Spatially distributed complex organic matter detected in an ancient river valley in Jezero crater, Mars
Пространственно распределённое сложное органическое вещество, обнаруженное в древней речной долине в кратере Джезеро на Марсе
2026-06-24
SCID: 54.1/ttad5xsp
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Jezero craterPerseverance roverRaman spectrometermacromolecular carbonmudstones
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Abstract (AI)
Using a Raman spectrometer onboard the Perseverance rover, we report the heterogeneous distribution of organic carbon within mudstones located in an ancient river valley on Mars. Measurements of two mudstones show hundreds of organic detections, making this the most robust organic detection in Jezero crater thus far, and, to our knowledge, the only detection of macromolecular carbon on a natural rock surface on Mars. Spectra of the interior of one rock reveal an association of organics with secondary carbonate and sulfate minerals, whereas another rock exhibits an association of organics with primary silicate-dominated matrix. Although in situ Raman analyses cannot determine whether these organics denote abiotic or biotic sources, the organic association with both depositional and diagenetic minerals and the detection of organics on the martian surface suggests that the organics observed ubiquitously at the Bright Angel outcrop may be resistant to radiation and oxidation or have been relatively recently exposed.
Key Findings
1
Associations with both depositional and diagenetic minerals and surface detection imply the organics may be radiation- and oxidation-resistant or were relatively recently exposed.
2
Organics in one rock are associated with secondary carbonate and sulfate minerals; in another, organics associate with a primary silicate-dominated matrix.
3
Raman spectrometer measurements on Perseverance detected heterogeneous distribution of organic carbon within mudstones in an ancient Jezero crater river valley.
4
This study reports, to the authors' knowledge, the only detection of macromolecular carbon on a natural rock surface on Mars.
5
Two mudstones produced hundreds of organic detections, constituting the most robust organic detection in Jezero crater to date.
Research Object
Mudstones in an ancient river valley (Bright Angel outcrop) in Jezero crater, Mars
Research Subject
Spatially distributed complex organic carbon (macromolecular carbon) occurrences and their mineral associations (secondary carbonates, sulfates, and primary silicate matrix) detected by in situ Raman spectroscopy
Publication Details
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2026-06-24
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