Arens, F.L.* ; Uhl, J. ; Schmitt-Kopplin, P. ; Karger, C.* ; Mangelsdorf, K.* ; Sager, C.* ; Airo, A.* ; Valenzuela, B.* ; Zamorano, P.* ; Schulze-Makuch, D.*
     
 
    
        
Exploring organic compound preservation through long-term in situ experiments in the Atacama desert and the relevance for Mars.
    
    
        
    
    
        
        Sci. Rep. 15:29957 (2025)
    
    
    
		
		
			
				The preservation of organic compounds under extreme environmental conditions remains a critical challenge for both terrestrial ecology applications on Earth and astrobiology. In a novel long-term field experiment over 8 months, we exposed biomolecules and a model organism to natural hyperarid conditions of the Atacama Desert, one of the best Mars analog environments. We used custom-designed sample plates for long-term exposure to simulate environmental stresses that biomolecules are exposed naturally in a hyperarid environment. The multiple stressors included extreme temperature fluctuations, associated humidity changes, and intense solar irradiation. Our field experiment complements and extends the insights obtained from previously conducted short-term laboratory experiments. To investigate biomolecule stability, we embedded adenosine triphosphate (ATP), chlorophyll-a, and the cyanobacterium Chrooccoccidiopsis in various Mars-relevant sediments with addition of chloride and perchlorate. Our findings, which include the rapid degradation of these biomolecules, the detection of more stable degradation products, and the identification of non-enzymatic degradation pathways, reveal the critical influence of substrate and salt types on biomolecule stability. Valuable insights into biosignature preservation under extreme terrestrial conditions and a better understanding of organic signal interpretations were gained, which will provide critical insights for future Mars missions, especially when searching for past or present life.
			
			
				
			
		 
		
			
				
					
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        Publikationstyp
        Artikel: Journalartikel
    
 
    
        Dokumenttyp
        Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    
 
    
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        Schlagwörter
        Abiotic Degradation ; Atacama Desert ; Biosignatures ; Field Experiment ; Oxychlorines; Amino-acids; Perchlorate; Radiation; Soils; Cyanobacterium; Habitability; Hydrocarbons; Degradation; Molecules; Minerals
    
 
    
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        englisch
    
 
    
        Veröffentlichungsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
        Prepublished im Jahr 
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        HGF-Berichtsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
    
        ISSN (print) / ISBN
        2045-2322
    
 
    
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        2045-2322
    
 
    
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	    Band: 15,  
	    Heft: 1,  
	    Seiten: ,  
	    Artikelnummer: 29957 
	    Supplement: ,  
	
    
 
  
        
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            Verlag
            Nature Publishing Group
        
 
        
            Verlagsort
            London
        
 
	
        
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        Peer reviewed
    
 
     
    
        POF Topic(s)
        30202 - Environmental Health
    
 
    
        Forschungsfeld(er)
        Environmental Sciences
    
 
    
        PSP-Element(e)
        G-504800-001
    
 
    
        Förderungen
        DFG
Projekt DEAL
    
 
    
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        Erfassungsdatum
        2025-10-24