PuSH - Publikationsserver des Helmholtz Zentrums München

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)
Verlagsversion Forschungsdaten DOI PMC
Open Access Gold
Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag
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.
Impact Factor
Scopus SNIP
Altmetric
3.900
0.000
Tags
Anmerkungen
Besondere Publikation
Auf Hompepage verbergern

Zusatzinfos bearbeiten
Eigene Tags bearbeiten
Privat
Eigene Anmerkung bearbeiten
Privat
Auf Publikationslisten für
Homepage nicht anzeigen
Als besondere Publikation
markieren
Publikationstyp Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Schlagwörter Abiotic Degradation ; Atacama Desert ; Biosignatures ; Field Experiment ; Oxychlorines; Amino-acids; Perchlorate; Radiation; Soils; Cyanobacterium; Habitability; Hydrocarbons; Degradation; Molecules; Minerals
Sprache englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr 2025
HGF-Berichtsjahr 2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN 2045-2322
e-ISSN 2045-2322
Zeitschrift Scientific Reports
Quellenangaben Band: 15, Heft: 1, Seiten: , Artikelnummer: 29957 Supplement: ,
Verlag Nature Publishing Group
Verlagsort London
Begutachtungsstatus Peer reviewed
POF Topic(s) 30202 - Environmental Health
Forschungsfeld(er) Environmental Sciences
PSP-Element(e) G-504800-001
Förderungen DFG
Projekt DEAL
Scopus ID 105013323668
PubMed ID 40817302
Erfassungsdatum 2025-10-24