The life simulation that happened on Earth helps us to discover possible life on other planets as well, this time it is the turn of Secrets of life on the red planet became.

The first structural traces of life on earth It is highly controversial, both because abiotic processes are able to contribute to relatively similar structures and because such fossils are often subjected to progressive alteration and metamorphism.

Read more: New evidence of water on Mars has been found

The secrets of the secrets of life on the red planet

A paper published Friday in the Geological Journal of the Geological Society of America describes a range of advanced two- and three-dimensional analytical techniques for Determining the biological origin of the oldest stromatolite A 3.48-billion-year-old generative cover from Dresar, Pilbara, Western Australia.

Stromatolites, are layered sedimentary rocks that reflect complex interactions between microbial communities and their environment. Also, for a long time, macrofossils have been considered as important indicators of life in ancient sedimentary rocks.

However, Biological origin of ancient stromatolites It has often been criticized.

How did scientists find out the secrets of life on the red planet?

A group led by Dr. Kieron Hickman-Lewis used light and electron microscopy, elemental geochemistry, Raman spectroscopy and laboratory-based stromatolites from the Natural History Museum, London, which have undergone severe oxidation and weathering and do not preserve any organic material. synchrotron to identify several features that indicate a biological origin.

In addition to performing laboratory tomography of stromatolite macrostructure in 3D, this team was able to achieve the first sub-micron pixel and voxel size for imaging microstructures. Stromatolite Precambrian obtained by phase contrast imaging using the SYRMEP beamline at the Elettra Synchrotron, Trieste, Italy.

It is possible to identify structural non-uniform layers, voids resulting from degassing of decaying organic matter and vertical column-like structures interpreted as microbial wall structures, a common indicator of phototrophic growth.

Constructive cover stromatolites due to oxidation They are mostly replaced by hematite (iron oxide). This makes organic geochemical analyzes impossible, a compound highly relevant to the search for life on Mars.

Summary for the future

Sedimentary rocks exposed on the surface of Mars oxidation are placed in a similar manner and are also mainly composed of iron oxides in centimeter by centimeter.

In this regard, the forming mantle stromatolites may be associated with unique materials to inform us of the precise style of preservation of the biosignature expected on Mars.

As the Perseverance rover continues to explore Jezero Crater, we should look for structural expressions of life similar to those identified in the mantle structure when Martian samples are eventually returned to Earth. , prepare for advanced multiple analyses.

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Source: Geological Society of America