Spatial Variation in Results of Biosignature Analyses of Apparently Homogeneous Samples from Mars Analogue Environments in Iceland - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Spatial Variation in Results of Biosignature Analyses of Apparently Homogeneous Samples from Mars Analogue Environments in Iceland

Authors: Tan George K., Simpson Anna, Holtzen Samuel, Amador Elena, Cable Morgan L., Cantrell Thomas, Cullen Thomas, Duca Zach, Gentry Diana, Kirby Jessica, McCraig Heather, Murukesan Gayathri, Patel Aditya, Pital Aaron, Rader Erika, Rennie Vincent, Sutton Scot, Stevens Adam, Whitehead Jarah, Cullen David C., Geppert Wolf, Stockton Amanda M.

Publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Publication year: 2022

Journal: ACS earth and space chemistry

Journal name in source: ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY

Journal acronym: ACS EARTH SPACE CHEM

Volume: 6

Issue: 6

First page : 1472

Last page: 1481

Number of pages: 10

ISSN: 2472-3452

eISSN: 2472-3452

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.1c00390

Web address : https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.1c00390

Abstract

The search for signs of life on Mars and beyond is time consuming and labor-intensive; hence, it is critical to understand how to design sampling strategies that can maximize the likelihood of success. Two distinct Mars analogue environments in Iceland were selected to represent volcanic resurfacing and glacial environments where characterization of different biosignatures at various spatial scales (100 m, 10 m, 1 m, 10 cm) was performed. This study serves the twofold purposes of (1) understanding the different levels of biosignature distributions in these analogue environments and (2) the spatial distributions of biosignatures in these environments, with an overarching goal of drawing lessons from low biomass Mars analogue environments to inform the best sampling strategies for sample collection strategies on Mars. Our results show that samples should be collected for analysis at large (at least 100 m spacing) to capture most differences within an apparently homogeneous environment of the aged resurfaced volcanic region like M ae lifellssandur, whereas a smaller spacing at 10 m scale is necessary for younger glacial-volcanic environments like Fimmvorduhals. This study also illustrates the importance of understanding the variability across spatial scales in sampling design for future planetary missions.