Lukmanov, R.

Riedo, A.

Riedo, V.

Tulej, M.

Wiesendager, R.

Wurz, P.

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Chemical identification of microfossils from Gunflint chert (1.88 Ga) with spaceborne Mass Spectrometer

Leiden University Scholary Publications

Geophysical Research AbstractsVol. 21, EGU2019-12772, 2019EGU General Assembly 2019© Author(s) 2019. CC Attribution 4.0 license.Chemical identification of microfossils from Gunflint chert (1.88 Ga) withspaceborne Mass Spectrometer.Rustam Lukmanov (1), Marek Tulej (1), Reto Wiesendager (1), Andreas Riedo (2), Valentine Riedo (1), and PeterWurz (1)(1) Institute of Physics, University of Bern, Switzerland (peter.wurz@space.unibe.ch), (2) Sackler Laboratory forAstrophysics Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands (riedo@strw.leidenuniv.nl)In-situ chemical analysis on the surfaces of planetary bodies is a challenging endeavor which is of the primaryimportance of understanding their origin and evolution. Particular interest in this field lies within astrobiologicalcontext. Presence of habitable conditions which have been shown by reconstructions of early Martian environmentraises questions about the possible development of early life forms analogous to the Terrestrial, and aboutsubsequent preservation of organic matter in the sub-surface areas [1]. However, many aspects of these questionsremain unknown.In this contribution, we would show the first data to demonstrate that miniaturized spaceborne Laser Abla-tion Ionization Mass Spectrometer (LIMS) combined with the vacuum-compatible microscope is a system capableof delivering highly sensitive chemical information [2, 3]. We collected data on spatial scales at the micrometerlevel, from Precambrian chert sample (Gunflint formation, 1.88 Ga) with a dense population of microfossils,which is considered to be a Martian analog sample in our study.Measurements were performed using ultrafast ion source (operating in the femtosecond range) with multi-ple wavelengths (IR-775 nm, UV-387nm, UV-258nm), on two different regimes (single pulse, double pulse)and recently developed HV-Pulser mode for heavy elements scan. We conducted high-resolution multichanneldepth profiling on different spots within the host area (Si-rich matrix) and dense microfossil assemblage zones.Furthermore, we developed a protocol for high sampling rate measurements with a total capacity around 6,4 Gs/s.Regarding questions related to the chemical identification of microfossil, LIMS system is shown to be sensitiveto highlight elemental abundances down to the ppm level. By accurate analysis of elemental dynamics in depthprofile, we could infer the presence of carbonate microinclusions inside host area and determine the location offossil body and differentiate between genera by looking into the elemental variance. Measurements conducted onboth the host and microfossils area are discussed in detail and compared with each other.[1] Vago, J.L., et al., Habitability on Early Mars and the Search for Biosignatures with the ExoMars Rover.Astrobiology, 2017. 17(6-7): p. 471-510.[2] Tulej, M., et al., Chemical Composition of Micrometer-Sized Filaments in an Aragonite Host by a MiniatureLaser Ablation/Ionization Mass Spectrometer. Astrobiology, 2015. 15(8): p 669-682.[3] Wiesendanger, R., et al., Chemical and optical identification of micrometer-sized 1.9 billion-year-old fossilswith a miniature LIMS system combined with an optical microscope. Astrobiology, 2018.

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Chemical identification of microfossils from Gunflint chert (1.88 Ga) with spaceborne Mass Spectrometer

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Leiden University Scholary Publications