development of advanced fibrosis. Thus, our study aimed to investigate this relationship. This is a cross-sectional study including NASH patients diagnosed by liver biopsy, at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. A total of 140 patients were included (93 T2D, 47 non-T2D). T2D (OR = 4.67; 95%CI 2.13–10.20; p < 0.001), PNPLA3 rs738409 and TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphisms (OR = 3.94; 95%CI 1.63–9.54; p = 0.002) were independently related with advanced liver fibrosis. T2D increased the risk of advance fibrosis on top of the two polymorphisms (OR = 14.69; 95%CI 3.03–77.35; p = 0.001 for PNPLA3 rs738409 and OR = 11.45; 95%CI 3.16–41.55; p < 0.001 for TM6SF2 rs58542926). In non-T2D patients, the IR (HOMA-IR ≥ 5.2, OR = 14.33; 95%CI 2.14–18.66; p = 0.014) increased the risk of advanced fibrosis when the polymorphisms were present (OR = 19.04; 95%CI 1.71–650.84; p = 0.042). The T2D and IR status increase the risk of advanced fibrosis in patients with NASH carrying the PNPLA3 rs738409 and/or TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphisms, respectively

The Rover Environmental Monitoring Station Ground Temperature Sensor: A Pyrometer for Measuring Ground Temperature on Mars

We describe the parameters that drive the design and modeling of the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS) Ground Temperature Sensor (GTS), an instrument aboard NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory, and report preliminary test results. REMS GTS is a lightweight, low-power, and low cost pyrometer for measuring the Martian surface kinematic temperature. The sensor’s main feature is its innovative design, based on a simple mechanical structure with no moving parts. It includes an in-flight calibration system that permits sensor recalibration when sensor sensitivity has been degraded by deposition of dust over the optics. This paper provides the first results of a GTS engineering model working in a Martian-like, extreme environment

Survival of lichens and bacteria exposed to outer space conditions - Results of the Lithopanspermia experiments

n the space experiments Lithopanspermia, experimental support was provided to the likelihood of the lithopanspermia concept that considers a viable transport of microorganisms between the terrestrial planets by means of meteorites. The rock colonising lichens Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria elegans, the vagrant lichen Aspicilia fruticulosa, and endolithic and endoevaporitic communities of cyanobacteria and bacteria with their natural rock substrate were exposed to space for 10 days onboard the Biopan facility of the European Space Agency (ESA). Biopan was closed during launch and re-entry. In addition, in the Stone facility, one sample of R. geographicum on its natural granitic substrate was attached at the outer surface of the re-entry capsule close to the stagnation point, only protected by a thin cover of glass textolite. Post-flight analysis, which included determination of the photosynthetic activity, LIVE/DEAD staining, and germination capacity of the ascospores, demonstrated that all three lichen were quite resistant to outer space conditions, which include the full spectrum of solar extraterrestrial electromagnetic radiation or selected wavelength ranges. This high resistance of the lichens to space appears to be due to their symbiotic nature and protection by their upper pigmented layer, the cortex. In contrast, the rock- or halite-inhabiting bacteria were severely damaged by the same exposure. After atmospheric re-entry, the granite of the Stone sample was transformed into a glassy, nearly homogenous material, with several friction striae. None of the lichen cells survived this re-entry process. The data suggest that lichens are suitable candidates for testing the concept of lithopanspermia, because they are extremely resistant to the harsh environment of outer space. The more critical event is the atmospheric re-entry after being captured by a planet. Experiments simulating the re-entry process of a microbe-carrying meteoroid did not show any survivors

The SuperCam Remote Sensing Instrument Suite for Mars 2020

International audienceThe Mars 2020 rover, essentially a structural twin of MSL, is being built to a) characterize the geology and history of a new landing site on Mars, b) find and characterize ancient habitable environments, c) cache samples for eventual return to Earth, and d) demonstrate in-situ production of oxygen needed for human exploration. Remote-sensing instrumentation is needed to support the first three of these goals [1]. The SuperCam instrument meets these needs with a range of instrumentation including the highest-resolution remote imaging on the rover, two different techniques for determining mineralogy , and one technique to provide elemental compositions. All of these techniques are co-boresighted, providing rapid comprehensive characterization. In addition, for targets within 7 meters of the rover the laser shock waves brush away the dust, providing cleaner surfaces for analysis. SuperCam will use an advanced version of the AEGIS robotic target selection software

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to &lt;90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], &gt;300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of &lt;15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P&lt;0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P&lt;0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Raman Spectroscopy of Halotrichite from Jaroso, Spain

Raman spectroscopy complimented with infrared ATR spectroscopy has been used to characterise a halotrichite FeSO4.Al2(SO4)3.22H2O from The Jaroso Ravine, Almeria, Spain. Halotrichites form a continuous solid solution series with pickingerite and chemical analysis shows that the jarosite contains 6% Mg2+. Halotrichite is characterised by four infrared bands at 3569.5, 3485.7, 3371.4 and 3239.0 cm-1. Using Libowitzky type relationships, hydrogen bond distances of 3.08, 2.876, 2.780 and 2.718 Å were determined. Two intense Raman bands are observed at 987.7 and 984.4 cm-1 and are assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching vibrations of the sulphate bonded to the Fe2+ and the water units in the structure. Three sulphate bands are observed at 77 K at 1000.0, 991.3 and 985.0 cm-1 suggesting further differentiation of the sulphate units. Raman spectrum of the ￮2 and ν4 region of halotrichite at 298 K shows two bands at 445.1 and 466.9 cm-1, and 624.2 and 605.5 cm-1 respectively confirming the reduction of symmetry of the sulphate in halotrichite

Thermal Decomposition and X-Ray Diffraction of Sulphate Efflorescent Minerals from El Jaroso Ravine, Sierra Almagrera, Spain

Two evaporite minerals fro the El Jaroso Ravine, Spain have been analysed by thermogravimetry coupled with an evolved gas mass spectrometer. X-ray diffraction results proved the evaporite minerals were a mixture of sulphates including the minerals magnesiocopiapite, coquimbite and possibly alunogen. Thermal decomposition of the unoxidised samples showed steps at 52, 99, 143 degrees Celsius confirmed by mass spectrometric results and attributed to adsorbed water, interstitial water and chemically bonded water. This evaporite mineral rock showed two higher temperature decomposition steps at 555 and 599 degrees Celsius with mass losses of 19.6 and 7.8%. Slightly different temperatures for the thermal decomposition of the oxadada sample were observed at 52, 64.5 and 100 degrees celsius. Two higher temperature mass loss steps at 560.5 and 651 degrees Celsius were observed for the oxidised sample. By comparison of the thermal analysis patterns of halotrichite and jarosite it can be shown that the El Jaroso samples are mineral sulphates and not halotrichite or jarosite