DOI: 10.1002/2014GL062109
论文题名: Perchlorate-induced combustion of organic matter with variable molecular weights: Implications for Mars missions
作者: Sephton M.A. ; Lewis J.M.T. ; Watson J.S. ; Montgomery W. ; Garnier C.
刊名: Geophysical Research Letters
ISSN: 0094-9639
EISSN: 1944-9370
出版年: 2014
卷: 41, 期: 21 起始页码: 7453
结束页码: 7460
语种: 英语
英文关键词: combustion
; life detection
; Mars
; organic
; organohalogens
; perchlorate
Scopus关键词: Biogeochemistry
; Biological materials
; Carbon
; Carbon dioxide
; Chlorine compounds
; Combustion
; Inorganic compounds
; Martian surface analysis
; Molecular weight
; Organic minerals
; Life detection
; Mars
; organic
; Organohalogens
; perchlorate
; Organic carbon
; carbon dioxide
; Mars
; Martian atmosphere
; mineral
; molecular analysis
; organic matter
; perchlorate
英文摘要: Instruments on the Viking landers and Curiosity rover analyzed samples of Mars and detected carbon dioxide and organic compounds of uncertain origin. Mineral-assisted reactions are leading to uncertainty, particularly those involving perchlorate minerals which thermally decompose to produce chlorine and oxygen which can then react with organic matter to generate organochlorine compounds and carbon dioxide. Although generally considered a problem for interpretation, the release profiles of generated gases can indicate the type of organic matter present. We have performed a set of experiments with perchlorate and organic matter of variable molecular weights. Results indicate that organic susceptibility to thermal degradation and mineral-assisted reactions is related to molecular weight. Low molecular weight organic matter reacts at lower temperatures than its high molecular weight counterparts. The natural occurrence and association of organic matter with differing molecular weights helps to discriminate between contamination (usually low molecular weight organic matter only) and indigenous carbon (commonly low and high molecular weight organic matter together). Our results can be used to provide insights into data returning from Mars. Key Points The source of detected carbon on Mars must be foundMineral-organic reaction products can reveal molecular weight of organic matterMolecular weight can be used to distinguish contamination from indigenous carbon ©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84912117906&doi=10.1002%2f2014GL062109&partnerID=40&md5=7aad514ed3d31a0efa0fa0b8761cc1a9
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资源类型: 期刊论文
标识符: http://119.78.100.158/handle/2HF3EXSE/6903
Appears in Collections: 气候减缓与适应
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作者单位: Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Recommended Citation:
Sephton M.A.,Lewis J.M.T.,Watson J.S.,et al. Perchlorate-induced combustion of organic matter with variable molecular weights: Implications for Mars missions[J]. Geophysical Research Letters,2014-01-01,41(21).